HOBAN NOT BOTHERED BY A PITCHING DUEL

AMHERST OH-  It was a pitcher’s duel from the jump, with both squads throwing up zeros through the early frames. Hoban finally broke through in the third with a run on a groundout, but Steele answered in the fifth with a game-tying single.

With things locked at 1-1 heading into extras, Hoban came through when it mattered most. A clutch RBI single and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded pushed two across in the top of the eighth, and that was all they needed.

Matthew Ramsey got the start and battled for 6.1 innings, giving up five hits and just one unearned run while striking out five. Breyan Stewart took over in relief and shut the door, tossing 1.2 innings of no-hit ball to pick up the win.

Offensively, Hoban scratched out a couple key hits and showed patience at the dish, drawing nine walks. They didn’t need a lot of firepower—just a few timely at-bats and clean work on the mound.

Steele scattered five hits and drew six walks of their own, but couldn’t get the big hit late. They turned two double plays on defense to stay in it, but the eighth inning proved to be the difference.

Hoban now sets its sights on Tuesday’s matchup at Medina, rolling in with a little momentum after a gritty road win.