by Frank Aceto
Associate Sports Editor
The pitching has been brilliant.
The offense and defense?
The offense has been inconsistent and the defense has been extremely shaky.
As a result, the Stow-Munroe Falls baseball team had a 4-3 record as of press time.
The visiting Bulldogs lost a 3-2 decision to Northeast Ohio Conference rival Brunswick April 15.
Again, Stow had no problems on the mound. Right-handed ace Alex Loftin had 13 strikeouts in five innings of work. Loftin didn't get a decision in the loss.
Unfortunately for Loftin, the offense and defense let him down. The offense couldn't put anything together and the defense committed three errors, which led to two unearned runs.
"We just didn't have the timely hitting," said Bulldogs head coach John Daymon. "We had our opportunities. We just couldn't put it together. And our errors are killing us."
Ricky Manco had two hits and two runs batted in for Brunswick.
On April 14, host Stow fared well in two of the three categories with a 7-1 win over NOC foe Nordonia.
The Bulldogs put Nordonia away with five runs in the first. David Cort had a two-run double during the frame and David Clark also drove in a run. Jarrod Plazak added two hits for Stow.
Left-hander Alex Haines (2-0) went the distance to pick up the win. He finished with 13 strikeouts.
"Alex is in prime form," Daymon said. "He has been unhittable."
Still, Stow had some concerns in the other areas. The Bulldogs finished with just six hits and committed three errors.
"Our fielding has been very suspect," Daymon said. "But the pitching has been excellent."
Stow was scheduled to visit Columbus for games with Groveport Madison April 18 and Olentangy Liberty April 19.
Results of those games were not available at press time.
Loftin was expected to pitch against Olentangy. A scout from the Cincinnati Reds plans to attend that game, according to Daymon.
The Bulldogs are set to host NOC Valley Division rival Hudson April 21 and will visit Hudson April 22. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.
Haines is scheduled to pitch April 21 and Loftin should get the ball April 22. Stow has not lost to Hudson (5-1 as of press time) during the last two years.
"It's a backyard rivalry," Daymon said. "Hudson is a good hitting team and is sound in its fundamentals. We'll be ready."
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