BASEBALL
Newark Advocate
AKRON ? Newark Catholic ace Owen Przymierski was uncharacteristically having trouble locating the strike zone.
The Green Wave lost a two-out popup in the sun, allowing two runs to score, and fell behind 3-0.
Earlier in the season, it would have been a recipe for disaster for the youthful team, especially in a Division VII state semifinal against top-ranked Tiffin Calvert. Instead, it was just a starting point, and lone seniors Miller Hutchison and Mikey Hess made sure they followed it through.
Hutchison not only mowed down 10 on strikes in 3? innings of one-hit relief, but went 3 for 4 and scored two runs, while Hess delivered a clutch RBI hit as NC (21-9) rallied into its 14th state championship game appearance with a 6-4 victory against the Senecas on June 12 in Akron's Canal Park.
"It's a great feeling," Hutchison said. "We've kind of been in a drought around here, and now we're back where we belong."
That's in a 10 a.m. title showdown June 14 at Canal Park against Minster (25-6), which beat Russia 5-3, as the Green Wave goes for its 10th championship but first since they went back-to-back in 2015-16. The Wildcats have won three, with the last coming in 2017.
"Miller and I were freshmen the last time we were here, and we lost a close game in the semifinals," Hess said. "Before the game, all of our moms gave us baskets, and we're wearing these bracelets that say 'Believe!' All it takes is one more win."
NC now has 12 of those in a row.
Things looked bleak when Przymierski walked four in the second inning and three of them scored, on the aforementioned bloop and an infield hit by losing pitcher Blake Coleman, the only senior for Calvert (27-4). But NC answered in the third against Coleman, who had allowed just one earned run all season with an 0.26 ERA.
"Before we left to come up here, coach (Ron) Graves said mistakes will be made in a game like this, but you can't dwell on those mistakes," Hutchison said.
Alex Nagel doubled to deep right field and went to third on Hutchison's infield hit. He scored when the catcher threw the ball into center field on Hutchison's steal, the first of four costly errors by the Senecas, then Malone Hutchison singled home Miller as NC quickly narrowed the gap to 3-2.
The older Hutchison entered in relief in the fourth, and gave the Green Wave a spark when he fanned Cameron Moyer with the bases loaded. Then, the winners pushed three across in the fifth and took the lead for good.
Miller Hutchison led off with a single, and Coleman threw away Malone Hutchison's sacrifice bunt. Przymierski bunted them over, and after Hal Gillespie was intentionally walked, loading the bases, Max Moore chopped an RBI infield single to the left side and a second run scored on another throwing error. Hess then came through with a two-out, RBI single up the middle for a 5-3 lead.
"He was throwing a lot of fastballs, not a lot of off speed, so I sat fastball and didn't hit it very well, but it got the job done," Hess said.
Coleman's RBI double, the only hit allowed by Hutchison, cut the lead to 5-4 in the sixth, but NC responded with Gillespie's RBI groundout, and Hutchison finished with a flourish. The last eight outs were strikeouts, including the side in the sixth and seventh innings.
"It was a great performance," Hess said. "We've lost four or five one-run games, and Miller has been in a lot of these situations. So he was comfortable."
Observed Hutchison: "It was just getting in front and throwing strikes. I'm really confident on the mound right now."
It was a battle of attrition. Each team left 10 on base and issued eight walks in a game that took over two and a half hours to complete, but NC showed how much it has grown.
"It took us a while to build that confidence, and we really needed it," Graves said. "Coach Rick Cannizzaro said we've had a lot of great groups come through here, and our young guys may be goofy, but they've put in as much extra work over these last six months as anyone we've had."
Przymierski threw 96 pitches and Hutchison 58, and if NC wants to win another state championship, its other pitchers are going to have to come through. The Green Wave are confident they will, and Hess will likely get the ball first against Minster.
"I just have to throw strikes, do my job and let our defense go to work," he said.
Said Graves: "I've got a kitchen sink, and we're throwing in everything and we'll take our chances. Mikey and Miller really want this thing."
Confidence is a big thing right now for the Green Wave.
"It doesn't matter who's on the mound or who we're going up against," Hutchison said. "I have confidence in anyone, and defense is a strongpoint. It's a team game. As long as we come out swinging, we'll be fine."
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