Euclid Baseball Team Captures 18U Championship
The Lake Erie Admirals, Euclid-based rec team, captured the 18U championship over the Solon Nets by winning both games of a double header in a best of three series.
The Lake Erie Admirals, one of two Euclid teams playing in the 18U High School Summer Series Baseball League, captured the league championship Friday, July 14. With a 12-2 regular season record the Euclid squad defeated the Cleveland Heights Tigers to earn a spot in the best of three game championship finals against the Solon Nets.
The finals started with a double header at Serra Field with a third game to be played in Solon if needed. In the first game, Patrick Ashdown pitched a 2 hit shutout in a close contest that had the Admirals winning 1-0 to start the evening. The Euclid squad jumped to an early lead in the second game, extending its lead to 9-1 with pitcher Ben Zimmerman in control for most of the game. In the last inning, the Nets worked counts and managed to close the gap before Evan Steigerwald relieved to earn the save as Euclid triumphed 9-6 with the final out coming with the tying run at the plate.
“That was some fun baseball and it was great to see all these young men, who grew up on the fields in Euclid, able to capture a championship at home at Paul Serra Field,” said Euclid’s coach Anthony Stachnik.
Stachnik runs the Euclid Boys League (EBL) that helped organize the team while he also manages several other teams in the league. He is proud that all other playoff eligible age divisions of EBL, Minor through Pony, captured a spot in the championship series in the seven city Western Reserve Baseball League with the Mitey-Mite, Minor, and Pony divisions all winning the championship. The success continued as the Euclid Boys League (EBL) hosted the 65th Annual Euclid Veteran’s Classic Tournament over Father’s Day weekend that drew 49 teams from all over Ohio and from as far away as New York. EBL All Star teams were successful there as well with the 9u and the 14u teams ending with co-champion results. The tournament has served as a vital component for EBL reinvesting in the city. The Euclid Boys League has reinvested more than $50,000 and many hours of volunteer time in the community by rebuilding fields and upgrading facilities over the last several years.
“It is important that we continue to invest in our community by upgrading our playing fields so our kids have a place to enjoy and play,” said Stachnik. He added that having businesses that sponsor teams, like JTS Manufacturing who cosponsored the Admirals, help keep Euclid baseball strong.
“It’s a credit to the quality of our baseball program to be able to put together a group of players who have been associated with Euclid’s community baseball program since they were young and see them progress into strong players and capture a Northeast Ohio league championship in Euclid. With tryouts upcoming for our competitive teams next year it certainly gives credence to our program and how we train and provide affordable competitive options for players 5-18 years old.”
Kurt Steigerwald
Someone who lives in Euclid, enjoys writing and wants to stay informed. My wife and I have two children and live in the northeast part of the City. We are active in many Euclid activities.