Improved Willard tops Norwalk

NORWALK — Things have been tough for several years for the Willard baseball program. But the rough patches and lumps the young Crimson Flashes took in those years are starting to show signs of progress. The Crimson Flashes scored four times in the second and six more times in the seventh in Tuesday's 12-3 non-league win at Norwalk. After winning five games last season, Willard improved to 4-4 overall with the victory over the Truckers. "It's just experience more than anything," Willard head coach Billy Robinson said. "Our junior class is strong, and a lot of these kids have been playing since they were freshmen. So we're maturing into a team that has some seniority. "We also a really good group of freshmen who play in the summer who also have good experience and reps. We have a core group that has a lot of experience now over time." In the second, Carson Cinniger, Dylan Thompson and Jandyel Salazar hit three straight singles off Norwalk starter Grady Naseman to load the bases with nobody out. Then, Willard got three runs without recording a base hit. Will Gates was hit by a pitch to force in a run, and an error at second base allowed two more runs to score. Adler Ames later scored on a passed ball. Ethan Rodriguez singled and scored on an error in the fourth to make it a 5-0 lead, while Carson Cinniger also scored on an error in the fifth after a walk. The Flashes then put the game out of reach with a six-run seventh. Ryan Fox singled, Elijah Reed walked and Cinniger singled to again load the bases with no outs. Two more walks forced in the eighth and ninth runs, while a passed ball on a strikeout extended the lead to 10-0. Rodriguez and Fox then capped the inning with RBI singles. On the mound, Fox went the distance for Willard and allowed three earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks. The Truckers (1-6) scored when Landon Ferkel and Bray Malson hit consecutive singles, then Nick Lukac followed with a two-run double. Ben Rothhaar added an RBI single to score Lukac. "Ryan pitched a really good game," Thompson said. "He kept throwing strikes and our defense played well. Our last few games, we were right there, but our defense was solid today. "We do have a good group of pitchers that are probably our main asset this year. Right now, it's just about hitting the ball and staying positive." It was another frustrating game for the Truckers, who had 10 baserunners, but failed to capitalize until it was too late. "Absolutely it was very frustrating," Norwalk coach Jason Higgins said. "We got some runners on early, and it would have been nice to put a little bit of pressure on them. We just couldn't get those timely hits, and we hit it right at their guys. "Their third baseman and centerfielder made some plays," he added. "Fox was around the plate most of the time and we drew four walks. But he made us hit the ball and pitched to contact, and we just couldn't execute." Fox was also 2 for 5 with two RBIs, while Rodriguez added two hits and an RBI. Ames had a hit and two RBIs. Willard has a big SBC Bay test on Wednesday when it hosts Margaretta, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at Bucyrus. "Collectively, I think we have seven varsity pitchers, but our defense behind them will be our key to winning when those guys are on," Thompson said. Ferkel finished 3 for 3 for the Truckers in the loss. Naseman allowed three earned runs on four hits with a strikeout and four walks in 4 ⅔ innings. He was followed by Stephan Lukac, Tyler Norwood and Zach Dumbeck. Norwalk hosts Sandusky in SBC Lake play on Wednesday, followed by a non-league game vs. Port Clinton on Thursday. "The story is the same all season so far," Higgins said. "We can look good at times, but we give up a big inning here, walk guys, don't pitch to contact — and get in trouble. I thought our approach was pretty relaxed and aggressive that last inning today. "Little pieces of success will get the guys more experience, and a bit more understanding of what they need to do at the plate every time." Willard 040 110 6 — 12 9 0 Norwalk 000 000 3 — 3 6 3 WP: Fox; LP: Naseman 2B: (N) N. Lukac, Ferkel