Breaking News
zNewsletter Sunday

Ryan Rischoff ignites South’s offense in 3-1 win against Canton

5 min read

Casey Waller loves the way Ryan Rischoff plays baseball.

So that is one reason he was not too angry after Rischoff missed the take sign when facing a 3-0 count and leading off the sixth inning of a tie game Wednesday afternoon. Rischoff helped himself more with what he did with that pitch.

Rischoff smashed a double to deep left field and scored the go-ahead run a batter later when Makai Day hit an RBI single. Rischoff's double ignited a two-run rally and Landon Lorson left the tying runners on base in the seventh with consecutive strikeouts as South defeated Canton, 3-1.

"It was a 3-0 count and I know normally when it's a 3-0 count the next pitch is always right there," Rischoff said. "I kind of thought about that, so I thought it's going to be there so why not take a good swing and it turned out well."

Rischoff (2 for 3) turning a potential mistake into something special made a tremendous pitching performance hold up with Day, Grant Bachman and Lorson combining on a two-hitter and not allowing a run over the final six innings. Rischoff hit a first-inning grounder which was misplayed and allowed Lorson (1 for 2) to score and tie the game 1-1. That was where this game stayed until he led off the sixth.

A two-way all-star football lineman and team leader, Rischoff delivered the same kind of timely hit he did as a sophomore when his triple against Sayre helped produce a District 4 Class AA championship. It also invigorated his teammates and South collected three straight hits, equaling its total from the first five innings.

"It was the best feeling to be in a tight game for that long and to finally get some real good momentum going," Rischoff said. "Finally being able to score and get the energy going and get the boys going in the dugout, that was real big."

"That was a momentum changer," Waller said. "If you're going to miss a sign, I guess that's the sign to miss because if he would have popped it out, we'd probably have had some words. I love Rish. Rish hustles. He runs everything out so I can't be mad at him."

Canton (5-2) put two runners on with one out in the seventh inning when Hudson Ward walked and Bailey Ferguson singled. Ferguson went to second with two outs on indifference, putting the tying runners in scoring position. Lorson, though, capped South's collective masterful pitching performance with his second straight strikeout and the Mounties earned a key early-season win.

Canton took a 1-0 first-inning lead when Cam Bellows walked and Joel Schoonover singled. Schoonover purposely was caught in a rundown on a two-out first-and-third situation and Bellows stole home. From there, Day, Bachman and Lorson dominated and held Canton without a hit until the seventh inning.

Day, a left-handed sophomore, was on a 50-pitch limit and was overpowering in his three innings, retiring the last eight batters he faced and striking out six. Bachman made it 14 straight Warriors retired after two perfect innings and did not surrender a hit in his 2 2/3 innings of work. Lorson relieved Bachman with two on and two outs in the sixth and induced an inning-ending flyout, stranding four runners in his 1 1/3 innings.

All three pitchers were efficient, pumped the strike zone, worked ahead and slowed a dangerous offense which was averaging seven runs per game. Catcher Trent Hampton, a valuable team leader, played a vital role, too, and handled each pitcher well, especially in pressure situations.

"That was some of the best pitching I've ever seen and that's all honesty because they threw nothing but strikes and the infield and outfield got it done behind them," Rischoff said. "We know if we can have good pitching like that, that the rest of the team will be working well in sync and have the pitchers' backs."

"I was proud of all the pitchers," Waller said. "Makai competed, Grant didn't have his curveball but was throwing his two and four-seamer well and when I brought Landon in, I wanted to give them a different look because I know he can change his pitches up. They threw really well."

So did Canton starter Brendan Matthews. The senior right-hander pitched one of his best games, scattering four hits in five innings, striking out four and retiring eight straight at one point. Matthews surrendered just one earned run and threw 43 pitches through his first four innings.

"He really came a long way tonight. We needed that from him, and he needed that himself for confidence," Canton coach Bob Rockwell said. "That was a big step for him. I'm very proud of him."

Canton has started its season strong and has quality wins over Athens, Wellsboro and Muncy. That is why South getting an insurance run following Day's sixth inning RBI single was so vital. Bachman followed with a single before Ben Stoetzel hit a deep fly ball to right field, allowing pinch-runner Zack Miller to move to third. Alex Neidig then delivered on a hit and run, staying on top of the ball and hitting a long sacrifice fly into center field.

South missed two weeks of practices and did not play its first game until last Saturday because of COVID issues. The Mounties are still learning but doing those little things yesterday produced a big win.

"Canton is always good," Waller said. "Canton is just hard-nosed, blue-collar baseball players. You get guys that are competing like they do and you're going to be in a dog fight."

Canton 100 000 0--1 2 1

South 100 002 x--3 6 1

Brendan Matthews, Joel Schoonover (6) and Cam Bellows. Makai Day, Grant Bachman (4), Landon Lorson (6) and Trent Hampton. W--Lorson, (1-1). L--Matthews, (1-1).

Top Canton hitters: Schoonover 1-3; Bailey Ferguson 1-3. Top South hitters: Ryan Rischoff 2-3, 2B, run; Lorson 1-2, run; Day 1-3, RBI; Bachman 1-3; Kaden Shay 1-2.

Starting at /week.