Eagles off to good start, downing Panthers, 6-4

0

MAUMEE — Eastwood senior Tristian Schuerman had a two-RBI double and senior Jordan Pickerel was 3-for-4 with two RBIs as Eastwood baseball opened the season with a 6-4 non-league victory at Maumee Monday.

Eastwood senior Case Boos went 2-for-2 with two walks and two stolen bases and junior Andrew Badenhop was 2-for-3.

Eastwood grabbed an early 4-1 lead, scoring in each of the first three innings, but the Panthers scored three runs in the bottom of the third to knot the game at 4-4.

The Eagles scored single runs in the fourth and sixth to earn the win. Senior right-handed pitcher Ethan Rapp got the victory, striking out five, walking two, allowing five hits and three earned runs in four innings. Rapp threw 73 pitches, including 46 strikes.

Jarod Bonfiglio closed, earning the save after tossing three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Bonfiglio threw 29 pitches, including 23 strikes.

Colton Woodward was 2-for-4 and scored two runs, Jackson Bauer scored a run and Kadyn Donnell had a sacrifice fly for the Eagles.

Badenhop and Schuerman laid down successful sacrifice bunts, Woodward stole two bases and Schuerman and Bauer had one SB apiece.

Eastwood, the defending Northern Buckeye Conference champions and a Division III regional qualifier, is led again by former alumnus and Bowling Green State University pitcher Kevin Leady, who enters his 11th year coaching the Eagles, excluding one season canceled because of Covid.

Last year’s team finished 26-2 overall and 13-1 in the conference. Since Leady has taken the helm, Eastwood won league titles in 2016, 2018, and 2022 and district titles in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2022.

The Eagles are a favorite to win the NBC title again this year. Leady says the team’s strengths include pitching, defense, and “overall depth” in the lineup, but says complacency could be a downfall if the Eagles are not at their best every game.

“As a program we have many athletes going above and beyond to prepare for the upcoming season,” Leady said. “A lot has gone on behind the scenes that we want to make sure we show appreciation for.

“This group has worked extremely hard all year to prepare for 2023. We have a great core returning and are excited to see how we gel throughout the season. Expectations are high for this group, but we understand the work needed to be successful.”

Pickerel returns at first base after averaging .422 with 27 hits, 26 runs and 26 RBIs last year. Boos, the shortstop, batted .467 with 35 hits, three home runs, 47 runs, 23 RBIs and 40 stolen bases.

Bauer, a senior outfielder and pitcher, batted .412 with 28 hits, 23 RBIs and 24 runs. On the mound, he was 6-0 with a 1.07 ERA in 26 innnings.

Schuerman, an outfielder, batted. 327, and on the mound Rapp was 8-1 with an 0.40 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 52.1 innings.

Senior catcher and designated hitter Caleb Recker batted .302 and Badenhop, a third baseman and pitcher, batted. 375, and on the mound was 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA in 16 innings.

No posts to display