Chris Check
Regional Scout

HUDSON, OH - Akron Hoban recorded only four hits Thursday, and luckily got them in key situations.  This gave them a tight 3-2 win over Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. 

Hoban junior Travis Pero squared off with NDCL pitcher Ryan Falls. 

The only early scoring came in the top of the second inning by Hoban. Akron Hoban sophomore first baseman Jordan Burns scored on an Anthony Osmun RBI groundout giving their squad a 1-0 lead.

Both pitchers threw well through 4 innings, with Pero only allowing two hits through, and Falls allowing three. 

Hoban put pressure on the big left-hand throwing Falls in the top of the fifth.  It started when leadoff hitter Brennan Bell singled to leftfield, and Tony Guerriero followed with a sacrifice bunt.  Falls then hit senior center fielder Aaron Cain with a pitch.  Shortly after, Senior Sean Trexler walked to load the bases, and then senior third baseman Austin Farber smashed a hard line drive handcuffing the first baseman; the ball scooted into foul territory, allowing Bell and Cain to score.

NDCL responded in the bottom of the inning against senior reliever Nick Kunce.  Junior Connor Kaucic drew a walk and moved to third when right fielder Cody Paterniti doubled over the left fielders head.  The hit put men on second and third giving junior Ryan Proud a great opportunity.  Proud ended up driving in a run on a fielder’s choice to short.  Kunce then struck out the final batter to end the rally. 

In the sixth, NDCL threatened again when senior catcher Anthony Leonetti and Conner Kaucic both recorded hits.  Hoban freshman substitute Tyler Canova made a superb running catch on a line drive that would have tied the score. 

The final score was 3-2 in favor of Hoban, as junior A.J. Fisher worked a scoreless seventh to preserve the win. 

NDCL finishes their season with a solid 16-12 record.

Hoban went on to play Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in the Hudson Regional championship. 

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