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Nate Haven’s lead-off inside-the-park home run set the tone as the Shoremen bats were hot in their 19-0 sectional semifinal win over Max S. Hayes. Five different Avon Lake pitchers (Ritter, Wilcox, Anderson, Street, Kretchmar) combined to throw a no-hitter. Leading the way offensively was Owen Fach, who went 2-2 with 3 RBI.
After Haven’s lead-off homer, Alex Soloff drew a walk, and Hayden Blosser followed him up with an inside-the-park homerun of his own, giving Avon Lake an early 3-0 lead. That was just the start, as RBI doubles from Cavin Kretchmar and Shane Street and an RBI single from Grant LeHoty quickly pushed the lead to 6-0 with just one out. When all was said and done, the Shoremen sent 17 batters to the plate and held an 11-0 lead after one.
The offense picked up where they left off as an RBI triple from Fach brought home Connor de Francisco and Cole Roberts to push the lead to 13-0. Fach would score right away on a double from Brody Wilcox, who would score on a sacrifice fly from Colin Hout to push the Shoremen lead to 15-0 after two innings.
With two on and one out, Fach got the offense rolling in the third with an RBI double. A single from Wilcox scored Roberts, and a sacrifice fly from Hout scored Fach, pushing Avon Lake’s lead to 18-0. An RBI single from Alex Hicov scored Wilcox, and the Shoremen held a 19-0 lead heading to the fourth.
John Balazy reached base via walk in the top of the fourth for the Lakers and stole second and third. With two on and two out, Kretchmar took the mound for the Shoremen and struck out his lone opponent, sealing a huge 19-0 sectional semifinal win for Avon Lake.
Up Next
With the victory, Avon Lake advances to the sectional championship on Thursday evening, where the Shoremen will take on the Strongsville Mustangs. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 pm at Strongsville High School.
Top Performers
Avon Lake Shoremen
Owen Fach: 2-2 2B 3B 3 RBI 2 R
Nate Haven: 1-1 HR RBI 2 R
Hayden Blosser: 1-1 HR 2 RBI 2 R
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | R | H | |
Max Hayes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | X | X | 0 | 0 |
Avon Lake | 11 | 4 | 4 | X | X | X | X | 19 | 15 |