No. 2 Mooresville shocked by Columbus East in Regional semi-final matchup

JASPER, Ind. — Looks really can be deceiving.

Entering Saturday's regional matchup with Class 4A No. 2 Mooresville, Columbus East, who defeated Bloomington South (12-12) 6-5 for a sectional championship Monday, had only a 13-16-1 record.

The Pioneers, on the other hand, were fresh off a win over No. 1 Center Grove and Mid-State rival Martinsville, making a case to be regarded as the state's best team. Everything pointed towards Mooresville advancing to the regional title game.

But the thing about high school baseball is it's often unpredictable.

Leading 1-0 until the sixth inning, the Pioneers allowed a run to tie it up at 1, which eventually sent the game to extra innings. The Olympians took advantage of having the state's No. 2 on the ropes, scoring three runs to upset the Pioneers 4-1.

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"This game can rip your heart out, that's what makes it so beautiful," Mooresville head coach Eric McGaha said. "It's good to you one minute, cruel to you the next...I was concerned about them all week long and this is why. The pitching keeps them in there, we don't put enough balls in play with authority, and you make just a few mistakes."

One hit changes everything

Heading into the eighth inning, Mooresville had outhit the Olympians six to five. Pitchers on both sides made things difficult for batters the entire game.

With Hogan Denny in to close things out for the Pioneers, Mooresville's defense collected a quick two outs, though allowing one single to Harrison Major and a walk. Denny managed to put Columbus East's Blake Borkhardt down in the count, 1-2, but the Olympian reeled a line drive to right field on the fourth pitch.

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The play ended up turning into a triple, helping Major and teammate William Rieckers touch home plate to make it 3-1. Alex McComb followed it up with a single on the next at bat to help Borkhardt get to home, making it 4-1.

"They ripped it open by scoring those three runs, and that was all she wrote," McGaha said. "Our guys battled to the end, it just wasn't our day."

Columbus East's Ethan Ianni shuts down Mooresville's offense

The Pioneers were an explosive bunch, touting three hitters over the .300 mark and an offense that generated 7,9 runs per game. But Columbus East pitcher Ethan Ianni was able to keep Mooresville in check.

The junior pitcher had 10 strikeouts on the day, and notably kept the Pioneers' two best batters, Nick Wiley and Hogan Denny, to a combined batting average of .250 and striking them out four times.

"Didn't execute offensively like I would have liked us to, but their pitcher had a lot to do with that," McGaha said. "He was really good...when he really needed a pitch, he did that. He did it to end the game. I can see why they've won some games there at the end because I really think the catcher, pitcher, shortstop are all really good players and they'll give New Albany fits."

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Mooresville's Deklan Thompson and Judah Hennessy were the team's hits leaders, both connecting on two pitches. Hennessy was the one responsible for the Pioneers only run, knocking one out of the park for a single-run home run.

The end of journey

Endings are never easy, but there's plenty for Mooresville to hold their heads up high about. The Pioneers were ranked heading into the season, but no one, except the team, could have expected the type of run they had.

Powered by a stellar group of seniors who've put in the work each and every season, going from 19-10 in 2019, to 18-7 in 2021, to 27-4 in 2022, the team made the season one that was memorable. One that'll go down in the all-time record books.

That's something one loss simply can't take away.

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"These guys truly loved one another, wanted to be around one another, and that's what made it so special," McGaha said. "They wanted to be together. They embraced the process, they embraced the hard work, they embraced grinding it out. None of them were selfish."

The Pioneers will return next year with a bright future, boasting eight sophomores and one junior who all saw action this season.

Contact reporter Devin Voss at dvoss@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @DevinVoss23.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: No. 2 Mooresville shocked by Columbus East in Regional semi-final