by Gates Mills, Ohio – Thanks to two timely RBI singles in the third and fourth innings, respectively, the Solon Comets managed to hold off a late Chagrin Falls rally, winning 5-3, in the nightcap of the 2021 PBR Spring Showcase.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third, when Solon loaded the bases. Harley Barman would contribute to his cause by driving a two-run single to left to put Solon on top, 2-0. Another run would come home on a wild pitch to increase the Comet lead to 3-0.
Senior outfielder Pat McQuaide, son of legendary Solon football coach Jim McQuaide, drove home two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to increase the Solon lead to 5-0.
Barman kept the Chagrin offense out of the hit column until the fifth inning, when Lafayette baseball commit Jack McMullen drove a single to left field. But Barman got out of it without any further damage.
The Tigers would try again, loading the bases in the sixth with two out, but Barman induced a flyball to end the frame.
In the top of the seventh, Chagrin Falls got two runners on, thanks to a walk and a single. After that, junior Andrew Kirkpatrick hit his second home run of the season, a shot to right field that cleared the fence and cut the deficit to 5-3.
“I just wanted to keep the train going and put some runs on the board to avoid the shutout.” said Kirkpatrick.
Junior pitcher Zack Gottlieb came on in relief, and after allowing a double to left-center field, dug deep and induced a flyout, then a strikeout to end the game.
Three-run homerun aside, freshman pitcher Harley Barman had a great game, going 6 1/3 innings allowing just four hits, striking out and walking four on 106 pitches. He also carried a no-hitter going into the fifth inning.
Barman also contributed at the plate, going 1-2 with a two-run single in the bottom of the third to give the Comets the early lead.
“(Harley Barman)’s been a big contributor for us all year long, and plays bigger than a freshman. He did a very nice job today, and we knew we were gonna get a huge battle from Chagrin Falls, so we wanted to see what we had with him.” said Solon head coach Damien Kopkas. “He gave us everything he had on the mound today.”
Solon improves to 10-12 overall. They host Mentor Monday afternoon to continue Greater Cleveland Conference play.
Chagrin Falls drops to 17-3 overall. They host Ashtabula Lakeside to continue Chagrin Valley Conference play.
