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McDonald’s hitters take over against JFK
MCDONALD — The Warren JFK baseball team started its Division IV sectional championship game against McDonald off very strong.
The Eagles scored two runs in the top of the first inning and started the bottom of the inning off with a spectacular diving catch by left fielder Nick Brown.
But things changed quickly and in favor of the Blue Devils following the second out of the inning on a ground out by McDonald’s Zack Puntel.
McDonald strung together six hits and a walk, all with two outs, to take a 5-2 lead and the Blue Devils cruised to a 16-6 victory.
David John had the big blast in the inning with a three-run homer as McDonald advanced to district play May 20 at Cene Park.
“We came out hitting real well,” said McDonald coach Dan Williams. “Everyone hit the ball well today and contributed to the win.
“That was key in how we responded in the bottom of the first inning with two outs. That’s what our team has done all year.”
McDonald (15-2) pounded out 17 hits and pitcher Alex Baker (4-0) pitched six solid innings to shut down a young JFK team that features four freshmen.
“I just wanted to get out early and throw strikes,” said Baker who helped himself out by hitting four singles and driving in two runs.
“That’s how I like to settle in and let them hit it so my defense can make plays.”
Baker gave up three straight singles to JFK (8-12) to start the game but got two strikeouts before Nick Brown blasted a double that drove home Kennedy’s first two runs.
Brown, an all-state performer in basketball, then ignited the crowd when he laid out near the left field line to make a diving catch off the bat of McDonald’s Mike Gatta.
The rest of the highlights came from McDonald’s hitters.
Baker led the way with four hits. Anthony Raschilla had three hits and four RBIs.
Raschilla’s sixth inning triple scored Devin Bansberg and Zack Puntel and ended the game by the 10-run rule.
John had two hits and four RBIs while Mike Thomas added two hits and drove in two runs.
“In our 15 wins I think we’ve had 10 or more hits in every game,” said Williams. “All the way through our lineup we have hitters and guys who can put the ball in play.”
The Blue Devils scored at least two runs in every inning except the fifth.
JFK did manage 10 hits but couldn’t get a strong effort from an array of pitchers that coach Don Lee paraded to the mound.
Kennedy’s ace, Brown, pitched in Wednesday’s 10-0 win over Youngstown Christian.
“Nick threw 60 pitches [Wednesday] and we couldn’t come back with him today,” Lee said. “We threw everybody that we had to try and hold them down. That’s a good team and they hit the ball.”
Matt Joseph had two hits to lead Kennedy.