GALION — Shelby’s Blaise Caudill provided the fireworks before the fireworks Saturday at Heise Park.
The hard-throwing right-hander worked four scoreless innings and went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two runs batted in as the East seniors knocked off their West counterparts 9-5 in the Farewell Game.
The game was staged by Galion Graders general manager Mike O’Leary for area players in the Class of 2020 who lost their final high school season to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Caudill, who is headed to Owens Community College to play baseball, was selected the game’s Most Valuable Player. He collected his award just before the lights at Heddleson Field were turned off so fans could enjoy the postgame fireworks display.
“I don’t have words to explain it, coming out here with my teammates,” Caudill said. “I feel great about it. I’m honored to play with those guys one last time before I go off to college.”
Caudill started and struck out seven in four innings of work. He scattered five hits, all singles, and walked one.
The East took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third. Tyler DeWeese (Highland) and Jaxen Walker (Clear Fork) drew back-to-back walks to open the frame before Aiden Crider (Mansfield Senior) stroked a double to plate DeWeese. Caudill followed with a two-run double into the gap in left-center.
The West scored twice in the home half of the fifth to make it 3-2. Colonel Crawford’s Trevin Fairchild knocked in a pair of runs with a single.
The East blew it open with six runs in the top of the sixth. Caudill was the catalyst, drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second and third before coming home on a throwing error. Mount Gilead’s Matt Exline had a two-run single and Madison’s Lance Heinberger knocked in a run.
The West made it interesting with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Lucas’ Logan Niswander came on in relief of Crider to slam the door.
“I wasn’t going to play baseball this year because really there was no point,” said Niswander, who will play football at Ashland University. “Once I saw the (notice) on Facebook, I thought I might as well go out there one last time.”
Like Niswander, Crider was glad to suit up one final time.
“I was so excited. From the jump I knew it was going to be a fun time,” Crider said. “I told myself no matter what happened I was going to have a great time. I happened to get an RBI and came in to pitch. I had so much fun. I loved playing with these guys.”
Fairchild led the West with two hits and two RBIs. Daylen Balliet (Colonel Crawford) doubled.
“This was a great idea and a great night. The kids were all smiles,” said West coach Dan Gorbett of Colonel Crawford. “Unfortunately they lost their senior year so this is at least something.”
