Calvert crushes Comets 10-0, advances to state for 4th time in last 5 years

OBERLIN – Just like two days ago on Tuesday, Calvert's bats were hot. This time, the Senecas didn't give up five runs in the top of the first. As a result, the Senecas jumped on Kidron Central Christian early with a 7-0 lead after two innings en route to a comfortable 10-0 win in five innings Thursday in a Division VII regional final at Oberlin College. It's the Senecas fourth regional title in the last five years."The top of the first went a little different today with Logan (Ritzler) on the mound pounding the zone with like eight of his nine pitches being strikes, which that was important," Senecas coach Matt Coleman said. "Then again at the plate, Vinny (Lyons) had a four-pitch walk, AJ (Shoemaker) was right behind him there and then we got some big hits in some big spots where guys came through. We put the nail in the coffin early. "They're focused, but we weren't looking ahead, but now we have a good team in Delphos St. John's next week, so we'll see what we can do against them."After the Senecas (27-2) scored two runs in the bottom of the first, that really felt like enough to win the game as Ritzler was on the mound and dealing like usual.In the end, Ritzler went all five innings, allowing just two hits with eight punchouts and no walks on only 67 pitches."I was just looking to pound the zone. I know I have a great defense behind me that will make plays and once we put up two in the first inning we were in a good spot," Ritzler said. "I also knew we weren't done scoring runs either, so I just wanted to pound the zone. I knew we were going to get runs."It's great to get back to Akron this year. We want to get the job done this year, so we have to have a good week of practice to prepare for next Friday."Next Friday the Senecas will take on Delphos St. John's (19-7) at Thurman Munson Stadium in Canton at 10 a.m. After a quick 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, Calvert got to work at the plate as Shoemaker rocketed a RBI single past the shortstop to score Lyons to get Calvert on the scoreboard. Then after Shoemaker stole second base he scored on a grounder to second base from Charlie Palm.With that single from Shoemaker, the senior broke the school record for most career hits. The record previously belonged to Nick Palm.Then the Senecas really started to get after the Comets in the second as Branyan Coleman singled to center, Ritzler reached on an error after a bunt, Lyons walked again and then Shoemaker drove in a run as he was hit by a pitch. Palm once again drove in a run with a grounder to short, Connor Moyer walked, Cameron Moyer drove in a run with a sac fly to center and then Tucker Coleman smoked a two-run triple to left center to give the Senecas a 7-0 advantage."Our goal every game is to score the first run and put pressure on the other team," Connor Moyer said. "I know that if Vinny gets on, someone will drive him in. If AJ gets on, someone will drive him in … anybody can drive anybody in. If I strikeout Cameron has my back and the same with anyone on this team. It's just being patient to get our pitch not wait on the pitcher's pitch."This has been a blessing. (Cameron) has been my best friend. We used to go in the back yard and play with no hitting or anything. He would pitch and I would catch for him or vice versa … it's just something that's been really special."At the Oberlin regional, Calvert scored 26 runs in two games, but in the regional final it manufactured a lot of runs without hits as it only had six hits in the win Thursday. But the confidence at the plate is palpable heading into the final week of the baseball season – one that hasn't been kind to the Senecas in those four state appearances. The Senecas added three more runs in the third as Branyan Coleman walked, Shoemaker was hit again by a pitch and with two outs, Palm lined a RBI single to left and then Connor Moyer stayed with a curveball and drilled a two-run double to left center."We never take anything for granted and even though it was 10-0 today, this was built by a lot of people," coach Coleman said of the recent run of success for the Senecas. "I go back to a few of the coaches before me and some of the players that stepped up when I came back to where we almost didn't even have a team. Those guys stepped up and decided to change the culture. "It's cool to think about some of those guys that kept things together for us to be able to do what we're doing now. Hopefully we can take the next step next week."