by Wickliffe, Ohio – The Wickliffe Blue Devils used a six-run third inning to take the lead and hold on from there on the way to a 7-4 victory over visiting VASJ Saturday afternoon.
VASJ started off the game with a single from Jonnny Vuraich. A pair of walks loaded the bases, and Brandon McBride hit a flyball RBI single to right to make the score 1-0.
Adam Szmania reached on a fielder’s choice grounder to score Brady McNulty. Tim Gonakis scored on the ensuing error to increase the Viking lead to 3-0.
Nunzio Zivnoska came on in relief, striking out a pair of hitters to limit any further damage.
Wickliffe got their offense going in the bottom of the second. The Blue Devils loaded the bases thanks to a walk, a single and a dropped fly ball. Zivnoska helped his cause with an opposite field single to left to cut the deficit to 3-1. A balk led to another run, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Jimmy Nemeth hit a two-run single to left field to give Wickliffe a 4-3 lead. Another bases-loaded walk made the score 5-3. Bobby Plumb, who had a single earlier in the inning, was hit by a pitch, leading to another run.
After a scoreless third inning from both sides, VASJ loaded the bases, but could only muster one run when Nolan McNulty reached on a fielders’ choice in the top of the fourth to cut their deficit to 6-4.
The Blue Devils added another run in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a two out rally.
Brandon Henderson drew a walk. Vince Gargiulo followed with a successful bunt single. After a wild pitch, Bobby Plumb beat out a slow roller to the pitcher to score Henderson for another insurance run.
VASJ strung together a walk, a single, and another walk to load the bases in the top of the seventh, but senior pitcher Colin Casey got out of the jam with a strikeout to end the game.
Wickliffe, now 3-1, hosts Cleveland Central Catholic on Monday. Senior outfielder Bobby Plumb went 2-3 on the day with a pair of singles and a pair of RBI. He also scored a run.
Sophomore pitcher Nunzio Zivnoska went 5 2/3 innings and earned the win Saturday, giving up just one run on four hits and three walks. He struck out eight hitters.
VASJ, now 2-2, hosts Bishop Watterson at League Park on Saturday, April 15th. Sophomore infielder Johnny Vuraich went 3-4 on the day and scored a run.
