The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Young Comets top Bay at Summer Classic
Justin Hritsko pitched Amherst to an opening-round victory as the host Comets beat Bay, 10-0, in the first game of the second annual Amherst Summer Classic July 24.
The junior was dealing most of the game and allowed a two hits over five scoreless innings while striking out 11 — seven of which were called third strikes.
“I was throwing my fastball to get ahead in the count then throw my change-up or curveball for a third strike,” Hritsko said. “I’ve been working on my change-up this whole summer and finally got it down.
“I was just hoping to come out and throw strikes, get as big a lead as we can and win our first game.”
Hritsko was one of only a handful of players with any varsity experience who took the field against Bay. With the graduation of much of their pitching staff, including Division I Ohio Player of the Year Evan Shawver, the Comets will look to players like Hritsko to fill what will likely be a large void come 2019.
“We’re gonna need younger guys to step up and pitch for us next year and this (tournament) gives us a chance to see the guys that have a chance to be in our rotation,” Amherst coach Matt Rositano said.
“(Hritsko) threw 81 (pitches) through five innings . ... Any time you go out there and don’t walk anybody, don’t give away any free bases ... when you do those things, don’t put guys on base and make plays, it makes it hard for the other team.”
Connor Emch, the lone senior in the lineup, led the Comets’ offense, going 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBI, junior Gage Crain had an RBI double and sophomores Josh Qualls and Blake Kendall each had a pair of hits in what was an encouraging offensive performance in terms of what the future holds for Amherst baseball.
“I love this tournament because you get a chance to see younger guys,” Rositano said. “We got young guys who can get this varsity experience, let them get their feet wet a little bit and I thought they all did well.”
Aidan Bozak and Logan LaMere had each of the two Bay hits and the Rockets will travel to Keystone July 26 to face the Wildcats in Round 2 of the Summer Classic.
Amherst will host Elyria July 25.