AKRON — For three decades, Badin baseball carried the expectations that come with one of Ohio’s most successful programs.
State tournament appearances came regularly.
Championship opportunities arrived repeatedly.
Yet the trophy that once seemed routinely sustainable remained frustratingly out of reach for the Rams.
But that all changed Friday night.
Badin ended a three-decade championship drought by defeating Bishop Watterson 7-2 in the Division III state final at 7 17 Credit Union Park, securing the program’s first state title since 1996 and third overall championship.
As the final out made its way over to first base and players sprinted toward the mound, years of frustration, near misses and unfinished business disappeared beneath a joyous dogpile.
The Rams finished 29-3, won their final 25 games and completed a postseason run that left little doubt they were the state’s best D-III squad.
“It’s the most exciting thing ever,” said Badin coach Brion Treadway, who finished his 15th season at the Ram helm on top. “There’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears put into this night by a lot of people. I can’t wait to celebrate with each and every one of them. Any person that’s ever worn this jersey is a part of what’s happening tonight.”
Badin’s players spent the season chasing a goal that became more urgent with every playoff victory.
The Rams had been here before. They had experienced just about everything — the excitement of reaching the state tournament and the disappointment of falling short.
This team refused to let disappointment happen again.
The championship capped one of the most dominant postseason runs. Badin outscored tournament opponents 67-5 and never truly wavered after beginning its playoff journey.
Players spoke openly throughout the postseason about that unfinished business. The Rams had reached the state tournament five times in the previous six seasons. They had played in state championship games before, and they had experienced the pain of leaving empty-handed.
“Once playoffs came around, we had one outcome,” senior Austin Vangen said. “We’re not losing this time. One outcome, and we’re winning it all. That’s what happened.”
For Vangen and the 21 fellow seniors, the journey carried additional weight because they had experienced the highs and lows of Badin’s recent state tournament appearances. They understood the pressure that accompanied one of Ohio’s premier baseball programs still searching for a championship after three decades — or to be exact, 10,961 days.
“I’ve been here all three years, played all three years, and we finally got it done,” Vangen said. “Third time’s a charm. It feels awesome. We got it done for the community, Coach Treadway, my teammates, everyone.”
And the significance of the moment was impossible to ignore.
Badin was making its 17th state tournament appearance, yet only two previous teams had finished the job.
“Thirty years was way too long,” Vangen said. “We’ve looked up to this moment all year. We knew what we wanted.”
And the Rams delivered.
Full-circle moment
The championship represented more than a trophy.
It was a family story spanning generations.
Thirty years ago, a young pitcher named Brion Treadway stood on the mound and helped deliver Badin’s previous, longstanding state championship. He earned victories in both the state semifinal and state final during the Rams’ 1996 title run.
Three decades later, he watched his own son — Brooks Treadway — pitch in a state championship game and earn the victory himself as the starter.
The symmetry felt almost impossible.
“There was nobody I trusted more in this game than Brooks Treadway,” Brion Treadway said. “He’s been built for this moment.”
Brooks Treadway surrendered a first-inning run before settling down and giving the Rams exactly what they needed. More importantly, he became part of a moment he admitted is still difficult to process.
“It feels very good to finally see him get one,” Brooks Treadway said of his dad-coach. “I’m still wrapping my head around it. It’ll all hit me tonight, just how truly important it is.”
The conversations between father and son remained simple moments earlier.
“He didn’t tell me anything different than he always does,” Brooks Treadway said. “It was ‘Just go out there, pound the zone and be a dude.’”
“I just had to settle in,” the younger Treadway added. “We knew our offense was going to give us some runs. We weren’t worried in any way.”
The title carried special meaning because of everything that had happened before it.
Every season that ultimately ended a run short.
“Every year we don’t get it done, every year we’re right there and don’t get it done, it just puts a little bit more weight on your shoulders,” Brooks Treadway said. “To finally feel all that fall off and take a deep breath, it’s really nice.”
But those emotions stretched beyond the Treadway family.
Current assistant coach Matt Marcum was the catcher on the 1996 championship team.
Senior left fielder Eli Wolpert’s father, Brian Wolpert, was a member of Badin’s 1991 state championship team.
Generations of Rams were represented throughout the ballpark.
“We played at Thurman Munson this week, and that’s where they won it all,” Eli Wolpert said of the program’s earlier championships. “Before we got here, we talked about that.”
Even one final coincidence seemed almost scripted.
Brion Treadway wore No. 33 during the 1996 championship season.
Thirty years later, sophomore closing pitcher Beau Neal wore No. 33 while recording the final outs of the state championship victory.
“It’s a little eerie,” Brion Treadway said with a smile. “Thirty years later.”
The championship completed a circle that began three decades earlier and connected generations of Badin baseball.
“I seriously don’t have words for you,” Brooks Treadway said. “It’s like nothing else. It’s a complete full-circle moment.”
The defense that finished it
Championships often hinge on a handful of moments.
Badin’s defense created several.
The Rams answered Watterson’s first-inning run with three runs of their own and never trailed again. Yet the game remained within reach until Badin repeatedly slammed the door with another three-run inning in the latter stages — and spectacular defensive plays.
A bases-loaded threat disappeared with a momentum-changing double play.
Another inning ended with a second double play.
Then came one of the game’s defining moments.
Wolpert tracked down a fly ball in left field and fired a strike to third base to erase a tagging runner.
“I caught it and saw him take off,” Wolpert said. “I just let it rip. Luckily it was a good throw and got him out.”
The defensive brilliance became a recurring theme throughout the night.
“I would say that’s the best defense in the state,” Brion Treadway said. “I think we proved it tonight.”
Badin’s infield had spent all season turning difficult plays into routine outs.
Its outfield consistently prevented extra bases.
Its pitchers trusted the gloves behind them.
That trust paid off on the biggest stage.
“I think Derek Ogden is the best shortstop in Ohio, and Cade Cummins has the quickest turn on a double play of any player I’ve ever seen,” Treadway said. “Our defense has been incredible all year.”
Offensively, the Rams produced timely hits throughout the lineup.
Chandler Taylor immediately delivered a game-tying RBI double in the bottom of the first inning.
Vince Laugle followed with a run-scoring single.
Colt Emerson scored twice and drove in a run.
Vangen contributed two RBIs.
The balance reflected the identity Badin carried throughout its championship run.
No panic. No fear. No alternative ending.
“We hadn’t lost since our Florida trip,” Brion Treadway said. “The expectation and the conversations we had at home and in practice were that there was only one way this ends. There was no other alternative than what happened here.”
When the final out finally arrived, the emotions poured out.
Players hugged.
Parents cried.
Former players celebrated.
A championship drought that had stretched across three decades disappeared in a matter of seconds.
“There is nothing better than winning your last game,” Brion Treadway said.
And for the first time in 30 years, Badin baseball did exactly that.
