By Rob McNerney
PBR Ohio Northeast Scout

Hudson, OH – In a game featuring the Comets from Solon traveling to the No.13 ranked Hudson, the Explorers continued their winning ways defeating the Comets 5-1. 

The matchup between the Comets and Explorers was game one of the Cancer Awareness Classic – a great event put on by Hudson with all proceeds going to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.  Game two was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. between Hudson and No. 15 Mentor.   

The host Explorers would strike first, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning.  With two outs, Joey Cahill an unsigned senior and PBR’s 250^th ranked player would hit a double to deep right field scoring Daniel Joseph who had reached base via a walk.   

The Comets would answer back in the top of the second scoring a run of their own.  Jake McCurry started the inning off reaching first base after being hit by a pitch.  With two outs, a Texas leaguer by Johnny Mooney would score McCurry tying the game at one.  This would end up being the last offense the Comets could muster against Hudson starter Nanak Saran. 

Saran, pictured above, is a 2014 RHP committed to Wooster College.  He was dominant this evening on the mound for the Explorers.  After the second inning double by Mooney, the 6’2’’ 170 pound pitcher would not allow another hit the rest of the game.  The righty would strike out a total of 11 Comet batters in his five innings of work.  Saran finished the game allowing just one run, two hits and four walks to go along with the 11 strikeouts.  With the win he improved his record to 5-0 on the season. 

Cahill, pictured above, would get the Explorer offense going again in the third inning.  He would hit his second double of the game, again scoring Joseph.  Hudson got to Solon starter Nate Alstadt early and often scoring runs in innings one, three and five.  Alstadt, the fourth ranked player in the class of 2016, struggled with his command against the Explorers.  Four of Hudson’s five hits were doubles.  Ohio Wesleyan commit Kevin Zullo then had an RBI double of his own; scoring Cahill and capping off a three run third inning for the Explorers. 

Alstadt, pictured below, would finish the game throwing five innings, allowing five runs, five hits, striking out six and walking four.  With the loss he fell to 2-3 on the year. 

The five runs would prove to be all Hudson would need.  2015 RHP K.J. Tench worked two scoreless innings of relief for Hudson striking out three batters and allowing zero base runners. 

With the win, Hudson improved to 15-1 on the season.  The Explorers would quickly return to action hosting the Mentor Cardinals in game two of the Cancer Awareness Classic.  Then, on Saturday May 3^rd they again play host, this time to the No.49 Aurora Greenmen and the Chardon Hilltoppers. 

With the loss, Solon falls to 5-8 on the year.  They will need to refocus as they play No.30 Lakewood St. Edward in a double header on Saturday May 3^rd. 

To view scouting notes from this game, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog.  The blog gets updated throughout the week.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.