Thanks to a magnificent game by Drew Jones, tonight’s 8-0 win over St Edward will go down as one of the most memorable in Lakewood baseball history.

Drew was one batter short of a complete game, struck out 13, and was never in serious trouble. Luke Legato, who had two hits, struck out the last St. Edward batter. Drew set the tone early, striking out the side in the first, charging up the Ranger bench. Speaking of tone setting, Cooper Russell led off the bottom of the first with a homerun. It was a great start, but much work remained.

The game stayed at 1-0 until the 3rd, when Drew reached on catchers’ interference, Riley Verderber walked, Nick Hart singled on a bunt, and Finn Schroeder did his thing, delivering a clutch, bases loaded single to plate two runs.

The game remained 3-0 until the 5th , when Cooper doubled and then, you guessed it–Drew Jones, who for some reason plays especially well vs St Edward–homered to right center. (Drew won the game in relief vs the Eagles last year and delivered the go ahead hit.)

The Eagles are always tough, and even a 5-run lead with Drew in command wasn’t enough to calm the nerves, at least mine. Riley had a remedy, that came in the form of another majestic homerun, this time a tree run blast that flirted with Bunts avenue, scoring Cooper and Kenny Laidley.

The Rangers, who were error-less, got another fine game from catcher Finn Schroder, who threw out a base stealer and nipped an Eagle at the plate with a perfect throw to Drew on a ball that had gotten by him.

“I’m incredibly proud of the boys, they worked for this all off-season, were laser focused all night. Drew Jones is a leader for our team, we’re so happy he plays for us,”a happy Coach Graves said after the game. “This game means a lot to us. Our motto is to go 1-0. This one is for Lakewood—we always want to win the Battle of Lakewood.” Lakewood (17-0, 8-0 CWC) has now beaten St. Edward and St Ignatius and is ranked 2nd (D II) in Ohio and 5th among all schools.

The Lakewood Rangers, the best team in Cuyahoga County, also has the best baseball experience in NE Ohio. Friday Night Under the Lights against a school that is less than a mile from LHS, DJ Ray Carr, packed stands—it doesn’t get any better.

The Lakewood Rangers are one team, from one town that will never be outworked.

Long Live Lakewood.