MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — April 12 is the circled date on the calendar for high school baseball players around the state like Bridgeport senior shortstop Ryan Goff. After the entire spring sports lineup was canceled due to the pandemic a year ago, baseball games are set to begin in mid-April. The state tournament has been pushed back to June 24-26, allowing for a full 32-game regular season.
“Super-bummed out last year about losing our season, my junior season,” said Goff. “We had a great group of guys last year and a great group of seniors. I think we could have continued our streak.”
Goff was a guest on this week’s edition of the Tribe Talk Podcast.
The streak that Goff speaks of dates back to 2014. Bridgeport has won the last six Class AA state championships. That is the longest current run of titles for any team sport in West Virginia.
Even though the high school season never got off the ground last spring, Goff was busy throughout the summer months. He played for the ‘Ohio Elite’ team based on Columbus, Oh. They competed throughout the Mid-Atlantic and the southeast.
“We played close to a hundred games last summer. We played a ton of baseball. I got to play with Nate Paulsen also, who was on my team. It was good just to get out and play and get that experience against some good competition.
“It is crucial. You can’t just take the whole summer off if you want to get to the next level. The more experience and the more at bats you get, the better. Obviously you can practice but you can’t get in-game situations and at bats. It is not a beneficial as games.”
High school baseball practices can begin on March 15 and Goff has focused on his strength and conditioning throughout the offseason, while keeping up his skill work at home.
“Usually I try to hit every day in my basement off a tee and even do some infield drills in my basement to keep my hands. I have been trying to keep busy.”
In November, Goff signed to play at the University of Charleston. UC went 41-19 in 2019, advancing to the NCAA Atlantic Super Regional while winning the Mountain East Conference title along the way.
— UC Baseball (@UCWV_Baseball) November 11, 2020
“It was never about Division I, II or III to me. I always looked at it as the best fit for me and where I felt I was needed and wanted. I developed a really strong relationship with the coaches at the University of Charleston. I really liked them and I really liked the campus. They have the degree I am looking for. Everything felt right about it.
“I want to win. Coming from Bridgeport, I want to compete for championships.”
Goff has been the starting shortstop for the Indians since his freshman season in 2018, winning a pair of state titles. As a sophomore, Goff batted .389 with 43 hits, two home runs, 18 doubles, two triples, 19 runs batted in and 12 stolen bases. Goff is expected to move into the pitching rotation this spring as the Indians seek their seventh consecutive state title. BHS is now competing in Class AAA for the first time in eight years.
“That’s probably the main concern for our team this year, probably pitching. It is hard to tell right now. I think I will probably pitch a little bit. We have some other guys on our team, Christopher Harbert, Ben McDougal.
“A lot of us had the luxury of looking up to those older guys in the senior class from my freshman year. They taught us a lot about leadership. Our senior class this year, we have been playing together since we were nine and ten years old. That bond will help us succeed at this level.”