by Michael Leonard

Sports Editor

Copley -- While Tallmadge and Copley may not be the closest rivals in terms of geography, the Blue Devils and Indians baseball teams have a long history of competitive games across the sports spectrum.

A case in point was this week's home-and-home series between the two school's baseball teams.

In the record book, it will go down as a sweep for the Blue Devils, but Tallmadge had to fight for every out in this series.

After being rained out April 28, Tallmadge needed to rally from a 7-3 deficit April 29 to score a 10-7 win over the Indians at home. Then on April 30, Tallmadge survived a seventh-inning rally and hung on for a 6-5 win at Copley.

With the wins, the Blue Devils improved to 17-1, 7-1 in the Suburban League, while Copley falls to 9-5, 5-3 in the league.

Tallmadge coach Kenny Linn said that heart-stopping games with Copley have become par for the course.

"For the past five years, even when we've gotten by them, it's always been a battle," Linn said. "There haven't been two many times where we've been able to come [to Copley] and put them away easily."

Both teams nearly burned through their bullpens in game one of the series as Tallmadge's Garrett Emling got the win in relief. Tallmadge starter Ryan Mace gave up seven runs.

Fortunately, Tallmadge's offense was able to hit the Blue Devils out of trouble as Mace, Emling and third baseman Paul Pakan all hit home runs for the Devils. Pakan's homer was his team-best sixth of the season.

Tallmadge's offense picked up where it left off in the first inning April 30.

Emling led off the game with a walk and catcher Pat Kilway struck out. After Emling stole second, left fielder John Campriana smacked a run-scoring single to left and went to second when Copley's Scott Green mishandled the ball.

Pakan followed with another run-scoring single and shortstop A.J. Williams walked.

Pitcher Joe Cochran then helped his cause, belting a two-run double.

After designated hitter Andrew Powelson smack an run scoring single up the middle, Copley starter Mike Varley was relieved by Walt Harris. Harris struck out right fielder Jake Patrick and Powelson was caught in the run-down to end the inning.

Moving Harris to the mound proved the right move for Copley as he retired eight of the next 10 Blue Devils he faced. Harris ended up giving up only one earned run off four hits in 6-2/3 innings of work.

So far this season, a five-run lead has been more than Cochran has needed, as he looked to improved to 6-0 on the season. However, the first inning gave a clue it was going to be one of those games for Cochran.

After shortstop Mike Ferguson led off with a single, Cochran gave up back-to-back walks to load the bases.

Harris then got a run home, but did so by grounding into a 6-4-3 double play.

Despite the good defense, Cochran didn't get out of the jam as he hit first baseman David Hill and an error allowed another run to score.

Cochran settled down after the first inning, although Linn admitted the junior wasn't at his sharpest.

"I don't know what it was [April 30]," Linn said. "He worked his way through some early struggles. He was still battling in the seventh inning. It wasn't like he was laboring."

Copley got a run closer in the bottom of the fourth as designated hitter Dave Redovian walked and second baseman Ryan Brennan hit a run-scoring double down the left-field line.

However, Tallmadge got the run back in the top of the fifth. Emling led off with a double to the gap in left-center and Kilway smacked a run-scoring single up the middle, giving Tallmadge a 6-3 advantage.

Tallmadge had scoring opportunities in the fifth and sixth innings, but could score no more.

Copley led off with back-to-back singles to start the seventh, followed by a run-scoring double from right fielder Ryan Arney. However, a perfect relay throw from Campriana allowed Tallmadge to gun down pinch runner Dan Sanderson at the plate.

Cochran then struck out Harris and looked ready to end the threat.

However, Hill was hit by a pitch and Redovian walked to load the bases. Green then hit a slow roller to short which Williams could not make a play on, making the score 6-5.

With the tying run on third, center fielder Dan McClain had the chance to be the hero. However, McClain hit a bouncing ball to second baseman Matt Keen, who threw to first to let Tallmadge escape with the win.

Tallmadge was scheduled to play a doubleheader at Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller May 3, but results were not available at press time. Tallmadge returns to the Suburban League play May 5 at Highland and May 6 at home against the Hornets. Game time both days is at 4:30 p.m.

E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3913