HERALDS SEASON COMES TO END IN DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP LOSS TO HILLSDALE
Parma, OH- The St. John Heralds saw their season come to a disappointing end on Thursday, losing 16-1 to the Hillsdale Falcons in the District Championship game of the OHSAA playoff tournament.
The game started promisingly for the Heralds, with Anthony Severino singling in the first inning to give them an early 1-0 lead. However, the Falcons quickly responded in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs on an Owen Hoffman ground out, a Brady Heller single, and a Heralds error to take a 2-1 lead.
Hillsdale extended their advantage to 4-1 in the second inning thanks to RBI singles from Brock Bower and Hoffman. But the fourth inning proved disastrous for the Heralds, as the Falcons erupted for 11 runs on eight hits to blow the game wide open.
The Falcons’ fourth-inning onslaught was keyed by hits from Braylen Jarvis, Kael Lewis, Heller, Aiden Hoffman, Gavin Casdorph, Bower, Hoffman again, and Chase Clutter. When the dust settled, Hillsdale had a commanding 15-1 lead.
On the mound, Aaron Wychock took the loss for the Heralds, allowing nine hits and 10 runs (nine earned) over three innings. Casdorph earned the win for Hillsdale, surrendering just one run on five hits over five frames.
Offensively for the Heralds, Brady Cole, Bryson Vennitti, Severino, Ezra Campbell, and Will Anderson each collected one hit. But they could never string together a rally against the Falcons’ pitching.
Bower led the way for Hillsdale’s potent offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Jarvis, the two Hoffmans, and Casdorph also had multiple hits for the Falcons, who finished with 14 hits total. They also stole six bases and played error-free defense.
The loss ended the Heralds’ season with a final record of 16-6. While the District Championship game was a disappointment, the team should be proud of an excellent overall campaign.
