Bafia Dominant, As Valpo Rolls Chesterton
May 24, 2012
Merrillville, IN---In a pitching match-up that was headlined with Jake Post (2012: Ohio State Commit) and Devin Bafia (2013: Top 100 Recruit), the Chesterton vs. Valparaiso game was sure to be exciting. While Bafia cruised through the first inning, striking out the side, Post had given up two runs and three hits, off the bats of Ethan Lehnen (2013), John Olejniczak (2012) and Devin Bafia (2013), giving Valpo the early 2-0 lead.
Bafia did not let up in the 2nd, striking out two of the four batters faced that inning. In the bottom half of the 2nd, Valpo would do their damage. After back to back singles from Greg Thome (2012) and Andrew Sykes (2014), Valpo set the table for the big inning. An error by the shortshop allowed both Thome and Sykes to score, making it at 4-0 at the time. As Post hit Lehnen (2013) and a walk to Bafia, the bases were loaded for unsigned Senior Catcher Joe Gallinatti. After quick instruction from head coach Dave Coyle, Gallinatti (2012) delivered the crushing blow, a missile over the left center field fence for a grand slam. As Gallinatti crossed home plate, the night would be over for Jake Post, leaving the game throwing 1 1/3 IP.
At the end of the 2nd, it was 8-0 Valpo, and that is all the support Bafia needed. To say the crafty left hander was anything short of masterful, would be a lie. Bafia cruised throughout the game, giving up a run in the 3rd, and two runs (only one earned) in the 6th, while striking out a total of 14.
The Chesterton bats were not exactly quiet; however, the effectiveness of Bafia really set the tone, as all rallies were seemingly cut short by strikeouts and routine ground outs. Chesterton got it's only two hit performance from Senior Zack Jenks, going 2-4 with two singles.
Next Game: Chesterton vs. Crown Point on Friday at 4:30pm