Prep Baseball Report

PBR Spotlight Game: #22 Findlay vs #5 Toledo St. John's Jesuit



By Dylan Hefflinger
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

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PBR Spotlight Game: #22 Findlay vs #5 Toledo St. John's Jesuit

FINDLAY – In a battle of two of the top teams in NW Ohio, the day belonged to a future Buckeye left-handed pitcher, Connor Curlis. The southpaw threw a three-hit shutout as the #22 Trojans topped #5 Toledo St. John's Jesuit 2-0.

Curlis (pictured below) was so dominant, that the Titans were only able to get in scoring position in two innings, none after the 3rd inning.
Connor Curlis vs SJJ

The Titans best chance game in the 1st inning when senior 2-hole hitting outfielder Jonathan Friesner laced tailing fastball to the right-center gap, but Curlis got a strikeout and groundout to get out of the mess.

There were only two other balls that were hit hard for St. John's, a single by TJ Lake (WVU commit) and a line drive shot to center by Sam McClurg, which resulted in an out. Besides those three at bats, Curlis kept pounding the fastball by the Titans while mixing in the curve and change.

Chandler Dippman vs FindlayOffensively, the Trojans were also stymied by St. John's unsigned senior Chandler Dippman (pictured right) who got through the first three innings unscathed.

However in the 4th inning, Findlay was able to get two runs across, which was more than enough for Curlis.

Junior designated hitter Max Rinebolt hit a grounder through the hole on the left side to start the frame. A pinch-runner came on and advanced to second on a bunt by Curlis. After a strikeout, junior Chandler Stillings came to the plate.

The left-handed hitter ripped an RBI single to center, advancing to second on the throw home. Aaron Elchart followed with an RBI single to left that Stillings was just able to score on as he dove towards home and the ball came out of the catchers glove to put the Trojans on top 2-0.

The game would end 2-0 as Curlis and Dippman were able to shut the teams down the rest of the way.

Curlis sat down 13 of the final 16 batters that the Titans brought to the plate, seven via the strikeout while Dippman sat down the 7 of the final 8, with the only one able to reach came via an error.

Top Performances on the day

+ Connor Curlis: The future Buckeye went the distance allowing just 3 hits, 2 walks and a HBP while striking out 10. At the plate, had a key sacrifice bunt that led to the Trojans first run.

+ Max Rinebolt: The junior designated hitter had two singles and a run scored.

+ Chandler Stillings: The junior had a single, RBI and run scored.

+ Chandler Dippman: The unsigned senior righty went the distance allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 3 and walking zero.

Linescore

St. John's   000 000 0 - 0 3 3

Findlay       000 200 x - 2 5 1

Records: Findlay 12-3, St. John's 7-2.

Winning pitcher: Connor Curlis (7 innings, 0 runs, 3 hits, 10 strikeouts, 2 walks, 1 HBP).

Losing pitcher: Chandler Dippman (6 innings, 2 runs, 5 hits, 3 strikeouts, 0 walks).

Leading hitters: (Findlay, 5 hits) - Max Rinebolt 2 singles, run; Chandler Stillings single, RBI, run; Aaron Elchart single, RBI, Wes Breitigam single. (St. John's, 3 hits) - Jonathan Friesner triple, TJ Lake single, Ian Waddel single.

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