Cardinal recorded just three hits but the Huskies pulled out an 8-7 win non-conference win at Wickliffe on Monday.
The Huskies took advantage of several walks and Wickliffe errors and played well on defense to collect head coach Seth Klepper’s first win.
“It feels pretty good,” Klepper said. “I don’t have much of a voice left but it feels good.”
Cardinal opened the season last week with a disappointing loss at Mogadore, despite holding a 10-4 lead heading into the sixth inning.
The Huskies weren’t about to let the same thing happen twice.
“Today was good,” Klepper said. “It was pretty much the same where we were winning the whole game and the kids enjoyed it.”
Despite the tough day at the plate, Cardinal stole nine bases—after recording 11 thefts in their opener—to put runners into scoring position.
“They were pretty patient but it was a struggle,” Klepper said of his hitters. “Some guys were hitting and putting the ball in play, which is what we want, but it was just right at guys. Wickliffe made the plays when they needed to.”
Brice Hogue singled twice and Jacob Gotham also had a hit for the Huskies.
Hogue also shined in center field.
“The approach (at the plate) was the same for me; take my time and find a pitch that I like,” Hogue said. “I’m getting more comfortable day by day. It’s a new position but I feel like with my athleticism I can do well here.”
Brian Westover started the game and picked up the win. Matt Carney came in to pitch the final few innings.
“Brian started it for us and got into a little bit of trouble so we took him out and put Matt in,” Klepper said. “Matt got a quick out and then he just finished it off.”
Cardinal’s defense stepped up to make several big plays to keep Wickliffe from coming from behind to steal the win.
“We played a pretty good defensive game,” Klepper said. “Cameron Klepper had a great game at short. Brice Hogue had a nice game in center field and that’s a new position for him. He played well out there. It was a good game.”
Cardinal hosts Berkshire on Wednesday.
