SHORT GAP, W.Va. — In a matchup of two of West Virginia’s top programs, Jefferson took advantage of some late mistakes to defeat No. 2 Frankfort 5-2 on Wednesday.
The Cougars (23-3) are ranked first in the MetroNews Class AAAA rankings led by longtime head coach John Lowery.
“I thought it was a good game, I thought it had a playoff atmosphere to it,” Lowery said. “We had two baseball teams, pitching on both sides. We were fortunate to get the one big hit. Thought both pitchers played extremely well and both defenses played extremely well. Just a good high school baseball game.”
With Jefferson leading 1-0 after five innings, the Falcons (17-7) committed a pair of costly mistakes in the top of the sixth.
“We played a very good team, we made a few mistakes that hurt us,” Frankfort head coach Matt Miller said. “We battled, got a great pitching performance out of Lanson (Orndorf). Played good defense for six innings, just had one bad inning of defense and it came back and beat us.”
Cole Smith sent a fly ball down the right field line for an RBI single, taking second on the throw as the Cougar lead grew to 2-0.
A dropped fly ball in center field scored two runs before an errant pickoff stretched Jefferson’s lead to 5-0.
“One mistake was a fluke mistake that hasn’t happened and won’t happen,” Miller said. “The kid made a mistake, it’s his first one in four years. He’s the best center fielder in the state, just made a bad play. He’s a great defender and we’re gonna have him out there every game because he’s gonna make that play 100 times.”
Blake Jacobs doubled over the center fielder’s head in the bottom of the sixth to put the Falcons on the board.
Uriah Cutter cut the deficit to 5-2 after six on a sacrifice fly RBI to center.
The game’s lone run through five frames came off the bat of Braeden Oviedo.
In the top of the second, Oviedo sent a fly ball high and deep over the left field fence and into the trees and rounded the bases for a solo shot for the Cougars.
The rest of the game was a classic pitcher’s duel between Orndorf and Jefferson’s Jett Gross.
Gross went 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
“Jett’s been our number one pitcher all year,” Lowery said. “He keeps the ball in the strike zone, he doesn’t give bases away. He pitches to contact a lot, you can see the guys in the field can go catch the ball for him. That helps keeps his pitch count down and stay in the game.”
The Cougar battery of Gross and Smith proved to be a decisive factor.
Smith ended three innings by throwing a runner out at second.
“When you throw somebody out early like that, the other team has second thoughts,” Lowery said.
Orndorf went the distance and was charged with two earned runs on four hits and two walks with nine punch outs.
“All four pitches worked today,” Miller said. “He had really good stuff today. He gave up two earned, would’ve liked to get one pitch back. That happens, it’s baseball. You call 100 pitches, sometimes you make the wrong decision.”
Jacobs and Jaxon Hare each had two hits for the Falcons.
Under Lowery, Jefferson has become the most successful baseball program in West Virginia.
The Cougars have won 12 state titles and have finished with at least 20 wins in 48 consecutive seasons dating back to 1977.
“I think there’s more interest in high school baseball now than when I first started,” Lowery said of how the game has evolved during his career. “I think the advent of travel ball, the private lessons and all those things just adds to it.”
After the game, four Frankfort seniors were recognized for Senior Night.
Cutter, Lane Lease, Jacob Nething and Jullian Pattison played their final regular season home games.
Cutter, Lease and Nething were on last year’s state championship squad, the first for Frankfort since 1988 and second overall.
“Jules is new to the program, he’s been a good leader this year,” Miller said. “He brings a lot of fun and excitement to practice. He’s fun to be around, great kid. The other three have been with me from day one. They mean a lot to me. It’s sad to see them play their last regular season home game.”
The Falcons conclude the regular season at Hedgesville on Thursday at 7 p.m.