The 2024 Ohio Valley Conference baseball outright champion Portsmouth Trojans

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

PORTSMOUTH — Aaron Duncan didn’t get the traditional water cooler bath —because simply put his Trojan players missed when they attempted the rushed pour.

But, Duncan did show off his dance moves —right at home plate in fact.

“I’m a happy guy right now. Deandre (Berry) kinda caught me off guard and they missed me with the water cooler, but I am a good sport so I told them I would go ahead take it and let them drench me. Deandre then said ‘Coach, you have do a dance move.’ I tried to do the one he did between third and home,” said Duncan, the Portsmouth High School head baseball coach, with a laugh and smile. “It probably wasn’t very pretty and it was in the mud, but I wanted to make this memory for the kids and let them get a good laugh out of it. We’ll enjoy this one.”

This season has been nothing short of memorable for Duncan and the young Trojans, as they accomplished outright their first goal on Friday at Portsmouth High’s Hatcher Field.

In a makeup matchup against the South Point Pointers, the Trojans captured their first league championship in baseball in three full decades —sticking the Pointers 13-6 to win their first Ohio Valley Conference title, either outright or shared since they joined the conference in 2015.

Portsmouth raised its stellar record to 17-4, and completed OVC play atop the standings at 12-2 —the only losses being a 12-9 home decision against Ironton on April 8, and 3-1 at Fairland 11 days later.

Before Friday, the most recent baseball league championships for the Trojans were in 1992 and 1993 — when Portsmouth played as a member of the now-defunct Ohio Kentucky Athletic Conference.

Duncan indeed was a senior on that 1992 Trojan team.

He has now guided his alma mater back from the baseball doldrums —as he took over at a time when the proud Portsmouth program had unfortunately fallen on hard times.

And, this is an extremely young Trojan team too —with only three seniors which are regular full-time starters.

Last season, Portsmouth played at Fairland for the OVC championship —and lost in the eighth inning, and amid the darkness, to finish as runner-up.

This time, the Trojans closed the deal.

One of those three seniors, Zach Roth, presented Duncan with a signed game baseball —before Duncan’s postgame media interview with The Portsmouth Daily Times.

“When we started, when Zach (Roth) was a freshman, we didn’t have many kids in the program. But we’ve built the program up to get to this point. We were the doormat of the league and now we’re the outright champions. That’s a credit to the kids on this team and all the work they’ve put in to get better,” he said. “Our kids kept battling, and a lot of those kids are still young kids out there playing for us. Our three seniors —Deandre, Zach and Nate Berry —all played important roles. I am really happy for these seniors. It’s fun to see them have happiness and celebrate this.”

The Trojans scored in every inning — off two South Point pitchers — sans the sixth, when Brayden Hanshaw sat them down 1-2-3.

Otherwise, Portsmouth played primarily Duncan’s style small-ball, but mixed in some power points as well — scoring single runs in innings one and four, four runs apiece in innings two and five, and sandwiched in a three-spot in the third.

Of their 13 runs, the Trojans earned eight off of Xathan Haney —and four of five earned off reliever Corey Otzenberger.

The Trojans tallied eight hits, as both South Point primary pitchers threw three innings apiece —with both throwing a pair of wild pitches.

Haney struggled further from the start — with allowing six hits, three walks and hitting two Trojans.

Colin Perry, the Portsmouth designated hitter, had two of the Trojans’ eight hits —including an RBI-single in the first, followed by a two-run double in the fifth.

He also scored twice, as did Camron Williams, who had three RBI as well —with a second-stanza two-run single.

Jacob Roth and Trevin Brooks both crossed the plate twice too.

Portsmouth sophomore Trevin Brooks (5)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

It’s all encompassing of Duncan’s “pressure bursts pipes” philosophy.

