Quillen Austria's stolen base in the bottom of the fourth tied Saint Ignatius' single-season record of 89 stolen bases set in 2008 and Cole Nieto accounted for the new mark of 91 by stealing second and third in the fourth.
Junior right-hander Shane Skuhrovec throws a gutsy, workman-like 5 and 2/3 innings in improving to 2-0, junior David Bodziony closes the door on North Ridgeville with 14 strikes in his 21 pitches in relief and junior outfielder/pinch hitter/pinch runner Kyle Daugenti has a two-hit day.
The Wildcats win for the 15th time in their past 16 games, the 17th time in their past 19 games, extend their winning streak to six games and improve to 20-6 overall. Coach Brad Ganor, now his 9th season as the 'Cats' skipper, picks up his 190th career victory.
Up next for Saint Ignatius is an OHSAA Division I sectional final against the winner of Thursday's sectional semifinal between Rhodes and Berea. NOTE: If Berea wins, the sectional final is slated for Friday at Baldwin Wallace University at 4:30. However, if Rhodes is victorious, the sectional final will be moved to Saturday at Baldwin Wallace at 1 p.m. Rhodes is celebrating prom night on Friday.
****Congratulations go out to Coach Pat McManamon's lacrosse team, as the 'Cats (13-1) rolled to their seventh consecutive victory with a 10-2 triumph over Medina on Wasmer Field Wednesday night. I hear my man CJ Haag turned in a performance at goal that was reminiscent of his relentless pursuit as a standout linebacker in football. The corner is looking forward to covering Saturday night's home finale against the Eagles from St. Edward.
HERE IS THE FULL STORY ON WEDNESDAY'S 10-3 BASEBALL VICTORY OVER NORTH RIDGEVILLE.
BEREA, OHIO - The 2013 Saint Ignatius Wildcats are blessed with a group of talented veterans, seniors and juniors who lead by word and example on and off the baseball diamond.
And while those gifted leaders have each played major roles in the impressive run Coach Brad Ganor's team is currently on, you can look no further than to players such as Kevin Hagen, Shane Skuhrovec, David Bodziony, Qullien Austria, Jordan Bufford, Jagger Bruck, Bennett Kinzel, Patrick Gulick, Kyle Daugenti and on and on, to appreciate why these current 'Cats are not only a cool bunch, but extremely selfless as well.
"Everyone contributes," said Hagen after his two hits, sacrifice fly and RBI helped Saint Ignatius to its sixth consecutive victory on Wednesday evening - a 10-3 triumph over North Ridgeville at Baldwin Wallace University. The 20-6 Wildcats have now won 15 of their past 16 games.
"You can count on anyone to come in and get that hit or make that play," Hagen continued.
In many ways, Hagen represents the team chemistry and perseverance that exudes from Saint Ignatius' dugout.
After not making the varsity as a junior, the calm and talented senior has made his mark as a designated hitter, pinch hitter and backup catcher for Coach Ganor.
"I still love the program," Hagen said of his experience of being cut last year. "I love the game and I just wanted to help this team win. I tried out again, made the team and now I'm just trying to help this team go as far as we can go."
With six hits in his last seven at-bats, the mature-beyond-his-years Hagen has been doing just that.
"I'm looking for fastballs, I'm seeing the ball well," said Hagen, who helped key the Wildcats' 12-hit attack against North Ridgeville. "I'm just trying to drive it."
Saint Ignatius, the second seed for the upcoming Strongsville Division I sectional/district, put itself in the driver's seat on Wednesday by scoring five runs in the bottom of the first.
With one out and nobody on base, senior center fielder and captain Conor Hennessey walked, stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on sacrifice fly off the bat of gifted senior shortstop and captain Tyler Finkler. Hennessey's stolen base was his 23rd of the season, putting him just four shy of tying the Wildcats' all-time, single-season record set by University of Notre Dame standout Frank DeSico '09.
Saint Ignatius continued its two-out magic in the first inning as five-tool junior left fielder Nick Fabian walked and stole second. Senior third baseman Cole Nieto, who has been playing exceptional all-around baseball, drove in Fabian with a sharp grounder through the left side. Hagen followed with a single to right-center field and a passed ball put Hagen and Nieto at second and third.
After starting and winning pitcher Shane Skuhrovec drew a walk, sophomore catcher Alex Panstares completed the five-run first by clearing the bases with a three-run triple to right field. Panstares joins Wildcats crafty closer MJ Nara as two sophomores who have made an impact on the varsity this spring.
North Ridgeville (12-14), which was coming off a 15-5, 18-hit victory over Elyria, got back in the game by scoring two runs in the top of the third.
Coach Matt Ponting's Rangers, who had won their three previous games, turned infield hits by left fielder Bailey Gannon and center fielder Anthony Miranda, a throwing error, a Baltimore Chop for a base hit by second baseman Logan Armaro, a stolen base by Armaro, a walk to third baseman Matt Feierabend and a one-out, bases-loaded fielder's choice into their two runs.
North Ridgeville looked as though it was going to do further damage in the third after a two-out walk to first baseman Nolan Freeman loaded the bases again.
It was Finkler to the rescue, however, as Tyler, who just accepted a baseball scholarship to Ohio University on Sunday, made a diving stop of a hard-hit ball up the middle and, in one motion while still on the ground, flipped Mr. Rawlings over to senior second baseman and captain Dan Rowbottom for the force.
Riding the emotion of one of many big plays turned in by Finkler this season, Saint Ignatius regained control by scoring two runs in the bottom of the third.
The key hits in the 'Cats' two-run third were line-drive hustle doubles by Hagen and Panstares, with Panstares' two-bagger scoring Hagen, who had stolen second base. Junior right fielder and Miami of Ohio recruit Nick Longo pushed Saint Ignatius' lead to 7-2 with the third double of the inning, a line shot to deep right field.
The Wildcats, who overcame an uncharacteristic four errors, scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Austria, a junior infielder, was hit by a pitch leading off, stole second and went to third on an errant pick-off attempt. Nieto drew a walk and broke for second, with Austria scoring on the throw to second base. Nieto then stole third and came home off a sacrifice fly RBI by Hagen.
After Nieto, Austria and smooth-handed junior first baseman Joe Khoury turned in some solid plays defensively, North Ridgeville, a member of the West Shore Conference, tallied its final run in the top of the sixth.
The evening belonged to the team from Ohio City, however, as Bodziony, a junior infielder/relief pitcher, laced a line-drive single up the middle with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the sixth. Bruck, a senior catcher, was hit by a pitch and Daugenti followed with an RBI single for the final run of the game.
Bodziony, who before he came on in relief of Skuhrovec in the sixth inning had not pitched since the eighth grade (he fractured his arm in freshman tryouts), got the next-to-last out of the game on a strikeout with runners on first and second. Bruck then sent everyone home by picking the runner off first base.
In his 5 and 2/3 innings of work, Skuhrovec yielded five hits, three runs (one earned), three walks and had three strikeouts. Shane threw 87 pitches, 54 of which were strikes.
"I'll take it," said Coach Ganor of his 190th career victory. "But that's 190 wins by great players. That 0-2 hit in the first inning by Alex (Panstares) was fantastic. That's good hitting for a sophomore.
"Now I feel like we're peaking at the right time," Coach Ganor continued. "I feel like our pitching is in line, we're swinging the bats well and playing good defense. That usually equates to long tournament runs. As long as these guys realize we can't look ahead and take it one game at a time, and all of the clichés, then we'll be fine."