Lorain County Ironmen: Jeff Edwards finds groove early in campaign

The Lorain County Ironmen have had a rough start, but not at the fault of Jeff Edwards.

Edwards, a Massillon native and senior at Valparaiso University, has hit a team-leading .526 through his first four games with the Ironmen, who dropped the first four games of their season.

Through 19 at-bats, Edwards has driven home three RBI and scored four runs. He’s struck out twice. The second baseman credits his hot start as momentum from a solid spring season with the Crusaders. Through 51 games, Edwards hit .262 for 29 RBI and 31 runs for his junior season.

Keeping a cool head has been the core of Edwards’ approach at the plate.

‘I had a good season in spring ball, and I feel like I finally found my swing,’ Edwards said. ‘I just stuck to it coming into summer ball. I’m staying relaxed and just trying to have fun with the guys out here.

‘I’m going in there, just staying relaxed and looking for fastballs early in the count. In summer ball, the other guys aren’t trying to throw curve balls early on, just fastballs, and I’m trying to hit those hard.’

In his first season with the Ironmen, Edwards said he’s noticed a handful of differences between collegiate season and summer ball. From a younger group of players to the laid-back atmosphere, Edwards has already noticed the benefits of summer ball.

‘I notice a lot of difference out here,’ he noted. ‘I play with a younger group of guys out here. The experience has really helped me to just relax and not get frustrated early on in the year. We’re only four games in, and I’d say the experience has helped me out.’

Edwards noted his numbers so far speak for themselves, making his hitting his biggest strength. He doesn’t have any particular goals set for himself, other than to keep the hits coming.

Though the start to Lorain County’s season has been slow, Edwards noted the Ironmen aren’t pressing.

‘We’ve got a long summer ahead of us. We’re just trying to get that first win. Once we get that, we’ll start rolling from there,’ he said.

The Ironmen hope to start rolling now. On June 11, Lorain County notched its first win, a 2-1 victory over Galion in Lorain County’s home opener.

Edwards was 1-for-3 at the plate, a performance that included a single to left to lead off the game. He also walked and struck out.

Galion took a 1-0 lead in the third inning as catcher Zach Gunter drew a leadoff walk and shortstop Kevin Shrock laid down a sacrifice bunt. Center fielder Brandon Wright picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center for the lead.

Lorain County leveled the score in the fourth as shortstop Sam Kohler reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a single by right fielder Cole Nieto.

Galion starter Matt Sullivan settled in beyond that, going 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

The Ironmen severed the tie in the eighth inning as third baseman Cody Calloway reached on a one-out fielder’s choice. Sullivan issued a pair of walks and catcher Zack Bires delivered the final blow, a single to shallow center for the 2-1 lead.