by Kent, Ohio – Orion Kroah delivered a pinch-hit triple to right field to give Tallmadge the lead in the sixth inning, and the bullpen hung on, propelling Tallmadge to a 7-6 victory over Chagrin Falls Sunday afternoon at Kent State.
Tallmadge scored two runs in the first inning, both coming off wild pitches. After Chagrin Falls cut the deficit to 2-1 on a Charlie Greenlief two-out single in the top of the second inning, the Blue Devils responded in their half of the second with two more runs to increase the lead to 4-1.
In the fourth inning, senior outfielder and University of Toledo baseball commit Sam Seeker hit a triple to right-center field, and raced home on an overthrown cutoff throw to increase the Blue Devil lead to 5-1.
Chagrin Falls would rally in the top of the fifth inning.
Junior shortstop Kyle Zaluski led off with a walk, then Hank Weiss doubled down the left field line to score Zaluski and make the score 5-2. After a walk and a single to load the bases, Max Faulds drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 5-3. After a strikeout and a fielders’ choice groundout, two runners would score on wild pitches to knot the game back up.
Tallmadge would counter in the bottom of the sixth inning. Joe Ellis drew a walk to lead off. Matt Dexter pinch ran and stole second. After a strikeout, sophomore pinch-hitter Orion Kroah would deliver a clutch go-ahead triple to right center field to give Tallmadge back the lead. And Luke Thomas would follow with a successful sacrifice squeeze bunt to provide an insurance run and increase the lead to 7-5.
But Chagrin Falls would not go down quietly. Dawson Pierce reached on an error with two out, and Charlie Greenlief drew a walk. Senior second baseman Jonathan Edwards drove a sharp single into center field to cut the deficit to 7-6, then leadoff hitter Jack Amendola, after a seven pitch battle, got hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Jake Reifsnyder, who came on in relief in the fourth inning, slammed the door shut, inducing a ground ball by Kyle Zaluski to end the ball game.
“I was just focused on pounding the zone and getting strikes. I was basically gonna let them get themselves out. I don’t throw hard enough to blow it by anybody so I was gonna let my defense do the work and get the win.” said Reifsnyder.
“We set up for environments like this all year. Coach Linn schedules these big games and to come out here and get a win is big. We’ve had a few days with rain and haven’t been able to get games in. But to come out here and get the win on a beautiful day and at a beautiful field is great.” said Seeker.
“With pinch-hitting, you want to go up there and do whatever you can, because you know, one swing can change everything. I was just happy to get the at-bat.” said Kroah.
“We needed to get this win against a really good team to get our feeling of going into the next month. It was key to play in that pressurized situation where those guys had to pull together and make plays and get it done. I’m really proud of our team effort.” said Tallmadge head coach Kenny Linn. “One of the biggest things is that you’re fighting really good teams in our district for a top seed so hopefully this will help us in the situation to get a high seed. It was very important to get the win today, that’s for sure.” he added.
“We made a couple mistakes throughout the game that really cost us. Tallmadge put the pressure on us all game long but we didn’t handle it a couple of times and we gave them five runs. We battled back every time and I’m proud of my guys for battling back, but we have to play a little cleaner to not have to do that.” said Chagrin Falls head coach Michael Sweeney. “It was a learning experience for us to play a close game against a good team. It was fun.” he added.
Tallmadge improves to 10-5 and travels to Medina Highland on Monday afternoon, and Revere on Tuesday afternoon to continue Suburban League conference play.
Chagrin Falls drops to 14-4 and travels to Fairport Harding Monday afternoon, and plays against Saint Ignatius Wednesday at Progressive Field on Wednesday.
