The St. Xavier Bombers entered a win or go home situation as they traveled to Hayden Field home of the Miami Redhawks to face GCL rival Elder Panthers in the regional semifinal Wednesday afternoon. Both teams have become very familiar with each other as they headed into their fourth match up of the season where Elder held the upper hand with a 2-1 record against the Bombers. However each game were gritty never give an inch type of games that included either team winning under two run margin. This game didn't disappoint for either side as both sides sent out their Aces for this high stakes rivalry game.

Taking the hill for the Bombers was GCL Player of the Year Jack Ryan. Ryan exhibited why he was the back-to-back award winner opening the game with a quick 1-2-3 to open the game inducing two pop outs and mixing up the hitter for a strike out. The Panthers sent out dominant junior Caleb McComas who was fresh off a four hit shutout over Beavercreek where struck out six in the Panthers 2-0 win over the Beavers. McComas didn't disappoint in the bottom half of the first. He'd open the game fanning senior Dillon Brus, followed by a fly out by senior Braden Bricking before Ryan would leg out an infield single on a ground ball to third before being stranded on first after an inning ending fly out to left by senior Jackson Sherrard. 

Ryan continued to dominate on the mound with another quick 1-2-3 inning for the Bombers with a fly out, strikeout, and fly out. McComas would get two quick outs to open the inning before senior Dominick Dials would slap a two out to center and junior Eric Nienaber would be given a free pass after a hit by pitch. With runners on first and second and two outs the Bombers wouldn't capitalize as senior Sam Sprengard would fly out to left to end the inning. 

The Panthers looked lost at the plate in the third as Ryan struck out two in another 1-2-3 inning of work. The Bombers would take advantage of McComas mistake on the mound after an opening hit by pitch to Brus, after a strikeout and error by McComas to put runners on first and third following an intention walk to Ryan. The Bombers would break the tie with a sac bunt from Sherrard. Junior Logan Von Hoelle would follow it up with a double before the Bombers would strand runners on second and third to grab a 1-0 lead headed into fourth. 

Elder would see their first base runner of the game with a two out walk to senior Jack Rosenacker. Before Ryan would force a quick fly out to end the inning. McComas continued to not give an inch as put the down Bombers in order with a strikeout and back-to-back fly outs. Ryan's command was on point as he'd strike out the side to end the fifth. The Bombers continued to play gritty as Bricking would hit a one out double followed by another intentional walk to Ryan to put runners on first and second with one out. The Bombers would strand them as Sherrard would hit into an inning ending double play headed into the sixth. 

Ryan entered six outs away from a no-hitter headed into the sixth. The Panthers would open the inning with a lead off walk before back-to-back sacrifice bunts would move the runner to third with two outs. Ryan would give up his second walk as the Panthers would be threatening with two outs and runners on the corners. Ryan would keep the no-no on as he'd force Rosenacker to ground into a fielder's choice to end the inning. 

The Bombers would fail to extend their lead in the bottom of the sixth as the Panther bullpen would sit the Bombers down in order with two strikeouts and a line out. All eyes were on Ryan as he walked back to the mound for the seventh. He'd open the inning with a ground out before allowing his fourth walk of the game. He'd bounce back striking out the next batter. With one out to go the crowd held it's breath as they waited for two-star to etch his name into the history books. With a 2-2 count, blew a fastball past the hitter as he'd complete the no-hitter with an impressive nine strikeout four walk performance on only 90 pitches. Ryan completes his second no-hitter of his career since May 10, 2024 against Badin at Great American Ballpark. He's the fourth pitcher in Bomber history to join the record books alongside his older brother Thomas against Mt. Healthy in 2022, Luke Pappano, and Brady Fitzpatrick.

The Bombers look to ride this momentum as they travel back to Miami to face the Oak Hills Highlanders for the regional finals today at 5 p.m. where the game will be streamed on ESPX.