Kent, Ohio – Senior infielder and John Carroll football commit Kristian Daetwyler delivered the game-winning single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. As a result, Kent Roosevelt defeated visiting Field, 2-1, in the opening game of the 14th annual David Starkey Memorial Classic.
The Riders struck first when junior pitcher Nathan Stohovitch hit an RBI single to left field, plating Donovan Daetwyler and giving the Riders an early 1-0 lead.
The Falcons responded when Bryson Silveus beat out a two-out groundball to the left side of the infield. This scored a run and tied the game.
From there, the pitchers matched zeroes.
Sophomore pitcher Braxton Baumberger threw four innings Friday afternoon, allowing just one run on three hits and four strikeouts. Relief pitcher Xander Rorrer got out of another jam in the bottom of the fifth to help keep the score tied.
Roosevelt made their move in the bottom of the seventh inning. They started with a leadoff single by Nolan Lane. After an error and a single loaded the bases, Kristian Daetwyler hit a ground-ball to third, and Nolan Lane beat the throw home to clinch the victory for the Rough Riders.
Stohovitch also helped his own cause Friday afternoon. In addition to his RBI single in the bottom of the second, his single in the bottom of the seventh to load the bases helped to set the stage for Daetwyler’s walk-off hit.
Stohovitch also earned the win on the mound, throwing a complete game on 105 pitches, allowing just one run on five hits and striking out six.
Kent Roosevelt improves to 7-14 and hosts rival Ravenna in the final game of the Starkey Memorial Classic Saturday afternoon.
Field drops to 15-4 and plays against Rootstown Saturday afternoon in the NICU Classic.