The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lake Ridge proves worthy of state ranking
The Royals have overcome adversity to excel in the Lake Effect League and they are looking forward to a good postseason. Plus, baseball statistics and the Top of the Crop.
Lake Ridge has had plenty of talent on its roster the past few seasons, but this year the Royals set out with something to prove.
Receiving a preseason third ranking in Division IV from Prep Baseball Report meant a lot to the team and from then on it became about “protecting the rep.”
“We’ve got to come out here and prove that we’re worthy of that ranking,” coach Jason Dimacchia said.
Since 2012, Lake Ridge has been seeded fifth or lower in the postseason draw before earning the fourth seed in the D-IV Me- dina District last year.
The Royals ultimately lost to top-seeded Hillsdale in a district semifinal, but it was the furthest they had made it in postseason play since at least 2002, according to records from the OHSAA. The team is certainly looking to build on that momentum. So far, they have. Lake Ridge is 10-0 this season, cruising through the Lake Effect Conference while also beating non-league opponents — most impressively a 3-2 win over D-II Firelands on April 13 — and in the season’s first Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association poll released April 23, the Royals were ranked fourth in D-IV, even receiving a first-place vote.
What makes the team appreciate this season’s success that much more, however, is the path it has taken to get there.
Injuries have plagued the Royals from the start and off-field issues have forced unforeseen roster moves, putting players in unfamiliar positions — some with very minimal baseball experience, let alone on the varsity level. “Throughout the entire offseason, I was supposed to be at shortstop, but with injuries and some other logistical stuff, I got pushed back out to the outfield,” senior Jake Roach said. “We’re kind of all playing all over the place.
“You’ve got to give credit to all the boys . ... They’re stepping up when we need them to and it’s really nice to see.”
“Through all the adversity, we still try to put up our best guys every time,” fellow senior and fouryear letterman Ian Ashby added. “Some of these guys have been playing less than a month and they’re going out there and just giving 110 percent every pitch, every practice and it’s inspiring, honestly.”
It’s inspiring but not at all surprising for a team and community no stranger to adversity.
There was to be no slowing down when all of a sudden it seemed the Royals’ lineup was in rebuild mode.
Dimacchia wouldn’t allow it.
“It’s a ‘next man up’ mentality,” he said. “No matter who we have in the field, we have the mentality of a champion. We’re going to make the plays and we’re going to continue to win. “As a coach, sometimes you sit back and it seems like it’s going to be tough, but the kids come out and surprise you and that’s the mark of a great team.”
Lake Ridge travels to Oberlin College this weekend for an invitational tournament with Columbia, Wellington and Elyria Catholic.