DIVISION IV BASEBALL Double spells trouble for Rockets

Western Reserve used a four-run seventh inning to beat Lowellville, 6-1.
BERLIN CENTER -- Two strikeouts with runners in scoring position are uncharacteristic when Brock Christie is at the plate.
But the two-run double Christie delivered in the seventh inning was something the Western Reserve High baseball team is used to seeing.
Christie's hit on Monday propelled the Blue Devils to a 6-1 sectional final victory over Inter-County League rival Lowellville.
Next Monday, the Blue Devils will play Mathews in a district semifinal game at Cene Park in Struthers. The Mustangs advanced by defeating Youngstown Christian, 6-2.
Western Reserve coach Paul Henderson was surprised that Christie, who has one of the lowest strikeout totals on the team, whiffed twice with runners on and said he would have been stunned to see a third strikeout.
"I have faith in him," Henderson said. "He's come through for us so many times this year."
Key inning
With both offenses struggling, the Blue Devils found themselves clinging to a 2-1 advantage heading into the seventh inning.
Brandon Moherman reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. Vince Barbone was intentionally walked and Christie followed with hit to left-center field that put Western Reserve up 4-1.
Sophomore Ryan Lude followed with a RBI single to left field that plated Christie. Lude scored on a Lowellville throwing error.
Henderson said it seemed that the team was trying to do too much on offense early in the game.
"It looked like we were pressing a bit," Henderson said.
"Instead of just making contact, we were trying to knock the ball around."
Lowellville pitcher John Opincanne did his best to keep Western Reserve at bay as he recorded 11 strikeouts.
Opincanne recorded three consecutive strikeouts in the fifth inning after Western Reserve loaded the bases.
"To come back and strike out the side was outstanding on his part," Henderson said. "I was really impressed."
Keeping it close
Reserve held a 2-0 lead until the sixth inning when Lowellville scored. Jerrod Donatelli reached on an error and scored when Opincanne knocked a RBI single to right field.
Two sophomores combined to surrender zero earned runs for the Blue Devils.
Dave Drevna threw five plus innings to earn the win. He allowed only two hits, walked three and struck out three.
Brandon Moherman pitched two perfect innings in relief. He struck out three and walked one.
The Blue Devils struck first, in the first inning when Ryan Pauken scored on a RBI single by Barbone.
The Blue Devils added another run in the fourth after Drevna ripped a double to deep center field and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Dave Ferrando.
Drevna scored on a groundout by Adam Young.