After a tough loss in Thursday’s series opener, the Reagan Rattlers refused to let their season slip away. Instead, they responded with back-to-back dominant performances on Friday and Saturday, capturing the 27-6A bi-district championship and punching their ticket to the Area Round.
Thursday’s opening game didn’t go Reagan’s way, putting the Rattlers in a must-win situation. But the group quickly regrouped, showing resilience and confidence as they turned the series around in impressive fashion.
On Friday, Reagan’s offense exploded in a 16-3 victory, powered by a complete team effort at the plate. Jayden Gomez led the charge with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, collecting hits in multiple innings and driving in runs during a decisive rally. Caine Chapman and Ollie Wetherell matched Gomez with three hits each, while Will Van Wisse added two hits and drove in a pair of runs from the heart of the lineup. Bodie Weyman chipped in two hits of his own, and Karsten Holman set the tone with patience at the plate, drawing three walks.
The Rattlers broke the game open with a massive nine-run seventh inning. Ricky Armstrong delivered a key two-run single, Van Wisse added an RBI double, and both Dylan Sabariego and Weyman drew bases-loaded walks to force in runs. Gomez capped the inning with another clutch single that brought home two more. Reagan’s aggressive approach on the bases paid off as well, with Chapman, Armstrong, Gomez, and Wetherell each swiping multiple bags as part of a 12-stolen-base effort.
On the mound, Sebastian Sipe earned the win in relief, while Noah Thiel, Zach Hopkins, Diego Moreno, and Connor Pictrowski combined to shut down any momentum and secure the victory.
That momentum carried directly into Saturday’s decisive Game 3, where the Rattlers delivered their most complete performance of the series in a 10-1 win to clinch the title.
Reagan wasted no time taking control. In the first inning, Dylan Sabariego got things started with an RBI single, and Bodie Weyman followed with a two-run double to give the Rattlers an early advantage. The offense kept rolling in the second inning as Ollie Wetherell lined an RBI single down the right field line, and pressure on the defense led to another run crossing the plate.
Jayden Gomez continued his standout series with another perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with singles in the third, sixth, and seventh innings, including an RBI knock that extended the lead to 7-0. Caine Chapman also turned in a huge performance, going 3-for-5 and driving in three runs to anchor the offense. Sabariego and Wetherell each added multiple hits, helping Reagan pile up 12 total hits in the finale.
On the mound, Connor Pictrowski delivered a dominant start, tossing four and two-thirds shutout innings while allowing just three hits and striking out four without issuing a walk. Sebastian Sipe came on in relief to finish the job and secure the championship.
Defensively, the Rattlers backed their pitchers with strong, disciplined play, turning two double plays to halt any potential rallies and maintain control throughout the game.
With the series win, Reagan advances to the Area Round, where they will face Cedar Ridge in the next step of the postseason. Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. at Cedar Ridge High School.
Riding the momentum of two decisive wins and standout performances up and down the lineup, the Rattlers now set their sights on continuing their playoff run.