Through six innings, the Crestwood Red Devils’ baseball team had been quiet but came alive in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs and ultimately toppled Akron Manchester 6-4 in 12 innings last Saturday afternoon in Akron.
“Saturday was a tale of two games, just wrapped in one; fortunately we were able to pull one out there at the end,” said Coach Chris Stanley. “We are grateful that things went our way because they did not start well for us at all.”
After opening the season with a 1-4 record, the Red Devils (4-5, 1-1) are entering the second half of the season with momentum having now won three of their last four games, with most of their contests being against the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division
On Saturday, Crestwood’s offense had been stifled by the Panthers’ pitching, as they had only recorded four hits and struck out nine times.
In the top of the seventh, the Red Devils found new life as the first two batters reached base and sophomore right fielder Michael Kalista plated their first run by reaching base safely on a fielding error by junior shortstop Mark Bologa, cutting the lead to 4-1.
Freshman right-hander Tyler Lovejoy plated another run on a fielder’s choice popout to right field, trimming Manchester’s lead to 4-2.
After sophomore second baseman Chris Mory worked a two-out walk to load the bases, freshman Mason Grifa delivered a game-tying 2-run pinch-hit single into right field.
“Mason just stayed on the ball, hit it to where it was pitched; you have to get a result of it,” said the five-year coach. “Even if he lines out, we are still going to give him daps because that is him doing his job.”
The Red Devils struck again in the top of the 12th inning, as after senior right-hander/shortstop Kyle Shelhamer and senior righty/center fielder Wyatt Januska reached safely on a single and walk, they advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch, and sophomore first baseman Sam Pausch drove them home on a suicide squeeze bunt, pushing the Red Devils ahead 6-4.
Pasuch’s bunt brought home Shelhamer. Januska also scored when junior catcher Logan Clites committed a throwing error to first baseman in an attempt to throw out Pausch but it resulted in Januska also crossing home plate.
“We called a squeeze there. That is a high-pressure situation,” noted Stanley. “They know that it is coming, and we are trying to hide it as best as we can but that is what the situation calls for and Sam just delivered on a very good pitch and put pressure again on the defense.”
Although the Panthers struck early for four runs in the first two innings, Crestwood’s pitching staff stifled its opponents’ bats across nine innings of scoreless relief, highlighted by 2.1 scoreless frames from Shelhamer and 2.2 scoreless innings of relief work by Januska.
Ultimately, the Red Devils’ pitchers combined to throw nine innings of scoreless relief, allowed only one hit and one walk while striking out seven batters to complete Crestwood’s thrilling comeback.
“It is not lost on me at all,” Stanley acknowledged. “It was what you hope for, but we have two of our top pitchers coming in relief and we feel confident that they are going to hold that offense at bay or at least give us a fighting chance. If they do score a run, they are going to earn it. Those are two quality pitchers for us in Kyle and Wyatt.”
Although it marks another season where Crestwood is relying on its underclassmen to fuel the team with only four seniors on the roster, Stanley said that his squad is benefitting from the veteran leadership of Januska, Shelhamer and senior third baseman Jake Eyerman, all of whom have been starters since their first day in the Red Devils’ program.
In addition to being young, Stanley highlighted Crestwood’s base-running skills. Speed has helped them make good things happen on the bases. This contributed to its comeback victory against the Panthers who recorded three errors, including two costly ones in the late innings.
“When we are disciplined at the plate, we put the ball into play and put pressure on the defense,” he said. “We do have a lot of speed so being able to run, bunt, hit and run, that is big for us when all of the cylinders are firing.”
After a road-and-home series against CVC Valley Division foe Kirtland on Tuesday and Thursday, the Red Devils will face Portage County foe Garfield in Garrettsville on Friday at 5 p.m. then welcome neighborhood foe Field to Mantua on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
