The Olmsted Falls Bulldogs will venture away from home to face off against the Normandy Invaders at 5:15 p.m. on Monday. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
The scorekeeper got an easy start on Friday as neither Olmsted Falls nor Vermilion made it on the board until the fifth inning. The Bulldogs narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past the Sailors 3-1.
Brayden Cooney
| 05/09/26 @ Brecksville-Broadview Heights | 4 |
| 04/23/26 @ Westlake | 4 |
| 04/17/26 vs Brookside | 2 |
| 04/09/26 @ St. Francis DeSales | 2 |
| 05/15/26 @ Vermilion | 1 |
| + 1 more games |
Brayden Cooney spent all eight innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on seven hits. He is becoming a predictor of Olmsted Falls' success: when he allows at most two earned runs the team is 4-2 (and 7-10 when he doesn't).
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Liam Murray, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base and one run. Ryan Kessen also deserves some recognition as he hit his first triple of the season.
Meanwhile, Normandy posted their closest victory since May 16, 2025 on Friday. They had just enough and edged out Elyria 16-15. The win continues a trend for the Invaders in their matchups with the Pioneers: they've now won three in a row.
Cullen Rooney made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted two strikeouts, the most he's had over his last three matchups. He was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with two RBI and one run.
In other batting news, Nick Hinkle was incredible, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two runs, one triple, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Evan Lucas, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Olmsted Falls' record is now 11-12. As for Normandy, their record now sits at 9-10.
Olmsted Falls' speedy runners might be the difference in Monday's contest. The Bulldogs have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Normandy, though, as they've been averaging only 1.3 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Olmsted Falls continue to outrun the ball?
Olmsted Falls skirted past Normandy 8-7 when the teams last played back in April of 2022. Do the Bulldogs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Invaders turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
