Avon Lake Baseball is Lumber and Lightening

Lumber and lightning best come to mind when you think of the 2011 edition of the baseball team, with the lightning, being its pitching staff.

While that may seem a misprint, considering the Shoremen went 16-10 a year ago, but lost the majority of its rotation, they boast a ton of upperclassmen, who have had good playing time and a No. 1 hurler named Nick Brady, who after this season will be heading to nationally ranked Marietta College to furthur his playing career.

Last year Brady was 3-2. But with a stellar summer season behind him, this year he is off to a red hot start. In his first two appearances he didn't allow a run, and struck out 11 earning a win and a save. Although he lost his first game of the year to Olmsted Falls on Thursday, he still went a solid six innings and didn't break under pressure in a 6-3 loss.

"He has really come along and doesn't get rattled. He just pitches and prevents," Avon Lake head coach Jeff Stratton said. “Nick pitched OK (against Falls) we just let him down defensively and left a lot of players on base and couldn't get the big hit when we needed to."

Jon Spirnak, whose brother Josh was 3-0 on the hill last season, along with Mark Spring, Mike Britt and Geoff Meyer, who went five innings and got a huge win against Amherst on Tuesday, have also done well on the mound for Avon Lake.

The Shoremen currently sport a 7-2, record and are 4-1 in the SWC, after falling to Olmsted Falls. Considering Avon Lake wasn't picked by most prognosticators to finish among the league elite does the fact they have played as well as they have, surprise Stratton?

"Yes and no," he said. "We lost the majority of our pitching from last year, but only had to replace two position players. We have good leadership, the kids try to do the right thing, and they care about each other, which is very good. These kids never get down on each other when they make a mistake or strike out and it helps with their confidence and shows up in their performance."

What does surprise him is the fact in five conference games this year, the Shoremen have yet to see a No. 2 or No. 3 starting pitcher from an opponent.

"I think in all five games we have seen everyone's best guy," Stratton said. "We didn't have that great of a conference record last year, and losing most of our pitchers that surprised me. I imagine that will carry over into next week. But to be 4-1 in the conference after seeing five No. 1 pitchers, I am pretty happy with that.”

Lumber-wise, Avon Lake returns All-Ohio first-teamer Tyler Beck, who is behind the plate, and heading to Ohio University on a scholarship next season. According to Stratton, Beck is just getting into mid season form, and will be a big help to his team down the stretch.

Matt Kohler, a senior, who plays second base, has been outstanding thus far, batting nearly .500 with a .600 on base percentage.

"We knew he was a good ballplayer, but he has really stepped it up this year at second base," Stratton said. "He's a little bit of a surprise and also getting some outfield for us and done a good job for us."

Brady also performs well in the field. Playing first base, he batted .391 last season with six doubles, and while he is only  batting around .272 this year, on Wednesday against Midpark, he hit his first career homerun. It broke a 3-3 tie and helped propel the team to its sixth win of the year.

There is one other aspect of the 2011 Shoremen worth noting though, its defensive play on the field, especially up the middle.

Britt, who also plays outfield, is a prime example of this. Not only has he been getting good wood on the ball, with a homer against Westlake and a couple of doubles talready  this season, but his defensive skills up the middle have reminded some of Kenny Loftons days with the Tribe.

"He's an amazing outfielder, and has done a really nice job for us," Stratton said. " A good example is he made a major league highlight catch against Midpark with the tying run on base in the seventh inning."

Beck has been a rock behind the plate, and Kohler has done an excellent job at second, while Brad Hamilton along with Connor Delong have been solid at the hot corner.

Next week is big for Avon Lake, as they face both North Olmsted and Brecksville, who are currently tied for the SWC lead. Yet while they are huge games, they pale in comparison to the next time they meet Amherst, as the game will be played at Progressive Field on May 6.

"We love going down there, its really a nice experience for everyone and the kids always play well," Stratton said. "Fans who want to catch the game can get a $5 pre-sale ticket and if people want to stay around and watch the night game, its some great high school baseball and it also helps us out as a team."

As a fundraiser for this game, the Shoremen also have tickets on sale for the May 22 "Battle of Ohio." against the Reds. They are $8 bleacher seats and its family fun day, where the kids run the bases after the game."

For information on how to get tickets call the Avon Lake Athletic office at 440-933-6290.