Shortstop and Mercer commit Jordan Ammons charged a grounder in the first inning that caromed off his glove and cleats as Woodbury’s Nick Gehrt scored a run from third base to put the Royals up 1-0.
“I wish I could have that one back,” Ammons said. “Coach (Paul Weinberg) yells at me all the time when I come off the bench looking down after an error, so he told me don’t worry about it and make the next play at the plate.”
The senior redeemed himself in the top of the fifth inning by hitting a double, driving in the Raiders' third run and putting them up for good to edge the previously unbeaten Royals 3-1 Wednesday night at Woodbury High School.
“Jordan wasn’t having one of his better games, but then he came through with that double and that’s what good athletes do,” Weinberg said.
Ranked No. 13 in Class 4A by Let’s Play Baseball, the Raiders (5-0, 5-0) remain unbeaten in the Suburban East Conference despite losing half their starters to graduation last season.
“Our pitching was outstanding (tonight), considering we started a junior and brought a guy out of the bullpen coming off a labrum surgery,” Ammons said.
Ryan Lobin, who was a starting pitcher last season, suffered the shoulder injury last summer. He’s been slowly reintroduced into Cretin-Derham Hall's pitching staff as a closer this season as a precaution, and clinched a save Wednesday in relief for junior Leo Lerner.
“Leo pitched very well,” Lobin said. “We have a lot more (pitching) than we thought we did at the beginning of the year but the juniors have filled their roles.”
A stable contender in the Suburban East conference, The Raiders have outscored their opponents 33-8 this season, holding the competition to three runs or less each game.
“Woodbury’s incredible, but (we are) a team that expects to be in a spot like this,” Ammons said.
Cretin-Derham Hall is searching for its first conference title since 2012 behind a balanced lineup of veterans and newcomers.
“We have a bunch of young kids getting their first starts, and they’re working through their nerves,” Weinberg said.
Now atop the league standings, Ammons says his team won't get complacent.
“We expect to win, but it’s not something we take for granted. We know we have to work hard,” he said.
CDH second baseman Jack Koch (10) tags Woodbury's Gus Newman (5) out in the second inning. Photo by Trevor Squire
First Report
Senior Jordan Ammons’ double capped a two-run fifth inning that clinched Cretin-Derham Hall a 3-1 victory over Woodbury, dealing the Royals their first loss of the season Wednesday night at Woodbury High School.
Ranked No. 13 in Class 4A by Let's Play Baseball, the Raiders (5-0, 5-0) overtook the top spot in the Suburban East Conference standings with the win.
Ammons committed an error at shortstop in the first inning which resulted in the Royals' (6-1, 4-1) only run of the game.
Cretin-Derham Hall's Justin Weinberg drove a double to centerfield in the top of the third to tie the game. Weinberg also drove in a run off a fielding error before Ammons’ double.
Junior right-hander Max Meyer allowed one earned run, walked six batters and struck out four in seven innings for No. 19-4A Woodbury.
Leo Lerner picked up the win for the Raiders and gave up only two hits. Ryan Lobin relieved Lerner in the top of the fourth inning and notched the save.
