Paint Valley Baseball Celebration Marks 30th Anniversary of 1995 State Title
Article Presented By Scioto Valley Dumpsters, LTD.
Dozens of Paint Valley sports faithful came out to celebrate memories of the 1995 OHSAA Division 3 State Baseball Champion Bearcats. Several of the former players and coaches also attended the observance at Paint Valley School Cafeteria Saturday, March 22nd.
Litter Media’s Mike Smith, who broadcast the play-by-play tournament run of the state champ Bearcats that season on WKKJ with B. Jay Dailey, spoke with pitcher Jason Stauffer and assistant coach Chris Medved at the 30th anniversary celebration. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1XB8TfysTQ/
The (22-7) Bearcats did not win their conference title that season, but roared through the post-season that included a 3-2 district championship victory over SVC Champ Unioto, which cast the spotlight on a talented team that impressed opponents and spectators with every game they played.
The 3-2 district title win over a great Unioto squad was propelled by Jason Stauffer’s 6-hitter, which included a go-ahead solo homer from Jeff Everhart. The Shermans stranded the tying run on third base as the Bearcats advanced to the Sweet 16.
In the Regional Semis at VA Memorial Stadium, Paint Valley edged Tuscarawas Valley 4-3, thanks to a two-run triple by Jason Stauffer to even the game in the 7th inning with Todd Walker’s RBI single for the game-winner.
PV earned the school’s first-ever Final Four trip with an 11-7 regional championship win over Portsmouth West. Three Paint Valley players provided big offensive performances as Nate Spangler went 4 for 5, Todd Walker 3 for 4 and Jeff Everhart added a solo homer.
The state semis at Ohio State University’s Trautman Field, saw All Ohioan Jason Stauffer get a game-ending strikeout with a runner at third to beat Campbell Memorial 5-3.
It almost appeared that fate was on the side of the Bearcats, considering the state rule that limited a pitcher to only 10 innings of work over a three day period. Rain caused the state title game against (19-5) Cincinnati Mariemont to be played a couple of days later, giving Stauffer some extra rest before the big game. Matt McGuire was crucial to the state title game pitching plan, as Coach Rod Gregory handed the starting pitching assignment to McGuire in hopes he could get the team to the middle innings. The Bearcats scored three runs in the first inning and five in the third inning, while McGuire worked three innings, yielding 5 runs on 5 hits for a PV 8-2 lead headed to the fourth inning. Mariemont responded with a five run top of the fourth inning to cut the Paint Valley advantage to 8-7. The Cats answered with an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth for a 9-7 lead. Jeff Everhart worked one inning of relief, yielding 2 runs on 3 hits, seeing Jason Stauffer pitching the final three innings, where he blanked Mariemont on 2 hits and fanned 4 batters. Stauffer worked out of a bases loaded, no-out jam in the last of the 7th inning to lift Paint Valley to a 9-7 state title win over Mariemont. Stauffer got a ground out force play at home, a copout to second and a game-ending strikeout. Todd Walker had two hits and scored three runs. Everhart, Jason Mettler and J.D. Cooper each drove in 2 runs.
Head Coach Rod Gregory passed away a few years ago, but was remembered by his players for his “burning passion” for excellence from his players, that led to their greatest achievement as state champions in 1995.
Saturday’s celebration also included the history of Paint Valley High School baseball dating back to its beginning in 1959, along with the history of Lady Bearcats Softball since 1988. Paint Valley Softball’s 2014 State Semifinal appearance was also included in the celebration.
