Blue Jays wrestle title from Indians

Cody Robinson said he was lucky. Bryan Couch was simply good.
The two teamed to lead Raytown to a tense 1-0 victory over Fort Osage Thursday at Robinson School, a win that clinched the Suburban Middle Six championship for the Blue Jays.
Robinson’s second-inning RBI single was all Couch needed to pitch the Blue Jays to their first undisputed conference title since capturing the Middle Six title in 1985. Raytown shared with Fort Osage what was then the Suburban Middle Seven title in 1997.
Raytown (18-6) finished 8-2 in the league, one game ahead of Fort Osage.
Jarrod Bennett was hit by a pitch and was sacrificed to second by Daniel Swank in the second. That brought up Robinson, a junior.
“It was a curveball I barely got,” he said of the bouncing single that rolled into center field. “I got lucky with it. It was the biggest hit of my career, and I’ll always remember it.”
Couch did the rest, capping his best game of the season by retiring the final 10 batters.
“I got stronger as I went along,” Couch said. “I was glad to redeem myself after the last time against them (a 5-0 Fort Osage win on April 21).
“It was my biggest high school win because of what it meant. I was bringing a lot of off-speed stuff because they were hitting my fastball in the previous game. I thought it would be a high-scoring game because both teams can hit the ball.”
Couch, who allowed only three hits and struck out eight, was supported by an errorless defense that made a big play in the first inning.
Phillip DeGrace walked with one out and took third on Parker Jones’ hard single that struck Couch’s foot and went into center field.
Ryan Payne grounded to second baseman John Smith. A double play appeared likely. But Smith fired home to catcher Chase Kuehl, who blocked the plate and tagged out DeGrace as he attempted to score.
“He has the quickest hands of any second baseman I’ve seen,” Couch said. “Kuehl did a great job blocking the plate and calling pitches.”
After that, Fort Osage (14-10, 7-3 Middle Six) advanced only two runners to second base.
DeGrace walked again with one out in the third and stole second. But Jones flied out and Payne struck out.
With two away in the fourth inning, Bobby Wagener and Brandon Wade each singled. They would be the final Fort Osage batters to reach base as pinch-hitter Luke Wiss popped up. Couch retired the side in order in each of the next three innings.
Fort Osage hit several deep fly balls that were caught.
The loss took away from an outstanding pitching performance by Fort Osage junior Johnnie Johnson. He allowed only two hits, walked three and struck out six.
“I knew it would be a battle,” Johnson said. “I threw pretty well. I am looking forward to districts (Class 4 District 15 next week at Truman). We can win districts.”
Raytown had at least one runner on base in each of the first six innings, but the one run was plenty.
“It was a great game,” Fort Osage coach Chris Walker said. “They got the timely hit and we didn’t. I thought our kids played well. Johnson threw a great game. Offensively, we need to do a better job.”
Raytown coach Jaime Oyler said it was one of his biggest wins.
“We had great pitching and defense,” Oyler said. “It was Bryan’s best game of the year. He has had some big games, but it was the best job he has done in a big game. He has grown up a lot and improved. We had a good group of (eight) seniors.”
Raytown concludes the season in a home game today against William Chrisman. The Blue Jays then face rival Raytown South at 4 p.m. Monday in the first round of the Class 4 District 14 Tournament.
Fort Osage has a bye into the Class 4 District 15 semifinals and will meet North Kansas City at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Truman.