Crestview shortstop Zach Davis prepares to target Garfield’s Leo Grandizio between first and second base Monday. Also appearing from the Rebels are (from left) Jaden Kimble, Kayden Booth, and Eli Cope. (Morning Journal/Matt Morrison)
Columbia-Crestview got off to a strong start, but was hampered by repeated mistakes on the field of play, falling to Mahoning Valley Athletic Gray Conference opponent Garrettsville Garfield 16-1 on Monday. Lost in 5. Crestview finished with five errors.
“The performance on the field was definitely not the best.” Crestview coach Todd Kibby said. “Last week we had five games in five days. Our strong arm players couldn’t pitch in one game because of the rain and one game because of the rain, so it’s definitely the strength of the bullpen and the mental strength of the team. That’s where we were exposed today.
Crestview fell to 9-2 and 8-1 in the MVAC Gray Tier, while Garfield improved to 7-4 and 7-1 in the MVAC Gray Tier. Crestview, Garfield and LaBrae are tied for first place in the MVAC Gray Tier with him in a three-way tie.
One of the Rebels’ games last week was against former Inter-Tri-County League rival Columbiana at Eastwood Field.
“For the kids, I know they were all excited.” Kibby said. “They’ve been playing together for years, but they couldn’t play with each other. They were the only ones affected, so they came out and there was a lot of tension between the fans and the players on both sides. There was a lot of mutual respect. It was good to see that happen and there was a lot of participation.”
Crestview will do its best to schedule Columbiana more frequently in the coming years.
“I hope to see them a little more often.” Kibby said. “Especially home and away. We’ve got five minutes left, so it would be nice to have two (games) on next year’s schedule.”
Garfield committed six errors in the field of play, but made up for it with 12 hits at the plate. The G-Men scored 8 earned runs and 8 earned runs.
“That first inning was probably one of the worst baseball I’ve seen in a long time.” Garfield coach Mike Paes said. “It was a very poor game to say the least, but the problem is this team stayed and hit some timely shots today. We took advantage of some of their mistakes and they (Crest) View) also took advantage of some of our mistakes, but we just hit the ball.
Garfield, who was in last place, had 6 hits in 10 at bats, including Garrett Wernick’s 3 hits and 3 RBIs. Wernick replaced third baseman Tyler Lutz in the fourth inning and smashed a line drive to right field, giving the G-Men an 8-5 advantage.
“I’m so proud of Garrett Wernick.” Paes said. “I came in and ended up going 3-for-3.”
Leo Grandizio had two hits, one RBI, and four runs scored, and Eric Geddes had one hit, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Aiden Hill had one hit and four RBIs. Brock Pesicek had one hit, two RBIs, and two RBIs. Jack Neikirk had one hit and two RBIs.
Hill earned the win by allowing three hits, zero earned runs, 14 strikeouts, and four walks on the mound.
All of Crestview’s hits came from Brayden Devine, Max Hawkins and Kayden Booth, who each had one hit and one RBI. Jayden Kimble and Ethan Feazle each scored one point.
Fiezle became the Rebels’ starting pitcher, pitching 3 1/3 innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, four strikeouts and one walk. Kayden Booth came on in relief and allowed three earned runs on three hits and six walks over 1 1/3 innings, but was then relieved by Kyle Booth. Booth also pitched 1/3 of an inning, allowing three earned runs on three hits, one strikeout, and three walks.
Crestview will quickly put this loss in the rearview mirror as they play at Garfield today.
“Baseball requires short-term memory.” Kibby said. “If they move this to tomorrow, the same thing will happen.”
G: 4-0-1-3-4-4–16-12-6
CR: 5-0-0-0-0-0 – 5- 3-5
