Roy-Hart rally nips McDowell; Medina bows

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2022 at 10:01 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart catcher Ethan Kuzma tags out McDowell’s Curtis King at home plate during the Rams win over the Trojans from Erie, Pa. at Vets Park this evening.

A rare interstate doubleheader at Vets Park this evening saw Roy-Hart rally in the last inning to win the opener 8-7 over McDowell High from Erie, Pa. which rebounded to down Medina 6-3 in the nightcap.

Trailing 7-5, Roy-Hart rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim the win on an RBI double by Brayden Hy, a bases loaded walk which forced in the tying run and an infield error which plated the game winner. The Rams final two runs came with two out.

McDowell had built up a 6-3 lead on a three-run homer by Nick Hamilton in the top of the fifth inning.

However, Roy-Hart got right back in the game as Hy answered with a two-run homer in the home half of the frame.

The Trojans upped the lead to 7-5 on an RBI single by Dan Snyder in the top of the seventh but again the Rams answered right back this time with the deciding three runs in the home half of the frame. Back-to-back one out walks set up that opportunity.

In the nightcap Medina took a quick 2-1 lead over McDowell on a two-run homer by Zach Fike in the bottom of the first inning but the Mustangs managed just one more run the rest of the way.

McDowell regained the lead for good at 5-2 by scoring four times in the second inning highlighted by a two-run double by Snyder.

Medina’s other run came in the third inning on a fielders choice play.

The Mustangs had a runner thrown out at home in the fifth inning after a double by Fike and couldn’t capitalize on a one out double by Joe Cecchini in the sixth.

Medina catcher Ryleigh Culver puts the tag on McDowell’s Nick Hamilton during this evening’s second half of the interstate doubleheader.