The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Midview rallies to earn split over Elyria
It’s been a tough spring for the Midview baseball squad. Entering its April 17 doubleheader with Elyria, the Middies were just 1-8 and after losing the opener of the double dip 8-5, dropped to 1-9.
But the Middies season got a big jolt of momentum in the nightcap as junior Tyler Smith’s three-run home run capped a five-run fifth and Midview came back to stun the Pioneers, 6-4 to avoid the sweep.
Smith’s homer was unexpected. He said he’d gone six games without a hit before he delivered his clutch blast to provide what turned out to the gamewinning runs. Smith turned on a pitch from Elyria reliever Nicholas Chernitsky and drove it over the right-field fence.
“It felt like when I took my swing I didn’t even hit the ball.
It hit that sweet spot on the bat,” Smith said of his homer.
Chernitsky, a hard-throwing right-handed sophomore, came back to strike out the next hitter but the damage had been done.
Smith heroics were the residue of some hard work.
“I got a little extra batting practice the last few days at my friend’s house with some tee work. That gave me a little confidence boost for today. I used a different bat today, so that’s always a help,” Smith said.
Smith helped win the game with his arm, as well. He scattered eight hits and struck out three over seven innings to earn the complete-game victory.
Elyria scored four runs in the first two innings before Smith was able to settle in. He allowed just two hits over the final five frames.
“My defense made some plays and helped me out… it gave me a confidence boost,” Smith said. “The first few batters I was just trying to strike people out.”
Midview’s fifth-inning rally came after the first two batters of the inning were retired.
Mason Tacket’s two RBI single cut Elyria’s lead to 4-3.
Elyria starting pitcher Nick Schuster cruised through the first four innings allowing just a run on two hits before tiring in the fifth.
A patient approach at the plate in the fifth inning helped Midview jumpstart its offense, according to coach Ryan Morgan.
“We were just telling the guys to go up there with a good approach, see a couple of pitches.
Tyler capitalized on a mistake pitch hit and he put one over the right field fence. We told them to be patient and make the adjustment and that’s what they did,” said Morgan.
The big come-from-behind could serve as a jump off to a hot streak for the Middies who had struggled mightily before coming behind for the win.
“We’ve definitely had a rough start. Our hitting is starting to come along. Our defense is playing better than we did the first eight games of the year. I just told them let’s keep making improvements and this could help us build momentum,” Morgan.
The loss was a punch to the gut for an Elyria team that looked poised to sweep the doubleheader.
“It’s basically what are year has been,” Elyria coach Ed Piazza said of the loss. “We had a chance to get out of the inning. It’s disappointing. It’s just basic plays we’re not making right now and it’s just allowing teams to stay in the game.”
Elyria dropped to 2-10 with the loss while Midview improved to 2-9
Elyria center fielder Steven Harkins had a nice game at the plate in the loss collecting a pair of hits, stealing two bases and scoring two runs; Schuster doubled, singled, scored a run, drove in a run in four trips to the play for the Pioneers.
Midview’s Bryce Sanders collected a pair of hits and scored a run for the Middies.