High School Sports

Canfield holds off Poland behind Jameson Beck

STRUTHERS -- Poland blinked first.

In a pitchers duel between Canfield's Jameson Beck and Poland's Dominic Elia and their respective defenses, a Bulldog error on a bunt in the bottom of the fifth allowed Canfield to go on the game's decisive rally and win 3-0 Monday at Cene Park in the Division II Struthers District semifinal.

"We kept saying all game long to put the ball in play. ... We talked about putting pressure on the defense, and we just put pressure on them there. We bunted a little more than we typically do, but come tournament time you have to do that. It's something we worked on all year, and it paid off for us. You put pressure on the defense in a game like this, and mistakes happen," said Canfield coach Gary Knittle.

With one out in the frame and AJ Havrilla on first after he drew a walk, Canfield's Zain Jadallah laid down a bunt down the third base line between Poland third baseman Aiden Thompson and Elia. Thompson fielded the bunt cleanly, but his subsequent throw was off target, and Havrilla advanced to third.

Ben Slanker took advantage, sending a sacrifice fly into centerfield to score Havrilla and break the deadlock.

Michael Patellis followed with an RBI single, and Ethan Prout later added an RBI single after another Poland (15-9) error to give Canfield (19-4) its 3-0 advantage.

Slanker and Havrilla each had two hits, as did Jack Davis.

That brought an end to an otherwise strong outing from Elia, who had kept Canfield scoreless to that point thanks in large part to stranding plenty of Cardinal runners. He finished with 4 2/3 innings pitched, allowing three runs -- none earned -- on eight hits and one walk. He struck three batters out.

"He kept us in the game," Poland coach Rich Murray said of Elia. "I thought he pitched a great game. They had some hits, but we helped them with a couple errors that really were costly. But (Elia) battled and really kept a really good hitting team a little off balance. He did well."

Matt Paparodis finished the game for Poland, going 1 1/3 innings and allowing one hit and two walks, but no runs.

And while the errors were costly, Poland's offense also struggled to find rhythm against Beck.

The senior spun a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits against a Bulldog offense that entered having scored at least seven runs per game amidst a seven-game win streak.

But that came to a halt as Beck fanned six, walked three and generally didn't allow much hard contact as part of a stellar outing.

When Poland did make contact, Canfield's defense was efficient in recording outs. The Cardinals committed no errors in the win.

"In the early innings, I was struggling a little bit with control. So I just had to keep my composure, and then later I settled in and our defense played well behind me," Beck said.

Murray added of his opponents, "(Beck) pitched a great game, and when we did hit it, they made all the plays. I thought they played a perfect game, really. ... They just made all the plays, and that's why they win."

Poland did make one final push, loading the bases in the top of the seven with two outs. Chris Denney led off with a single, and then with two outs, Beck hit Matthew Boccieri and Thompson with pitches.

However, he recorded a ground out to end the rally there and preserve his shutout.

Paparodis had Poland's other hit, which came in the first inning.

Of dealing with the pressure, Beck said, "I just had to act like it was any other game, no runners on base. Stay composed and throw strikes, that's it."

Poland now heads into the offseason.

"We have a lot of kids coming back, but we lose four seniors which we're really going to miss. But we have 17 guys coming back, and we have some experience," Murray said. "Being in a district game like this, that's huge (experience) for us, and we basically have the whole pitching staff back. So it's looking up, I think. We have to produce, but it's looking up."

Canfield advances to Wednesday's District title game against Mogadore Field, who topped Ursuline 4-1 on the next field over at Cene Park. The championship game is back at Cene, with first pitch set for 4 p.m.

The Cardinals enter on a four-game win streak and have won nine of their last 10.

"I think we're rolling right now," Beck said. "We just have to keep our energy up, and I'll feel good about our chances."