Nick Ripple tosses three-hitter as Papillion-La Vista South downs Papio | NE Prep Zone

Playing at Werner Park seems to bring out the best in Papillion-La Vista South pitcher Nick Ripple.

The senior right-hander tossed a three hitter Saturday in a 6-1 win over Papillion-La Vista. Ripple also pitched the Titans to victory over Lincoln Southwest last year at the home of the Omaha Storm Chasers.

“It’s awesome playing here,” he said. “It’s always a lot of fun.”

Ripple, a Buena Vista commit, struck out five and walked none in six innings. Reliever Cole Drumheller came on to pitch a 1-2-3 seventh.

“I was able to hit my spots,” Ripple said. “And my curveball was on.”






Senior Nick Ripple delivers a pitch Saturday for Papillion-La Vista South. He allowed three hits in six innings in a 6-1 win over Papillion-La Vista at Werner Park.




Coach Bill Lynam said that curveball wasn’t the only thing working for his starter, who moved his record to 3-0.

“Nick had great command of the zone with all three of his pitches,” he said. “He threw 19 first-pitch strikes and 64 pitches total, so he was very efficient.”

Lynam said the annual game at the stadium between the two Sarpy County schools always is a highlight of the season.

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“You get excited to play baseball, and you really get excited to play Papio at Werner Park,” he said. “It’s a big game and fun for our community.”

The Titans grabbed the lead with a two-run second inning. Garrett Siemsen brought one home with an RBI triple and Kye Privett plated another with a groundout.

A run-scoring single by Siemsen made it 3-0 in the fourth before Papio scored its only run in the bottom of the inning. Brayden Jones singled and eventually came home on an RBI single by Nick Chanez.

It was the only inning the Monarchs had more than one base runner. Ripple escaped further damage by getting a flyout and a strikeout.

“He limited the damage,” Lynam said. “He made a big pitch to get out of the jam.”

Papio South (5-2) tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth on RBIs by Tyler Mackling and Trenton Andringa and another in the sixth on a wild pitch.

Ripple, one of eight seniors on the team, said he had a good feeling about the Class A No. 8 Titans.

“We’re young but we work really well together,” he said. “I’m trying my best to lead by example.”

The Titans return to action Monday at home against top-ranked Millard West. The Monarchs’ next game will be Tuesday at Omaha Burke.

​​Papillion-La Vista South (5-2)…..020  121  0—6  6  1

Papillion-La Vista (2-4)……………000  100  0—1  3  2

W: Ripple. L: Apgar. 2B: PLVS, Mackling; PLV, Jones. 3B: PLVS, G. Siemsen. ​