by Kent, Ohio – Talk about an eventful week for the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders. On Monday, they got to make up a game against Tallmadge that was suspended in early April due to darkness. They won that game, 11-10, in ten innings to complete a comeback from a six-run deficit and clinch at least a share of the Suburban League American Division.
After a non-conference win at Garfield Heights the following day, Roosevelt would defeat Copley on Wednesday afternoon to take the division outright. How would the Rough Riders continue their momentum?
Just ask Zane Cramer.
On Friday evening, the senior pitcher threw a complete game no-hitter to defeat the Ravenna Ravens, 9-0, in the nightcap of the David Starkey Memorial High School Baseball Classic at Kent State University.
Roosevelt got things going in the bottom of the first inning when junior infielder Matt Dile drove a two-out double to left field, scoring Riley Day, to put the Rough Riders ahead, 1-0.
They would break through in the bottom of the second when sophomore Kristian Daetwyler hit a triple to right field, and scored on the ensuing error. After two more runners reached base, Zac Common followed with an RBI bunt single. After another run scored on an error, Dile drove in his second run of the night with another double to left field to cap a five-run inning and pad the lead to 6-0.
Roosevelt would add another run in the fourth, and two more in the fifth for the final margin.
Zane Cramer kept the Ravenna Ravens offense off balance all game long, allowing just two runners to reach base, one on a walk in the first and the other reaching on an error in the second. In the sixth inning, it looked as if the no-hitter would come to an end when Zach Scibelli hit a line drive down the left field line. But third baseman Nathan Renkes made a diving stop and got the throw off in time to keep the no-hitter intact.
“I was just really thinking about saving the no-hitter. Nothing really went through my mind except to trust my hands, then came up and made a hard throw. said Renkes.
Cramer would finish off the no-hitter by striking out the first two batters in the seventh and inducing a flyout to end the ball game, and improve his overall record to 6-0.
“It’s been great leading up to this. We built confidence after beating Tallmadge, and took that confidence to Copley. Once we beat them, we carried it over to here. You just have to trust your defense. (Nathan) Renkes made a nice diving play and Zac (Common) made a catch halfway into center field. Trusting in your defense gives them confidence.” said Cramer.
Offensively, Matt Dile went 2-3 with two doubles, a walk, and two runs batted in.
“Zane (Cramer) just went out there and threw a good game and we got some run support behind him and made plays. I’m really excited for the postseason. I think we can do a lot.” said Dile.
Michael Haney spoke about how much momentum the team had going into Friday night’s game.
“I’ll be honest with you, we have taken it to another level with our confidence because a week ago, we had to find ourselves. That’s part of the process of a long season. We lost four games in the last by a handful of runs. All of a sudden they started questioning themselves. Then we started to play fearless. That game against Tallmadge on Monday was one of the most highest pressured games I’ve ever been a part of. These boys battled and won that game, and Zane (Cramer) has been Steady Eddie for us. This year he’s taken it to another level. He was dominant tonight, hit spots all night, his velocity was up, and threw his breaking ball where it wanted to go. I can’t say enough about how well he threw the ball tonight.” said Haney. “Nate Renkes has shown us all spring the ability to use his hands and play defense at a high level. That play in the sixth just epitomizes how well he played. That was a heck of a play. I’m really happy with our guys tonight. We got some better swings from guys around the order as well. I’m really excited. It’s a great way to start this tournament.” he added.
Kent Roosevelt improves to 16-6 overall and faces Woodridge Saturday evening to continue the David Starkey Classic.
“If we don’t make a couple of mistakes there in the second inning, and limit some of the damage, we’re not looking at 9-0. Connor (Lovejoy) did well and pitched to contact. If we made a couple more plays for him, it’s a different game.” said Ravenna head coach Steve Hustack.
Ravenna drops to 4-17 and travels to Walsh University Saturday afternoon to face Cloverleaf and continue PTC Metro play.
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