Kirtland hasn't had much luck against Mentor recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Hornets will face off against the Cardinals at 4:30 p.m. Kirtland is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.2 runs per game this season.
Kirtland gave up the first runs on Monday, but they didn't let that get them down. They walked away with a 6-3 victory over West Geauga.
Max Paul
| 05/12/25 @ West Geauga | 7 |
| 05/07/25 vs Wickliffe | 5 |
| 04/28/25 @ Crestwood | 7 |
| 04/23/25 @ Harvey | 7 |
| 04/16/25 vs Berkshire | 7 |
| + 2 more games |
Max Paul spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered three earned runs on four hits and racked up seven Ks. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Kirtland got a massive performance out of Tyler Turk, who went 3-for-4 with one triple, two RBI, and one run. That triple was Turk's first of the season. Another player making a difference was Carter Luzar, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Mentor came out on top against North on Monday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run fifth inning. The Cardinals took their contest against the Rangers 6-3. That's two games straight that the Cardinals have won by exactly three runs.
Will Link and Jacob Gunvelson dominated on the mound. Link tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit, while Gunvelson tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, Link posted two strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April.
On the hitting side, Jake McCartney was incredible, firing off two home runs and three RBI while going 2-for-4. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in April. The team also got some help courtesy of Brayden Bortnick, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Mentor lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.
The win made it two in a row for Mentor and bumps their season record up to 15-4. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 4 runs in those games. As for Kirtland, their record is now 13-3.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Kirtland has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Mentor struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 2.7 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Kirtland couldn't quite get it done against Mentor when the teams last played back in May of 2021 as they fell 5-0. Can the Hornets avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
