by Akron, Ohio -In a blustery afternoon at H.O.C. Family Field, Archbishop Hoban opened up their 2023 campaign with a 14-9 win over visiting Massillon Perry.
Zack Zimmermann hit an RBI single to put the Knights up 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning.
Massillon Perry tied the score at 1 in the top of the second with an RBI groundout. The Panthers eventually took the lead in the top of the third when starting pitcher Will Willis got hit by a pitch. Christian Ivanic followed with a bunt single, and Willis eventually scored from second due to an error.
Hoban responded in the bottom of the third inning. Singles by Masud Jennings, Zack Zimmermann, and Andrew Karhoff loaded the bases. Logan Shimmel cleared them with a grand slam to give the Knights the lead.
Massillon Perry responded with a pair of two-out runs in the fourth to cut their deficit to 6-4. Cameron Adkins had an RBI bunt single in the inning.
The Knights would pour it on in the bottom of the fourth inning. Andrew Karhoff hit a deep flyball to right center field. Michael Ciavolella scored from second due to heads-up baserunning. He led off the inning with a double to right field.
Andrew Kievman (Louisville commit) hit an RBI double to right field. Parker Falkenstein (Wright State commit) followed with an RBI double of his own, and Masud Jennings hit an RBI single. Hoban led 11-4 after four innings.
However, Massillon Perry would not go down without a fight.
In the top of the fifth, Panthers sophomore Marshal Geckler hit a two-run shot to right field. He later added an RBI groundout the very next inning. Joey White hit a bases-loaded single to cut the Panther deficit to 11-9. However, Hoban pitcher Logan Browning got a huge strikeout to end the frame and keep the Knights in the lead.
The Knights tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Leo Wilson led off with a single and was advanced thanks to a Masud Jennings bunt single. Wilson scored on a wild pitch, and Michael Ciavolella (Ohio State commit) hit a sacrifice fly. After Zack Zimmerman was hit by a pitch, Andrew Karhoff (Ohio State commit) hit a two-out RBI single.
Logan Browning pitched a shutout in the seventh inning, including a game-ending double play to bring the blustery day to a close.
Hoban (1-0) travels to Mentor Tuesday afternoon. In all, the Knights collected 16 hits. Junior Parker Falkenstein went 4-5 on the day. Four other players chipped in a pair of hits to aid the winning effort.
Massillon Perry (0-1) hosts Massillon Jackson to open up conference play Tuesday afternoon.
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