A year after recording only three wins, the Cardinal Huskies’ baseball team is only one win away from already matching their win total as they defeated Northeastern Athletic Conference Chalker 12-0 in a league crossover last Thursday in Middlefield.
“We put the ball in play and hoped for things to happen,” said Coach Dan Wolf. “It was nice. We scored four in the first inning and came back with a big inning with the seven-run inning.”
It officially marked the Huskies’ (2-0, 0-0) debut in the NAC and it was a memorable first outing for freshman right-hander Thomas Skytta who hurled five innings, allowed only one hit, issued two walks and struck out 13 batters to fuel Cardinal to its first victory against a NAC foe.
The game was a continuation from Tuesday, as the teams played one inning of baseball before the game was postponed because of a tornado warning and play resumed on Thursday.
In the first inning, Cardinal struck for four runs while only recording one hit, loading the bases on a leadoff single and a pair of walks with one out.
Skytta plated the game’s first run on a fielder’s choice groundball to shortstop but reached base safely and advanced to second base on the throw.
Freshman right fielder Kody Leamer brought home another run when he was hit by a pitch and the Huskies doubled their lead to 4-0 when Chalker committed a fielding error on a ground ball off the bat of freshman left fielder Axle Young.
After adding another run in the second inning on a RBI-double by Skytta, Cardinal pounced on the Wildcats in the fourth frame, scoring seven runs to seize a commanding 12-0 lead.
The Wildcats’ defense continued to struggle, committing two more errors, which opened the door for the Huskies to string together consecutive base hits, highlighted by a RBI-single to center field by junior first baseman Evan Jones, a RBI-single to center field by Skytta and a RBI-single by sophomore catcher Carson Davis.
According to the third-year coach, while Chalker’s defense awarded Cardinal several free outs, it was still on the Huskies’ batters to capitalize on the Wildcats’ six errors.
“We talked a lot about that and defensively pitching-wise we don’t want any freebies,” he added. “Make them put the ball in play and we hope our defense we will make the plays which we have.”
After Skytta continued holding the Wildcats scoreless through the top of the fifth inning, Cardinal triggered the mercy rule to earn the victory, completing five innings while holding a 10-run advantage.
While the Huskies enjoyed a dominant offensive performance, Skytta delivered a strong varsity debut, recording 13 of his 15 outs by strikeout against Chalker’s offense.
“He has a good velocity on his fastball and his off-speed pitches worked,” added Wolf. “It was nice especially for his first varsity game as a freshman and he did outstanding. That was a good confidence-builder for him and us.”
Although the Huskies enter the NAC having graduated senior seniors from last year’s squad and fielding a roster of only 12 players, including five freshmen, Wolf said that Cardinal has a nice blend of experience and talent.
He said that the rotation looks promising this year, as Jones enters the season as the most experienced pitcher but is also supported by senior Blake Strever, junior Jackson Plonske, sophomore Easton Wolf, Kannon, Skytta and Young.
“We are hoping for big things and a big combination for everything, pitching, hitting, catching and fielding,” Wolf said. “I think overall we have a solid core group of arms to get through the season.”
In addition to turning the page from last year, Wolf said that the Huskies are also embracing change by beginning their first season as full-fledged members of the NAC, a league he is already familiar with.
“I did coach at Fairport for a few years, so I am familiar with them, and a couple of teams had some good seasons last year so it is exciting for us,” he added. “We are playing schools that are the same level of enrollment which is nice. They are still good teams and have a lot of good players, but we are excited for a new start.”
After facing NAC Stars Division foe Fairport Harding on Thursday, the Huskies will host league foe Matthews on Friday at 5 p.m. then face neighborhood rival Garfield at Garrettsville on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
