Avon rolls into semifinals after win over North Ridgeville in Adrian Abrahamowicz Summer Classic

AVON LAKE — Although it had nothing to play for Friday, it didn't stop Avon from playing at its best. The Eagles scored at least one run in five consecutive innings and seven pitchers combined to strike out seven while not allowing an earned run, as Avon completed pool play in the Adrian Abrahamowicz Summer Classic with a 12-4 win over North Ridgeville at Avon Lake High School. Avon (4-0) struck first in the second when Dario Gomez led off with a single, stole second and came home on a Xavier Ramirez groundout. One batter later, Ben Hricovec's two-out single scored Max Resar and courtesy runner Ryan Pesta to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead. "I was trying to barrel up, make contact and get some guys in," Hricovec said. "I wanted to get some good energy going in the dugout." Avon, one of two undefeated teams in the tournament, will face Amherst (3-1) in one semifinal today at 1 p.m. at Amherst. Rocky River (4-0) will face Avon Lake (3-1) in the other semifinal at Elyria at noon. The championship game will take place at Amherst at 3:30 p.m. "This is an awesome experience for our guys. It's all about development this week," Avon coach Pat Scholla said. "The guys are doing a good job of putting the ball in play and the pitchers are doing a good job of throwing strikes. The best part about this week is getting the guys in purple and gold again." The Eagles were a fluke error away from a potential shutout. With two outs and one on in the third, Rangers center fielder Matthew Flesher hit a pop up that hung in the air just above home plate. Avon catcher James Tuttolomondo camped under the ball and looked ready to record the final out of the inning but when he went to make the catch the ball popped the strings on his glove, allowing it tumble out onto the infield grass. The miscue rattled Avon pitcher Noah Martin, who allowed the next five to reach base on four singles and a walk, as North Ridgeville took a 4-3 lead. Jaxon Compton, Ryan Anderson, Dominic Durst and Noah Haag all had RBIs in the third for the Rangers, who bowed out of the Classic with a 2-2 record. "We had a lot of young kids out here," said coach Jon Flesher. "The biggest thing this week was getting the kids who haven't played together to play together and get them gelling as a team. We have some kids on this team that have been really working hard, so it's going to be fun come September or October when we have open fields and see the progression." Avon retook the lead in the bottom of the third on a Gomez grounder that scored Landon McQuality. Gomez finished the day 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBIs and two stolen bases. He also struck out three in 1 2/3 innings. "It feels really good to be going into the semifinals. We've been playing as one big family, so it's good to see everyone succeed," Gomez said. "We've had a lot of positive vibes and energy and we had big innings and put the ball in play." Avon extended its lead with a four-run fifth and added insurance runs in the sixth when pinch hitter Phillip Gigliotti singled and scored on a throwing error, and in the sixth, when Gomez scored on a Resar ground out. The first five days of the Classic have been about development and growth, but Hricovec conceded it might get a little more serious today with a title on the line. "More is on the line now, especially with the record we have," Hricovec said. "You don't wanna lose one now after going 4-0, so we've really gotta focus." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.