Terra State baseball captures league championship

Jax LaPata hoped to feel like his old self again after missing his final two baseball seasons in high school because of a knee injury.

To a large extent, the Bellevue graduate did that in right field for Terra State Community College. However, the sophomore’s body seems to be a magnet this season for stray pitches, plunking him in just the right spots.

He’s been hit by 13 pitches. It’s a good thing he’s learned to appreciate the grind.

“I didn’t play my senior year,” he said. “I was welcomed in and given a chance. Last year showed that I hadn’t played in two years. The coaches believed in me to perform. I just do what I can to help the team win. It’s been a good year overall.”

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LaPata had an RBI double in a victory to start the series as Terra took three of four games from Owens Community College to take the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference championship. The conference was split into two divisions this season.

“We competed with the Division IIs,” LaPata said. “We took one from Tri-City. We battled all year. In Division III, we had a good conference overall. All the games were close. Good baseball. The Region 12 tournament starts Wednesday.

“We’re looking to keep the momentum going, and the ultimate goal is the College World Series. One step at a time, we have to be where our feet are now.”

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Terra’s Gregg Hedden is retiring as head coach after the season.

“He broke the news in the fall,” LaPata said. “We want to do it for ourselves, obviously, and for each other. But we want to do it for him. He’s a big part of the program. He got his 100th win this season. Seeing his smile, we all enjoyed that moment.

"We won the conference for him; hopefully we can ride this out a little longer.”

Hansen Huth (Medina) and Cody Lindsey (Bellevue) each notched a complete-game victory against Owens. Terra earned one win by committee with five pitchers.

“Nathan Cunningham (Marion Harding) comes in and shuts the door,” LaPata said. “It’s awesome. Tim Marquette (Oak Harbor). Aaron Banks (Perrysburg). Hunter Scott (Lima Perry). A lot of guys go deep. It’s been working out.”