Amherst clinches SWC title with baseball win over Avon Lake

AVON LAKE — Amherst didn't wait until tomorrow. The Comets clinched a Southwestern Conference championship with an emphatic 17-4 victory over Avon Lake on Tuesday afternoon. The Shoremen could have stayed alive for a share of the title with a win and another victory today in the rematch. Every player in the lineup got a hit for Amherst and the Comets got strong pitching from Kent State commit Cael Charles and a monster day from Eli Toyoda at the plate. "When we have our relentless, disciplined approaches, I am comfortable putting any of our 12 guys in the lineup," said Amherst coach Matt Rositano. "They say hitting is contagious, and when you get it going, just pass it to the next guy." Toyoda, a junior, went 3-for-4 with three runs and six RBI's. "Hunting fastballs in my zone, I know if they come first pitch, I like to see that," Toyoda said. "Even deeper in counts, I still trust myself to battle and get a pitch I like." Charles wasn't at his best, but continued his spectacular junior season with another strong start, going six innings and allowing 11 hits, four earned runs and two walks while striking out five. "That's a good hitting team over there and when we are able to hit and give him run support, it makes his job a lot easier," said Rositano. Avon Lake showed fight during the early innings, as junior Adam McFadden cut the lead to 3-1 with an RBI double in the second. Amherst responded with Cole Charles drilling a three-run homer to right to extend the lead to 6-1. Avon Lake had another response, as junior Tyler Fenton drove in one with a single, and junior Chase Cartwright drove in two with a double to cut the deficit to two. It all unraveled for Avon Lake in the top of the sixth after the removal of starting pitcher JJ Bradley. Amherst tacked on seven runs in the inning, sending 12 hitters to the plate. The big blow was a grand slam from Toyoda that put the Comets up 12-4. He also had a two-run single in the seventh. Finishing the game for the Comets was right-hander Brody Glick. The senior pitched a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts, allowing one hit. Leading the Shoreman offense was catcher Grant LeHoty, who had three hits and three runs. McFadden also notched three hits. "We hit it hard a couple times, just right at people. That is what makes that team good is they keep it close until they find a way to break it open," said Avon Lake coach Kevin Collins. "This is good prep for tournament action and we just have to keep competing and hope good things happen." Amherst (20-3) and Avon Lake (14-9) will meet again today at Amherst. "There really is nobody in our lineup you can take it easy on, because if you miss your pitch, we are going to make you pay," Rositano said.