CHESTERLAND–Orange scored five runs in the fourth inning and held off host West Geauga in a rain-shortened affair on Monday, 6-3.
The Lions led 7-3 in the top of the sixth when the game was called due to inclement weather. The final score reverted back to the last complete inning, which enabled the Lions to improve to 13-6 overall and 10-1 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division.
“Our game plan was to try to hold them down,” Orange coach Jim Eden said of the Wolverines. “They’re a very good hitting team, that’s why we pitched Max (Leiken). Both pitchers suffered a little bit trying to throw strikes. Max did a great job in very adverse conditions.”
Leikin allowed three unearned runs on three hits and struck out five in his complete game victory.
Trevor Moss finished 2-for-2 with a double and a run batted in and Justin Beachler was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
The win keeps the Lions in position to win the conference with key games against Chagrin Falls coming up in the next seven days.
“It was very important,” Eden said. “We’re 10-1 right now but we’ve got to beat West Geauga before we play Chagrin; one day at a time.”
Orange hosts West Geauga on Tuesday.
Stephen Javorek doubled for the Wolverines and Riley Huge also had a hit.
