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ST. CLAIR TWP. — Sophomore pitcher Cole Ewen gave Edgewood baseball the shot in the arm it needed Monday, April 14.

Not only were the Cougars — losers of three straight — hosting Talawanda in a key Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division contest, but they were facing one of the Braves' top pitchers in Todd Weiser.

But it was Ewen who stood out as Edgewood took the first of two meetings 3-1.

"He was just on today," Edgewood coach Brian Caudill said of Ewen. "At any level of baseball, the best way to be successful in a game is to have great starting pitching.

"This was a big game for us," he continued. "He's just a sophomore, but to see him mature and want the ball in that situation in very encouraging."

Ewen pitched 6 1/3 innings, not allowing a single run until the seventh inning when he walked pinch-hitter Brandon Radford, who then stole second and moved to third on a ground out. Radford raced home with the Braves' only run on a single by John Lynch.

At that point, Ewen was treated to a round of applause as Caudill handed the ball to senior Kyle Sigmon, who closed out the win by striking out Tyler Richardson and Josh Hogg for his second save of the season.

"I just felt good out there today," said Ewen, who allowed five hits and struck out two. "I was really zoned in and didn't let a lot phase me, but the defense was huge behind me, too. When you see them making plays like that, it just gives you a big boost."

Edgewood (4-6, 2-2 FAVC Scarlet) made plays in the field all day behind Ewen, but the biggest one came with the Braves threatening in the fourth inning. Noah Zipko singled to lead off the inning, but a hard smash by the next batter — Braden Park — went right to second baseman Seth Martin, who flipped to shortstop Jake White, who then fired to Josh Crout at first for the 4-6-3 double play.

"That was one of the smoothest and quickest double plays I've ever seen," Caudill said.

In all, Talawanda (5-3, 4-1 FAVC Scarlet) stranded six runners — far too many for coach Pete Maus.

"We just couldn't get any timely hits," Maus said. "Stranding six runners is just missing opportunities. We weren't aggressive enough today, and you have to be that way when you play against good teams."

Edgewood scored all three of its runs in the third to take the lead. Brennan Kelly reached on an error to start the rally. With Kelly running, Stephen Hodges singled to right field. Kelly went to third and scored on a fielder's choice hit by Jake White. Justin Elder reached on a bunt single, and he and White pulled off a double steal to get into scoring position. White scored on a ground out, and Elder scored on a wild pitch.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852, or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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