By Ed Letsinger

Beechwood rode the 1-2 punch of seniors Chris Curley and Eric Sawyer to an 8-4 win over Ryle on Wednesday night at Champion Window Field to win their second Ninth Region title in three years.

Curley pitched a complete game, striking out 11 batters and scattering six hits while Sawyer provided the spark at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs.

The scene on the field afterwards was much different for Curley and the Tigers compared to last year when they lost to Covington Catholic after he gave up a walk-off home run.

“I just didn’t want that to happen again,” said Curley.  Added Sawyer: “That was just horrible last year the way it ended, especially for our seniors.  Being a senior this year, this is just a thrill.”

The Tigers, ranked No. 1 in Northern Kentucky, jumped on Ryle early with a four-run first inning outburst courtesy of a two-run homer by tournament MVP Sawyer and a two-run single by sophomore Cody Elliott, who ended the night 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs.

Ryle answered after Vince Murray doubled and scored later on a wild throw after stealing third but a two-out RBI double in the second inning by Sawyer gave Curley a 5-1 cushion to work with after two innings.

“That was huge,” said Curley of the quick, early lead.  “It just let me go out there (mound) and throw my pitches.”  Curley, who led Northern Kentucky in most hitting categories this season, was unable to help himself at the plate because he was intentionally walked on all four of his at bats, which left him somewhat perplexed.   “Unbelievable, I don't really know what to say about that,”  he said.

Curley mixed a combination of fast balls, curves and change-ups to keep the Raiders off-balance most of the night, holding the Raiders to just three hits and two runs through five innings.

The Raiders made it interesting in the sixth inning after Beechwood took a 6-2 lead on Sawyer’s final RBI of the night, scoring two runs on a RBI double by Murray and RBI single by Brent Humphrey.

Beechwood answered with runs in the top of the seventh on RBIs by Elliott and Jon Baker and Curley closed out the game.

Beechwood collected 13 hits on the night and left nine runners on base.  Ryle had six hits led by Murray, who was 2-for-2 with two RBIs.