by Lakewood, Ohio – John Freeman’s go-ahead double in the top of the 8th inning led Elyria to a 6-5 win over host Lakewood on Friday night.
The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning off Elyria starting pitcher Kaden Gunsleman. However, he got a huge double play to escape without further damage.
Elyria loaded the bases in the first and second innings off Lakewood starting pitcher Luke Mason. However, they could not push any runs across the plate. Mason threw three innings of shutout ball.
In the top of the fourth, Elyria scored a pair of runs on a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch.
Sophomore infielder Emmett Frantz hit an RBI single in the home half of the fourth to give Lakewood a 3-2 lead.
However, Elyria responded in the top of the fifth with another pair of runs. Malikye Robinson led off with a bunt single. He would score the game tying run on a wild pitch, and a Peyton Fenton single gave the Pioneers the 4-3 lead.
Lakewood would answer with another response of their own, thanks to the bat of Emmett Frantz. Frantz tied the game with another RBI single. However, John Freeman had a huge outfield assist, cutting down the go-ahead run, keeping the score tied.
In the bottom of the sixth, senior Aidan Maxwell dumped a single into no man’s land in right field, putting the Rangers ahead, 5-4.
Elyria responded with a rally of their own.
Malikye Robinson got on base to start the inning. He stole second and advanced to third thanks to an errant throw. Kaden Gunselman followed with a game-tying single to right field.
In the home half of the seventh, Lakewood loaded the bases with nobody out. However, the Elyria defense had other plans.
Kaden Gunsleman leapt into the air to make a huge catch on a line drive down the third base line. After Hunter Cahl threw a wild pitch, Isaiah Ramos sprung into action, firing the ball to Cahl at home to cut down the winning run.
After a walk reloaded the bases, Cahl struck out Luke Mason to get the Pioneers out of the jam.
With two out in the eighth, John Freeman delivered a clutch two-out double to right to plate the go-ahead run.
Connor Cahl worked around a single in the bottom of the 8th to ice the win for the Pioneers.
Elyria (16-7) hosts Olmsted Falls on Monday afternoon to continue SWC play.
Lakewood (9-11) plays in the GLC Tournament against a team to be determined.
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