Phillips’ walkoff gives Lorain County Ironmen win

It may not have been exactly the type of birthday present Richard Phillips was going to give his mother, but Lorain County certainly was happy with it.

Phillips’ double in the bottom of the 10th inning scored Sam Casinelli to give the host Ironmen a 5-4 Great Lakes Summers Collegiate League win over Grand Lake July 22. It also gave Lorain County its longest win streak of the year at three.

>> Photos: Check out Randy Meyers’ gallery from the game

“Each one of these kids have done exactly what I have asked them to do,” Lorain County manager Kevin Whiteside said. “Which is to come out these last 10 games and give me everything they’ve got.

“This (win) tells you the types of kids they are. It (hasn’t) been an ideal year. Whether you are in first place or last place, you have to compete. That is what they are doing.”

Lorain County (12-23) gave up a 4-1 lead in the sixth inning when Grand Lake scored three times. The Ironmen had a chance to break the deadlock in the seventh inning, but Antonio Bennett (Clearview, 3-for-4) was thrown out at home trying to score on a flyout to right.

In the 10th inning, Sam Casinelli singled to left with one out. Phillips (2-for-4) ripped his double deep into left field near the third base line. Casinelli never broke stride as he scored from first to end the game.

“It feels great,” Phillips said. “This year there has been a lot of ups and downs for me. But to come out and do what I’ve got to do to help the team win makes me feel great.”

After Grand Lake took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, Lorain County answered with Nick Novak perfectly executing a hit-and-run with a double to right-center to score Chase Knodle. Caleb Waller lined out to second, but Cole Womack’s throw to third went wide, which allowed Novak to score and give the Ironmen a 2-1 lead.

Lorain County built on its lead in the next inning with Novak singling home Mathew Carpenter and Bennett singling home Knodle to give the Ironmen a 4-1 lead.

Ironmen starter Ryan LaPage gave up three straight singles, including an RBI single to Nic Varda, to start the inning. LaPage was relieved by Tyler Gault, but the Mariners got RBI singles from Nate Ostmo and Jeff Timko.

Canyon Williams pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win. He allowed the lead-off man to get on in each inning, but battled to keep the Mariners off the board and allow for Phillips’ heroics.

The Ironmen pounded out 14 hits – 10 of which came in the first four innings. It is the third straight game which they had over 10 hits.

Knodle had his streak of three hits in a game come to an end, but still was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored. He still is among the league leaders in batting average.

“We’re realizing that it’s almost over,” Casinelli (2-for-5) said. “We’re all trying to finish strong and take advantage of each at-bat.

“It feels great. I love winning – losing is never fun – especially (winning) back to back; it’s a great feeling.”

Lorain County travels to Grand Lake July 23.