The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Strasek’s walkoff gives Pirates win
The Rocky River Pirates earned a 9-8 victory over the Lorain Titans on April 26, courtesy of a pinch-hit walk-off single by Frank Strasek.
“It feels really good to get this win,” Strasek said.
“We’ve been having some trouble closing games recently, but to get this win really means a lot.”
The play capped off a wild game, that featured ups and downs for both teams.
Rocky River (5-10, 2-5 GLC) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of a two-run single by Tom Anderton and a three-run double by Billy Kelly.
Rocky River pitcher Eric Kois was cruising through the first two innings and had a six-run cushion to work with heading into the third.
Lorain’s offense woke up in the top of the third, after Jeff Santana reached base on an error to turn the lineup over for the top of the order.
Santana moved to second on a balk. Titans leadoff hitter Michale Clark delivered an RBI single. With the bases loaded, third baseman Ryan Dunning snagged a sharp line drive and quickly stepped on third to turn an unassisted double play.
That play was one of several key moments for Rocky River’s defense and coach Darryl Sanders was not surprised to see his third baseman make a spectacular grab.
“Dunning has done that all season,” Sanders said. “We’ve been very fortunate to have him play third base for us. He’s been stellar on defense all year and that helps us out a great deal.”
In the fifith, Lorain’s Clark got his second hit day to get things started and the Titans added two runs to cut the deficit to 7-3.
Rocky River responded as Brendan Connors drove in Cameron Blue in with a single.
Kois pitched into the sixth, when he ran into a little trouble.
“We got a great pitching performance from Eric,” Sanders said after the game. “It was Eric’s first extended outing, first start this year and he gave us what we needed. He ate up some innings and pitched well.”
With Blue pitching, Clark drew a walk, followed by RBI singles from Ray Rodriguez and Julian Rodriguez. Solomon Villarreal delivered another RBI single, making it a two-run ballgame.
In the seventh for Lorain, Santana walked, stole second and scored on Clark’s RBI double.
After Ray Rodriguez’s single, Julian Rodriguez’s hit tied the game, scoring Clark.
Matt Popovich led off the seventh with a double for the Pirates and scored the winning run on Strasek’s pinch hit.
“I was just hoping to get the ball in play or get on base any way,” Popovich said. “I got an inside pitch and pulled it down the line. I had to keep my head in the game when I was I was on the bench (for the first five innings). Baseball’s an all mental sport. If you keep your brain in the game, you’ll be fresh any time you come up there.”
Strasek grounded a single up the middle to send everyone home, thwarting the comeback effort and preserving Rocky River’s victory.
“In key situations, coming up, I’m just trying to look for a ball I can drive,” Strasek said.
“Just had to get that runner home. Hats off to Matt Popovich for getting that double to lead off the inning. If he’s not there, my hit means nothing. I’m just happy we could get the win here.”
“That’s twice Frank’s had big hits for us as a pinchhitter this year,” Sanders said.
“I was happy to see him come through. He had a tough game yesterday, but he bounced back today and was ready to go.”
For Lorain (7-10, 5-2 LEL), coach Brett Ternes was encouraged by his team’s come-from-behind effort.