by Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – A 90 minute weather delay was not enough to thwart the momentum of the Walsh Jesuit baseball team, as they topped Avon Lake, 6-3, on Saturday afternoon.
The inaugural Crown Conference champions made no haste jumping ahead early.
Tyler Canzoni led off with a walk in the bottom of the first. Teammate Henry Kaczmar was hit, and Mason Eckelman reached with a bunt single to load the bases.
John Simecek followed with an RBI on a fielders choice groundout. Will Harding followed with a single to left to increase the lead to 2-0.
Another run scored on a wild pitch, and a balk increased the lead to 4-0.
In the bottom of the second, starting pitcher and Charleston commit Andrew Gormley led off with a hit-by-pitch. He would later score on a sac fly off the bat of Kaczmar. This increased the lead to 5-0.
Avon Lake got on the board thanks to a leadoff walk and a Logan Hamilton two-out triple to right-center field. Gormley allowed just a pair of hits on the day in three innings of work.
Walsh Jesuit countered with a run in their half of the third, thanks to a Topher Salek RBI single to left.
Avon Lake would cut their deficit in half in the top of the fourth inning. Brody Wilcox fought off multiple pitches and singled to right field. Jack Pincura drew a walk, as did Dylan Welsh, to load the bases.
Junior outfielder Adrian Hernandez followed with a two-run double to right field to cut the deficit to 6-3.
Walsh Jesuit had two two-out hits from Henry Kaczmar and Scott Eckeman in their half of the fourth inning. However, the sound of thunder permeated the area and the teams were taken off the field.
After a brief rain shower, the skies cleared up, but a flash of lightning, and another rumble of thunder reset the delay clock twice.
After a 1 hour, 30 minute weather delay, play resumed from there.
Avon Lake senior pitcher Dominic Poltrone came on in relief, striking out the first hitter he faced. He worked 1 1/3 innings, striking out three in total, allowing no hits.
Walsh Jesuit senior pitcher Jackson Phelps earned the win, retiring the last ten batters he faced. He went four innings in relief, striking out three, and allowing just two runs on two hits.
Warriors senior catcher and Michigan commit Henry Kaczmar went 2-3 on the day with a sac fly in the second inning, along with a pair of singles. He also reached base due to a hit-by-pitch in the first.
John Simecek, Will Harding, and Topher Salek each had an RBI to aid the winning effort.
Walsh Jesuit (18-4) hosts Berea-Midpark to wrap up regular season play. They host the winner of Madison/Euclid next Thursday afternoon in Nordonia District tournament play.
Avon Lake (13-8) travels to Olmsted Falls Monday afternoon to continue SWC play. They will face the winner of North Olmsted/Cleveland Heights Thursday afternoon in Strongsville District tournament play.
Extended highlights below:
