Before a packed home stadium, the 23-0 Lakewood Rangers defeated Padua (19-4) 2-0 behind the stalwart pitching of Drew Jones and Nick Hart. Cooper Russell drove the first run with a bases loaded walk in the second, followed up in 3rd by a missile launched by Riley Verderber’ that barreled through the iconic center filed pine trees.

Riley’s titanic home run was huge, but it was a defensive play that sunk the Bruins, snuffing out a potential rally in the 6th. With Nick Hart on the mound—following Drews scoreless, 2 hit 5 innings—Padua’s first two runner reached, with their 3rd batter attempting a bunt. Catcher Finn Schroeder picked off the runner at second with a perfect strike, and Nick retired the next 5 batters, allowing no further baserunners. Finn’s throw was the play of the game

Today’s game was tense—Padua was among the best teams in NE Ohio. But it felt like a celebration, as scores of alumni, students, friends flocked to see our home grown, history making team. Long-time LHS teachers George Fannin (my Head Baseball Coach) and Gerry Stupiansky (Head Basketball Coach) and daughter Jill were there to cheer on the Rangers.

My fence partners—Jay Foran (LHS Baseball ’72) and Greg LaBar—were there to share stories and calm my nerve. So many Ranger loyalists showed, including regulars Lydia Koons, Ruby McEwen and Indigo Moncrief, who show up in all seasons. The freshmen were well represented—the Chloe Carroll crew—Lindsay Tumenday, Lane Rowland, Isla Filipek, Kayla Swift– came in force. Freshman, Seniors and Senior Citizens—and everything in between—showed up today.

The outstanding play on Franklin and Bunts happens when a group of dedicated coached and talented players root for each other, attend with fidelity to strength and conditioning, show mental toughness, and take it one pitch, one play and one game at a time. The experience comes from a rich Lakewood Baseball tradition—of competing hard and winning with the 44107’s’–that Coach Graves has built on splendidly.

No high school baseball experience tops a Friday Night game at LHS.

For their final regular season game, the Rangers travel to Dublin tomorrow (4:00 pm) to take on Troy in a match-up of two of the top teams in Ohio.

The Lakewood Rangers are one team, from one town, playing with heart and for a great fan base.

Long Live Lakewood