by Mayfield, Ohio – Behind a six-run second inning and clutch pitching down the stretch, the St. Edward Eagles held off host Mayfield, 8-6, on Sunday afternoon.
It was a premier matchup between two of the top programs in Northeast Ohio, and lived up to top billing.
After a scoreless first inning by both teams, the St. Eds offense got going in the second inning.
Back-to-back RBI doubles from Casey Bullock and Carter Potts gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead. David Tome added a sacrifice fly to increase the lead to 3-0.
Senior catcher and Miami (Ohio) baseball commit Tommy Harrison delivered a three-run shot to right field to increase the Eagles lead to 6-0.
Mayfield answered in the bottom of the third inning with two outs.
Drew Pattie won a six-pitch at-bat against Ed’s starter Luke Godlewski with a single to left field. Austin Ziance drew a walk, and senior Matthew Snider hit a three-run shot to left field, cutting the Wildcat deficit in half, 6-3.
In the top of the fourth, St. Ed’s increased their lead to 7-3, thanks to a fielder’s choice. But an inning-ending double play (due to a call of interference) prevented the Eagles from adding to their lead.
Junior pitcher Joey Bobincheck came on in relief in the fourth inning and struck out each of the first six batters he faced with relative ease.
St. Eds added another run in the top of the sixth, thanks to a leadoff double by David Tome. He would score on an RBI single by Tommy Harrison, making the score 8-3 in favor of the Eagles.
However, Mayfield would not go down without a fight.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with two out, and senior outfielder Frankie Ceraolo drove a bases-clearing triple to dead center to cut the deficit to 8-6.
With the tying run on at the plate, Bobincheck struck out Drew Pattie to get out of the inning..
Mayfield senior pitcher Dennis Vicchiarelli struck out the side around a walk in the top of the seventh.
The Wildcats had one more shot in the bottom half of the seventh.
Sophomore reliever Casey Bullock nailed down the save for the Eagles, striking out two, and getting a fielder’s choice around a walk.
Bobincheck earned the win for St. Edward, going three innings in relief, allowing just three hits, walking three, and striking out eight.
Senior catcher and Gannon commit Dylan Gamber went 4-4 on the day with four singles.
St. Eds (11-2) hosts NDCL at Mercy Health Stadium in Avon Wednesday afternoon.
Mayfield (7-4) hosts Kenston in WRC play Monday afternoon.
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