Flyers surprise coach but not the win column

Published 4:58 am Friday, May 3, 2024

By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

ASHLAND, Ky. — The St. Joseph Flyers were playing the Beaver Eastern Eagles at Central Park which is located across the street from King’s Daughters Hospital.

Email newsletter signup

With head coach Greg Bryant a patient, the team paid a surprise visit after the game which was the only real surprise as the Flyers handed the Eagles a 14-0 run rule loss on Thursday.

“They really surprised me but it was a great surprise. They were the best medicine I could have had,” said Bryant. “They said I mean a lot to them but they don’t know how much they mean to me. They’re the reason I keep going and coming back. I love those kids. St. Joe is like a big family.”

The Flyers had 12 hits as they rolled to the win with Landon “Rocky” Rowe going 2-2 with a double and 4 runs batted in. Evan Balestra was 2-3 with a double and RBI, Jake Stephens 2-2 and 2 RBI, Drew Brown 2-2, Brady “Quinn” Medinger and Wesley Neal each went 1-2 with an RBI, Mason Weber 1-1 with an RBI, and Eli Whaley 1-1.

Carson Willis went 3.1 innings to get the win as he gave up 3 hits, struck out one and walked 3. Medinger finished up and did not allow a hit as he struck out 2 with no walks.

It didn’t take the Flyers long to get the scoring started as they took a 4-0 first inning lead.

Rowe was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a hit by Medinger.

Brown got a one-out walk, Medinger stole third and Brown scored on an error. Stephens had an RBI single and he moved up on an error. Darryn “Hitman” Harvey grounded out as Stephens scored.

The lead went to 6-0 in the second.

Weber drew a one-out walk, stole second and Rowe singled him home. Rowe stole second, took third on an error and scored on a wild pitch.

The Flyers (13-2) put the game out of reach with 8 runs in the third.

Brown and Stephens singled, Harvey was hit by a pitch and Neal had an RBI single. Carson Lyons walked to force home a run and Weber singled home Harvey.

Rowe lined a double to center field to clear the bases and then came home on a double by Balestra. Brown singled and Stephens hit a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring.

Eastern     000 00 = 0 3 2

St. Joseph 428 0x = 14 12 1

Christian Smith, Isaiah Stidham (3) and Cayden Haislop. Carson Willis, Brady Medinger (4) and Drew Brown. W-Willis (IP-3,1, H-3, R-0, K-1, BB-3), WP-1, HBP-2). Medinger (IP-1.2, H-0, R-0, K-2, BB-0, WP-1, HBP-1). L-Smith (IP-2.0, H-7, R-10, ER-9, K-1, BB-3, WP-1, HBP-2). Stidham (IP-2.0, H-5,R-4, ER-4, K-1, BB-1). Hitting-Eastern: Christian Smith 2-3, Eddie Salmen 1-1; St. Joseph: Landon “Rocky” Rowe 2-2 2B 4-RBI, Brady “Quinn” Medinger 1-2 RBI, Evan Balestra 2-3 2B RBI, Drew Brown 2-2, Jake Stephens 2-2 2-RBI, Wesley Neal 1-2 RBI, Eli Whaley 1-1, Mason Weber 1-1 RBI.