Junior Hayden Compton stares down the pitcher. (Sarah Neltner’20/Media staff)
After several postponed games due to the weather forecast, the CA baseball team enjoyed four nice days on the diamond this past week, playing five games.
The boys started off their week on Wednesday, April 18, with perhaps the biggest game of the regular season: a home clash against the Bexley Lions. It was a low-scoring affair, and the Vikings trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh. But junior Evan Scott drew a walk and then scored on a clutch hit from classmate Max Glass to even the score. Academy continued to show its poise as the game moved to extra innings. Senior Max Dreisbach doubled, and the Lions intentionally walked senior Ryan Mitchell and junior Hayden Compton to load the bases. Scott made them pay, launching a sacrifice fly to drive in Dreisbach, as the Vikes earned a walk-off victory.
A day later, on Thursday, April 19, Bexley hosted CA in a rematch. Compton delivered a gem on the mound with 11 strikeouts, but the Vikings could not capitalize on the offensive end, dropping the contest 2-0.
The squad returned home on Friday, April 20, to face Heath. With a roaring student section present, Academy was ready to make its fans proud. Sophomore Noah Glimcher tamed the Bulldogs’ bats, and the outfield did an outstanding job of saving runs. Unlike their previous game, the Vikes were productive at the plate and got on base often. Senior Davis Friedman scored the game winning run on a throwing error in the sixth inning, and CA earned a 5-4 win.
Although exhausted from the prior games, the Vikings were ready to continue their winning ways in their doubleheader at North Union on Saturday, April 21.
Academy struggled to find its groove in game one. Friedman started the game strong, allowing only 2 runs in 5 innings of work. The Vikes also took advantage of their offensive opportunities, and the game was tied 2-2 late. But junior Nick Rothmann and sophomore Mitch Priest couldn’t attain the same success on the mound, and CA fell, 8-2.
Eager to redeem themselves, both Rothmann and Priest took the hill in game two. The Vikings built a quick 2-run lead, and Rothmann regained his confidence, throwing well through the fifth inning. Academy led 4-3 when Priest took the reins, and he followed suit, tossing strikeouts to preserve an eventual 5-3 victory.
The boys will look to stay in the win column when they host Grandview Heights on Monday, April 23, travel to play the Bobcats again on Wednesday April 25, and face Buckeye Valley in a road doubleheader on Saturday, April 28.
