THE COLONEL DELIVERS

By Bill Schneider ‘95 Gates Mills, OH-- Christian "The Colonel" Kerner knew his first big league start on the mound was coming. He did not know until slightly before infield that it would be today against a Mayfield team fresh off a 4-0 shutout of St. Eds yesterday. ”The Colonel” answered the bell like he was Bob Gibson in a game seven. Kerner went the first five innings without giving up a hit en route to a complete game, 6-1 victory. In total, Christian gave up one run on three hits, adding three strike outs and three walks. The bats stayed hot, led by two hits each from Brady Olsen and Sean Pitrone, who was back after missing yesterday with a bone bruise on his hand. Gilmour (4-0) did all their damage in the second inning. Tyler Hall singled before Kerner and CJ Santagata walked to load the bases for Jack Quinn. Quinn grounded into the first base hole, and when the throw home was wild it was 1-0. Brayden Benisek hit a swinging bunt single down the first base line to make it 2-0. Olsen lined the 0-1 pitch to right center, scoring Santagata and Quinn, and it was 4-0. Another Pitrone single loaded the bases before Zac Titas struck out looking. Joe Salerno walked to make it 5-0. Hall got what looked like his second hit of the inning, but Pitrone had footing issues and was forced at third, but it still scored Olsen to finish the six run inning. In the third, Gilmour looked to put the finishing touches on the Wildcats. Benisek and Olsen walked with two outs. Pitrone worked the count full before driving the payoff pitch to the wall in left center, appearing to be a bases clearing double. Mayfield Manager DJ Rapposelli walked out to the field for what was thought to be a pitching change. Instead, he appealed to first and Pitrone was ruled out for not touching first base. Hit negated, two runs negated, inning over. Kerner gave up his first hit to lead off the sixth inning, and received an ovation from the crowd, who were rewarded for their dedication of sitting through another tough weather day with a classic pitching performance by Kerner. After the postgame handshake, his teammates could be heard chanting "Colonel, Colonel, Colonel" in appreciation of their newly minted pitching hero. The Big Blue Machine is back in action Monday vs Nordonia at The House of Thrills.