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Ringgold opponent raking in wins

3 min read
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Not only will Ringgold High School’s baseball team have to overcome Valley View to win the PIAA Class 4A title, but also the Cougars’ secret weapon.

A rake.

The supposed lucky charm was adopted by the team during a struggling point in the regular season and it symbolizes unity and cooperation.

“I asked the boys what it was all about and they explained it to me,” Valley View coach Jason Munley told the Scranton Times Tribune. “It’s something they were having fun with and they were staying involved in the game, keeping the (other) boys enthusiastic and energetic. It’s all good and part of the process of having a good time, having fun along the way. You play better when you’re loose, so it’s all working.

“It’s all about getting everybody involved. You can only play nine guys at once. They’re not getting innings on the field, but they’re just as important as the guys that are out there. They’re a huge part of this team. They’re all team guys who just want to win. That’s why we’ve been so successful this year. Everybody has accepted their role and is doing their part.”

The rake is the responsibility of three players on the team, making sure it is stored on the bus and taken care of in the dugout. Munley made sure the rake was not a way to disrespect opponents before giving his OK to use.

Since the rake has been in use, Valley View has won nine of 10 games, including a 7-3 victory over Northwestern Lehigh in the Class 4A semifinals.

The rake is expected to be on hand when Ringgold and Valley View meet for the PIAA title at 3:30 p.m. today at Medlar Field in Lubrano Park on the campus of Penn State University.

Valley View, located just outside of Scranton, is the District 2 champion and Ringgold is the WPIAL runner-up with a 20-4 record. The Rams are coming off a 3-2 victory over Meadville in the semifinals.

Ringgold is not a superstitious team but head coach Don Roberts said individual players might be.

“I really don’t know of any,” said Roberts. 

Valley View is not a power team, hitting just two home runs this season. Mason Black, a power pitcher with 68 strikeouts, a 7-0 record and a 0.56 ERA. 

“He throws in the upper 80s,” said Roberts. “We’re going to have our hands full with him.”

Roberts will counter with Josh Peters, who is coming off a strong performance against Hopewell in the quarterfinals. Peters pitched five shutout innings in a 12-0 mercy rule victory. He has a 1-1 record with a 2.36 ERA and three saves. He effectively stepped in when Chase Angotti developed soreness in his arm.

Ringgold will be without senior first baseman Anthony Vavasori, who is serving a one-game suspension for being ejected in the semifinals along with Meadville’s Cole Potase after the two were involved in a skirmish near the end of the game. Nick Kolano will take over at first base.

Bobby Boyer, the Rams’ catcher, was moved up to fifth in the batting order. Boyer has been red-hot in the postseason with 12 of the Rams’ 29 RBI in the postseason. Boyer has 3 home runs and 27 RBI and is hitting .458.

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