This is the second in a series of stories about the Hiland Hawks in Spring 2024

By JOHN KEREZY, eyeoncleveland.com founder

AKRON – Finn Schneider hurled a four-hit shutout while his catcher Danny Hostetler notched two RBIs in the Hiland Hawks’ 4-0 victory over Lake Center Christian Tigers at Canal Park. It was a successful return to Akron for Hiland, who last played there in its 14-4 triumph over Russia in the OHSAA Division IV state championship game last June.

The loss was Lake Center Christian’s first of the season after 14 consecutive victories. Hiland improved to 9-3 with the win.

Hiland scored single runs in each of the first three innings of the contest. It began in an unusual way, with Hostetler getting hit by a pitch from Lake Center Christian’s  Nathan Bryant while the bases were loaded, scoring Cody Yoder.

It turned out to be the only score that Schnieder needed, but Hiland added single runs in the second, third and seventh innings of the contest to keep extending its advantage.

“Finn did an outstanding job on the mound for us. He kept them off balance all game, kept his pitch count low, and had some really quick innings,” Hawks head coach Chris Dages commented after the game.

Two sacrifice flies and a fielder’s choice ground ball plated the other three runs for the Hawks, and Dages also praised his team’s situational hitting. “We talk about approach and doing a job at the plate,” he added. “These guys get it done.”

Situational hitting took center stage for the Hawks in the third inning, when Brady Yoder smacked a double to left field. Kaden Kandel followed by moving the runner to third with a ground ball out to the right side of the infield. Up next, Hostetler launched a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Brady.

Aggressiveness on the base paths and stellar defense are part of Hiland’s DNA, and both were on display in the victory. The Hawks swiped three bases, and their ‘get the extra base’ running helped set up one of the game’s runs.

On defense, Schneider kept Lake Center Christian hitters off balance with good off-speed first pitches, and finished all his pitches low in the strike zone, resulting in a lot of ground ball outs for Hiland. Shortstop Brady Yoder made many fine defensive plays for the Hawks after overcoming an injury in Wednesday’s 5-4 triumph over Garaway.

“Brady took a fastball right in the mouth in our game yesterday,” Dages explained. “He was cleared to come back, and he played a great game today.”

On the infield, Brady and third basemen Caden Coblentz   exhibited great range and good decision-making as well.  Coblentz  gunned down a Tiger runner who tried to score from third on a sharply-hit ground ball. Coblentz’s throw was right on target, and catcher Danny Hostetler applied the tag to notch a field’s choice out at the plate, preserving the shutout for Hiland.

Both Dages and two senior Hawks were also quick to praise the work of Hostetler in the win. “Danny has done a phenomenal job all year. He’s just a bulldog back there (behind the plate),” Dages stated.

“Danny is the point of our defense right now,” Cody Yoder said about Hostetler. “Having a guy that you know can stop anything is a huge confidence builder.” Schneider added.

Hear Coach Dages’ comments here (link)

Hear comments from Cody Yoder, Finn Schneider, and Brady Yoder here (link)

Hiland hosts Tri-Valley today (Friday April 26) before traveling to Triway HS in Wooster to oppose Archbishop Hoban High School, a Division I program, on Saturday.

FROM THE PRESS BOX

Jake Sidle  and John Monigold  of WKLM 95.3 FM traveled to Akron and broadcasted the action for fans who couldn’t travel to Canal Park for the game. But nearly 100 Hiland fans did make the journey to Akron, and they loudly cheered on the Hawks.

The Lake Center Christian v. Hiland contest was game one of a two-game high school double header at Canal Park Thursday. In the nightcap, Chardon beat Kenston 3-0.