When Freshman Otto Wilhelmy stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, and two out in the bottom of the 6th, the Rangers were down 3-1 and staring at a possible deflating end to their magical season. It looked grim, but Otto had other ideas. Not only did he lace the first pitch to right center to tie the score, he unlocked the Ranger offense. A barrage ensued

Senior Tyler Laidley slapped a single to right, scoring pinch runner Conner Sefchick with the go ahead run. Cooper Russell added some insurance with a run scoring ground rule double. Next came the exclamation point—a massive, 400-foot towering 3-run home run from Drew Jones. This 8-3 win was hard fought, well-earned team effort.

Wadsworth came to play today, pushing out to a 3-0 lead heading to the bottom of the 6th. With one out, Riley Verderber singled, and a hustling Nick Hart beat out a hard grounder to third that was bobbled. Finn Schroder (3 hits) singled to put the Rangers on the board (scoring pinch runner Freddie Showers), and the momentum seemed to be shifting. But when Luke Legato’s searing line drive to left was tracked down, it seemed that the moment had passed, and the season teetered on the brink

Next, came an absolutely vital inning extending single by Robby Koopman that loaded the bases and set the table for Otto and Tyler’s heroics. There were so many contributors today.

Drew Jones started, allowing 3 runs in three innings. Riley Verderber, who has yet to allow an earned run all year, pitched four scoreless innings for the win. Luke Legato made several fine plays in center, and Cooper Russell robbed the Grizzlies with a diving catch in left center

The was quintessential Lakewood Rangers baseball—clutch hitting—this time from the lower part of the line-up, solid defense and strong pitching.

But, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 27-0 requires mental toughness—which was much needed today, and a team first mentality. I’ve been around baseball all my life, and I’m not sure if I’ve seen a more cohesive, all for one, one for all mentality a baseball team.

Today, Lakewood repeated at District Champions in a nail biter that will never be forgotten by the Ranger faithful. I’m happy most of all for the players and coaches that have worked so hard to bring us these magical moments. But I’m also happy for those fans that show up, through the good times and the bad (though the bad times are few) and everything in between. Among others, I’m thinking of you, Greg LaBar and Bill Dorsch.

Lakewood’s historic season continues Wednesday when the Rangers take on Shaker Heights at Gilmour Academy in the Regional Semi-final at 2 pm.

The Lakewood Rangers are one team, from one town that represents 44107 with pride and integrity.

Long Live Lakewood