HERALDS BATS STAY HOT IN DISTRICT SEMI WIN OVER MCDONALD
Photo Credit: Joclyn Nicholas
Parma, OH- The St. John Heralds looked sharp against the McDonald Blue Devils, winning 12-2 in the District semi-final game of the OHSAA playoff tournament on Tuesday. The Heralds wasted no time in establishing their lead, getting on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Williams walked, Anthony Severino singled, and the Heralds scored their first run on a wild pitch. Kyle Hejduk and AJ Henslee followed with RBI singles, giving the Heralds a 3-0 lead.
The Heralds extended their lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the second inning, courtesy of a double by Williams. They continued to pile on the runs in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five more on four hits. Joe Cappuzzello induced Aaron Wychock to hit into a fielder’s choice, but two runs scored. Henslee drew a walk, scoring another run, and Will Anderson and Brady Cole each added an RBI single.
Will Anderson started the game for the Heralds, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) over six innings, while striking out nine and walking two. Klase, the starting pitcher for the Blue Devils, surrendered 10 hits and seven runs over four innings, striking out three and walking four.
The Heralds’ offensive onslaught was highlighted by a 15-hit performance. Henslee, the number nine hitter, led the way with two RBIs, going 2-for-2 on the day. Cole, Bryson Vennitti, Williams, Henslee, Severino, Ezra Campbell, and Hejduk each collected two hits for the Heralds, who showed patience at the plate, amassing six walks.
For the Blue Devils, Logan Presco, Hickox, Zach Shobal, and Brady Klockner each collected one hit. Presco and Shobal drove in the team’s only two runs. The Blue Devils played flawless defense, not committing a single error, with Avery Maley handling the most chances in the field with six.
The Heralds will move on in the tournament to play the Hillsdale Falcons on Thursday 05/23/24 at 5pm at Cuyahoga Community College in Parma for the district championship.
