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.
