Norwalk, St. Paul meet in annual scrimmage

NORWALK — Two city teams with high expectations met in their annual scrimmage on Tuesday. The St. Paul baseball team hosted crosstown Norwalk on a chilly, overcast day at Norwalk Area Contractors Park. The Truckers scored in five straight innings while limiting the Flyers to one hit in the 9-1 exhibition. Norwalk scored its nine runs on nine hits. "I thought our at-bats were good today," Norwalk head coach Jason Higgins said. "Something we've really been preaching and talking about with the guys is what kind of swings we're taking in certain counts. "I think we had some quality at-bats throughout the entire lineup." Canyon Craig had three hits in his four at-bats from the No. 8 spot in the lineup for the Truckers, who are scheduled to open the season Monday at home against Fremont Ross. Brady Singer had two hits and drove in Craig on a single in the fourth inning, while Caiden Wilson singled in a run in the sixth inning and also had an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Kaedyn Warner added a single with an RBI, and Carter Harp singled and also scored on a bases-loaded walk. Noah Helton, the expected No. 1 starter for Norwalk, pitched three scoreless innings to start the game. He struck out five and walked two. He was followed by Singer, who allowed an unearned run with a strikeout and a walk over two innings. Harp then pitched the final two innings and allowed one hit with a strikeout and two walks. "Our pitchers threw strikes for the most part and kept their pitch counts down," Higgins said. "That's our key and philosophy to winning games. Get off the defense as quick as we can and start running on the bases." Norwalk also stole two bases on Tuesday, something Higgins is hoping to see more of. The Truckers were 12-10 overall in 2025 and bring back six regulars from the typical lineup. "I've been pleased so far with our aggressive base-running," he said. "Our guys have been picking up extra bases when they can, and I think that showed today as well." Meanwhile, St. Paul head coach Aaron Fries knew his team was going to be challenged by the Truckers on Tuesday. The Flyers also bring back six regulars from the lineup and their top pitcher from a 13-11 team in 2025 that played for a district championship. But this spring, St. Paul is breaking in three new infielders. "You want to be challenged and tested in scrimmages, and we have some spots we're trying to figure out," Fries said. "It was a good opportunity for us because I know Norwalk is going to have a good team this season. They challenged us today, and I wanted to see where we are at with our second starters. "A lot of today was seeing where we were at outside that first group, and I saw some good things." Against Norwalk, Landon Fries had the lone base hit in the sixth inning for the Flyers. Gabe Snyder drew two walks, while Isaac Kalizewski, Casey Fries, and Alex Marsh also reached base with walks. Snyder walked and scored in the fourth inning when he advanced to third on a passed ball, then scored on a ground out hit by Kalizewski. Four pitchers saw time, including Izaac Snyder (three innings), Kalizewski (2 2/3 innings), Casey Fries (one inning), and Alex Marsh, who recorded one out in relief of Kalizewski. St. Paul is scheduled to host Port Clinton at 1 p.m. Saturday in its season opener. Fries didn't think his team was as sharp as needed against the Truckers but admitted the team was without five players for a week because of the school's senior Kairos retreat. "That's not surprising with the way the preseason has played out with kids not being here," he said. "This was a good scrimmage for us. We'll be better from it." Norwalk 013 122 0 — 9 9 2 St. Paul 000 100 0 — 1 1 5 WP: Helton; LP: I. Snyder