PHOTO CREDIT: GARY LEININGER

DARNLEY DIALS IN; FITCH FLIES PAST MOONEY

AUSTINTOWN, OH- The Austintown-Fitch Falcons delivered a powerhouse performance on Monday, securing a resounding 10-2 victory over the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals. From the first pitch to the final out, the Falcons showcased their prowess on both offense and defense, leaving their opponents in the dust.

The Falcons wasted no time asserting their dominance, putting runs on the board early and often. Mason Petridis set the tone in the first inning with a clutch double that drove in a crucial run, giving Austintown-Fitch an early lead.

Building on their momentum, the Falcons continued to pile on the pressure in the second inning. Frank Senediak’s well-timed single extended the lead to 3-0, setting the stage for what would be a commanding performance.

A relentless offensive onslaught saw Austintown-Fitch adding to their lead in the third inning, with Rocco DiFlorio’s sacrifice groundout bringing another run across the plate, further solidifying their control of the game.

The sixth inning proved to be the Falcons’ crowning moment, as they exploded for four more runs to put the game out of reach for Cardinal Mooney. Nik Kyprianou and Jake Wallace came through in the clutch with timely singles, while Hayden Warmouth’s towering homer to center field put the exclamation point on Austintown-Fitch’s commanding lead.

On the mound, John Darnley delivered a stellar performance, stifling Cardinal Mooney’s offense and earning the well-deserved win for the Falcons. Darnley’s five and one-third innings of work saw him allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out three and walking two.

Despite a valiant effort from Cardinal Mooney’s William Petty, who racked up six strikeouts, it was ultimately not enough to contain the Falcons’ potent lineup.

Austintown-Fitch’s offensive firepower was on full display, with Petridis, Carter Owens, and Senediak each contributing two hits to the team’s impressive tally. Petridis, Warmouth, and Senediak also played key roles in driving in runs, while Owens showcased his speed on the basepaths with two stolen bases.

Defensively, the Falcons remained solid throughout, working the count and drawing six walks to keep the pressure on Cardinal Mooney. With four stolen bases in the game, Austintown-Fitch proved to be a force to be reckoned with in all facets of the game.

The Cardinals showed flashes of what could be at times on offense, with Taco Verroco going 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the team in hits, while Ben Oddis went 1-for-3 with a double, RBI, and a run scored.

As they look ahead to their next matchup, Austintown-Fitch Varsity Falcons are poised to continue their winning ways as they take on the Lakeside Dragons at home on Wednesday. 

BUY GAME PHOTOS HERE