Staff Photo/Preston Byers Warren JFK pitcher Jayden Richel immediately after throwing a ball to an Austintown Fitch batter Wednesday.
AUSTINTOWN — Warren JFK pitcher Jayden Richelle endured six cold and windy innings on the grassy mound in Austintown as the Eagles beat Austintown Fitch 6-2 on Wednesday. , it was worth it.
Richelle, who announced his commitment to Malone University on Tuesday, allowed just four hits, one earned run and one walk as the Falcons' hitters struggled to find their overall form against the tall right-hander. Michael Bartow started in Richelle's place in the seventh inning and allowed one run, but forced three flyouts to end Kennedy's game.
After the game, JFK head coach Jim Ciambotti said Richelle: “Extraordinary” Wednesday.
“He had his reasons. That was the basis of this victory.” Ciambotti said. “He threw a good ballclub and signed a letter of intent with Malone earlier today. [I] I think he did a great job coming out and showing this. ”
With temperatures in the 40s and gray skies, batters and pitchers from both teams started Wednesday's game relatively cold. Each team had a single in the first inning, and at least one other batter reached base on an error or walk in the second inning, but the game remained scoreless.
Kennedy's No. 9 batter Santino Ciambotti started the third inning with an infield hit, and leadoff batter Michael Condreon also singled, putting two runners on base with no outs.
After Ciambotti advanced to third base on a fielder's choice, Fitch pitcher Anthony Wibert committed a balk, allowing Ciambotti to score his first run of the game. However, Wibert managed to avoid further damage in the half-inning as Dom Ryan grounded into a double play, stranding runners in scoring position.
After Richel was ejected in the bottom of the third inning and the game continued to dominate, Wibert avoided a major incident in the top of the fourth inning with no outs and the bases loaded. Wibert struck out Nico Ciminello and Condreon and prevented a run from home plate due to a bad ball, keeping the score at 1-0.
But the score didn't last long, as Falcons Carson Fuller led off with a single in the bottom of the fourth inning, and two batters later, Jackson Cheeks hit a double to left-center field, allowing Fuller to score from 1. He scored the tying goal. Game up by 1 point each.
Kennedy fought back strongly in the fifth. Caleb Hadley's RBI double gave the Eagles the lead again, and Dom Ryan singled to drive Hadley in, making it a 3-1 ball game.
Wibert walked Freddy Borchok to start the sixth inning, then a wild pitch allowed Borchok to advance to second base. Nico Ciminello then made a successful bunt, which Wibert fielded, but then he overturned first base. The mistake gave Ciminello time to move to second base, and Borchok scored Kennedy's fourth run of the game.
Jaden Wallace relieved Wibert on the mound after the error and was able to get out of the inning without giving up any more runs despite two walks and the bases loaded. The Falcons made another pitching change in the seventh inning, replacing Wallace with Gavin Richmond. Unfortunately for him, Richmond's relief appearance turned out that way.
Richmond's second pitch hit Bartow in the back, and after a fielder's choice, Richmond struck out Volchoke with another pitch. Ciminello walked, set up an RBI for Ciambotti, and Ciambotti scored an RBI. The Eagles added their sixth point on Condreon's sacrifice fly to center field, extending their lead to 6-1.
Before the top of the seventh inning, JFK coach Ciambotti called for Bartow to end the game.
“Jaden's pitch count was in the 90s. He was sitting out in cold weather, so we didn't want him to stiffen up.” Ciambotti said. “We're trying to stretch him and also battle some injuries along the way, so we just wanted to be careful.”
With Bartow on the mound, Fitch's batters connected well with the ball, but were unable to connect enough at-bats to fight back in the bottom of the seventh inning. After a walk and a double put two runners in scoring position, Frank Senediak's sacrifice fly scored the Falcons' second run. For the final out, Gavin Loomis popped out in a fit befitting Richelle, who moved to right field in the seventh inning.
Austintown Fitch coach Joe Paris said he expects Wednesday's game to be a tough one, given Kennedy's level of talent and the Falcons' busy schedule.
“JFK, they have really good, great pitchers, and tonight they threw one of the top two against us.” Paris said. He said: “We had two close wins against our biggest rival, Boardman, on Monday and Tuesday, so I was worried we would be disappointed tonight.
“We're understaffed as it stands. We have five games in six days this week. Luckily, Monday and Tuesday, our top two pitchers were able to get off to a great start. They're deep in the game. I got into it.”
Ciambotti said the weather wasn't ideal, especially for pitchers, but at least the Eagles were able to play one more game.
“As long as we can play a baseball game, we're happy. I don't care if I'm 40 years old. [degrees],60,” He said. “Here, you don't know what's going to happen every day. You just have to prepare. But they have to play in the same conditions. Just go out and play baseball.”
Both teams are scheduled to play again today. Fitch is scheduled to play Cardinal Mooney at Bob Sheen Park in Struthers at 5 p.m., and Kennedy is also scheduled to host Crestview at 5 p.m.
Do you have any interesting stories? Email Preston Byers at pbyers@tribtoday.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @PresByers.
