Reigning champion Johnson Central prevented East Ridge from extending its postseason run, defeating the Warriors 16-1 in four innings in the opening round of the 15th Region Baseball Tournament at StoneCrest on Tuesday, May 26.
The Warriors competed in the 15th Region Baseball Tournament for the first time in over a decade.
East Ridge’s Cole Ratliff
Randy White
Johnson Central thrived both offensively and defensively. Defending champion Johnson Central set the tone early, erupting for nine runs during the bottom half of the first inning.
The productive Golden Eagles led 12-0 when the second inning concluded.
East Ridge managed to plate one run during the top half of the third inning but couldn’t get any closer.
Perennial title contender Johnson Central scored four runs after East Ridge crossed home plate to register the 15-run win.
Kaden Litteral pitched a complete game for Johnson Central and earned the win on the mound. Litteral, who flirted with throwing both a no-hitter and a shutout, recorded five strikeouts.
Cole Ratliff started on the mound for East Ridge and suffered the loss. Ratliff pitched two innings.
Following Ratliff, Rylan Hamilton pitched one inning in relief for the Warriors. Hamilton struck out one Johnson Central batter.
East Ridge’s Rylan Hamilton
Randy White
Johnson Central scored 16 runs on 13 hits. A balanced offensive attack for Johnson Central featured Litteral (two hits, one RBI), Kaleb Callaham (two hits, three RBIs), Mason McKenzie (two hits, one RBI), Dalton Boner (one hit, two RBIs), Cooper O’Bryan (one hit, one RBI), Noah Murray (one hit, one RBI), Kyler Callaham (one hit, one RBI), Waylan Fitch (one hit, one RBI), Collin Cantrell (one hit), Alex Marcum (one hit) and Braxton Perry (one RBI) contributing. Providing a lift at the plate, Boner homered. As part of a diverse offensive effort the Golden Eagles, Litteral, McKenzie, Kaleb Callaham and Kyler Callaham each doubled.
East Ridge pushed across one run on one hit. Jayce Cantrell doubled and drove in East Ridge’s lone run. Hamilton scored the Warriors’ only run in the region tournament game.
The loss eliminated East Ridge from the 15th Region Baseball Tournament. East Ridge exited the 2026 high school baseball season with a 13-21 record.