The Cardinals were two games behind the co-leaders, but Jared Flueck almost singlehandedly kept Colerain in the race. The senior right-hander pitched six shutout innings before surrendering a run in the seventh and drove in both Cardinal runs in a 2-1 win that snapped Fairfield’s six-game winning streak.
First-year Indians coach Tommy Begley recognized his team’s precarious position.
“We need to win out,” he said. “We lost the ability to help ourselves.”
Fairfield’s leadoff batter reached base three times, but the Indians couldn’t get a runner past second base until senior third baseman Andrew Sams — who went into the game leading the GMC with 29 hits and 23 runs — capped a three-hit day by driving in junior left fielder Nolan McWhorter from second base with a two-out single single to center field in the seventh. McWhorter, the No. 8 hitter, reached by getting hit by a pitch with one out and being pushed to second on junior center fielder Noah Bauman’s two-out walk.
“We weren’t able to capitalize on scoring opportunities,” said Begley, whose team narrowly avoided its second shutout loss of the season. “That was the difference in the game. Give Colerain credit. They’ve got guys who can throw the ball.”
Fairfield senior right-hander Kurt Lange (5-2) allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and four strikeouts in four innings.
FHS came within feet of tying the game in the sixth when senior catcher Brock Mathis followed Sams’ leadoff single to left with a drive to center field that was hauled in by sophomore Deante Smith-Moore — the rare underclassman on a Colerain roster dominated by 15 seniors — just steps in front of the 375-feet sign.
Flueck (4-1) allowed five hits — no more than one in any inning — and one walk with five strikeouts.
“Jared was hitting his spots, and we made the plays when we needed to,” Colerain coach Justin Yeary said. “We have the best defense this year since I’ve been here. We tell our pitchers to let the defense work.”
“I like watching (Mathis) play. As an opposing coach, I’m glad that he’s a senior and graduating.”
Colerain grabbed a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when senior shortstop Ryan Murray drew a one-out walk, stole second and scored on Flueck’s single to right field.
The Cardinals made it 2-0 in the third. Senior second baseman Austin Beets, who went into the game tied for second in the GMC with 28 hits, led off with a single and went to second on a wild pitch. Murray sacrificed Beets to third, and he scored on Flueck’s ground out.
Fairfield is 16-4 overall and 12-3 in the GMC, while Colerain is 13-8, 11-4. West (17-4, 13-2) is now alone in first place in the conference.
The Indians are scheduled to play a doubleheader against Fenwick and Little Miami on Saturday at Testerman Park in Morrow before a rematch with Colerain at Fairfield on Monday.
Fairfield 000-000-1—1-5-0
Colerain 101-000-x—2-7-2
WP — Jared Flueck (4-1); LP — Kurt Lange (5-2). Records: F 16-4, 12-3 GMC; C 13-8, 11-4 GMC
About the Author