DRAGONS FALL TO WARRIORS IN FINAL INNING
Story by Larry Jennings
Ashtabula, OH- In a thrilling showdown on the diamond, Edgewood’s Varsity Warriors clashed with the Lakeside Dragons in a nail-biting baseball matchup that showcased stellar pitching performances and tense moments until the very end. On Monday, both teams brought their A-game, but it was the Edgewood Warriors who emerged victorious, edging out the Lakeside Dragons with a final score of 2-1.
The spotlight shone brightly on the pitchers as Logan Kray took the mound for Edgewood, while Lakeside sent Alex DiSalvatore to the bump. From the outset, it was evident that runs would be at a premium, as both hurlers showcased their prowess on the mound.
Kray proved to be a force to be reckoned with, racking up an impressive 12 strikeouts over six innings of work. Despite facing some pressure, he held Lakeside to just two hits and one run, displaying his command and dominance on the rubber.
Meanwhile, DiSalvatore kept pace, going toe-to-toe with Kray. He pitched a solid seven innings, allowing just three hits and two runs, one of which was earned. DiSalvatore showcased his own striking prowess, tallying nine strikeouts while issuing only one walk.
The game remained deadlocked until the late innings when the tension reached its peak. In the second inning, Edgewood managed to scrape across a run thanks to a wild pitch, taking an early lead. However, Lakeside fought back, leveling the score at one apiece in the bottom of the sixth inning with Zach Palmer’s clutch sacrifice fly.
As the game hung in the balance in the top of the seventh, Edgewood seized the opportunity to break the tie. An error by Lakeside allowed the Warriors to push across the decisive run, swinging the momentum in their favor.
Despite Lakeside’s valiant effort at the plate, drawing six walks and displaying aggressive baserunning with four stolen bases, they ultimately fell short in their quest for victory. Zach Palmer’s lone RBI stood as a testament to Lakeside’s resilience, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Edgewood’s pitching prowess and opportunistic offense, with Tony Hall scoring both runs for the Warriors.
The Dragons didn’t go down without a fight, however. Lakeside had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh with one out, but Alex Sperduto got a pop out and a fly ball out to end the game.
In the end, it was Logan Kray who earned the win for Edgewood, while Alex Desalvator was saddled with the loss for Lakeside. Aiden Hernandez, Logan Rudolph, and Riley Baldwin each contributed with a hit for the victorious Warriors, while Caleb Stitt, Gage Tome, Alex DiSalvatore, and Chase Newsom collected hits for the Lakeside Dragons.
With the dust settled on this thrilling encounter, Edgewood Warriors look ahead to their rematch against the Lakeside Dragons at Walter C Higgins Field at Edgewood High School on Tuesday. As the two teams prepare to square off once again, fans can expect another intense battle on the diamond as both sides seek redemption and bragging rights in this fiercely contested rivalry.
