ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (March 28, 2023) -- Rocky River opened Great Lakes Conference West Division play with a 3-1 setback in a pitchers' duel at Rocky River Field Tuesday. A big home run propelled the North Olmsted Eagles past the Pirates on what was a cloudy, 42-degree afternoon at the Bus Yard.

North Olmsted first baseman Dominic Costello banged out a three-run home run on the 13th pitch of the contest. That hit would mark 75% of the scoring in a game comprised of 219 more mound deliveries.

Costello's shot -- a blast to right-center -- came after two walks off River starter Rees Heigle, a sophomore making his varsity mound debut. The first-inning round-tripper would be answered, but only in part when the Pirates (0-2, 0-1 GLC West) pushed across lead-off walk Josh Mommers in the home half of the fourth.

Mommers walked, stole second and then completed his circuit of the bags when center fielder Hudson Wissman drove him in with a one-out single. The Double-R would go 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in clutch situations the rest of the way. Setting down the Pirates each time was Luke Koerber, who went the distance for the Eagles, allowing just three singles while striking out seven batters.

Matching Koerber after the first inning blast was Heigle, who allowed three runs on two hits and five walks across four frames. Heigle fanned 10 before yielding to Michael Perry, who twirled the final three innings (hitless, 2 BB, 2K).

Wissman went 2-for-3 to collect 40% of the game's hits.

Rocky River is slated to play its first road game of the season Wednesday when the Pirates take the short bus ride to Lakewood High School to take on the Lakewood Rangers.


by Skip Snow

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