“High school kids, forcing them to field a baseball and throw it, that’s hard to do. We want to keep the ball out of the air. We want to put the ball in play on the ground and let’s use our speed. Our philosophy is ‘pressure bursts pipes’. We want the pipes to burst on the other team. Tonight, you could feel that,” said the coach. “When we started getting some momentum and had some big innings, they got frustrated. That’s part of our game. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but more often than not it does. Our team batting average is close to .390. Through the lineup, one through nine, our kids can run. That’s the type of lineup I want to be able to put together. Having nine guys that if they hit the ball in the infield, they can beat it out and apply pressure. We work on not striking out, taking a two-strike approach and I just challenge them. Put the ball in play and make the other team field it. That’s a lot better than striking out when we don’t have to. Our kids have accepted that challenge, and have bought in what we’re trying to teach here and the offensive style we want to play.”

The Trojans took their largest leads of 9-0 following four and 13-4 after five —as the Pointers scored four times off senior starter and left-handed pitching ace Deandre Berry in the fourth, and for single markers off sophomore reliever Roth in the fifth and sixth.

Portsmouth sophomore Jacob Roth (3)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

But Berry pitched a gem otherwise, tossing the first four and two-thirds frames — before giving way to Roth for the final two and one-thirds.

Portsmouth senior pitcher Deandre Berry (10)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Berry pitched the Trojans to a 9-3 victory over South Point on April 29, as the rematch at Portsmouth was originally slated to be played the next day —but was rained out until Friday.

That allowed Berry to come back, as he did walk three and hit one —allowing four fifth-inning runs on all three hits he gave up.

But he struck out four, assisted on a 1-6 double play in the first to keep the Pointers at the minimum three —and then faced four Pointers in the second, prior to retiring them 1-2-3 in the third and fourth.

Around a balk in the fifth, he did get the first two outs —before his three straight singles, his hit batter, and third and final walk.

But Berry wanted the ball, Duncan explained.

“Deandre pitched really well against these guys on Monday, and did the math and said he could come back on Friday if we played them again on Friday. Now ultimately, I care more about his health and his arm than I do a championship, but he said ‘Coach, I am a senior and I want the ball.’ So his arm was good and he wanted it,” said Duncan. “We’ve developed some pitching along the way. Jacob Roth and Trevin Brooks and Leelind Scurlock are all sophomores that love baseball, but Deandre is the bonafide ace.”

And, these Trojans definitely wanted this OVC crown —just like they wanted to douse Duncan with water, and see the skipper breakdance at the plate.

Portsmouth junior Malachi Loper (1)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

“These kids are willing to work, and they don’t want to stop here with just an OVC championship. They will say let’s win that district championship this year. Once you get to that point, anything can happen,” he said. “I’ve got a good group to work with right now.”

* * *

South Point 000 041 1 — 6 5 1

Portsmouth 143 140 X —13 8 2

SPHS: Xathan Haney 3+IP, 8R, 8ER, 6H, 2HB, 3BB, 0IBB, 2WP, 0K, 22BF; Corey Otzenberger 2IP, 5R, 4ER, 2H, 0HB, 4BB, 0IBB, 2WP, 2K, 12BF; Brayden Hanshaw 1IP, 0R, 0ER, 0H, 0HB, 0BB, 0IBB, 0WP, 1K, 3BF

PHS: Deandre Berry 4 2/3IP, 4R, 3ER, 3H, 1HB, 3BB, 0IBB, 0WP, 4K, 21BF; Jacob Roth 2 1/3IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 0HB, 1BB, 0IBB, 2WP, 2K, 10BF

W — Deandre Berry; L — Xathan Haney

Reach Paul Boggs at (740) 353-3101 ext. 1926, by email at [email protected], or on X @paulboggssports © 2024 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved

Wheelersburg senior AndiJo Howard (32)

File photos courtesy of Terry Stevenson of www.burgsports.com

WHEELERSBURG – Pirate pitcher AndiJo Howard allowed one run and scattered five hits through five innings, as Wheelersburg knocked off Valley 21-1 on Friday in Southern Ohio Conference Division III softball action at Gene Bennett Park.

The Lady Pirate senior left-handed flame-thrower struck out four Lady Indians on Senior Night — as Howard and fellow seniors Haley Myers, Rileigh Lang and Sydney Skiver completed their final regular season together, with an overall record of 101-5 over four years.

