MEDINA, Ohio – The Diamond dolls serenaded Josh Smith, the brother of Senior catcher Jake Smith with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday while the Medina Bee’s were making the bats sing all night long, to the tune of 10 runs on 12 hits. The Bee’s may be known for their sting, but tonight they showed heart with a great comeback 10 – 5 victory.
(Tonight’s recap is brought to you by “Big Earls Taxidermy” , if we can’t stuff them, then by golly, their not dead!)
Despite the vaunted Louie the trainer watching on with Collin Minor and the ever glowing presence of the Diamond Doll Brittany, the Bee’s resisted the distraction of the several luminaries in the crowd and remained focused enough to obtain the 10 -6 victory over visiting Elyria.
Field umpire John Luebke was on his toes all game long as there was plenty of action both ways. Senior Baldwin Wallace recruit Spencer Ackerman picked up the victory in relief of a struggling effort from Alex Whittaker.
The slow start from Whittaker was unusual, as he came into the game with 15 straight scoreless innings to start his 2016 campaign. Whittaker was un able to get out of the second inning tonight, but there is no doubt with his heart and hustle that he will bounce back soon.
It didn’t start well for the Bee’s as Elyria scored 4 runs in the top of the first inning including a massive 3 run single that broke it open. Coach Kap had the Bee’s ready and they would not go down without a fight, they scored a run in the bottom of the first inning to instantly cut into the lead when Collin Winters led off the Bee’s attack with a walk before coming all the way around to score later in the inning. His blazing speed on the bases tonight was linked to an extra amount of protein he inserted into his diet earlier in the day courtesy of a tasty pre game cheeseburger.
Elyria would tack one more on in the second inning which caused Coach Kap to make the switch from Whittaker to Ackerman. The Bee’s would not go away without a fight, and scored again in the bottom half of the second to cut into the lead 5-2.
Medina would explode for three in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game at 5 apiece. The rally was highlighted in that inning by a clutch 2 run single by Cade Pipoly to right field. It was a sharply hit ball placed perfectly to tie the game.
It took Ackerman a little longer then he would have liked to get through the fourth inning, but he managed to leave the bases loaded and get out of the inning without allowing any runs and kept the game tied at 5. The Bee’s wasted no time in taking advantage and erupted for 3 more in the bottom of the fourth to take their first lead of the game at 8 – 5. The inning had several big hits, including a Winters stand up double and a Fryer RBI single to knock opposing pitcher Jamaris Cook, a Junior Classmen from the game.
The Bee’s would once again hold Elyria in the firth scoreless, and score 1 more of their own to go up 9 – 5 after five. The inning was not without drama however as Dillion Munoz was ejected for not sliding at a plate at the plate.
In the sixth, Trace Peterson would go on to end all doubt with a solo homerun over the fence to finish the scoring at 10-5.
Coach Kap wasn’t taking any chances late however, after 3 errors were already on the board, he knew he needed to make some key defensive switches late, and inserted Bowers in right field at the top of the 7th, and Alfano in left in the top of the 6th. Coach Kap was focused and not about to take anything to chance. He had his Bee’s ready to take it too Elyria when it counted.
The win improved Medina’s record to 9 – 5. They travel to Elyria tomorrow for the rematch and then return home on Wednesday for a return showdown against the Strongsville Mustangs. The tension between the Bee’s and Mustangs is real, as Strongsville beat Medina 1 – 0 on Friday, and a receipt may be waiting for the Mustangs.
Tonight’s starting lineup was as follows
P – Alex Whittaker
C – Trace Peterson
1B – John Curtis
2B – Collin Winters
SS – Cade Pipoly
3B – Chris Fryer
LF – Dillon Munoz
CF – Jordan Fultz
RF – Austin Provost
It should be noted as well that the Medina freshman team won as well earlier in the night, 6-4.
You can follow Vince McKee on twitter at VinceTheAuthor
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