'This was a big-game environment:' Moeller rallies to beat Mason in 10 innings
MASON, Ohio – The top two Division I teams in the state brought pitching staffs to Prasco Park that may be the best two in the state as well.
The Moeller Crusaders and Mason Comets are the top two teams in the Division I state poll conducted by the state coaches association.
Even with several of the top pitchers in the city taking the mound, a pitchers' duel never developed as the teams combined for 12 runs and 20 hits in a 7-5 win by Moeller over Mason in 10 innings.
At least a dozen scouts armed with radar guns and notebooks came to Prasco Park, a state-of-the-art stadium that is used for the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League and usually hosts the Big East Tournament. Each player had a picture card on the video scoreboard.
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The attendance was standing-room only.
Most of the scouts were gone by the time of the final pitch at nearly 10 p.m, more than three hours after the first pitch.
Moeller scored twice in the top of the 10th inning without a hit. The Crusaders had two walks and a sacrifice bunt, and the Comets committed two errors to give the Crusaders their only lead of the game.
“These guys all know each other,” Moeller head coach Tim Held said. “They play with each other in the summer, they train at places together. Then all the people here. This was a big-game environment. It’s good for us to be in these situations so we can see when we get to the tournament or a big GCL game that we’re ready for that moment. That we can make those adjustments and perform under pressure.”
The Crusaders survived a tough defensive night. Their stat crew credited them with three errors. The crew manning the scoreboard gave them five. Either way, shaky defense gave the Comets numerous extra outs, whether it was errors or not retiring runners on time in grounders.
“They battled,” Held said. “We obviously didn’t play well offensively or defensively at times, but they found a way to make plays when they needed to, to get out of innings, limit some runs and come out and scored in the 10th.”
Moeller improved to 14-0 while dropping the Comets to 14-2. Both teams are undefeated in their conferences.
Mason has eight seniors signed to play in college, five to Division I schools. Moeller has at least seven players offered by Division I schools.
Mason started Indiana signee Jake Hanley on the mound against Moeller senior Kellan Klosterman, a Notre Dame commit making his first start of the season as he recovers from injury. Neither one dominated against the tough lineups they faced.
Stars of the game
Jovan Love, Moeller: He hit a two-out RBI double to tie the game at 5 in the sixth inning. In the second inning, with Moeller trailing 3-0, he threw out a runner at the plate from left field.
Mark Rutherford, Mason: He had a hit, an RBI and two walks. Mason’s catcher, he threw out a runner trying to steal second one batter before Love’s tying single in the sixth.
Jake Hanley, Mason: The Indiana signee and Mason’s ace pitcher threw four innings, allowing three runs. At the plate, he had two hits, one a triple.
Michael Bilo, Mason: Despite taking the loss in extras, he threw three no-hit innings, striking out eight.
Anthony Sulek, Mason: The shortstop had four hits and an RBI.
Matt Ponatoski, Moeller: The third baseman had three hits and two RBI, including his third home run of the year to pull Moeller within 5-4 in the fifth inning.
Zion Theophilus, Moeller: The junior LSU commit pitched the seventh and eighth innings, giving up two hits and striking out four. In both innings, Mason loaded the bases with one out and a chance to win the game. In the seventh, he struck out the last two batters. In the eighth, he induced two weakly hit outs in play.
Sam Scuglik, Moeller: He pitched the final two innings for the win, leaving the winning run on second base in the ninth.
Up next
Moeller, 4-0 in GCL play, goes right back into league play Monday at St. Xavier. Mason, 10-0 in the Greater Miami Conference, plays at Middletown (3-10, 2-10) on Monday.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: moeller and mason baseball in battle of top teams
