The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Dukes — The Avengers
In sectional semifinal, Wellington pays back Clearview for earlier loss
Wellington had its early-season loss to Clearview still fresh in its mind as the Dukes exacted their revenge May 10 in a sectional semifinal.
Despite falling behind early, Wellington (14-9) stayed patient and used a four-run third inning to beat the Clippers, 6-3, and advance to face Kirtland in a Division III Lakewood District semifinal on May 16 at 7 p.m. at Lakewood High School.
“We just wanted to come back out and beat (Clearview) because that loss really touched us somewhere else because we wanted that win really bad,” Wellington starting pitcher Ben Bliss said. “It just feels great to now be in the district semis.”
Bliss struggled with control a bit in the early innings and gave up two hits in the first, including an RBI single by Justyn Lilly to see his team go down, 1-0. But the sophomore settled right in as the game progressed and didn’t allow another hit until the final inning.
He nearly went the distance, but coach Roger Sasack decided to pull his starter in favor of Mason Wright after Bliss gave up a two-run double to Clearview’s
Evan Berrios with two outs in the seventh. Bliss then headed to the outfield and managed to record the final out of the game anyway when Nate Cruz flew out to end the game.
“He battled his (butt) off for the first couple innings, threw a bunch of pitches early but kept it within (reach),” Sasack said. “He never gave up that big hit until (Berrios’ hit). I tried to let him finish what he started ... I wanted to give him a chance to get out but he gives up a double and it’s time for the hook.”
Bliss (4-2) allowed three runs off four hits and five walks while striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings and Wright earned his second save of the year.
Offensively, the Dukes took advantage of 11 total walks given up by four Clearview (16-6) pitchers and all nine hitters reached base at least once over the course of the game.
“For the past three, four games, we’ve been having
better at-bats and seeing more pitches and making the pitcher throw, like, 80 pitches in three innings,” Wellington’s Everett Kropff said. “Like we saw today, (Clearview) cycled through four pitchers so just getting into the bullpen helps a lot.”
Kropff led the Dukes with two hits, including a two-run single to add some insurance in the fifth, while Nick Laposky and Mason Wright both had multi-hit games for Wellington.
It was a frustrating day all around for Clearview, especially at the plate where the Clippers managed a mere four hits and stranded six total runners — four in scoring position.
“You’re not going to win a game with 11 walks,” Clearview coach Dennis Pihlblad said.
“(Wellington’s) pitcher did a good job. He battled through it . ... I think he was effectively wild. We just were swinging at pitches out of the zone and we were helping him, and late in the game we decided we were going to take one. But I wish we would’ve been smarter at the plate.”