by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
In most cases, mercy is a good quality to display.
However, opponents of the Woodridge baseball team probably wish the Bulldogs weren't forced to show mercy so often.
Woodridge scored a trio of mercy-rule wins last week, winning at Strongsville 14-3 in six innings May 1, downing East Canton at home May 5 13-2 in five innings and beating the Yellow Jackets May 6 11-0 in five innings in East Canton.
With the wins, Woodridge improved to 18-3, 10-0 in the Portage Trail Conference County Division. In addition, Woodridge was ranked No. 5 in the latest Division III state poll from the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association.
Woodridge coach Dennis Dever was particularly impressed with the win over Strongsville, who came in ranked 10th in the state at Division I.
"That was a great team win against a quality opponent," Dever said. "We hit the ball again and Dave Krusinski threw very well for us."
Krusinski pitched five innings in the win, giving up three hits and one earned run, while striking out seven. Senior Joe Lewandowski pitched a perfect sixth inning to close out the win.
"He really had his curveball working very well," Dever said.
Krusinski improved to 4-1 this spring with a 1.17 earned-run average and 29 strikeouts in 24 innings.
Dever noted three Bulldog errors was a low point in the contest, but Woodridge's offense banged out 14 hits to give Krusinski plenty of cushion.
"I'm sure it helps as a pitcher to know you've got that kind of run support," Dever said. "All you have to do is go out and throw strikes and Dave did just that."
On offense, catcher Mike DeBord led the charge with a double, two singles and three runs scored. Right fielder Jordan Wilhite smacked his second home run of the season -- a three run shot -- as well as a double. Left fielder Andy Fay also belted a solo home run, his first of the season.
"They actually threw three quality left handers against us, but we were able to drive the ball well," Dever said.
Returning to PTC play May 5 against the Yellow Jackets, Wilhite got the start and had an off-day by his standards.
Wilhite was rock solid again, giving up four hits and three strikeouts in five innings. However, Wilhite gave up a pair of earned runs in the fifth inning -- double the total he had allowed so far this spring.
Dever joked that Wilhite's earned-run average "shot up" to 0.67 as he improved to 5-0 on the season.
On offense, Woodridge banged out 10 hits.
DeBord smacked two home runs in the win, including a grand slam, and also had a double to have a seven-RBI game. DeBord has been on fire in recent weeks as he leads the team in batting (.563), hits (36) and RBIs (30).
Anthony Westren chipped in two singles and three runs, Derek Morgan added two singles and two RBIs and Wilhite smacked his third home run of the season.
In the return game May 6, Dever said starter Nick Jones "was dominant," going four innings with one walk and one hit while striking out seven. Westren pitched a scoreless fifth inning to close it out.
Jones saw his earned run average fall to O.98. He improve to 5-2 with 66 strikeouts in 35.6 innings.
Lewandowski belted his first home run of season, a three run shot, in the win. DeBord had two singles, Krusinski added two singles and three runs, while Nolan Cooper had two singles, an RBI and a run scored.
Woodridge was set to host Archbishop Hoban May 9, but results weren't available at press time.
Big week upcoming
for Bulldogs
Woodridge was given the No. 1 seed in the Division III Akron sectional. That means Woodridge will host the winner of the Rootstown-Manchester contest May 13 at 4:30 p.m. in a sectional title game. CVCA was given the No. 2 seed.
If victorious, Woodridge will play a Division III district semifinal game May 19 at 2 p.m. at Strongsville High School. The Strongsville district title game is set for May 20 at 4:30 p.m.
In addition, the Bulldogs will play a big PTC series with Waterloo, who also is 10-0 in the division. Woodridge will travel to Atwater May 14 at 4:30 p.m. and will host Waterloos May 15 at 4:30 p.m.
E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113