Amateur Summer Baseball Classic: Christian Beltran belts big hit as Keystone edges Midview

NORTH RIDGEVILLE — Keystone nearly let its lead slip away in its first game of the Amherst Summer Classic, but a big late-game performance from senior Christian Beltran made the difference in the Wildcats' 5-4 win over Midview on Thursday at North Ridgeville High School. The Wildcats took a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning after finally figuring out Midview starter Austin Kretovics, but the Middies charged back in the sixth inning to tie it and take all the momentum heading into the final few outs of the game. Beltran, however, was eager to get back to the plate in the bottom of the sixth after back-to-back ground balls his first two at-bats. He'd been watching Kretovics throw fastballs all game and knew if he timed it right he could deliver a clutch hit. "I (knew) he was throwing straight fastballs. He didn't really throw anything else," Beltran said. "I just waited for mine and I pieced it up." With two outs, Beltran roped a double to the left field fence, scoring Jack Senghas and delivering what proved to be the game-winning RBI. But he wasn't done. The senior came in to close the game, and after Midview nearly batted around the inning before, knew he had his work cut out for him to earn the save. Beltran took advantage of the opportunity and showed no sign of nerves or inexperience, having a hand in every out with two strikeouts and a ground ball he had to dive in the way of the runner to field. "He's maybe just a little crazy enough to do that kind of thing," Keystone coach Bert Fitzgerald said with a laugh about Beltran's diving play. "That was great (and) obviously crucial right there in the meat of (Midview's) order." Fitzgerald said Beltran has been working hard this offseason to secure his spot on the varsity roster after "getting his feet wet" last season, and as one of three incoming seniors, noted the importance of his role as a leader. "He really hadn't seen the varsity field before (last year). We asked him to do a lot of things he wasn't used to, including pitching," Fitzgerald said. "He just goes out there and throws strikes, that's what we need from him. And tonight he had a big hitting night, too." It was another disappointing loss for Midview after being walked off by Amherst Green 2-1 on Tuesday. But coach Ryan Morgan has been happy with how his summer team has competed in games despite its limited varsity experience, particularly the sixth inning when the Middies put up four hits, including two doubles. "I think they got down and I kind of had to go at them and say, 'We're done feeling sorry for ourselves. Put the bat on the ball and stop looking at pitches,'" Morgan said. "We were able to put some big hits, back-to-back doubles, which was huge. That got us back in the game." And Fitzgerald knew the young Midview team had it in them and was prepared for a comeback. "They were due to get some big hits and they did," he said. "That's a nice hitting crew there for Midview." With many high school players still traveling with their summer teams, both coaches said they are pleased with what they've seen during the Amherst Summer Classic and hope it's a sign of things to come as they prepare for next season. "It's all about learning," Morgan said. "There's just little things we have to clean in order for us to beat teams." Contact Marissa McNees at ctsports@chroniclet.com and follow her on Twitter @MarissaNM.