Berea, Ohio - The Wildcats of veteran Head Coach Brad Ganor and the Eagles of Head Coach Matt Rosinski, a former Saint Ignatius and Miami of Ohio standout pitcher, put together what Coach Ganor described as "A well-played game on both sides."

 In what was another memorable chapter in the storied rivalry that is Saint Ignatius vs. St. Edward, two extra innings were needed to decide the outcome before the now 12-6 Wildcats walked off Baldwin Wallace University's Fisher Field with their fourth consecutive victory.

 Dynamic junior second baseman AJ Gaich, who scored the winning run in Saint Ignatius' 11-10, three-hour victory over Uniontown Lake on Wednesday night at Fisher Field, did the same on Thursday night by racing home from third base after the Eagles tried to catch AJ napping with a snap throw from the catcher to third base. The throw went sailing into left field and another Wildcats home-plate area celebration was on.

 AJ led off the bottom of the ninth with an infield hit, his fourth knock in five at-bats, and helping him get into scoring position was another as-it-is-drawn-up sacrifice bunt from senior first baseman and co-Captain Tommy Grosel.

 "They're fun to be a part of, that's for sure," Coach Ganor said of a Saint Ignatius-St. Edward Athletic series that ranks among the premier high school rivalries in the nation. "It was a well-pitched game from both teams, which you would expect in a matchup like this.

 "I know Andrew was mad at himself, he gets mad when he gives up runs," said Coach Ganor of his talented junior starter and right-hander Andrew Mulhern. "But he went six innings and gave us a chance to win the game.

 "And then what can you say about Luke (sophomore reliever Luke Lashutka)," Coach Ganor continued. "He comes into a big spot and just did a great job of throwing strikes and getting outs. AJ is the lightning rod for our team and Drew (senior catcher and co-Captain Drew Asadorian) had an amazing day. Four for four against your rival, Drew will remember that for the rest of his life."

 Mulhern's six innings showed Andrew yielding five hits, two earned runs and striking out eight Eagles.

 Lashutka, part of a sophomore class at Saint Ignatius that is strong in many sports, threw 32 pitches over the last three innings. His three perfect innings included four strikeouts. Wildcats pitching retired the last 12 Eagles in order.

 THE EARLY GOING AND BEYOND

 St. Edward, which lost for just the sixth time in 21 games this spring, led off the top of the first inning with a base hit from multi-skilled center fielder Mac Wainwright, a stolen base by Wainwright and a walk to right fielder Spencer Marinac.

 Following a strikeout and an exceptional diving catch in center field by senior Evan Henry, the Eagles would score off an error.

 "The Lightning Rod," aka AJ Gaich, led off the bottom of the first by lining a single to center field and promptly stealing second base. AJ then advanced to third on a groundout to the right side and tied the score off a groundout from the bat of senior right fielder and University of Cincinnati recruit Jack Eyink.

 St. Edward would regain the lead in the top of the second inning off a one-out base hit from shortstop Zach Maxey and a two-out triple courtesy of Wainwright.

 It stayed that way until the top of the fifth, when Eagles designated hitter Mark Mohnickey drove a ball over the fence in right-center field for a healthy round-tripper and a 3-1 St. Edward lead.

 With Mr. Momentum about to make himself comfortable on the visitor's bench, Drew Asadorian led off the bottom of the fifth with a sizzling single through the left side and versatile junior Austin Jones followed with a hit.

 Gaich then loaded the bases with a bunt that went for a base hit.

 A run scored off a double play by the Eagles and Henry knotted the score at 3 when he came home off a wild pitch. The Wildcats didn't do any further damage in the bottom of the fifth despite a walk to Eyink and a single off the bat of baseball savvy JJ Conway.

 With Lashutka handcuffing St. Edward's offense, Saint Ignatius was threating again in the bottom of the seventh after Gaich led off with a double the opposite way down the left-field line and moved to third with one out.

 AJ stayed right there, however, as Marinac came on in relief for Coach Rosinski and struck out the next two Wildcats.

 Coach Ganor watched shortstop Michael McNamara, another member of the 'Cats' super sophomore class, and Asadorian come up with base hits in the bottom of the eighth. Marinac, behind three more Ks, was equal to the challenge.

 After another Lashutka 1-2-3 inning, the stage was set for the dramatic "Lightning-Rod"-fueled finish that we described in the lead-in to this report.

 FROM LUKE LASHUTKA: "It definitely means a lot," said Lashutka of his strong winning performance in relief. "To come in and shut them down, it's a great feeling."

 Luke emphasized that his change-up was really working well and that he was able to change the eye level of the Eagles' hitters.

 "It's great to be part of this team," Luke continued in reference to his call up from Saint Ignatius' outstanding Junior Varsity Program. "It's like a brotherhood up here."

 FROM DREW ASADORIAN, ONE OF THE CLASSIEST LEADERS ANY PROGRAM COULD HOPE FOR AND ONE OF THE AREA'S HOTTEST HITTERS: "It was pretty awesome," Drew said of his 4-for-4 performance against St. Edward, an effort that helped the Wildcats outhit the Eagles, 11-5.

 "I'm just trying to stay confident and my main goal today and for the past few weeks is to catch that first-pitch fastball that I know is coming. If I get ahead and get that first-pitch fastball, I won't be deep in counts and facing those nasty pitches. That was definitely the goal for today.

 "Luke comes in and just paints the corners," said Drew when asked what impresses him about the composure of the young Lashutka. "I don't think he missed a spot today. Being young, he gets up there (on the mound) with no regard. He throws strikes and lets the defense go to work. I really believe we have the best defense in the area."

 Up next for the Varsity Baseball Wildcats is Saturday's high noon matchup at Mentor with the always capable Cardinals.

 Just FYI, if Saint Ignatius and St. Edward meet again on the diamond this season it will be on the Regional level.

 The Wildcats, as we reported last Sunday, are the top seed at the Strongsville Sectional/District and the Eagles are seeded second to Amherst at the Lorain District.

 Have a great weekend.