Behind big plays from Jayden Milton, Berwick claims Division III non-select baseball title
By Mike Coppage
Berwick photo by Michael Odendahl
SULPHUR, La. - For Berwick outfielder Jayden Milton, the state tournament in Sulphur is his home away from home.
Although the Panthers were Class 3A runner-up to Lutcher last year, Milton totaled three home runs and a double in the semifinals and finals.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Nicholls State football signee had another unforgettable performance on Friday in the Division III non-select championship game versus third-seeded Doyle.
In the bottom of the seventh inning with the score tied 2-all, Doyle DH Kahner Reeves hit a ball into the gap in right-center field with Jackson Beregi on first base. Milton, who used his superior speed to track down the ball, quickly pivoted and unleashed a long throw to catch Beregi at home plate for the third out.
"I knew they were going to send the runner no matter what, because it was a close game," Milton said. "I just tried to get the ball in fast. My catcher (Zack Gonzales) made a good play."
"Jayden has a rocket for an arm," Berwick coach Seth Henry said. "I was thinking he was going to hit the cutoff man. He throws right past the cutoff man with a BB to home."
In the eighth inning, Milton ripped a two-RBI home run over the left-field fence on a full count to give the fifth-seeded Panthers a 4-2 win and the program's third state title.
"I was just throwing my hands at the ball," he said. "I didn't want to get beat. I wanted to make sure I put the ball in play and help my team."
Dawson Richard, who was named MVP, threw a complete game four-hitter. Richard pounded the strike zone, throwing 78 of 118 pitches for strikes with 12 strikeouts.
"I felt amazing the whole game," he said. "I knew my defense was behind me, backing me up. I knew eventually we'd come across on offense and scratch (out) a run."
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"Dawson did an excellent job," Henry said. "He battled his butt off - strike after strike after strike. That's what he's done all year."
The Panthers (21-14) got excellent pitching in the tournament. In a 4-1 semifinal win against top-seeded Kinder, Hayden Robinson threw a complete game three-hitter with one walk and 10 strikeouts.
Robinson and Cru Bella each had two hits in the finals. Milton, who scored two runs, reached on a walk and stole a base.
The Panthers were 15-14 entering the playoffs before sweeping No. 12 Port Barre and No. 4 Sterlington leading up to the state tourney.
In the quarterfinal series at Sterlington, Robinson threw a four-hit shutout with nine strikeouts and one walk in Game 1. Richard scattered five hits over seven innings in a 4-2 win in Game 2.
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"It's hard to make it back-to-back years to the finals," Henry said. "It's a testament to this group. We played a really tough schedule; I did it this way on purpose. I'm a big believer in iron sharpening iron.
"We faced a lot of good teams and good pitchers early in the year. We dealt with a ton of injuries. It was always next man up. We did a really good job with that."
Left-hander Caiden Barcia pitched well for Doyle (27-9), scattering four hits over six innings with four walks and 10 strikeouts.
