Bobcats Sweep Lakeland Community College in Four Game Series

SOLON, OH- In a four game, two day series against the Lakeland Community College Lakers, the Cats officially completed the series sweep Sunday, April 23 at Solon Community Park.

When the series opened Friday, game one ended up being the closest game of the series. Ethan Hyme kick-started the Bobcats offense and drove in 3 RBI and drew 2 walks. Hyme also recorded a big home run. On the mound, Noah Brite got the start and struck out 7 batters. Ben Keller came on in relief and allowed only 2 hits in the 5-3 victory.

In the second game of the series, the Cats would score 14 runs, shut out the Lakers, and would be the first of three 10+ run games for the Bobcats in a row. Bryant & Stratton scored 9 runs in the top of the third inning. Seth Lahocki had the hot bat for the Cats. He was responsible for 4 RBI. Dom Prevesk's big weekend would continue with a pair of hits and three runs scored. On the mound, Hudson Cornett didn't allow a hit in four innings pitched.  

As the series shifted to Solon, the Cats made history as Matthew Blanchard tossed a no-hitter, which is the first in program history. Blanchard also struck out six batters, and walked three in five innings pitched as the Bobcats earned the 10-0 victory. Offensively, Bryant & Stratton would continue to see the ball well. Jackson Micheels would smash a home run over the right field fence which scored Ryan Horstman. Hyme would steal home on a wild pitch, and Tyler Staub would hit an RBI single to give the Cats a 4-0 lead after three complete innings. 

Brendan Hamlin would join the parade as he would register two home runs in game one Sunday. Horstman and Hamlin each had solo home runs in the bottom of the fourth. After a Staub RBI double that was hit over the center fielder, Bryner would knock an RBI single to right field making the score 8-0. The Bobcats never looked back as Hamlin would slam the door shut with his second home run of the day, and would propel the Cats to a 10-0 win in five innings. 

"It's so easy for the pitchers." Blanchard said when the offense scores as many runs as it did."When you score five or six run innings, it gives you so much confidence on the mound to really go and attack the hitters and try and have clean innings which is what we did."

In the final game of the four game series, the Lakers would build up some confidence at the plate, but the Cats were too hot from the dish to be stopped. In the early going, Lakeland had a 1-0 lead after one inning. The Bobcats would pick up right where they left off from the first three games in the second inning, as Prevesk would hit a solo home run to left field. In the same inning, Brendan Hamlin would hit an RBI double and knot the game up 2-2. 

Hyme gave the Bobcats a 3-2 lead after an RBI single in the bottom of the third. The Lakers would briefly take the lead back scoring a pair of runs and leading 4-3. In the bottom of the fourth, Hamlin would steal home. Later in the inning, Prevesk would have a monster grand slam to put the Bobcats up 9-4. He had a team high 5 RBI. Lahocki would hit a sacrifice fly and complete the series sweep with the final game ending in a 10-4 score. 

Logan Moore would strike out a pair in 3.2 innings of work. Ben Keller came on in relief and allowed just one hit. 

The Bobcats will now shift their focus on Lansing Community College Tuesday, April 25.