Rohde pitches Oak Ridge baseball team past Leopold

OAK RIDGE, Mo. -- Lance Rohde had no margin for error as he faced a major jam in the sixth inning Wednesday.

"It was a key spot in the game," Rohde said.

The Oak Ridge High School pitcher came through, escaping a bases-loaded, no-out predicament.

Rohde's performance helped the host Blue Jays hold off Leopold 5-3 for their second win over the Wildcats in less than a week.

"It's always good to beat Leopold," Rohde said. "They're a big rival of ours."

Leopold shortstop Casey Graham leaps to avoid Oak Ridge shortstop Kelby Brown as he slides safely into second during the Wildcats' 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays Wednesday, April 18 (ADAM VOGLER)

The Blue Jays (8-5) appeared to be cruising with a 5-1 lead when the Wildcats (6-9) made things interesting.

Oak Ridge helped Leopold's cause with two consecutive errors to begin the sixth inning.

Ben Seiler's bunt single loaded the bases, and Mark VanGennip belted a two-run double to center field to make it 5-3.

Kody Bartels walked to reload the bases with nobody out.

"I just tried to bear down and throw strikes," Rohde said.

Oak Ridge second baseman Andrew Puchbauer tags out Leopold baserunner Austin Bucher during Wednesday's game in Oak Ridge, Mo. Check out more photos from the game in our gallery at semoball.com. (ADAM VOGLER)

Rohde succeeded. He got a strikeout, a pop fly on the infield and a ground ball to strand the bases full.

"Lance did an outstanding job," first-year Oak Ridge coach Seth Fortenberry said. "He's competed on the mound all year long."

Rohde issued a leadoff walk to start the seventh inning but retired the next three batters to nail down the victory.

Rohde allowed four hits and one earned run while striking out eight and walking five.

"I did pretty good except for that one inning," said Rohde, who fired a one-hitter at Leopold during Friday's rain-shortened 1-0 win in the Oak Ridge tournament.

Leopold starter Joe Elfrink also pitched a solid game. He gave up seven hits and two earned runs in going the distance. He struck out seven and walked two.

"He pitched a good game," Leopold coach James Lewis said. "The defense didn't help him."

Neither side was especially impressive defensively. Leopold committed five errors compared to four for Oak Ridge.

"Defensively we've made mistakes throughout the year, but the guys are steadily getting better each time out," Fortenberry said. "Leopold is a good club. They're a little understaffed with some injuries."

Leopold took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Rohde struck out the first two batters before Elfrink walked and Casey Graham dropped an RBI double just inside the right-field line.

Oak Ridge answered with its own two-out run in the first inning. Kelby Brown doubled and came around on Rohde's single.

The Blue Jays took control with a four-run third inning that featured three hits and two errors. Only one run was earned.

Dakota Zoellner and Kaleb Siemer delivered RBI singles, and Hunter Seyer added an RBI. Andrew Puchbauer started the rally with a double.

"I think we came out strong," Brown said. "It seemed like we played better defense than we have been even though we had a few errors."

Brown had two of Oak Ridge's seven hits. VanGennip accounted for two of Leopold's four hits.

Lewis didn't like the loss, but he did appreciate the fight the Wildcats showed in nearly coming all the way back.

"We will play all seven innings," said Lewis, who was missing two starters due to injury or illness and only had nine players available. "It might not be the prettiest, but we're going to grind."

Leopold 100 002 0 -- 3 4 5

Oak Ridge 104 000 x -- 5 7 4

WP -- Lance Rohde. LP -- Joe Elfrink. 2B -- Mark VanGennip (L), Casey Graham (L), Kelby Brown (O), Andrew Puchbauer (O). Multiple hits -- Leopold: VanGennip 2-3. Oak Ridge: Brown 2-3. Records -- Leopold 6-9, Oak Ridge 8-5.