The Versailles Republican
Sports
May 29, 2008
Raiders
refuse to surrender to Indian attack
Gary Franklin, Sports
Writer
The second round of Boys' IHSAA Class 2A Sectional #44
baseball action played at Forrest G. Waters Field on the
high School campus of South Ripley, gave all in attendance
an adventure for their buck.
The Milan Indians led by as many as five runs through
much of the regular innings of the game, however, the
never say die attitude of the Raiders persisted in pushing
the game to an 11 inning affair.
Starting pitchers for the game were Chris Walker for the
Milan Indians and Russ Steinhauer for the South Ripley
Raiders. A tie in the game at the end of seven prompted
extra innings.
What was uncertain, was (A) how many more innings it would
take to get it in and (B) would rain force the conclusion
to be postponed to another night.
Both questions were resolved by the end of 11 full innings
of baseball. South Ripley scored a pair off a home run
hit in the top of the 11th inning by senior Raider Russ
Steinhauer. The Indians could not answer, resulting in
a 7-5 victory for then Raider pitcher of record, BJ Sieverding.
The Raiders are now slated to take on the Lawrenceburg
Tigers in sectional championship action that is to begin
on Friday, May 30, at 5 p.m.
In the tournament opener played on Memorial Day, Monday,
May 26, the Lawrenceburg Tigers defeated the Hauser Jets,
8-4. The second game of sectional action found the South
Ripley Raiders eliminating the North Decatur Chargers
rather easily by a 17-3 final score and opening day's
final game climaxed with a Milan Indian win over the Southwestern
Hanover Rebels, 9-6.
The second session's opener slated the Lawrenceburg Tigers
against the Switzerland County Pacers in a one sided 12-4
game advancing the Tigers to the championship game and
eliminating the Pacers' chance for an extended season.
The Raider/Indian game followed which when completed,
set South Ripley and Lawrenceburg to battle for the championship
on Friday evening, May 30, with a 5 p.m. onset.
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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
North Decatur Charger senior Neal Ploeger takes
his first stance of his last night at the plate
as a Charger in their losing effort against the
South Ripley Raiders on Monday, May 26. Catching
for the Raiders is junior, Jared Keck. Keck jammed
his finger into the second base bag when stealing.
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Indians
celebrate at "The Reservation"
Gary Franklin, Sports
Writer
A funfilled, entertaining and relaxing evening followed
the buffet style meal as coaches Yates and Swisher had
fun with and praised good work efforts by the '08 track
and field team. Many awards were distributed, both in
jest and for cause as the evening progressed.
Part of the fun of sharing in the Indians' annual event
is finding who will be roasted by Coach Yates during the
program. All in fun, the team members, their parents and
guersts share in the antics.
Every light hearted comedian must have a straight man
for a backup, and Mrs. Swisher fills that role somewhat,
although she gets her punches in on occasion as well.
After an evening with the crew it becomes apparent why
the Milan kids like their track & field and cross
country coaches. When it's time for work, it's time for
work, but when it's time for having fun, having fun is
the order of the day.
As both coaches attested, in track or in field events,
you can get back just what you are willing to put into
it. Not likely another person on the team is going to
carry you, not likely you can blame the coach for not
putting you in and not likely that you will find your
butt laced with splinters as everyone on the team has
events to participate in.
They don't try to sell seeds that can't grow, nor convince
someone they are going to be great at an event if it isn't
in character for the person to exceed in. What they do
encourage is stick to it type attitudes. Time as they
say, is simply too valuable to spend on someone who is
only half-heartedly interested in improving.
On a lighter note, Coach Yates and Coach Swisher initiate
a comradreship with each team member, constantly reminding
each person that all are important to the team's effort.
Of all the meets attended while covering the Indian track
and field teams over the years, I have never heard a single
person (including the coaches) ridicule another member
of their team for not producing as they were expected
to in an event.
The Indians produced somewhat better than they had expected
when the year began to unfold, specifically due to the
caliber of senior members lost in the 2007 graduation
process. But the 2008 team proved they were no soft touch
for competitors, stepping up and taking large strides
for their school and themselves.
Again this year, the Indians will greatly miss senior
members who have run their last races, etc. for the tribe,
but if this year was any thing to base the future on,
Milan will rebuild and again be competitive when that
whistle blows or that gun is fired.
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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
The 2008 Milan High School track and field team
held their annual banquet at The Reservation Restaurant
on Warpath Drive on Wednesday, May 21. The tribe
is located between Boys' Coach Todd Yates and Girls'
Coach Linda Swisher, at right.
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Fear
is named to the 2008
All-Ohio Valley Conference Freshman Team
Gary Franklin, Sports
Writer
A funfilled, entertaining and relaxing evening followed
the buffet style meal as coaches Yates and Swisher had
fun with and praised good work efforts by the '08 track
and field team. Many awards were distributed, both in
jest and for cause as the evening progressed.
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Talented former South Ripley
Raider athlete Michael Fear continues with excelling
performance at the collegiate level.
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