Cherokee’s make history

This picture is from the Coshocton Post 65 Cherokee’s final game of the state tournament at Beaver Stadium in Lancaster. Pictured in front from left are Josh Bigrigg, Jorn Hocter, Brenden Bridenthal, Braden Russell, Brice Hammond, Alex McPeak, Gavin Gray, Coach Mark Krebs and in back are Coach John McPeak, Coach Bob Bigrigg, Adam Croup, Zared Tumblin, Conner Roahrig, Braeden Smith, Trevor Kiner, Ray Durham, Talon Babcock, Andrew Mason, and Coach Denny Gray. The team’s final record was 21-11. Contributed | Beacon

COSHOCTON – The Coshocton Post 65 Cherokee’s might not have come home with a title from the state American Legion Baseball Tournament, but the coaches couldn’t be prouder of what the team accomplished this year.

“They won the regional tournament this year and that’s only been done three times since 1972 when a legion team was formed here in Coshocton,” said Bob Bigrigg, one of the team’s coaches. “At one time it was called the district tournament so we’ve won the regional/district tournament in 1976, 2011 and 2016.”

Another feat accomplished this year was winning their second game in history at the state tournament, which was played at Beaver Stadium in Lancaster July 27-31. The first was in 1976 when Bigrigg was on the team and the second was this year when they beat St. Clairsville 10-2. After that game they fell to Circleville 6-5 and then to Sidney 5-2.

“We were ahead both games after seven complete innings, but just couldn’t finish,” Bigrigg said. “We were right there. The kicker of the whole thing though is I was the winning pitcher when we won the game in 1976 and Josh (my son) was the winning pitcher against St. Clairsville. They made a big deal about it at the state tournament and my son was ecstatic. It was a cool and very unique situation. I’m very proud of him and all those boys because they gave it their all in every game. Baseball is a game of inches and can sway different ways depending on where a ball falls. It wasn’t so much a talent situation because we had plenty of talent, sometimes the ball just doesn’t fall where you need it to. You can hit the ball right on the nose, but if it goes right to someone they can catch it easily or if it goes two or three feet the other way you’ve got a double, but that’s what makes it fun.”

The final game at the state tournament was very emotional for the coaches because this is the last year for many of the boys to play on the team.

“For a number of these boys their baseball careers aren’t over yet though,” Bigrigg said. “At least five of them are going on to play ball at a college or university.”

The age limit for the Cherokees is 19-U and this year’s roster included athletes from River View, Ridgewood, Coshocton, West Holmes, Newcomerstown and Tri-Valley.

“Tryouts are held at the end of the high school season and we play a large amount of games in a short period of time from the start of June to basically the middle or end of July depending on how you do in the tournament.”

Category: High School, Sports