By Eddie Dwyer
From storied Jimmy White Park in Hartsville, South Carolina.
In what Saint Ignatius senior catcher and co-Captain Drew "The Dazz Man" Asadorian described as a confident, consistent and focused effort for the entire game, the Wildcats finished fifth overall with a 2-2 record in what is year in and year out one of the classiest high school baseball tournaments in the nation.
Coach Brad Ganor's 'Cats, who are 3-2 counting their opening-day victory over Mayfield at Baldwin Wallace University's Fisher Field, turned away Hartsville on its home field Friday afternoon in what was a five-inning consolation game.
Hartsville, which finished sixth in SBC play, stands 7-9 overall, including a 1-3 record in regional competition. All Southeastern Baseball Classic Consolation Games were five innings.
"We put out our challenge for the day, which was to focus from beginning to end, no matter what your role was," said Coach Ganor. "We got great pitching from Tommy (standout senior southpaw, first baseman and co-Captain Tommy Grosel). He issued just one walk and we had been averaging about six walks. Tommy gave us a great chance and Luke Cooper's catch in center field was a huge turning point in the game."
With Saint Ignatius trailing, 1-0, with two outs in the top of the third inning, Cooper made an exceptional read on an authoritative shot off the bat of Red Foxes first baseman Tical McFarland, raced after a ball that had extra bases written all over it and made a leaping, diving third-out catch that prevented another run from scoring. Luke is also a key member of the Wildcats' Varsity Football receiving corps.
Riding the emotion of Cooper's highlight-reel play, Saint Ignatius tied the score in the bottom of third off a couple of fielding miscues by the Red Foxes, a stolen base by charismatic and baseball savvy junior second baseman A.J. Gaich and a sharp RBI groundout off the bat of gifted sophomore shortstop Michael McNamara.
With Grosel's two-seam fastball keeping the Red Foxes under control, the Wildcats took command with a three-run fourth inning that featured clutch hits from senior right fielder/relief pitcher Jack Eyink, Asadorian (a "Dazz Man" lazer that painted the left-field line for a double) junior pinch hitter Matt Geraci and junior third baseman Matt Ferritto.
Eyink, who teams with his younger brother Leo as two of Coach Ganor's mainstays, came on in relief of Grosel in the top of the fifth and dampened any visions of a comeback that the Hartsville hopeful might have had. Jack now has all three of Saint Ignatius' saves this season.
Grosel, who moved to first base in the top of the fifth, threw 60 pitches through four innings. Tommy yielded two hits, a walk and had three strikeouts. The Wildcats finished with six hits.
Up next for the 'Cats is Wednesday's trip to Massillon Washington to face the vaunted Tigers in a 5 PM first pitch.
This corner would like to send out A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to senior designated hitter/first baseman/catcher JJ Conway for being chosen as one of this year's Scholar Applicants at the Southeastern Baseball Classic, and to Jack Eyink and A.J. Gaich for earning spots on the SBC's All-Tournament Team.
DOM AND TEDDY LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION: Along with all of the talented players who put their exceptional skills on display, there were two young men who captured the hearts of Hartsville throughout the week, Dominic Ganor and his cousin, Teddy Matia.
Dominic, son of Saint Ignatius Head Coach Brad Ganor, and Teddy, who are both in the second grade at St. Angela Merici in Fairview Park, were a unanimous selection as the SBC's Top Bat Boys for 2018.
Dom and Teddy, whose knowledge of the game of baseball is beyond their years, have smiles that could light up any ballpark in these United States.
This old reporter was given an inside scoop from Dom and Teddy, who assured me that the 2018 Baseball Wildcats were headed for great things. They also gave this corner some inside tips to pass along to the Wildcats.
Ah, the undying support of young minds. Never, never underestimate it my friends.
A TIP OF THE CORNER'S CAP: Goes out again to Saint Ignatius' Team Managers/Stats Men Dominic Caserio and Seamus Hough for their outstanding work this past week.
In closing, this old-timer would like to send out one more congratulations to a young man who left a lasting impression the very first time I met him, senior outfielder and former Wildcats football great Mark Bobinski.
A humble, caring and talented young man, Mark has received a three-year full tuition scholarship through ROTC to any school in the country. He said Penn State is his backup to West Point.
God couldn't have smiled on a better human being.
Thank You for everything Hartsville. It was a week I will cherish.