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Boardman advances to title game
Stilliana’s three-run double ensures win over North Canton
By CURTIS PULLIAM
NORTH CANTON
Marco Stilliana’s smile from second base was huge, about as big as the three-run double he delivered helping the Boardman 10-11 baseball team to an 8-4 win over North Canton on Friday at the Hoover Community Recreational Complex.
The win sends Boardman to today’s championship game against Hamilton at 1 p.m.
The double down the right field line was part of a four-run fifth inning.
“Just to get good meat on the ball,” Stilliana said about his thinking during the at-bat. “And don’t run into an out.”
Boardman starting the inning up 4-3. After an intentional walk to Jacob Gehring and couple of North Canton errors, the bases were loaded for Stilliana. He drove a Brady Zimmerman pitcher over first baseman Nick Presutto’s head and into the corner, scoring Justin Jones, Ty Ventresco and Jason Triveri.
“It feels good,” Stilliana said.
Manager Jason Terveri realized how much a day and possibly a different opponent can make.
“It was totally different from yesterday obviously,” said Triveri, referring to Thursday’s 7-0 loss to Hamilton. “The swings were really the difference and we got another great pitching performance from Gehring. We have come to expect that.”
Gehring pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits. He had nine strikeouts.
“I just pitched how I usually pitch,” Gehring said. “I just came out here and did my job. Throw strikes and let these guys do the job behind me.”
Gehring gave up a home run to Logan Corbett in the first and a RBI double by Bryce Evans in the second. Boardman scored on a Jones fielder’s choice to tie the game at one.
A RBI double by Bryce Evans in the second gave North Canton a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth inning, Boardman got the bats going. Three straight hits tied the game. Then a RBI groundout by John Hyde and a RBI single by Ethan Anderson gave Boardman a 4-2 advantage.
A RBI single from Beau Burtscher brought North Canton to within 4-3.
With an out in the sixth, Jason Triveri took over on the mound. Getting one out and giving up a run, he left with the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate. Reliever Patrick Hubert struck out Andrew Coblentz looking on a curve to end the game.
“The great thing is, today was a team effort,” manager Jason Triveri said. “Everyone rallied around Jacob and followed his leadership.”
Gehring was intentionally walked all three times he batted. Nate Fleming had a double in the first and scored a run.
“It really came down to hitting the ball,” Triveri said. “We had to score runs to win this game. We took a better approach at the plate.”
Pleased with the team’s hitting, Triveri was impressed with Gehring on the mound as well.
“Jacob has been nothing short of spectacular,” Triveri said. “The kid is really something special.
“We’re going to take this momentum,” Triveri said. “We expect it to be a different game [against Hamilton] and we’re going to come with a different attitude.”
Stilliana agrees.
“I’m pumped,” Stilliana said.