The Junior Varsity Wildcats now stand 9-1 after defeating Grove City's Jayvees, 11-0, in a five-inning, deficit-rule game at Olentangy Liberty on Saturday and losing, 9-6, to the JV program from Liberty.
The loss to Liberty snapped a remarkable 35-game winning streak for the JV Cats of Head Coach Cody Dearth and his assistants Steve Nelson and Tim McCoy '12. The streak, which began at the end of the 2016 season, included a 24-0 record in 2017. This corner will have some Junior Varsity highlights following the recaps on the Varsity Doubleheader.
From the impressive baseball complex on the campus of Olentangy Liberty High School.
Delaware County - It was a promising start for Saint Ignatius on what was a pleasant day weather wise, as Coach Brad Ganor's Wildcats jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning versus the Greyhounds of Grove City, a program the Baseball Cats have had success against in the past.
That early offensive surge was highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of junior first baseman Leo Eyink and a run-scoring single courtesy of junior designated hitter Flynn Lenehan. Saint Ignatius sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning.
After that right-out-of-the-gate attack, the Wildcats' offense stalled, as Saint Ignatius went scoreless over the next 12 innings - the final six versus Grove City and the first six in what was a 3-1 loss to the host Liberty Patriots in Saturday evening's second game.
Grove City, under the direction of Head Coach Ryan Alexander, scored a run in the bottom of the second inning and knotted the score at 4 with a three-run third inning.
Fueling the Greyhounds' third inning surge were senior first baseman Brenden Hopper, who sent an RBI double down the left-field line, senior right fielder Nick Ankrum, who produced a run-scoring single up the middle and junior third baseman Garrett Hardy, who tacked on an RBI base hit that found its way through the left side of the infield.
With its loud and enthusiastic dugout echoing chants only the Greyhounds' faithful could appreciate, Grove City closed out the scoring in the bottom of the fourth off base hits by veteran shortstop Nick Erwin and sophomore left fielder Jacob Burris.
The line score on the Wildcats vs. the Greyhounds game was 6-8-2 for Grove City and 4-6-3 for Saint Ignatius.
The Greyhounds, who also defeated Olentangy Liberty, 7-4, despite committing six errors, improved to 13-4 with their doubleheader sweep.
SAINT IGNATIUS VERSUS SIX-TIME OHIO CAPITAL CONFERENCE CHAMPION OLENTANGY LIBERTY.
The Wildcats had a difficult time establishing an offense versus the Patriots' gifted pitcher Brennan Roe.
In going the distance, Roe yielded four hits, issued one walk and struck out five. He threw 94 pitches, 64 of which were strikes.
Trailing, 3-0, entering the top of the seventh, Saint Ignatius combined base hits by junior third baseman Matt Ferritto and sophomore shortstop Michael McNamara, and a one-out throwing error in closing to 3-1.
That is how it ended, however, as Rowe, with runners on first and third and one out, reached back for a strikeout and a 6-3 groundout.
The Liberty Patriots improved to 15-3 and the Wildcats now stand 7-5.
Saint Ignatius received another solid effort on the mound from junior Andrew Mulhern. Before being relieved by sophomore Luke Lashutka in the bottom of the sixth inning, Andrew (2-1) yielded 4 hits, two earned runs, struck out two and walked two. He threw 84 pitches, 46 of which were strikes.
FROM COACH GANOR: "In the first game, I think you look at it like we came out hot and raring to go," Coach Ganor said. "We had a few base running mistakes early, but it turned into a very emotional game with their team being very emotional. We didn't do a very good job by not letting it just fall by the wayside. We let it effect us on the mound and defensively, and we never really recovered from it. I think that's a good learning experience for young guys in how to overcome those emotional situations.
"In the second game, the kid (Rowe) pitched a fantastic game," Coach Ganor continued. "He took a two-hitter into the seventh. I thought we showed pretty good fight in the end, scraping across a run and putting some pressure on them. It was good for us not to pack it in."
Making his Varsity debut against Olentangy Liberty was gifted sophomore outfielder Erik Daugenti. Erik, who also excels in football and basketball, lined an 0-2 pitch into center field for a base hit in his first Varsity at-bat.
Up next for the Varsity Baseball Cats is Monday's 5 PM matchup with University School at Baldwin Wallace University's Fisher Field. Standout senior southpaw and co-Captain Tommy Grosel will be on the mound for the Wildcats.
Just a reminder that this corner will kick up some more diamond dust with a look at the upcoming week in Wildcats Varsity Baseball for a Monday morning post. The Diamond Dust will include a look at the annual Ohio Jesuit Tournament, which will be hosted this year by the Titans from St. John's Jesuit in Toledo. The tournament will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
In closing, this corner tips his many baseball caps to the JV Wildcats, who got another solid pitching performance from sophomore Nick Fletcher in the 11-0 triumph over Grove City. Nick fired a three-hitter and struck out five.
Giving Nick some strong offensive support were Mac Boyle, who went 2-for-2 with two runs batted in, and Connor Mays, who was 1-for-2 with three RBI.
In the loss to Olentangy Liberty, Nick Fletcher was 2-for-4 with two RBI and Jack Whelan, son of Wildcats outstanding Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach John Whelan, was also 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
This corner is looking forward to covering and reporting on Thursday's Junior Varsity Baseball Game versus St. Edward. The first pitch from Bohlken Park in Fairview Park is 5 PM. Arrive early, my friends.