by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
When Benedictine visited Walsh Jesuit April 30, the Bengals baseball team came in on one of their best rolls in years.
The Bengals came into the contest at 14-4, ranked as No. 3 in the latest Ohio Division II Associated Press poll and in contention for the Cuyahoga River Baseball Conference title.
However, some big bats and a historic effort on the mound gave Walsh the victory.
Behind a no-hit shutout from senior left-hander Brannon Belair, Walsh cruised to a 10-0 win in five innings over the Bengals.
With the win, Walsh improved to 13-2, 3-2 in the CRBC with the win.
According to Walsh Jesuit coach Chris Kaczmar, Belair's effort was a highlight of a total team.
"We got a very good performance in all three phases of the game," Kaczmar said. "Our defense played well and the bats are starting come around. Brannon had one of the better games in the history of Walsh baseball that night."
In fact, Belair's effort was just the fifth no-hitter in Walsh history, according to Kaczmar. The southpaw stuck out seven Bengals in the five innings of work. Belair nearly had himself a perfect game, but he walked a batter in the fifth inning. His record stands at 1-1 on the season and he lowered his earned run average to 3.59.
"His curveball was really sharp," Kaczmar said. "He was throwing his curveball and slider for strikes. He got ahead of hitters and was able to work them from there."
On offense, outfielder Matt Keller led the charge with his third home run of the season and single for a three RBI night.
Third baseman Matt Fasola also smacked his second home run of the year, a three-run job which highlighted a seven-run fourth inning for the Warriors.
Catcher James Toland also had two hits as Walsh pounded out nine hits off Bengals pitching.
"We saw a lot of pitches, we executed at the plate and were able to see the ball extremely well," Kaczmar said. "Those balls that were being hit right at people early in the season are now finding the gaps."
Kaczmar said the Warriors are "getting there" as the postseason approaches, but also have had to deal with an injury issue. Outfielder and lead-off hitter Cameron Ontko suffered a broken wrist last week and the injury could keep him sidelined until the end of May.
Walsh was set to play Massillon May 1 and play a doubleheader with Amherst and Bay Village May 3, but results were not available at press time.
Walsh has a trio of home CRBC contests this week, as the Warriors will host St. Edward May 5 at 5 p.m., St. Ignatius May 6 at 5 p.m. and St. Vincent-St. Mary May 7 at 4:20 p.m.
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