St. Paul starts strong in season opener

NORWALK — A little bit of everything. The St. Paul baseball team got strong starting pitching with strong defense behind sophomore ace Alex Marsh in Saturday's season opener against Port Clinton. The Flyers then did a little bit of everything in the batter's box and on the bases in the 12-2 win over the Redskins in six innings at Norwalk Area Contractors Park. "I think we did a good job today in all three phases," St. Paul head coach Aaron Fries said. "Alex and Isaac (Kalizewski) did a nice job on the mound, and we were efficient defensively. "Offensively, we did a nice job executing all game. We're really happy with how we played. It's a good way to start the season, but it gets a lot tougher starting Monday." The Flyers got on the board first in the bottom of the second as Marsh doubled, advanced to third on a groundout, and then scored on a steal of home. St. Paul added four runs in the bottom of the third. Gabe Snyder walked, then Casey Fries and Izaac Snyder followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases with nobody out. That set up Landon Fries for a big hit, as he hit a two-run double to center for a 3-0 lead. Izaac Snyder scored on a wild pitch, and Marsh singled in Landon Fries to make it 5-0. In the fourth, Izaac Snyder singled and stole second, then scored on an RBI single by Landon Fries to left for a 6-0 advantage. Marsh ran into some trouble in the fifth, as he allowed two walks and a single to load the bases after he had struck out the first two batters of the inning. Port Clinton's Danny Baker then hit an RBI single, and a misplayed ball at third allowed a second run to score. However, the Flyers closed the door emphatically in the bottom of the sixth after Marsh ended the threat with a third K in the fifth. Casey Fries was hit by a pitch, while Izaac Snyder singled and Landon Fries walked to again load the bases with nobody out. Casey Fries scored on a wild pitch, and Izaac Snyder then stole home for two more runs and an 8-2 lead. Marsh then put down a sacrifice bunt to plate Landon Fries for the ninth run, and the bases were loaded again after Brady Fritz singled, and both River Couch and Isaac Kalizewski walked. Aidan Graves then drew a bases-loaded walk to force in Fritz, and Gabe Snyder hit an RBI groundout for an 11-2 lead. The game ended by run rule when Kalizewski scored on a wild pitch. Marsh struck out 11 batters in just five innings. He walked three and allowed the two runs (one earned) on two hits. Izaac Snyder was 4 for 4 and scored three times. Marsh was 3 for 3 with two RBIs, and Landon Fries was 2 for 3 with three RBIs. The Nos. The 3-through-6 portion of the lineup, which included Izaac Snyder, Landon Fries, Marsh, and Brady Fritz, combined to go 11 for 14 with five RBIs and scored seven runs. "Today is how we want to play," Coach Fries said. "Offensively we're going to do a lot of things with the top of our lineup. They did damage for us. They executed our running game and small ball, which we did a lot of. It's all about taking advantage of the opportunities given. This isn't the MLB, where you sit back and wait for a three-run home run. Knowing your lineup and taking advantage of what they can do is a big part of it, but it's also the kids buying into that philosophy, and so far, so good for us." The Flyers are scheduled to host Hopewell-Loudon, a consistent winner in the SBC River Division that won 23 games last season, on Monday. They are scheduled to visit St. Mary Central Catholic and Vermilion on Tuesday and Wednesday before hosting Mohawk in a doubleheader on Saturday. P. Clinton 000 020 — 2 4 1 St. Paul 014 106 — 12 12 2 WP: Marsh; LP: Abernathy 2B: (SP) Marsh, Fries; 3B: (SP) Marsh