The Lady Pirates finished the regular season at 16-2 and 10-0 in the first-year SOC III — and captured another conference crown.

Wheelersburg hasn’t lost a league game since Teresa Ruby became head coach in 2014, giving the Lady Pirates now 146 consecutive SOC wins.

Ruby has coached the Lady Pirates to 141 straight SOC ‘Ws’.

The Lady Pirate program, for these four seniors, have won three straight Division III Region 11 championships —and back-to-back Division III state titles.

Howard also knocked in five runs for Wheelersburg — while Ava Estep went three-for-three at the plate with a pair of singles, one double, one RBI and two runs scored.

“What a way to finish,” Ruby said, after the win. “This group of seniors … I can’t say enough about them. They are so special, and I’m thrilled with the way they finished tonight. Now the real work starts with the tournament next week.”

Wheelersburg jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning — when Estep, Myers, Catie Boggs and Howard all scored.

Howard walked two Lady Indians back-to-back to begin the second inning, and that invited a chat from catcher and fellow senior Myers.

Wheelersburg senior catcher Haley Myers (2)

File photos courtesy of Terry Stevenson of www.burgsports.com

“I just told her that we are ahead in this game and we have a great defense,” Myers said. “Just pitch to contact and let us do what we do.”

Howard noted that she let the moment of Senior Night sink in her mind for a few minutes before the inning.

“I think I was just getting too big in the moment,” she said. “I got out of the groove a little in the second inning then I just settled down and I know the defense always has my back.”

A diving grab catch by Boggs, the Lady Pirate shortstop, for the second out of the inning fired up Howard — who sat down the next Lady Indian to end the inning on strikes.

“We never take a game for granted and we play every inning like it’s the last.” Howard added. “Someone always just seems to make a big play to give us a spark.”

Laiken Wright went three-for-four at the plate with four RBIs, and scored three runs while Emma Smith went two-for-four at the dish with four RBIs.

Skiver, the senior cleanup hitter who scored two runs in the win over Valley, said the victory sets the tone for the tournament.

Wheelersburg senior third baseman Sydney Skiver

File photos courtesy of Terry Stevenson of www.burgsports.com

“We are ready to go into the postseason and make another run,” she said. “These past four years have been the best years of my life.”

The four seniors have experienced an amazing run together.

Four SOC championships, three sectional titles, three Southeast District titles, and back-to-back Division III state championships.

“It’s indescribable,” Myer said. “Playing for a program like Wheelersburg and playing for this coaching staff is amazing. There is no way to describe it unless you’re on the team. Wining state titles back-to-back is the highlight so far.”

Lang, who knocked in two runs in Friday’s win, said the Lady Pirates are excited about the tournament — and what is ahead.

Wheelersburg senior rightfielder Rileigh Lang (10)

File photos courtesy of Terry Stevenson of www.burgsports.com

“We just never take a game for granted no matter who we play or what the score might be during the game. We play the game like it’s our last and this one felt really good. I’m looking forward to the tournament and to make another run.”

She added that winning the state tournament two years ago was special, but said the repeat felt even more amazing.

“To come back and win it again and make a statement like that was awesome,” she said. “This is an amazing group of seniors. We’ve been through so much together. Each year we’ve grown closer, and we know we have each other’s back.”

Howard spoke of similar emotions after the victory over Valley.

“We never take anything for granted and we never feel like we can just walk out on the diamond and win. We have to play hard every pitch and earn it,” she said. “Just being with this group of players and girls brings me happiness. Softball is the outlet that we all have. We have each other to make the bad days good ones.”

As the postseason begins, so does the chance of a back-to-back-to-back state championship.

Ruby knows that a three-peat is a daunting task, but said if there is a group of players who can accomplish this, it’s the one she coaches now.

“They hold each other accountable,” Ruby said of her seniors. “They represent themselves well and they know what we expect — just 100-percent effort. They do this and the entire team follows their lead.”

She added she is proud to be affiliated with a group of seniors — as well as the entire Wheelersburg softball team.

