By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Evans Field has served as the home of Canandaigua baseball since the Academy was located off Main Street in the mid-20th century.
Like other grass surfaces in Section V, Evans has fallen victim to a wetter than usual spring this year.
So with less than two weeks to go in the season and few open dates remaining to make up games, Dale Werth’s CA squad (11-4) opted to play a home game on Wednesday away from the friendly confines.
And the Gray Wolves made the best of the opportunity.
Mick Schaeffer went the distance, and the middle of the Gray Wolves’ lineup provided the needed offensive production in a 10-6 win over Eastridge (11-3).
The win came after Eastridge took a 7-2 decision from the Gray Wolves on Monday.
“We wanted to come back and even out the series today,” said Canandaigua head coach Dale Werth. “We’re happy we were able to do that. Both games were fun games.”
Tied at one in the third inning, CA connected on three straight extra-base hits to take a lead it did not surrender.
Two-hole hitter Cole Harris led the frame with a solo shot that easily cleared the fence in right center. Ty Christopher and Sam Clark followed with back-to-back doubles. Clark eventually scored on a wild pitch for a 4-1 Canandaigua lead.
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“That’s what we needed,” Werth said. “After the game on Monday, that’s what we talked about at practice on Tuesday. We said, guys we’ve got to put the ball in play more. We spent a practice working on our offense, working on our approach. I think it paid off today.”
Harris, Christopher and Clark combined for six hits, six RBI and three runs scored in the win.
“They’re huge,” Werth said of the trio. “Those guys have to go. The middle of your lineup has to go.”
With lead in hand, Schaeffer settled into a rhythm. The sophomore right-hander struck out eight and went seven innings for a second straight outing.
“He’s the guy that when he’s rested, we’re going to give the ball to him,” Werth said of Schaeffer who was the starter against Churchville-Chili in last season’s Class AA semifinal game. “We feel really confident that he’s going to give us a chance to win.”
Schaeffer retired the first seven batters he faced before issuing a one-out walk in the third. He allowed an unearned run in the frame and two more runs in the fifth. He left a leadoff single at first in the sixth setting down two on strikes.
“He’s spotting his fastball better,” Werth said. “He’s a fastball, slider and change-up guy. Most of it today was his fastball and slider. Having a change-up is really important against lefties and to keep some of those better hitters off-balance.”
Griffin Kierst led the CA fifth with a double. Isaac Dolph reached on a hit by pitch and Schaeffer drew a walk to load the bases. Another hit by pitch, this time to Austin Kierst brought in the first run of the inning.
Harris followed with an RBI sacrifice fly. Clark brought in a run with an RBI fielder’s choice, and Payton Holtby made it an 8-3 game with a run-scoring single.
Both Canandaigua and Eastridge are in Class AA2. The Lancers, a finalist in Class A a year ago, sit at No. 3 in the standings with Canandaigua following in fourth. Churchville-Chili is No. 1 and Pittsford Mendon, the reigning state Class A champion, coming in at No. 2.
Sectionals are scheduled to start on Wednesday, May 20th.
“Double-A2 is loaded with some good teams,” Werth said. “They (Eastridge) are one of the teams with a chance to win it. We like to think we are too. It’s going to be a heckuva tournament. It’s big to get wins against good teams. It builds your confidence. To play the way you need to play to win sectional games. That’s what we’re trying to get to as a team. This is a step in the right direction.”
Canandaigua, winners of eight sectional titles, won its most recent championship in 2019 – the last of four straight blocks claimed by Werth’s clubs.
Christopher finished 4-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday’s win. Harris reached base three times with two walks and drove in two. Clark was 1-3 with two RBI. Holtby went 2-4. Dolph singled, walked twice and scored twice. Austin Kierst crossed home twice. Richard Baskin accounted for a hit.
Eastridge’s Erik Gomez Medina was 2-4 with five RBI. The eighth-grader connected on a three-run home run in the seventh inning. The blast caromed off the top of the scoreboard in left field and continued on its path. Medina also brought in a pair of runs with a triple to right center in the fifth inning.
Eamon Smith went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Xzavier singled and scored twice. Peyton Kispert walked twice and scored twice. Aaden Bishop and Ryder Froman had a single apiece.
Eastridge hosts Pittsford Mendon on Friday. A 5 PM first pitch is scheduled.
Canandaigua will welcome Batavia for a 5:30 PM start on Friday.
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