by Kent, OH – The Field Falcons scored two runs in the eight inning, capping a comeback from a 4-1 deficit to win 8-6 at Kent State University.
Field jumped on top in the first inning, but Wadsworth countered with three in their half of the first, and another run in the second off a bases-loaded walk from starting pitcher Nick Lallathin.
The Falcons would tie the game in the third inning, starting with a Landon Contant inside-the-park home run, scoring Carter Baumgartner, who led off with a walk. Sophomore infielder Garrett DeVries followed with a triple to right field and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.
“First at bat, I saw three straight curveballs and only one fastball. I knew next time I was up, I had to look for my fastball and wait for it, then drive it somewhere.” said Landon Contant.
From there on, it was a stalemate, with relief pitchers Jake Gerring (Field) and Benny Petit (Wadsworth) shutting down both offense, allowing just one hit combined.
In the top of the eighth, Caden Contant led off with a single to left field. After a pop out, Garrett DeVries hit a fly ball to center field that was dropped, allowing both runners to advance. Sophomore infielder Michael Schmidt hit a go-ahead single to center to give Field the lead at 5-4. “It was a good game. We took advantage of the error and played good baseball.” said Schmidt.
DeVries would score on a wild pitch to add to the lead, and sophomore pitcher Chris Culbertson (who came on in the bottom of the sixth), closed the door in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Falcons the win.
“I just put the ball where the catcher wanted it, and I had a good defense behind me. I couldn’t have done it without my team.” said Gerring.
For Wadsworth, the dropped fly ball in the eighth proved to be costly, as the Grizzlies managed just three hits after the second inning and grounded into a double-play after a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth.
“I don’t think we came in ready for this game. Our energy was really low. I don’t think we played our best either. Benny (Petit) came in and pitched a heck of a game. He did all that we asked him to do.” said senior Wadsworth pitcher and Walsh University baseball commit Nick Lallathin.
“When we got down early, our kids responded well. We had a couple big things, with Landon (Contant) hitting the in-the-parker, and Garrett DeVries hitting the triple and reading the ball that got past the catcher, so we stole one there.
Jake Gerring has great composure for a freshman, coming in out of the bullpen, then Chris Culberson came in and threw three shutout innings to pick up his first varsity win.” said Field head coach Joe Peterson. “We have a brutal schedule that includes Norton and Woodridge. That was a big win against a qualify program. Hopefully our kids can set the table and carry on the momentum into the playoffs.” he added.
With the win, the Field Falcons improve to 12-4 overall.
With the loss, Wadsworth drops to 14-3 overall.
