by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
Cuyahoga Falls -- Every thing but the weather came together well for the inaugural Cuyahoga Falls City Baseball Championship April 12.
The new one-day baseball tournament involving teams from the four Cuyahoga Falls-based high schools drew big crowds despite temperatures in the low 40s, high winds and intermittent rain.
The inaugural tournament began with Walsh Jesuit besting Cuyahoga Falls 14-6 at Walsh Jesuit in one first round game, while Woodridge got past Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 4-1 at Woodridge in the other first round game.
The Woodridge-CVCA game was a pitcher's dual between Woodridge's Jordan Wilhite and CVCA's Kyle Gerycz. The difference in the game was a pair of home runs belted by Woodridge lead-off man Nick Jones.
Falls rebounded in the third place game to score a 11-0 win in six innings over CVCA.
That set the title game up between Walsh and Woodridge at Woodridge -- and the fans who braved the cold witnessed a classic.
Walsh starter Tyler Skulina was able to outlast Jones, as the big sophomore went the distance to lead Walsh to a 5-1 win. Walsh will hold the trophy until next year's tournament.
Warriors coach Chris Kaczmar gave both teams praise.
"It was a lot closer than the score indicated," Kaczmar said. "I was proud of the way both teams played today. They played the way you would want to in a championship game like this."
Woodridge coach Dennis Dever -- who helped make the tournament a reality -- echoed Kaczmar's sentiments.
"It was a ball game that was a pleasure to be a part of," Dever said. "I hope that this tournament becomes an annual thing where every game is played that well."
Neither team held back their aces as Jones and Skulina were each undefeated coming into the game. However, Walsh was able to get the first break in the top of the first inning.
After striking out right fielder Cameron Ontko, Jones walked designated hitter Tom Charles. Shortstop Ross Brunello then smashed a double to the gap in left, giving Walsh a 1-0 lead. However, Jones induced a pop out from first baseman Kevin Emmendorfer and struck out catcher James Toland.
Meanwhile, Skulina was lights out during his first run through the Bulldogs' order. Feeding the Bulldogs a steady diet of fastballs -- some of which were clocked at 90 mph -- Skulina set down the first nine batters in order, including six strikeouts. "Big Sky" would finish with nine strikeouts, while limiting the potent Woodridge lineup to five hits.
However, Jones settled down after the first inning. Jones would strand six Walsh runners on base in his six innings of work, giving up four hits and four walks, while striking out 11 Warriors.
More importantly for Woodridge, Jones also created the tying run in the fourth inning.
Jones led off the fourth by drawing the only walk Skulina allowed on the afternoon. Center fielder Rick Cavanaugh then struck out, but catcher Mike DeBord singled. Shortstop Dave Krusinski then smacked an RBI single to center, scoring Jones and hyping up the Woodridge crowd.
Woodridge had a chance to take the lead, but first baseman Joe Lewandoski popped out to short and right fielder Jordan Wilhite was robbed of a hit when his line drive went right to Walsh center fielder Alex Ferrara.
Both teams had base runners in the fifth and sixth innings, but Jones and Skulina stood firm until the seventh.
With his pitch count around the 100 mark, Jones walked third baseman Johnny Fasola and Ferrara to start the seventh. Dever then relieved Jones with Andy Fay.
"[Jones] pitched a heck of a ballgame," Dever said of Jones. "I gave him every opportunity to finish the game, but he just ran out of gas."
Kaczmar chose to pinch hit Joe Pawlowski, who laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners over.
Kaczmar then pinch hit John Mastronicolas for Ontko. The junior, who is hitting .600 so far this season, smacked a ground ball up the middle which got past Woodridge's drawn-in infield for a two-run single.
Charles then reached base on catcher's interference and, after Brunello struck out, Emmendorfer reached on an error to load the bases.
Toland then gave Walsh some insurance as he smacked a two-run single to right.
Woodridge didn't give up in the bottom of the seventh as Wilhite opened the inning with a hit batsmen. However, he was erased when Fay smacked a line drive right into the glove of Fasola at third and Fasola threw over before Wilhite could respond.
Pinch hitter Anthony Westren kept hope alive with a double, but second baseman Derek Morgan grounded out to short to end the game.
E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com
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