SHELBY — Blaise Caudill was scorching Tuesday afternoon — both on the mound and at the plate.
Shelby’s junior right-hander scattered four hits over six innings and was 3-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in as the Whippets knocked off Ontario 8-1 in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference action.
Caudill got off to a rocky start, surrendering a run in the top of the first, but settled down after that. He struck out six and walked three and consistently worked ahead in the count, throwing 11 first-pitch strikes.
“I wasn’t really throwing my fastball for strikes, so I put extra emphasis on my off-speed pitches,” Caudill said. “When I throw the curve ball for a strike, it sets up my other pitches.
“When I get ahead in the count, good things are going to happen.”
Trailing 1-0, the Whippets (3-3, 1-2) responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the first. Shelby would add three runs in the third, a single run in the fourth and two more in the fifth.
The Warriors (3-2, 1-2) did themselves no favors as three pitchers combined for seven walks. Starter Andrew Cacchio struck out five in his two-plus innings of work, before being lifted in favor of lefty Noah Creed.
“Our issue today was we weren’t throwing enough first-pitch strikes,” Ontario coach Jeff Fisher said. “We went 3-2 to a lot of batters and that drives up pitch counts.
“Instead of us walking seven … we need to make them earn it offensively.”
Ontario managed just five hits. Avery Fisher and Owen Hatfield each had a pair of safeties. The Ohio State-bound Fisher scored Ontario’s lone run in the top of the first.
Evan Bogner and Marek Albert each knocked in a a pair of runs for the Whippets.
The teams will meet again Wednesday at Ontario.We
“After losing two to Clear Fork, this was a must-win,” Shelby coach Jon Amicone said. “Tomorrow is a huge game for both teams so we’ve got to be ready to go.”
