ORAN TAKES SEMIFINAL LOSS OUT ON NORTHWEST 11-1

COLUMBIA -- On Thursday, the Oran Eagles did everything they couldn't do on Wednesday.

They produced two-out hits, ran the bases well and, most importantly, they didn't strike out 13 times.

Oran dominated Northwest (Hughesville) 11-1 in five innings, capturing third place in the Class 1A Final Four at Simmons Field.

After facing Marion C. Early's dominating ace Ryan Letterman on Wednesday, Oran (22-6) teed off on Northwest's hurlers like they were tossing batting practice.

Oran pounded out nine hits and took advantage of six errors.

Senior Eagle first baseman Billy Loper -- who was thrown out at the plate trying to score the tying run in the top of the seventh in the semifinal -- went 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs. He ended up with seven RBIs in two games in the final four.

Travis Friga went 2-for-2 with a run and three RBIs, while Adam Friga went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

"We weren't as on edge today," said Oran coach Mitch Wood. "We were more relaxed and we did a good job of hitting the baseball. They weren't as good a team as we played yesterday. I think maybe the real state championship was played (Wednesday)."

Oran jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run, bases-loaded single by Loper and a two-run single by T. Friga.

The Eagles scored one run in the third inning, three in the fourth and three in the fifth.

The game ended after A. Friga scored from second on an error.

Dustin Dannenmueller (9-2) struggled somewhat with his control -- he walked four and threw two wild pitches -- but he had Northwest's batters off balance throughout the game. Dannenmueller went the distance, giving up one earned run on just three hits. He struck out seven.

"After yesterday's game, we just came out flat," said Northwest coach Tim Edwards, whose team ended its season at 17-8. "Oran's been here before and they know what it takes. They're a good team. They hit the ball well."

Northwest went with three pitchers in the shortened game and none of them had any success.

Jared Johns got the start and lasted three innings. He gave up five runs -- all earned -- on five hits, three walks and a pair of strikeouts.

Northwest scored its run in the third after Johns singled, and advanced two bases on a pair of wild pitches. Johns scored on a double steal, but Oran catcher Phillip Seyer threw the runner out at second.