Marvin Ridge rebounds, beats Topsail to even 3A baseball title series – Charlotte Observer

There is a reason, after all, Marvin Ridge is part of this 3A state championship series.

After dropping Game 1 Friday night, the Mavericks needed a win to keep their season alive. They needed pitching, or more runs, or both if they wanted to repeat as state champions.

On Saturday morning, they got both, dominating Topsail 10-0 and forcing a deciding Game 3 between the teams later Saturday.

Jason Cornatzer, who nearly threw a complete game for the Mavericks, didn’t allow a run. He gave up five hits, and the Pirates were unable to string them together.

Marvin Ridge’s bats, largely dormant Friday, showed up in Game 2. Chandler Castleberry and Kevin Dobos both homered, and the team finished with 11 hits. And so, their prize for such an overwhelming performance?

Game 3, and a shot at a second straight title.

Three who mattered

Jake Kuchmaner, Marvin Ridge: The first baseman corralled a number of off-target throws, including two consecutive plays in the first that almost forced him into a split.

Kevin Dobos, Marvin Ridge: His three-run homer in the fifth soared over the left field wall, giving the Mavericks an imposing 6-0 lead.

Aaron Beach, Topsail: Beach had the catch of the game, an over-the-shoulder snag as he ran into the center field wall.

Worth mentioning

▪  For the second game in a row, the losing team (this time Topsail) finished with more errors (two) than runs (zero).

▪ Topsail used seven different pitchers in the game; Marvin Ridge used two.

▪ Like it was on Friday, the first game Saturday was delayed for over an hour because of lightning in the top of the seventh.

They said it

“We had a little more juice in our bats today.” – Marvin Ridge coach Mark Mennitt

“I don’t really know how to explain it. It’s just one of those things, you know?” – Castleberry, on hitting a home run

“Just hope that that’s a wakeup call for our guys.” – Topsail coach Christopher Blake