Geneva’s Stoltz makes perfect decision

Every pitcher begins a baseball game perfect. Outings hardly ever finish that way.

When Nick Stoltz was slated to start Geneva’s game against West Geauga on April 23, he wasn’t sure if he’d pitch at all.

“I wasn’t going to go because my shoulders were bugging me a little bit,” Stoltz said. “I warmed up, felt all right, decided to throw and I guess it’s a good thing I decided to throw.” Stoltz is right. As the Eagles defeated the Wolverines, 15-0, Stoltz retired all 15 batters he faced. The junior struck out 11 hitters in a perfect five innings.

“After I got warmed up and the first two innings were done, you get adrenaline, everything felt good,” Stoltz said.

Stoltz throws a fastball, slider and curveball. He primarily uses the slider but as he and catcher Oscar Varckette worked through his start, they found Stoltz had supreme command of the curveball. As his fastball was clocked at 85 mph, the 20-mph difference between his primary offering and the curveball befuddled hitters.

Stoltz also credits his teammates’ role in his perfect outing. Mylan Kanicki, shifted from right to center field with Stoltz on the mound, made what Stoltz called “an amazing catch to save my butt.”

The victory moved Geneva to 7-3 and 3-2 in CVC Chagrin play. Stoltz said the Eagles hoped to begin the season with a strong start and feel their record could be a game or two better.