by Frank Aceto
Associate Sports Editor
Solon -- Most of us have heard of the term, "walk-off home run."
How about a walk-off suicide squeeze?
Host Solon salvaged a split with Northeast Ohio Conference rival Cuyahoga Falls with a dramatic come-from-behind 7-6 victory April 22 at Cisar Field.
With the bases loaded and one out, the Comets (8-5, 1-1) won the game on the final at bat, thanks to a successful squeeze bunt.
Justin Parker bunted the ball toward Black Tigers' right-hander Bryon Holland (4-2). Anthony Corrado scored the winning run from third.
Solon, which lost a 7-3 decision to Falls April 22 at Water Works Park, tried to squeeze on the previous pitch, but Parker fouled off Holland's toss that was up and away.
Parker, however, may have caught Falls (11-3, 1-1) off-guard by bunting again.
"Justin is a great bunter," said Comets head coach Chuck Chokenea. "We were going to squeeze no matter what."
Black Tigers head coach Jim Farrell knew the squeeze was coming.
"We called for it when he [Parker] fouled it off," he said. "I wasn't surprised they [the Comets] did it again. I was hoping Bryon wouldn't throw a strike."
Although Holland entered the game with two outs, he had a busy day.
The first batter he faced in the bottom of the fifth, Joe Welsch, ripped a two-run single to tie the game at 6-6.
In the sixth, Holland did his best Harry Houdini impression.
After the Comets loaded the bases with no outs, Holland retired the next three batters in order, including the first two on strikeouts.
Falls' bats, however, went into a deep sleep when it mattered most.
"When you have a 5-0 lead on the road in a game like this, you have to win," Farrell said. "But Solon is a very good team."
The Black Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first, thanks to a couple of doubles from Anthony Longhitano and Eric Smith.
Falls made it 4-0 in the third with an unearned run and a squeeze bunt by Taylor Paridon. James Mathews made it 5-0 with a run-scoring double in the fourth.
The Comets finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when John Hirsch hit a two-run double to the gap in right-center off right-handed starter Alex Walke.
Paridon made it 6-2 in the fifth, thanks to Paridon's sacrifice fly, but Solon came right back with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Zach Papesh got it started with a two-run homer to right.
Walke struck out the next two batters, but then he allowed two singles, which led to his departure.
The Black Tigers made a threat in the sixth. Solon right-hander Joe Welsch, who eventually got the win, got Mathews to hit into a double play to end the inning. Falls had runners on first and second when Welsch entered the game.
The Black Tigers, however, know their chances of winning the division title are still very much alive.
"This is got to be one of the toughest conferences around," Farrell said. "I've never seen a conference this deep."
Solon had 10 hits and Falls had six hits. Each team had three errors.
Falls wins round one
Holland got the win in relief and the Black Tigers scored four runs in the sixth to beat Solon April 22.
The Comets tied the game at 3-3 with three runs in the top of the sixth. Falls took a 3-0 lead with a run apiece in the second, third and fifth innings.
Walke hit his fourth home run of the season and drove in three runs to lead the Black Tigers.
Marcus Hardy and Jourdan Leymon each had a triple as Falls finished with 10 hits and four errors. The Comets had five hits and two errors.
The Black Tigers were scheduled to host Lakewood St. Edward April 24 before heading to Barberton for a doubleheader April 26. Results of those contests were not available at press time.
They are set to visit Valley Division archrival Stow-Munroe Falls April 28 before returning home to play Stow April 29. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.
Falls is set to host the Anspach Tournament May 3. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.
E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com
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