Ohio Spotlight Game: Regional Semifinal - Cuyahoga Heights vs Fairport Harding
May 28, 2016
By: Dan Machovina
PBR Ohio Assistant Director of Scouting
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Ohio Spotlight Game: Regional Semifinal - Cuyahoga Heights vs Fairport Harding
Visiting Cuyahoga Heights squared off against the home team Fairport Harding for a chance to move deeper into the division IV state tournament, and play for a regional championship. When it was all said and done, Cuyahoga Heights used two big innings to help them cruise to an 11-2 victory over Fairport Harding.
Cuyahoga Heights made the first dent on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the first inning.
The inning started with a leadoff walk from junior centerfielder Matt Harris that was promptly followed by a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt from senior right fielder Dalton Skerlec. Senior left-handed pitcher Aaron Kucia ripped a single up the middle, getting an RBI, and the first run of the game.
Fairport Harding would answer back with two runs of their own in the top half of the second inning.
Senior right fielder Anthony Marcelli drew a leadoff walk, followed by an RBI double from junior shortstop Tanner Nahorniak. The second run occurred after junior designated hitter Tyler Frankenberry struck out on a ball in the dirt, Frankenberry then ran to first base when the Cuyahoga Heights catcher threw an errant throw down to first base that allowed Nahorniak to score from third base.
The big blow however would come from Cuyahoga Heights in the bottom half of the second inning when they put up a crooked number, scoring six runs.
The inning was highlighted by RBI doubles from Harris, Skerlec, and Kucia. This made it a 7-2 game.
Cuyahoga heights then put up another big inning to add some insurance runs, scoring four in the sixth inning.
Two, two-run singles from sophomore designated hitter Austin McDonald and junior second baseman R.J. Dean were the big daggers in the inning for Cuyahoga Heights.
Fairport Harding was unable to produce any additional after their two-run second inning.
The senior, lefty Kucia (Lake Erie College commit) kept the Fairport Harding bats at bay throughout the game. He faced the minimum number of hitters in five out of the seven innings he pitched. He threw a complete game, giving up two runs (one earned), scattering three hits, walked one, and struck out nine. Kucia also had a big game at the plate, going 3-4 with two singles, a double, and two RBIs.
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