Sports
University Liggett Knights Baseball Win Regional Title
University Liggett wins back-to-back games to claim regional title against Royal Oak Shrine with the final game ending 6-1.
The Knights baseball team won a regional championship title Saturday after back-to-back wins over Lutheran Westland and Royal Oak Shrine.
In the championship game, the Knights overcame a sluggish first inning to score six unanswered runs and take the regional title 6-1 over Shrine.
“I think we were a little tight in the first inning but we got out of it and it was easy after that,” said Liggett coach Dan Cimini.
Find out what's happening in Grosse Pointewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Shrine squad, which beat Inter-City Baptist of Allen Park 8-2 in the first game of the day, looked to be in control in the top of the first, when, with the bases loaded, Mark Ruhle knocked a base hit that allowed the Shrine team to score their one and only run.
Strong defense by the Knights allowed them to keep Royal Oak Shrine from scoring for the rest of the afternoon.
Find out what's happening in Grosse Pointewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Knights managed to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second when senior Joseph Simon hit a long triple that scored three of his teammates. It was the second time that Simon had put his team ahead Saturday, after he opened up University of Liggett’s first game against Lutheran Westland with a home run on the first at bat of the game.
“He was a leader and he made all the plays at shortstop,” Cimini said. “That’s the key. He really kept us in the game, both of them. I’m really proud of him.”
Mark Auk drove Simon home a few minutes later when he had a base hit to left field, putting the Knights up 4-1.
“It was an exciting day for us,” Simon said. “I was glad that I did as much as I did and it feels great to win a regional title. This is the first time since I was in eighth grade and wasn’t even on the team since we’ve had a regional title.
“So this is great,” he said. “I have a good feeling about us this year.”
The Knights final two runs came in the bottom of the fifth. With Auk on base after a single, Dominic Jamett came to the plate and slammed a home run–much to the delight of his team and his coach.
“I thought we were a little tight in the first game but between games I told the team to relax and play the way that got us here,” Cimini said. “I think they really responded. We were a lot more relaxed in the second game.”
Cimini says that he believes his team has a chance to continue further into the playoffs.
“I’m just really proud to get here,” he said. “These guys deserve it. They had a great season and it’s not over yet. We’re looking forward to Tuesday.”
The Knights play in the state quarterfinals Tuesday at Adrian College.
