Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

SANDUSKY - A rematch of two state powers - Sandusky Perkins and St. Mary's Central Catholic - was once again a pitchers' dual. Like the first one in mid-April which went to Perkins 1-0 in 12 innings, round two was another win by the Pirates, 3-1.

Perkins jumped on top early, scoring two in the top of the first capitalizing on SMCC's only error of the game. Defiance College recruit Quinten Harrington reached first on an error and unsigned senior Quintin Cantelli followed with a bloop single putting runners on first and second. Junior third baseman Luke Fraley then ripped a two-run single scoring Harrington and Cantelli putting the Pirates up 2-0.

"We were fortunate in the first inning, we got a couple base hits and a hit batter," stated Perkins head coach Ray Neil. "Luke Fraley got a big base hit in the five-hole on a 3-2 pitch"

That was all the run support Perkins starter Thane Walton (pictured) needed. The talented righty went six-plus innings allowing just one run on two hits, two walks and two hit-by-pitches while striking out seven.

The junior's only trouble came in the fourth inning after getting the first two batters out. With two down, Walton plunked back-to-back batters before senior Brandon Green smoked a double to left. Brett St. Clair scored while Kyle Feyedelem tried to follow, but was gunned down at the plate on a perfect relay throw home by unsigned senior shortstop Matt Clark, keeping the Pirates in front at 2-1.

The Pirates added an insurance run in the fifth inning off of SMCC's started Lucas Will, as senior Mason Gerold reached after a dropped third strike and later scored on a wild pitch to put Perkins on top 3-1.

Will (pictured), a 2014 junior, looked the part on the mound going the distance allowing three runs on just two hits. The righty walked one, plunked two while striking out 11.

"Lucas had a good game, gave up a couple hits in the first inning, but none after that," stated SMCC's head coach Ben Stover.

The last Panther threat came in the bottom of the seventh. Down 3-1, SMCC's Feyedelem reached on an error on a misplayed a popup to first base. After a walk to Green, Neil went to his bullpen, bringing in Alleghany recruit Chase Boyer, who threw a wild pitch putting the tying run on second with one out. But the right-hander then mowed down the next two Panthers he faced via the strikeout.

Boyer who featured a 78-81 mph fastball while mixing in a changeup to keep the hitters off-balance, has now fanned 30 and walked just five in 22 innings.

No. 2 Division II Sandusky Perkins (20-0) looks to keep its winning streak and facial hair growing (coach Ray Neil told me they normally are clean shaven, but he told his team he would allow them to grow facial hair until they lost, 19 games later the facial hair is showing) Friday at Milan Edison.

No. 4 Division IV Sandusky St. Mary's Central Catholic (11-4) look to get back on track against St. Joseph Central Catholic on Thursday.

Numerous talented 2014's will be featured in the scouting note. To view scouting notes from this game, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week.

Perkins has a couple of unsigned seniors, please visit the Unsigned Senior Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.

Linescore

Sandusky Perkins                 200 010 0 - 3 2 1

St. Mary's Central Catholic     000 100 1 - 1 2 1

Winning pitcher: Thane Walton (6 1/3 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 7 strikeouts, 2 walks, 2 HBP). Other: Chase Boyer (2/3 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 2 strikeouts, 0 walks).

Losing pitcher: Lucas Will (7 innings, 3 runs, 2 hits, 11 strikeouts, 1 walk, 2 HBP).

Leading hitters: (Perkins, 2 hits) - Quintin Cantelli single; Luke Fraley single. (SMCC, 2 hits) - Brandon Green double; Lucas Will single.