Friday, December 1, 2023

Kirtland shuts out Fairport to clinch share of CVC title

With an 11-0 win at Fairport Harding on Wednesday the Kirtland baseball team clinched a share of the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division championship and can win it outright with a Berkshire loss to the Skippers on Thursday.

The CVC title is the third straight for the Hornets.

“It’s great to clinch a share with a very good Berkshire team,” said Kirtland coach Luke Smrdel. “I’m very proud of the boys and their effort all year long. We got the job done today.”

The win started on the mound where Anthony Fortuna went the distance and allowed just five hits and struck out two.

“Anthony went out there and threw strikes,” Smrdel said. “He only walked two so he didn’t give them many free bases. We turned a couple of big double plays for him too to get out of some tough situations. He had the batters off balance all day.”

Led by Jacob Boyd, who was 3-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and two runs batted in, the Hornets collected 12 hits.

Vinny Matticoli, David Allchin and Fortuna all had two hits for the Hornets. Allchin had a double and two RBI while Fortuna knocked in three runs to help his cause.

“Anthony is just an RBI machine right now,” Smrdel said. “From 1-9, all these guys are getting the job done. They’re hitting the ball and hitting line drives all over the field. They’re hitting holes and making things happen. That’s baseball. It’s awesome to see.”

The Hornets, who improved to 16-7 overall and 7-1 in league play, travel to CVC Metro Division champion Beachwood on Thursday.

 

 

Steve Hare
Steve Harehttp://www.ohiovarsity.com
Steve Hare is the Chagrin Valley Conference's Sports Information Director. He also created and publishes OhioVarsity.com, an online publication dedicated to providing hyperlocal coverage to area high school athletic programs. Hare began covering high school sports for the Lake County News Herald in 1997. Hare attended Willoughby South High School through the middle of his senior year, then graduated from Berkshire High School in Burton in 1986. He played football, wrestled and was an all-Geauga county baseball player (1986). He lives in Chardon with his wife Paulette and their children.

Related Articles

Stay Connected

1,039FansLike
3,810FollowersFollow
364SubscribersSubscribe

Latest Articles

Girls Basketball Preview: Trinity Trojans

With four starters and 10 others with varsity experience returning, second-year Trinity coach Ron Donaldson is optimistic about his team’s potential this winter.
00:19:43

CVC Insider: 2023 State Football Championships Preview

A special edition of CVC Insider previews the 2023 OHSAA state football championships featuring two Chagrin Valley Conference schools: Kirtland and Perry.

Madison steals win at Trinity

Madison’s defense recorded 18 steals in recording a 44-37 non-conference win at Trinity on Wednesday.

2023-24 Boys Basketball Preview: Independence Blue Devils

Independence hopes experience pays off as last year’s young squad returns all five starters and eight others with varsity experience.

2023-24 Boys Basketball Preview: Madison Blue Streaks

Madison enters the 2023-2024 season with four returning starters and four others with varsity experience as they look forward to competing in a new conference.