Major milestones (05/05/06)

Youth and experience came to the forefront Thursday as the Patriots chased down a pair of milestones. They came easier than expected.

Starting pitcher R.J. Fuller won in his first varsity start and coach Lea Selvey picked up his 300th career victory as the Jay County baseball team clobbered the visiting Fort Recovery Indians 19-2 in five innings.

Fuller got plenty of offense to make his first outing easier. After the Patriots gave up a run in the top of the first inning, Luke Goetz drew a leadoff walk in the bottom.

“We always say you’ve got to get that first batter ...” said FRHS coach Aaron Vaughn, whose squad dropped to 9-9. “They ripped the ball. You’ve got to give them credit, they hit the ball hard.”

That was the story of the game after Goetz’s walk as Josh Selvey followed with an infield single and Josh Ludy hit the first of his two doubles. Jay County (7-8) also got a double from Josh Shatto and a single from Tony McCowan in a four-run first inning.

After a scoreless second the Patriots broke open the game in the third. Ludy started the inning with his second double, and after an error on what should have been a double play Cory Locke added a double.

With six runs already on the board in the frame and Selvey and Ludy — again — on base, John Retter lined a home run down the left field line. Jay County added another six runs in the fourth inning to cap their most prolific offensive performance of the season.

Ludy was 2-for-2 with his two doubles, four runs and two RBIs, and Retter scored twice and drove in all three of his runs on the homer.

Selvey went 2-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases, and Tony McCowan had two hits, two runs and a steal. Goetz and Andy Hughes each scored twice.

Selvey said no coach ever expects a 19-run outburst, but “I really think every game I kind of expected us to hit like this,” he said. “I’ve got to give a lot of credit to John Retter. It seems like when John Retter started hitting, everybody started hitting.”

Fuller was the beneficiary, getting the win as he allowed a pair of runs in 31/3 innings. He gave up two hits and struck out three before being lifted because of walks.

Michael Jobe entered with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth, worked out of the jam and finished off the game for his fellow sophomore.

“I’m proud of R.J.,” said Selvey. “That’s kind of tough to have a big rival game for your first varsity start.”

Selvey downplayed his own milestone, which comes in his 18th season leading the Patriots. His best years came in 1991 and 1992, finishing with 26 wins in each. The 1992 team also made it to the semi-state championship game.

“It’s nice,” Selvey said of reaching the 300 mark. “That credit goes to a lot of people. That’s longevity. To me that’s more of a tribute to these kids and ... former players.

“I’m more pleased tonight with the way we played. We played like a team that I know we can be.”

He hopes to see more of the same Saturday when the Patriots travel to Anderson Highland for the Olympic Athletic Conference tournament. Jay County is the No. 4 seed, but defeated top-seeded Muncie Southside twice Saturday.

Fort Recovery, on the other hand, wants to put this game behind it as soon as possible. The Indians also have tournament action Saturday as they play for a sectional title against host Minster.

“I just told the guys, ‘Let’s get on the bus and forget this,’” said Vaughn. “We’ll play New Bremen tomorrow (Friday). Obviously you hate to lose a game like this, but that’s the beautiful thing about baseball — you get to play tomorrow.”

Junior varsity

The Patriots nearly matched their varsity counterparts in offensive output in an 18-6 victory over Fort Recovery.

Jay County (7-5) scored in six of the seven innings, including five times in the top of the seventh. Justin Mann struck out 12 for the victory.

Colton Lombardo and Justin Mann each finished 5-for-5 with two doubles and three runs. Lombardo also had a triple.

Billy Wellman went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three runs.

The loss for the Indians (5-5) went to Jordan Hess, who gave up five hits in 11/3 innings.

Frank Thien was 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs, two runs and two stolen bases. Jordan Staugler and Ross Overman each had a pair of hits.[[In-content Ad]]