North lineup starts with strong leadoff hitter

Kenny Streb is creating opportunities for his North teammates as the leadoff hitter this season. Plus, Chagrin Falls is No. 1 in the Division II state poll. Plus, the Top of the Crop and area statistics.

Baseball’s leadoff men don’t look like they used to.

The Indians’ Carlos Santana resembles, as ad- vanced metrics state, the ideal combination of patience and power at the top of a team’s lineup. He, or even Chicago Cubs slug- ger Kyle Schwarber, whom manager Joe Maddon sug- gested may lead off for the Cubs this year, are a differ- ent breed than the slap-hitting, lightning-quick players who used to own the 1-hole.

At North, Kenny Streb’s leadoff bat has keyed the Rangers’ offense in what is now, seemingly, the oldfashioned way.

Streb is batting .417 and leads the Rangers with 25 runs and 22 stolen bases in 22 attempts. His 20 hits consist of 18 singles and two triples. His ability to get on base, then take a few more, creates run-scoring chances for the louder bats in coach Kyle Stahlberg’s lineup.

“Kenny is a threat in multiple ways,” Stahlberg said. “He’s got a real nice, quick swing and he focuses on swinging quick to the ball. He doesn’t try to do too much up there, doesn’t try to pull and things like that.”

The junior shortstop’s approach paid dividends in North’s 5-0 win at Riverside April 18.

He scored the game’s first run in the third inning when he singled, stole second and came home on an error. In the fifth, he singled again, stole two more bases and scored on Tyler Nagorski’s RBI double.

Streb keeps it simple, and sets the table for the Rangers.

(records entering games April 20)

Watch list: Gilmour, South, Wickliffe, Geneva, Berkshire

Crop comments: Chagrin Falls’ move to No. 1 in the Division II state precipitates a move to the top of this space as well. The Tigers have looked more than sound in each area, with a balanced offense, strong pitching staff and sure-handed defense. ... Mentor drops to No. 5 as the Cardinals have stumbled a bit. Playing in the loaded Greater Cleveland Conference doesn’t help, especially with some injuries to infield starters . ... Kirtland jumps into the Crop as winners of five straight and eight of nine, as does Chardon after the Hilltoppers knocked off Mayfield on April 15.

“When he stays focused on hitting for contact,” Stahlberg said, “with his speed he can make so much happen.”

Chagrin ascends

Chagrin Falls’ hot start after its regional final appearance last season has the Tigers on the minds of many. As a result, they’re the state’s No. 1-ranked Division II team in the first Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association poll.

Coach Mike Sweeney’s Tigers are ranked No. 1 for the first time in program history. Sweeney said it’s a “pretty cool thing” but reminded his players to keep their focus on larger goals.

“We’d much rather be ranked No. 1 at the end of year than the beginning,” Sweeney said.

Chagrin Falls is 12-2 after a win against Champion at Eastwood Field, home of Indians’ short-season affiliate Mahoning Valley, and a series split against Perry this week.

Adam Bencko’s 12 RBI lead of group of five players who have already driven in at least 10 runs. Sophomore Jack Amendola, batting .381 and freshman Kyle Zaluski, hitting .367, have created numerous scoring chances with their work at the top of the order.

Erik Wilson has been possibly the area’s best pitcher through the season’s early going. He owns a perfect 0.00 ERA through 30 innings with 26 strikeouts against only four walks. The junior right-hander is 5-0 in five starts, and batting .317 in 49 plate appearances.

No other area teams were ranked in the state poll. Hawken received three votes in D-III, Mayfield procured two votes in D-I and Lake Catholic netted one vote in D-II.

The state’s other opening No. 1 teams are D-I’s Massillon Jackson, D-III’s Elyria Catholic and Toronto in D-IV.

Area standouts

• Chagrin Falls junior third baseman Colin Kennedy hit .455 (5-for-11) with five RBI in a 4-0 week for the Tigers last week. Kennedy pitched a complete game in the Tigers’ 13-3 victory against West Geauga. Kennedy gave up three runs on six hits, struck out six and walked none.

• Wickliffe senior catcher Christian Martinitis batted .500 (7-for-14) with three doubles and five RBI in a 2-3 week for the Blue Devils. Martinitis keyed Wickliffe’s comeback from a 7-0 deficit to beat Harvey, 10-9, April 15 with an RBI single and bases-loaded, three-run double.

• Hawken junior left fielder Quinn Orloff batted .500 (6-for-12) with seven RBI during the Hawks’ 4-0 week. He scored three runs, doubled and hit a home run in the ninth inning of a tie game against Beachwood on April 15 to advance to championship game of Hawken’s tournament.

Stat attack

Area teams are asked to submit weekly statistics by noon each Thursday from now through the end of the season. Statistics can be emailed to nbarnes@newsherald.com or scores@ news-herald.com. Rescheduled dates, milestones and story ideas can be submitted in the same manner.

If using GameChanger, please make team statistics viewable beyond players and family.

Coaches are also reminded to submit their box score results after each game, win or lose. Please include the teams’ records.