“I don’t have words,” Chaminade Julienne coach Todd Barhorst said. “I told my coaching staff that obviously I’ve been through these types of runs before. I’m not sure if it’s reality yet or if I’m dreaming. Every game I’m kind of out of it and just living in the moment.
“We’ve been in these spots before,” Barhorst added. “The team truly believes that we’re never done. That last inning, we did not think we were done at all.”
CJ (27-5), which finished ranked seventh in the final D-II state poll, will face Chagrin Falls Kenston in a state semifinal next Friday at 10 a.m. at Akron University’s Canal Park.
Chagrin Falls Kenston beat Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 4-2 on Friday.
Badin (29-2) finished the season ranked No. 1 in the final D-II state poll. The Rams had won five out of the last six against the Eagles heading into Friday, including two 3-0 games during the regular season.
“I hate that it’s over,” Badin coach Brion Treadway said. “I’m not really good at losing. I take every game very personal. At the end of the day — to have 12 seniors in our program after their freshman year got canceled — our program flourished after Covid. This season class was relentless with their work ethic.”
Charlie Hoagland pitched a complete game and struck out seven batters while earning the win on the mound for Chaminade Julienne.
“That’s been our tournament run — we’ve given up three runs in five games,” Barhorst said. “It’s not that we haven’t allowed some base runners, our defense has just stepped up and our pitching has stepped up with runners on”
Badin starter Nik Copenhaver pitched 6.1 innings, struck out nine and gave up two hits and two earned runs.
Isaac Sullivan and Jacob Brunner each had a hit for the Eagles, who ended the game on a base-loaded walk that scored Patrick Gonter-Dray.
“The reality is, I was totally thoughtless — just let it play out,” Barhorst said of the final inning. “For the most part, we’ve been here.
“When we scored, it was a crazy, great feeling. I didn’t know what to think.”
Chaminade Julienne won the state title in 1970, 2018 and 2019. The Eagles were state finalists in 2017.
Kyle Anderson had two hits to pace Badin, which got a run in the first inning on Chandler Taylor’s single scoring Lucas Moore.
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