Fitch's comeback nets 4-3 triumph

The Falcons rallied past Solon to earn a spot in today's district final against Ashtabula Lakeside.
By PAUL TRGOVAC
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- Opportunities.
The Austintown Fitch High baseball team had many during Wednesday's Division I district semifinal game at Cene Park against Solon. But the Falcons didn't take advantage of them through the first five innings and found themselves behind 3-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth.
But, Fitch scored three times in the sixth to tie the score, then beat the Comets in the bottom of the seventh, 4-3.
The Falcons (18-6) will face Ashtabula Lakeside at 6:30 p.m. today at Cene Park for a berth in the regional tournament at Thurman Munson Stadium in Canton next week.
Lakeside defeated Valley Forge 3-1 in the other semifinal.
Solon (20-9) scored the first run of the game on three singles in the third inning.
Solon then scored two more runs in the fifth inning on two hits, a sacrifice fly, and three walks.
Gets out of jam
But it could have been worse, as Falcons' pitcher Bob Melnek got out of the jam, leaving the bases loaded on an inning-ending fielder's choice.
"Melnek kept us in there," said Fitch coach Wally Ford. "He did a good job of keeping that inning from getting out of hand. Then we knew that it was time to step it up and make it happen."
After stranding seven runners over the first five innings, Fitch came alive in the sixth.
John Mang hit a double down the right field line with one out and Matt Lutz followed with a single. Mike Brown doubled to score Mang and John Burnich then tied the score with a two-run single.
"We had a few chances early but could not get the big hit until Brown and Burnich came through," said Ford.
The winning inning
After Melnek set down the Comets in order in the top of the seventh, Shane Roche started the Falcons' seventh with a single. He was forced at second on a ball hit by Jeff Kotel. Mang followed with a single and Solon's catcher misfired on a pick-off play, allowing the runners to advance.
Lutz then hit a high bouncer to third, which bounced off the fielder's glove to the shortstop, who couldn't throw out Kotel at home.
Dom Modarelli had three singles, while Mang, Lutz, Brown, and Melnek had two hits each for Fitch. Melnek (5-0) had six strikeouts and three walks.
David Daugherty had two hits for the Comets. Jon Coyne (3-1) took the loss in relief. Starter Jordan Schoenfeld went 51/3 innings, allowing three runs on 10 hits. He had one strikeout and one walk.