The team is pictured after defeating Le Grand to become Southern League champs. Back from left are coach Alex Campoma, coach Johnny Converse, Timmy Roberts-McDougall, Peyton Getty, Bodie Hagen, Brady Arebalo, Tyson Shelby, Drew Canter, Ben Lingenfelter, Hayden Hill, Reid Allison and coach Josh Collins. Front from left are Laten Butler, Mason Bissmeyer, Carmine Sandoval, Ez Weiland, Alexander Janitz and John Ogilby. Submitted photo
After 19 consecutive wins, the Mariposa County High School Grizzlies varsity baseball team was washed away in round one of the playoffs by the River Islands Riptide last week.
The undefeated Southern League champs concluded their season with an 8-1 loss on May 6 against River Islands at MCHS.
“It reminded me of our preseason, we looked a lot like our 0-6 team,” said coach Josh Collins.
“It definitely wasn’t the playoff energy I was hoping for from our guys.”
Bodie Hagen started on the mound for the Grizzlies as neither team scored in the first inning.
The flood gates opened in the second inning when the Riptide stunned the Grizzlies with five runs while MCHS remained scoreless.
John Ogilby took over on the mound to try to get some momentum going for MCHS.
Freshman Cash Orndoff pitched for the Riptide and stifled the Grizzlies at the plate.
Orndoff didn’t allow a single hit while recording eight strikeouts and five walks.
John Ogilby is shown pitching for MCHS against River Islands last week. Also pictured is Brady Arebalo. Photo by Amanda White
“We prepared well but I think we were surprised by the capability of their pitcher,” Collins said.
“He threw really well.”
Reid Allison was able to record an RBI during the fifth inning when Ez Weiland scored the lone run for MCHS but the damage continued with the Riptide putting up three more runs.
Ben Lingenfelter took over on the mound during the fifth inning but it wasn’t enough.
The Riptide snapped the Grizzlies 19-game winning streak and ended their playoff run with a final score of 8-1.
“Our pitchers didn’t have their best stuff and we didn’t respond the way we should have,” continued Collins.
“This one really hurt because this team is capable of going further.”
The Riptide brought the energy and the Grizzlies couldn’t seem to find any momentum.
“When the energy doesn’t show it’s tough,” the coach said.
“I have to give them credit, they played well and they played a better game.”
After leading the Grizzlies baseball program for several years, Collins continues to reflect each season on how to improve the program.
“Every year I’m learning new things and stuff that I can do better,” said Collins.
“Every group is different. We had high expectations for this group so when we started off 0-6, there’s a sense of wanting to be perfect.”
Some things can be controlled and some things can’t.
“That’s not going to happen and I can’t control that,” he said.
“I can only control what happens at practice, everything else is up to them.”
Each year brings a new team.
“I have to coach every group differently,” Collins explained.
“This group rose to the occasion and just getting them to find the fun in the game and not make it all about winning while honoring the legacy of coach Ed Vegely and this program was really special.”
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