by Copley, Ohio – The Green Bulldogs defeated host Copley, 13-1, in a non-conference affair Saturday afternoon.
In the top of the first, the Bulldogs got a pair of runners on, but Copley senior Clay Clugsten worked out of the jam thanks to a strikeout and groundout.
Green junior pitcher Luke Ickes picked off a pair of batters and struck out another in the home half of the first.
Green jumped ahead in the second inning, thanks to an RBI single by Tyler Geckler. Freshman Brett Young added a two-run double to the right field gap to increase the Bulldog lead to 3-0. He also had a single in the first inning.
The Bulldogs would add another run in the third to increase their lead to 4-0, and thanks to several bases-loaded walks and a couple of hits, including an RBI double from Ryan Harrigle, led 13-0 after a nine-run fourth. The Bulldogs’ patience at the plate paid off, as they drew nine walks in total. Five Bulldogs also scored at least twice and/or batted a run in.
A sacrifice fly in the fifth kept Copley from being shut out, as Harrigle would close the door.
Last season, Green made it to the district championship before falling to Mentor. This year, Green looks to go a step further, and possibly more.
Green improved to 1-1, and hosts Lake Tuesday afternoon to open up Federal League play. Luke Ickes earned the win, pitching three shutout innings and striking out three batters.
Andrew Elliott had a pair of doubles to go with two RBI, and two runs scored.
Copley drops to 0-2 and travels to Aurora Tuesday afternoon to open up Suburban League (American Division) play.
Green’s 2-0, not 1-1.