Heralds, Warriors use southern trip to play games, build team chemistry

A good baseball team understands the importance of good pitching, timely hitting, and every now and then a dose of humility.

Saint John baseball coach Alvin Rodriguez said the team got a little more than a dose during the spring break trip last week.

The Heralds baseball and softball team spent the week at the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last week.

The boys team dropped all four of their games against top level competition while the girls squad went 1-2.

“We got a little humbled,” Rodriguez said with a laugh. “Ultimately, though, I think this is going to build this team’s character.”

The Heralds graduated a number of players from last year’s team that advanced to the regional tournament.

While nobody likes going 0-4, Rodrguez said it was still good for his players to get a look at what kind of pitching they could face in a deep postseason run.

“We have a really young team, a lot of new faces,” the coach said. “They got the opportunity to see what 85 plus, 90 miles per hour looks like. There were some really great arms out there.”

Saint John started the season 2-0, outscoring its opponents by combined total score of 35-4.

Playing down south, though, was a bit different.

The Heralds were shut out in their first game, then scored just one run each in their next three.

Saint John lost its final game of the trip, 12-1 to East Rutherford, the defending North Carolina 2A State Champions.

“There’s a lot of really great baseball teams out there, and if we want to play meaningful baseball at the end of May, you have to play teams that are really top notch and that’s what we get exposed to down there,” Rodriguez said. “We had some freshmen that probably never saw anything like that before. It hurts a little bit, but ultimately it’s what grows the program and that’s why we’ve had the success we’ve had.”

Offensively, freshman Carter Beck was a bright spot as he had a hit in each game.

Brady Cole, Gus Petros, Jack Collins, Chase Clutter, Beck and Robert Jones all saw time on the mound.

“I was very happy with our pitching,” Rodriguez said. “We don’t have a ton of it, but it’s pretty solid where we have it.”

For the Heralds softball team, Izzy Holler pitched all three games and recorded 21 strikeouts. She also went 4 of 7 at the plate with a homer and three RBI.

Mary West was 4 for 6 with an RBI, Nadie Lagoa had three hits including a triple to go with three runs scored and Ava Knowlton contributed two doubles.

Coach George Frasure said his team struggled a bit with playing on the artificial turf, but it was a great experience overall.

“The trip was great for our team,” Frasure said “The girls spent all week with each other actually getting to be friends outside of school and softball, and the daily grind. I was proud to see them have so much fun so far away from home and grow as a team on and off the field.”

Rodriguez credited the school and community for fundraising efforts that made it possible for every player on both teams to get to go for under $100.

Like Frasure, Rodriguez agreed camaraderie was important during these types of trips.

“I love the bonding aspect,” he said. “We always want to drive home, we want to be great teammates, we always want to gel and that’s a great place to do it. The team-building that happens down there cannot happen anywhere else.”

Meanwhile, Edgewood’s softball team went to the Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando, while the school’s baseball squad made the trek to Vero Beach.

Edgewood’s softball team ended up going 2-1 which counted toward the team record.

“The Florida trip was huge for our program just to get some games and scrimmages under out belts and for the girls to do some team building,” coach Randy Vencill said. “Being able to see teams from Minnesota, West Virginia, Florida and many other states was very beneficial.”

Edgewood defeated University 6-5, as Faith Vencill had two hits and three RBIs.

The Warriors also blanked Somerset Academy South Homestead 14-0.

Carly Tracy and Carly Kray each drove in three runs.

Since returning to Ohio, Edgewood has recorded three wins, including an 11-4 decision over Geneva Monday.

The Warriors baseball team has attained two wins over Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division foes since returning from Florida.

The team played at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach.

“The ability to get some on-field workouts in early spring and enjoy weather rarely seen her in the north is great,” Edgewood coach Derek Stern said. “The level of competition was high and gave us a chance to compete amongst great clubs.”

Edgewood edged out Lakeside 4-3 last Wednesday and defeated Conneaut 19-4 Monday.