LEXINGTON, Ohio – Rusty Staab has been waiting for a warm day like Wednesday. His Clear Fork Colts baseball team took advantage of it with a 9-3 win at Lexington in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game.
The veteran coach sent ace Lee Snyder to the mound 24 hours after the Minutemen came to Bellville and earned a 7-3 victory against the Colts. The senior responded with a complete-game road win, scattering six hits, striking out four and walking three.
The win improves Clear Fork to 9-6 overall and 5-4 in the OCC. The loss knocked Lexington (11-8, 8-2) out of a first-place tie with defending champion Madison.
“Lee overworked his arm last summer and we have been babying him a little this season,” Staab said. “We have been waiting for a warm day like today where he could just cut loose and pitch.”
Snyder (3-2) stymied the Minutemen by making three different pitches work – fastball, curve and change-up. He didn’t allow a hit until Lexington third-baseman Matt Frazier singled with two outs in the fifth inning.
“He has the best change-up of any pitcher I ever coached,” Staab said. “Today we finally scored some runs for him.”
Lexington coach Kevin Morrow was impressed with Snyder’s effort. “He proved it tonight … he is the real deal,” Morrow said. “He had command of all his pitches tonight and kept us off balance.”
The Colts used a group attack to plate three runs in the second, two in the sixth and four in the seventh. Lexington starter Evan Lee took the loss, pitching six innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking three.
Designated hitter Jonah Albert drove in three runs with a pair of singles. Thomas Staab drove in two runs with two singles and also scored a run. Luke Clark reached base three times on two singles and a walk, scoring three runs. Nick Schoonyam had a single, run-scoring sacrifice fly and scored two runs. Ben Sprang reached base three times on a single, walk and HBP, scoring two runs. Pinch hitter singled in a run and scored a run.
“That’s kind of the way this season has gone for us in games we have lost,” Morrow said. “We have a mini meltdown at the worst times and allow a crooked number in that inning.”
Lexington’s Lee, who will play for Kent State next season, led the Lexington offense. He doubled in a run in the seventh, the only extra-base hit for either team. He walked and scored in the sixth. Zac Ritchey had a pair of singles and also reached on a walk.
Must-win contest
The Minutemen loss makes next week’s games with Madison must-win contests. The Rams play at Lexington on Tuesday and then host the Minutemen on Wednesday. Lexington has a non-league home game Friday at 5 p.m. against Sandusky.
“We still get to play (Madison) and we have a chance to clean up the mess we made today,” Morrow said.
Clear Fork has no chance to win the OCC, but spoiler wins against Lexington are always sweet, according to Staab.
“Hopefully, games like this get us ready for the (sectional) tournament. Plus, this is Lexington-Clear Fork. It’s a rivalry win,” Staab said.
The Colts play Saturday at Galion at 11 a.m. in a non-league game.