“The legacy that this group has left is incredible,” she said. “I don’t know if it will ever be matched. It all started with World Series Champs (2018)– the 2016 (Division III softball state title) team was playing, and this group has taken winning to another level. Their work ethic and dedication to the game and the school and community is unsurpassed. They are a pleasure to coach.”

* * *

Valley 000 01 —1 5 0

Wheelersburg 474 6X —21 14 0

VHS: Annika Carpenter 1 1/3 IP, 11R, 9ER, 8H, 2HB, 3BB, 2K; Addi Wolf 1 2/3 IP, 4R, 4ER, 3H, 0HB, 2BB, 0K; Kendy Christman 1IP, 6R, 5ER, 3H, 0HB, 4BB, 0K

WHS: Andi Jo Howard 5IP, 1R, 1ER, 5H, 0HB, 4BB, 4K

W — AndiJo Howard; L — Annika Carpenter

Valley hitting: Emily Barr 1-2; Karsyn Davis 1-1 2BB; Kendy Christman 2-3 RBI; Rileigh Weeks 1-3 R

Wheelersburg hitting: Ava Estep 3-3 2R RBI; Haley Myers 1-3 BB 2R; Catie Boggs 2-4 RBI 4R; Sydney Skiver 0-2 2BB 2R; AndiJo Howard 2-2 5RBI HBP BB; Kaylynn Carter 0-1 BB; Laiken Wright 3-4 4RBI 3R; Rileigh Lang 1-3 2RBI HBP; Emma Smith 2-4 4RBI R; Emmi Fannin 2BB R; Mackenzie Mullins 0-1 3R (CR); Mylee Jo Gleim BB R; Camryn Adkins R (CR); Jalynn Drake R

RUSSELL (Ky.) —Registration for the 47^th annual Kiwanis Run By The River is now open.

The 5K and 10K runs and 5K walk are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of East Greenup County, Ky. — and are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 8 in downtown Russell.

An early entry fee of $30 is in effect through Tuesday June 4.

From Wednesday, June 5 through race day, all registrations will cost $35 — according to race director Tim Gearhart.

Registrations can be completed on either Tri-State Racer or Chronotrack web sites — by using either of these links: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/79837 or https://tristateracer.com/race/12635.

The races serve as a fundraiser for the East Greenup Kiwanis Club — with money earned going toward such community projects as Thanksgiving food baskets for at least 50 families, sponsorship of Key Clubs at Raceland-Worthington and Russell high schools where an annual scholarship is offered each year, and annual contributions to the county’s three schools’ Family Resource Centers, Shop with a Cop and the Greenup library’s summer reading program.

The races are considered among the best in the Tri-State area and, as Gearhart said, “I think we have everything organized to put on a first-class event.”

The Run By The River offers competitive runs in both men’s and women’s divisions for the 5K and 10K races.

Walkers will receive times and a finisher medal.

Trophies are given to the first and second-place finishers for men and women in both the 5K and 10K races.

Medals are given to the top three finishers in age categories — that start at 9-and-under and go to 80-and-over in five-year intervals starting with 10-to-14 (men’s and women’s divisions in both 5K and 10K events).

All registered runners will receive a Run By The River t-shirt, which will be mailed about 10 days after the race.

Race day registration will open at 7 a.m. on race day — at the Russell Senior Citizens Center.

Preregistered runners will need to check in to pick up their race bibs.

Races start in front of the Russell Fire Department at 8:30.

The race course follows Bellefonte Street to Clinton, out Clinton to the river, up the river road to Houston Street, out Houston then behind the fire station to Etna, then along the River Road toward Worthington.

5K runners turn around on the River Road and come back to Russell; 10K runners follow the course through Worthington then back to Russell.

Water stations are located at the 5K turnaround, on Fisher Street in Worthington, and at the finish line.

Bananas will be available at the finish line as will pizza from Giovanni’s in Flatwoods.

Additional information is available by contacting race director Tim Gearhart at [email protected] or at (740) 532-9688.

You can also follow Run By The River on Facebook, where results will be posted after the race.