By Chris Check
Regional Scout

AVON, OHIO - Westlake traveled the short distance to All-Pro Freight Stadium to play St. Edward in a traditional non-conference rivalry game. 

While St. Ed’s appeared to be headed towards a potential blow out, the Eagles eventually clinched a victory with a walk off single by senior Kyle Wasil in the bottom of the 7^th inning.

The Eagles jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on four hits.  Senior Adam Madias started the scoring with an RBI single after senior Kyle Wasil singled, and then stole second. Then, senior Cory Jacobs lined a deep double over the centerfielder. Junior Todd Price walked with the bases loaded, scoring a run and two batters later, junior Will Devito’s added a RBI single through the left side. 

Westlake closed the gap to 3-2 in the top of the 3^rd inning with a pair of singles from seniors Matt Leonard and Danny Strodtbeck as well as a double by senior Jamie Lackner. 

The Eagles responded in the bottom half of the inning with six hits and a walk, pushing the lead to 9-2. The hit parade included hits by senior catcher Chris Raisanen, Price, senior third baseman Jacob Caraffi, senior left fielder Alex Middleton, sophomore right fielder Kyle Hegedus, and Madias.

St. Ed junior right-hander Jon Laird struck out the side in the top of the 4^th as the Eagles looked to be cruising to an easy win. 

Westlake sophomore right-handed reliever Pat Duperow, who relied on a slider, kept the game close with three innings of no-hit relief.

Then, the Demon offense came alive in the top of the 6^th after Laird had to be relieved in the fifth. Andrew Kettel reached base after a passed ball on a strike out. This miscue was followed by six hits that culminated in seven runs scored during the inning. Mike Fikter and Corbin Dunlap singled while Strodtbeck, Lackner, and Kettel all doubled. The scoring was highlighted by a two-run homerun by junior second baseman Justin Runevitch.

With the score now tied, the Eagles milked two walks, putting a runner in scoring position. Wasil capitalized with a game winning RBI single that drove in speedy Alex Middleton from second base.

Every hitter in the Eagle lineup collected at least one hit as St. Edward improve its’ record to 7-6 on the year.

Westlake falls to 8-5 despite good days by Runevitch (2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI), Strodtbeck (2-3, 2B, 2 R) and Lackner (2-4, 2 2B, RBI).

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.