NORTH CANTON, OH- The last time Salem squared up with Canfield was the first game either team played in over a year.  Many won’t remember the intricacies of that game, only the final score which favored Canfield in a 10-0 route.

So many things have changed since that brisk April Saturday.  For instance, Canfield has rattled off 22 straight victories following that game and took over the state’s top ranking in Division II thanks in part to this Cardinal team’s depth and skill.  Canfield has been the team that everyone had their eye on, watched the scoreboard, and watched streams of their game to see who was next.  They were Ohio High School Baseball’s version of “Goldberg” in the 90’s WCW days.  You knew the outcome because you knew who was involved.  Grit, determination, precision, skill, and enthusiasm.  Every position, every night, one through nine.  Canfield had it all.

All except a loss.

Salem’s team has been built from the blast furnace, the Quakers have been constructed by their naysayers, and those who have chosen to look the other way.  Salem’s motto this year has been “LTF” which stands for Light The Fire.  They’ve taken their pain and turned it into power to the tune of 26-3 going into the Regional Semi’s where they’d face Canfield again, knowing full well that somebody’s season was going to come full circle and end exactly where it started.  This was a collision course that was scripted better than Steven Spielberg ever could.

This was destiny.  The Cardinals were looking for affirmation, and the Quakers were looking for revenge.

So, how did it play out?

Salem got things started in the first inning when Lane Rhodes singled to right field on a 1-2 count, scoring one run.

Canfield wasted no time In the bottom of the second inning, the Cardinals tied things up at one when an error in right field scored one run.

The pitching would ice down both offenses for the better part of the game as Rhodes earned the win for Salem. The right-hander went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out five, and walking none.  While Landon Beidelschies took the loss for Canfield. The hurler surrendered three runs on five hits over seven innings, striking out ten and walking one.

Canfield was placed behind the eightball in the fifth when Brock Young doubled on a shot to left field.  Young would later advance to third on a wild pitch and then score on a Nick Coletta sacrifice fly to shallow right field making it 2-1 Quakers.

The following inning the Quakers would strike again on the aggressiveness of Canfield.  Blaze Exline would pop up a bunt in front of the plate that Vinnie Machuga attempted to field, and throw to first, where he found no Cardinal covering.  The speedster, Exline, would steal second base and be moved to third on a sac fly from Lane Rhodes to right field.  Ben Slanker nearly threw out Exline on a frozen rope from the corner of right field to third base.  Then the cleanup hitter, Gavin Wilms would deliver on a jammed inside pitch that the big man would power past the hot corner and into left field to give the Quakers a 3-1 lead.

The difference in this one came throughout the heart of the Quaker order.  Rhodes, Darius Beck, Brock Young, Gavin Wilms, and Corey Riesen all had one hit to lead Salem.

The Quakers continue on to the Regional Finals on Saturday at 11am against Archbishop Hoban (Akron),  whereas the Cardinals finish their season at 23 wins and 1 loss.

 

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.”

 

GAME PHOTOS: HERE