Conference races tightened and several area stars turned in standout performances Friday as Chagrin Valley Conference baseball teams battled through another packed slate of games.
From dominant strikeout outings to extra-base power and tight one-run finishes, the day featured no shortage of impact performances across the area.
Southeast Holds Off Crestwood
Southeast edged Crestwood baseball, 5-4, in a tight contest that featured a huge offensive day from Crestwood’s Wyatt Januska.
Januska powered the Red Devils lineup by going 2-for-3 with a triple, home run, one run scored, and two RBIs. His extra-base production helped Crestwood stay within striking distance throughout the afternoon, but Southeast managed to hold on late for the victory.
Top Players
- Wyatt Januska (Crestwood): 2-3, 1R, 2RBI, 3B, HR
Oberlin Tops Brooklyn
Oberlin earned a 9-5 victory over Brooklyn baseball behind timely offense and aggressive baserunning.
Bentley Cox helped spark the Brooklyn offense by reaching base twice, scoring three runs, and driving in another. Cox finished 1-for-2 with a walk as Oberlin consistently pressured Brooklyn throughout the game.
Top Players
- Bentley Cox (Oberlin): 1-2, 3R, 1RBI, 1BB
Geneva Falls Despite Fobell’s Dominant Start
Geneva baseball dropped a narrow 6-5 decision to VASJ despite an overpowering performance on the mound from Brendon Fobell.
Fobell struck out 13 batters over five innings while allowing just two hits and three runs — none earned. The Geneva right-hander repeatedly worked out of trouble and kept the Eagles within striking distance before VASJ pulled out the win late.
Top Players
- Brendon Fobell (Geneva): 5IP, 2H, 3R, 0ER, 13K
Uniontown Lake Slips Past Rootstown
Rootstown baseball battled until the final out but fell to Uniontown Lake, 2-1, in a tightly played pitchers’ duel.
George Luli drove in Rootstown’s lone run while RJ Soika and Brady Brown each collected two hits. Anthony Pratt turned in a strong effort on the mound, allowing just two runs over six innings while striking out five.
Top Players
- George Luli (Rootstown): 1-2, 1RBI
- RJ Soika (Rootstown): 2-3
- Brady Brown (Rootstown): 2-3
- Anthony Pratt (Rootstown): 1BB; 6IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 5K
Beachwood Wins Thriller Over Woodridge
Beachwood baseball survived a back-and-forth battle to earn a 6-5 win over Woodridge.
Jonah Greller helped pace the offense with a run scored, RBI, and two walks, while Lucius Venditti contributed both at the plate and on the mound. Venditti earned the win after working six innings and striking out two.
Top Players
- Jonah Greller (Beachwood): 1-2, 1R, 1RBI, 2BB
- Lucius Venditti (Beachwood): 1-2, 1RBI, 1BB; (W) 6IP, 5R, 4ER, 2K
Fairview Uses Balanced Attack to Beat Wellington
Fairview baseball knocked off Wellington, 9-4, behind a balanced offensive effort and solid pitching.
Cal Reis reached base three times and scored three runs, while Carter Reagan and Kenny Lowe combined to drive in four runs. Burke Lowry earned the win on the mound after striking out six across four innings.
Top Players
- Cal Reis (Fairview): 1-1, 3R, 2BB
- Carter Reagan (Fairview): 1-3, 1R, 2RBI
- Kenny Lowe (Fairview): 2-2, 2RBI
- Burke Lowry (Fairview): (W) 4IP, 2H, 4R, 3ER, 6K
