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Saint Ignatius' outstanding second baseman AJ Gaich garners All-Ohio recognition

By Eddie Dwyer, 05/28/18, 2:15PM EDT

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Ohio City - Whether he was setting the table as one of Northeast Ohio's premier leadoff hitters, in the field fueling double plays and running down balls over his shoulder in the short outfield areas, or on the base paths where he applied endless pressure on the opposing teams, Saint Ignatius' gifted second baseman AJ Gaich always created the same word in this reporter's mind - dynamic.

 After completing a junior year in which he established a new Saint Ignatius single-season mark for stolen bases and helped lead the Baseball Cats to an 18-8 record and another Division I District Final appearance, the ever-smiling and baseball savvy Gaich has received second-team Division I All-State honors from the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association.

 On May 9th at Baldwin Wallace University's tradition-rich Fisher Field, the endless-energy Gaich sparked an impressive 9-2 victory over Willoughby South by going 3-for-3, drawing a walk and stealing four bases.

 Those four stolen bases gave AJ 31 for the season, surpassing the mark of 30 set by Conor Hennessey in the spring of 2013.

 Conor, who also was a mainstay on the gridiron for the Wildcats, is an Assistant Coach for Saint Ignatius' highly successful Freshmen Baseball Program.

 "This means a lot to me," said AJ, just minutes after the Willoughby South game ended. "The summer of my sophomore year it was like this (the 'Cats' single-season SBs leader) is something I want to do. I want to make a big impact on the team and get the record. Stealing bases moves me up in a position where a single turns into a double or a double turns into a triple. In the end, it's going to help the team."

 Referred to by Saint Ignatius' veteran Head Baseball Coach Brad Ganor as the Wildcats' "Lightning Rod," AJ's next step on the Cats Stats' ladder is Saint Ignatius' career stolen bases mark of 46.

 "For a little bit longer," said Gaich, when this corner pointed out that former Saint Ignatius baseball and football great, and University of Notre Dame baseball standout Frank DeSico can still hold claim to the Wildcats' career stolen bases mark of 46. Frank worked with AJ in the summer and fall of 2017 on improving speed and strength.

 "Definitely, whatever muscles he used to set his record helped me train mine," AJ continued in reference to the tutelage he received from DeSico. "Also, any form and tips he had, so I want to thank him for that."

 And the Saint Ignatius faithful want to thank AJ for taking advantage of the opportunities he was afforded.

 "AJ's a game changer," said Coach Ganor. "He runs the bases great and puts so much pressure on the other team that he gives us a chance every time that he is on base."

 High praise coming from a man who also had a record spring.

 Coach Ganor, who secured his program-best 300th career victory when his Wildcats defeated the storied program from Canton Central Catholic, 5-0, at Classic Park on May 11th, will enter the 2019 season with a career record of 302-107.

 And another All-Ohioan to add to that coaching resume - George "Call Me AJ" Gaich.

 We will see you at the Baseball and Track and Field Spring Sports Awards on Tuesday and at Wasmer Field on June 6th for the start of the Saint Ignatius Wildcats' Football Mini Camps.

 Congratulations from this corner to the Saint Ignatius High School Graduating Class of 2018. May God Bless You in all of your future endeavors - Mr. Eddie Dwyer.

 Have a wonderful Memorial Day, as we remember and honor those who served, and still serve, this great country. If I may, Love and Remembrance go out to two of my brothers - the late John J. Dwyer, United States Marine Corps, and the late Jerome Dwyer, United States Army.