Frankel Jewish Academy tops River Rouge 4-1 behind Kowalsky’s 16-strikeout complete game

Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit rode a dominant complete-game effort from Louie Kowalsky and a pair of early and late scoring bursts to a 4-1 win over River Rouge on Monday in Wixom. The Jaguars seized control with two runs in the first inning, then put the game away with two more in the sixth before Kowalsky finished off a gem for coach Randy Otis’ first career victory.

Kowalsky was the story from the outset. The Jaguars right-hander allowed just one hit and one run over seven innings, struck out 16 and needed only 89 pitches to finish what he started. River Rouge’s only breakthrough came in the fifth, when J. Wilson delivered the Panthers’ lone hit and later scored to trim the lead to 2-1. Kowalsky limited the damage there and never let the game slip further, issuing two walks but otherwise keeping River Rouge from putting together any sustained offense.

Frankel set the tone in the bottom of the first. Drew Edelstein helped drive in a run during the two-run inning that gave the Jaguars a 2-0 lead, and the offense made those runs stand up for most of the afternoon. Edelstein finished 1-for-2 with an RBI, a walk and two runs scored. Ari Gottlieb reached base twice on walks and scored twice, repeatedly creating pressure despite recording no official hit. Max Upfall also added a hit as Frankel finished with four hits and three walks.

The Jaguars found their breathing room in the sixth. After River Rouge had pulled within a run in the fifth, Frankel answered with two insurance runs in the bottom half of the sixth to stretch the margin back to 4-1. That cushion was enough for Kowalsky, who closed out the seventh to seal the team’s first win of the season and even Frankel’s record at 1-1.

Frankel also got key defensive help behind its ace. Eli Katz came up with an important catch in the outfield on a ball that looked headed for extra bases, a play that helped keep momentum on the Jaguars’ side. At third base, Ethan Bocknek turned in a steady performance in only his second varsity game, giving Frankel clean infield defense in a game the Jaguars completed without an error.

River Rouge starter N. Stallworth kept the Panthers within reach for much of the game, striking out nine over six innings while allowing four runs on four hits. But the combination of Frankel’s timely offense and Kowalsky’s overpowering start proved too much to overcome as the Jaguars closed out a crisp, complete 4-1 victory at home.