CANTON, OHIO – After Saint Ignatius head coach Brad Ganor addressed his team early Friday evening, several of the Wildcats called for a players-only meeting.
To a player, the 'Cats realized they had plenty to discuss after taking a downward spiral in what has been one of the biggest roller-coaster weeks in Saint Ignatius' baseball history.
The Wildcats, who are seeking what would be a state-best fourth consecutive appearance in the Division I state final four, were defeated by the traditionally strong Division III Canton Central Catholic Crusaders, 18-4, in the Crusaders' baseball-rich and immaculately kept facility.
It marked the second time in three days that Saint Ignatius was run-ruled, as the 'Cats were defeated by nationally ranked Walsh Jesuit, 10-0, on Wednesday in Bohlken Park.
Heading into Saturday's 11 a.m. doubleheader in Erie (Pa.) against Cathedral Prep and Erie McDowell, Saint Ignatius stands a respectable 16-3 overall and 2-2 on the week.
However, all of the excitement and emotion that stemmed from Thursday's come-from-behind victory over Benedictine and Friday's four-run rally in the top of the fourth against Central Catholic, slowly and painfully evaporated in the bottom of the fourth.
The Crusaders, who improved to 17-5, broke open a tight game by sending 17 batters to the plate and scoring 12 runs on five hits, an error, seven walks, a hit batsman and a passed ball. Five of the seven walks and the hit batsman came consecutively with two outs and the bases loaded. Sophomore designated hitter Anthony Paone accounted for Central Catholic's ninth and 18th runs with a pair of RBI singles.
Central Catholic, the 2008 Division III state champion, outhit the Wildcats, 12-2.
“I wish I had a great comment to say, that everything is going to be all right,” said Coach Ganor. “There really isn't much to say when you get your lunch handed to you. It's just disappointing that coming off the tough loss the other day, we can't muster the intensity to play well multiple days in a row.”
Central Catholic, on the strength of two two-out, two-run doubles by senior first baseman Jordan Ditty, led, 6-0, after three innings.
Saint Ignatius, which has made 10 trips to the state final four and brought home the big-school crown in 2002, came storming back by sending nine batters to the plate and scoring four times in the top of the fourth.
Senior left fielder and tri-captain Kevin Hopkins, who had both of the Wildcats' hits, led off the fourth with a single. After a hit batsman, a stolen base by Hopkins, an error, a wild pitch, two consecutive walks, another error and a fielder's choice, Saint Ignatius trailed by just two runs.
“We have to have other guys that can pitch, other than Jack McLinden, David Deliz and Zak Shockley,” Coach Ganor said, after hearing the numbers of the nightmarish bottom of the fourth. “We have to have other guys who can step up and do the job.
“And right now, I'm not sure we know who those guys are going to be.”
One of the few bright spots from Friday night was seeing talented senior infielder and tri-captain Dave Gallagher back in the starting lineup. Dave missed the last four games with a tired arm. He got the okay from his doctor to go full time in the field and at the plate, but he won't be able to pitch for the rest of the season. Dave entered Friday's game with a .477 batting average, four doubles, two home runs, a triple and 16 RBI, and was 2-0 on the mound with a save and a 0.82 earned run average.