BRUNSWICK — The soul-searching is under way.
The Brunswick baseball team has played some of Ohio’s best already this season, but the results have shown there is plenty of catching up to do.
Brunswick catcher Justin MacLellan is unable to tag out Strongsville’s Jon Campo as he scores on a passed ball during the inning. AARON JOSEFCZYK/GAZETTE
That held true again Monday, as Strongsville rolled to a 15-1 five-inning victory in a Greater Cleveland Conference rivalry game that traditionally is a war.
“I said nothing (to the players afterward),” Brunswick coach Tim Spatz said. “I mean, it’s 15-1. It should be rivalry game, you’ve got college coaches in the crowd and that’s what happens.”
Much to Spatz’s disappointment, the Blue Devils (3-5, 2-2) have been predictable. They have outscored Valley Forge, Elyria and Shaker Heights 29-4 in three victories but have been dominated 62-7 in losses.
All five defeats have ended via the mercy rule, though it must be noted the Prep Baseball Report Division I state poll lists Westerville Central (No. 1, doubleheader), Mason (No. 6), Solon (No. 15) and Strongsville (No. 17) high in its rankings.
Brunswick has lost its last three games 15-4, 10-0 and 15-1, marking the first time it has allowed 10 or more runs in three straight since 2011.
“That’s been the tale all year,” Spatz said. “Every time we play a good team, that’s happened.”
Brunswick’s Jake Williams is unable to come with with a throw as Strongsville’s Sami Mehmed steals second base safely in the second inning. AARON JOSEFCZYK/GAZETTE
Though the Mustangs (6-4, 3-2) clearly were the better team Monday, the game could have been drastically different if Brunswick didn’t struggle defensively early on.
Baldwin Wallace recruit Josh Herron (1-3, 4.88 ERA) got the start and was plagued by two errors, a wild pitch and passed ball that allowed two unearned runs to score. Down 3-0 in the second, the Blue Devils committed a leadoff error that led to two more unearned runs and a 6-0 hole.
Herron exited after three innings trailing 7-0, but only two runs were earned. Strongsville kept slugging, with Sami Mehmed (3-for-3, 2 RBIs, 3 runs) and Nico Ramicone (2-for-4, 4 RBIs) doing the most damage.
The only highlight for the Blue Devils was a beautiful diving catch by Cameron Sasala in the fourth inning. The center fielder threw to second for an inning-ending double play to keep the deficit at 12-1.
Shortstop Jake Williams led the offense with two singles off sophomore starter Mitch Midea, but the rest of the team was 1-for-17. The lone run came via Dominic Rivellino, who reached on an error in the third and came around on two more errors.
“Right now, they’re 14 runs better than we are,” said Spatz, whose team will travel to Strongsville today. “In the next 24 hours, we’ve got to figure out how to close that gap.”
Strongsville 15, Brunswick 1 (5 inn.)
STRONGSVILLE 331 53 — 15 11 4
BRUNSWICK 001 00 — 1 3 4
WP — Mitch Midea 5 innings, 0 earned runs, walk, 7 strikeouts. LP — Josh Herron (1-3) 3 innings, 7 runs, 2 earned, 6 hits, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts. Strongsville (6-4, 3-2) — Sami Mehmed 3 singles, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Kyler Damm single, 2 runs; Nico Ramicone single, double, 4 RBIs; Jon Campo single, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Alex Gray single, 2 runs. Brunswick (3-5, 2-2) — Jake Williams 2 single