College baseball is taking a local flavor, and it tastes pretty darn good.

First, the Rio Grande RedStorm scored five times in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday to beat Campbellsville 8-5 and win the Mid-South Conference tournament and a berth in next week’s NAIA regional tournament.

The key hit? A walk-off grand slam by Tyler Schunk.

Rio Grande (47-11) features some local talent with former Fairland players Zach Jordan, Robbie Easterling and Tyler Godby. One of the starters is outfielder John Storey of Wheelersburg.

This is Rio Grande’s first season in the Mid-South Conference.

One of the RedStorm’s opponents is Georgetown, Ky., who features another local face.

The familiar face belongs to a former Georgetown player who is now the head coach, former South Point standout Brian Karlet.

Karlet was an all-conference player in 2002 and then spent two years as director of baseball operations at Marshall University.

Karlet has been on the Tigers’ coaching staff the past two years and was named the head coach on Nov. 21 of last year when Erik Hagen resigned.

Despite losing 12 seniors that helped Georgetown finish second in the MSC with a 32-22 record, Karlet guided the Tigers to the conference loser’s bracket championship.

“I am grateful for the opportunity given to me,” said Karlet.

Brian is the son of Herb Karlet who played for Marshall.

—— Sinatra ——

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.