Sophomore Damon Esparza drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning of Bishop Ward’s 4-3 playoff win over the Pleasant Ridge Rams. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Bishop Ward Cyclones made a thriller out of their first round 3A baseball playoff against Pleasant Ridge High School, scoring two runs to come from behind in the seventh inning to win 4-3.
Damon Esparza got the game-winning RBI, driving in pinch-runner Jayden Hendricks from second with a single to center against a drawn in infield. The Cyclones had tied the score moments before when a high throw on Emilio Ramirez’s grounder plated Sergio Fierro from third.
The Rams scored their go-ahead run in the top of the sixth on a wild sequence that started when Erik Tapia came on in relief with one out and runners at first and third.
Tapia picked off the runner at first before even delivering a pitch, then he beaned Pleasant Ridge’s Mason Ewert before nearly picking him off too. The runner from third scored on a passed ball, and Tapia then closed the frame with a strikeout.
Pleasant Ridge tied the game 2-2 in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run from Rams’ pitcher Nathan Herken that landed in Dorney Field. Herken previewed his power in the third with a blast that forced center fielder Dustin Rector to make a catch at the wall.
Bishop Ward got on the board in the second when Herken’s control wobbled, and he walked four consecutive batters. Juan Marron earned an RBI for his patience at the plate, then Rector pushed another run across with a sacrifice fly to right.
Christian Stein pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs with 8 strikeouts. Tapia pitched 1 2/3 in relief and got the win.
The Cyclones will advance to play the Perry-Lecompton Kaws in the regional held at Wellsville on May 18. If they win that game, the Cyclones will play the winner of Rossville and Santa Fe Trail for the regional championship and a spot in the 3A state tournament in Manhattan on May 26 and 27.
The Bishop Ward Cyclones celebrated on the field after the walk-off single by Damon Esparza. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Head coach Zach Harris waved home freshman pinch runner Jayden Hendricks for the winning run. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)The Cyclones tied the game on a grounder to third by senior first baseman Emilio Ramirez in the bottom of the seventh inning. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)The Bishop Ward Cyclones posed together after their playoff win. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Senior Erik Tapia pitched in relief in the sixth and seventh innings. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Senior first baseman Emilio Ramirez applied the tag to pick off Pleasant Ridge’s Drake Duncan. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Senior first baseman Emilio Ramirez dropped low to pick the throw on a ground ball out. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Junior center fielder Dustin Rector slid in to second base ahead of the tag. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)A high throw on a ground ball in the seventh inning allowed Bishop Ward to tie the game. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Sophomore second baseman Chris Mancinas fielded a ground ball in the first inning. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Camden Beebe, junior lineman at Piper High School. Beebe is one of ten semi-finalists for the 2021 Bobby Bell Award for outstanding linebackers and linemen. (File photo)
by Brian Turrel
Camden Beebe, a junior offensive and defensive lineman at Piper High School, and Daniel Brown, a senior linebacker at Bishop Ward High School, have been announced as top 10 semi-finalists for the 2021 Bobby Bell Award.
The award, named after the 12-year Kansas City Chiefs defensive end, is presented annually to the Kansas City area’s most outstanding lineman or linebacker as part of the Thomas A. Simone awards.
Semi-finalists were chosen by the Simone award committee, and Kansas City area coaches will vote for the winner. Top four finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 28, and the winner will be announced on Nov. 30.
Daniel Brown, senior linebacker at Bishop Ward High School. Brown is a semi-finalist for the Bobby Bell Award. (File photo)
Bishop Ward senior James Jarrett fended off a tackle from Sumner sophomore defensive back Howard Peoples in the first quarter of Ward’s 28-6 win over Sumner. Jarrett scored two touchdowns in the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
“…And in our victories too,” goes the line from the Bishop Ward school song, but the pep club usually sings it ironically, especially during football season.
Not this Friday.
Bishop Ward won a resounding 28-6 season-opening victory over the Sumner Academy Sabres at Schlagle Stadium. The grandstands were packed and evenly divided between the schools, giving the event a fun atmosphere. At kickoff, the ticket line still stretched around the parking lot.
James Jarrett was the star for the Cyclones, scoring two touchdowns and sustaining offensive drives with his powerful running, including a 65-yard near-touchdown run. Jarrett was most effective running off tackle, bulling his way through would-be tacklers.
Quarterback Christian Stein scored the game’s first touchdown on a quarterback keeper from short yardage in the second quarter. Jarrett made the score 14-0 at halftime with a 2-yard run up the middle.
Antonio Harrison scored the Sabres’ only touchdown of the game, breaking multiple tackles on a 34-yard run. Sumner’s Rickey Brown also used his speed effectively to create offense for the Sabres on sweeps and swing passes.
Christian Stein connected with Chris Galloway for a touchdown pass in the early fourth quarter to extend the Cyclones’ lead to 21-6.
With four minutes remaining in the game, Bishop Ward took over on its own 20. James Jarrett flipped the field with a 65-yard run, setting up his own 2-yard touchdown run a few plays later for the final 28-6 score.
The Sabres flashed plenty of talent, nearly connecting on a few long passes, but also showed the effects of a 672-day layoff, picking up multiple procedure penalties on two different series.
Sumner will start its conference season next Friday with a game at Washington.
Bishop Ward has made a big step forward on both sides of the ball. With the team moving to the Kaw Valley Conference this year, the Cyclones hope for a new era of success for their athletic programs.
Ward will take on the McLouth Bulldogs next Friday at home in a non-conference game starting at 7 p.m.
Sumner junior quarterback Cam Johnson fired a short pass to the right side. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Bishop Ward quarterback Christian Stein ran the ball. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)The Sumner dance team performed during a break in the action. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)The Bishop Ward cheerleaders encouraged the large and vocal crowd. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Sumner senior Robert Graves-Dye leaped high to deny a Bishop Ward pass. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Ward senior James Jarrett scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Sumner junior Antonio Harrison eluded the grasp of Ward senior Kelon Smith on his way to a 34-yard touchdown run. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Bishop Ward senior James Jarrett broke through a tackle from Sumner junior Nathan Rios. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Sumner junior running back Antonio Harrison hauled in a pass. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Ward senior Ruben Ontiveros took down Sumner’s Antonio Harrison. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Sumner senior Antonio Dunn set up for a tackle on Ward senior running back James Jarrett. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Sumner senior Rickey Brown got loose on a run around the left end. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Sumner junior quarterback Cam Johnson ran the ball. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
