Jonathan Alder’s Chase Chopin slides safely into second base during a game from earlier in the 2024 season. Chopin helped the Pioneers beat Licking Valley, 4-0, during a Division II tournament game.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
—
A long-time rivalry will be stoked once again on Jonathan Alder’s baseball diamond.
The second-seeded Pioneers’ (23-2) 4-0 triumph over No. 3 Licking Valley on Thursday has elevated them into the Division II district semifinal game.
The opponent?
It will be fifth-seeded Bloom-Carroll in a rematch of 2023’s district title game, a contest the Bulldogs won.
The baseball squads from both schools have met a number of times over the years in important match-ups.
JA will host BC on Monday at 5 p.m. for the right to advance to the district championship contest.
Bloom-Carroll advanced to the district semifinal with a 5-1 victory over No. 4 Buckeye Valley on Thursday.
Jonathan Alder plated a run in the home half of the first inning against Licking Valley.
The Pioneers added their final three scores in the third.
Chase Chopin had two of Alder’s seven hits.
Also hitting safely were Grant Horne, Mason Keaton, Greg Kennedy, Ashton Martin and Cam Potter.
Horne, Potter and Garrett Roach each knocked in a run.
Kennedy pitched a stellar game as he finished with a three-hitter.
He struck out 12 and issued one walk.
LV 000 000 0-0 3 3
JA 103 000 x-4 7 0