By Patrick Kennedy
Avon– The Avon Eagles beat the Amherst Comets, 4-2, preventing the Comets for at least another day from winning the SWC crown.
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One error was the difference in the game.
In the second, an error on a fielder’s choice and a walk loaded the bases for the Eagles.
Ethan St. Clair hit a ball to left field just outside the reach of a diving left fielder for a double to plate three runs.
“I felt pretty good, I saw Shawver a couple times so I got used to it,” St. Clair said after the game.
I’m feeling pretty confident [heading into the tournament]. It’s a good time to beat these guys. We have to keep stringing these wins together and hopefully some magic will happen.”
The next hitter, Matt Kelly, hit a double down the left field line to bring in St. Clair to extend the lead to 4-0 at the end of the second inning.
Amherst responded with a run of their own in the top half of the fifth inning courtesy of a Kyle Mantin RBI single.
Amherst scored the final run of the contest in the sixth inning.
Amherst had the tying run at the plate when the game ended.
Shawver took the loss for the Comets, going four innings giving up four runs (all of which were unearned) on four hits.
For the Eagles, Shane Docherty earned the win going 5+ innings giving up two runs on five hits.
“I went out and I knew I was going to have to throw strikes to these guys and I had my defense to back me up. I know that we’re probably going to run into that team again, they’re a hell of a ball team so I’m going in with an open mind,” Docherty said following the victory.
If Avon defeats Berea-Midpark and Olmsted Falls both on the road, then the Eagles clinch a share of the SWC title.
“When you’ve got two really good teams playing, it’s usually the team who makes the fewest mistakes that usually comes out on top,” Amherst coach Matt Rositano said.
“We should’ve got the lead runner at second but we didn’t make the play. That error lead to four unearned runs and that was the difference in the game. I thought Evan pitched well it was just that one inning, one mistake can do that to you and when you’re playing a good team it’s hard to come back like that because now you’re just playing baseball there’s not a whole bunch of strategy when you’re down four nothing. You’re relying on hits, getting runs and that being said we just came up short.”
Avon coach Frank DeSmit was happy to keep his team’s shot at the SWC Title alive.
“It’s always a good day any day you can beat Amherst,” the coach said.
“They’re obviously one of the better teams in the state so we’re quite pleased that we gave ‘em a good game and we got a little bit lucky there. [the State Tournament] being that it’s single elimination you always like your chances but you know there’s a lot of good pitchers out there and it only takes one good pitcher to end your season.”
If Avon wins the final two regular season games and Amherst loses its last two games of the season to Westlake and Lakewood then Avon is crowned sole SWC champions.
Amherst and Avon are ranked #1 and #2 in the Lorain District.
Do not be surprised if we get the chance to see a rubber match in a district final.
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