By Michael Rich
The Olentangy baseball team got solid performances out of its pitching staff, but not enough offense en route to losses to Hilliard Darby and Medina Saturday afternoon in Powell.
“We’re young and we’re getting better,” Olentangy coach Ryan Lucas said. “I think our (pre-league) schedule has prepared us.”
Berto Carselle tossed six strong innings for Olentangy in a 2-0 loss to Hilliard Darby (4-0) in the opener at Olentangy Liberty High School.
The only blemish on his performance came on hits on back-to-back pitches in the fifth inning. Justin Fugitt started the two-out rally with a double to center field. He scored on a ground-ball single to left by Greg Brown to break a scoreless tie.
“We’re right there — a play here or a play there, our record is different,” Lucas said.
Fugitt, Topher Shultz and Clay Strausbaugh led the Panthers with two hits apiece. Corey Brooks hit a two-out single in the seventh for the final margin.
Carselle, who was saddled with the loss, allowed seven hits and a walk with one strikeout.
“He threw well enough to win the game,” Lucas said. “We just didn’t support him well enough offensively.”
Nate Monastra led Olentangy (2-5) with two hits.
Medina (4-2) took the second game 3-0 off a shutout by pitcher Dillon Munoz.
Collin Hoffman had two of Olentangy’s three hits in the loss.
Caden Kaiser allowed three runs over five innings and took the loss on the mound for Olentangy.
Collin Winters led the Battling Bees with two hits and two runs scored. Jordan Fultz, Trace Peterson and John Curtis each drove in runs.
Olentangy opens its OCC-Capital schedule against Big Walnut today at 5 p.m.
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Follow Michael Rich on Twitter @mrichdelgazette.com
