The Wildcats fell in a pitchers dual this past Saturday at Brookside vs. the Mason Comets. Both Nick Zarbo and Brenden Garula's outstanding efforts for their respective teams made runs come at a premium. Unfortunately, the Wildcats were on the other side of a 2-1 score against the Comets. Garula for the Comets went the full seven innings, securing a complete game vs. the Cats. Garula allowed only four hits, one run, two walks, and struck out seven in the Comets win.
Mason would strike first in the second inning as a lead-off walk wound up hurting the Cats in the second frame. Aidan Stewart drew the walk, and the speedster would take off for second and steal a bag on the Cats. Aidan Lefton then drove an RBI single into center field to take a 1-0 advantage in the second.
Garula would retire six Wildcat batters in a row into the bottom of the fourth inning. Gabe Nard broke that streak with a single to right field. Head Baseball Coach Brad Ganor would bring in a courtesy runner for Nard at first. Adding speed on the base paths, John Becker was brought in by Ganor. The Cats would string together a couple of hits as Sawyer Solitaria singled into right field as well. Vince Fabe would check in as a courtesy runner for Solitaria at first. With men on first and second and two out, the senior power hitter Luke Roggenburk smashed a line drive RBI single into centerfield to tie the ball game at one.
In the top half of the fifth, the Wildcats used three different pitchers out of the pen to limit the Comets offense. The Comets would double off of Sam Olack to start the inning with a runner on second. This brought out the southpaw pitcher Owen Gerba. Gerba would make two pitches and do his job out of the pen, getting a ground-out. The right-hander Micah Murtha would then make an appearance for the Cats. With a full count, the pitch would get away from catcher Cole Jones and allow Ben Stuart to cross home plate to take a 2-1 lead.
The wild pitch would prove costly for the Wildcats as that wound up to be the game-winning run for the Comets. Zarbo went four innings, allowing just three hits, one run, and struck out one. Murtha, in relief, went two and a two-thirds innings without allowing a Comet baserunner and striking out two out of the pen.
After the Wildcats tied the game at one, Garula would retire another seven straight Wildcat batters as the Cats ran into a talented pitcher who brought his best stuff. In the seventh inning, the Wildcats would get the tying run on base with Noah Brazytis after an HBP with one out. However, Garula would strike out the next two Wildcat batters to secure the 2-1 win and complete the game with seven innings of work.
The Wildcats will go to 3-3 on the season after a weekend of tremendous pitching performances between St. Edward and Mason. Saint Ignatius will return to Talty Field at Brookside on Tuesday, April 13, to take on the Riverside Beavers. The SIBN will have live coverage with the first pitch at 5 p.m.