Nikko Georgiou Does It All in Kenston’s 4-2 Regional Championship Victory

Photo by Al Kornspan

After a dominant complete game effort from Parker Munday in Thursday’s semifinal win, the Bombers (19-12) got another impressive performance Friday from Nikko Georgiou in their 4-2 regional championship win over Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (15-12). Not only did the senior hurl a complete game of his own, he also went 2-3 at the plate with a double, triple, and two RBI.

Lions Pounce First

Much like they did in their semifinal win over Field, NDCL wasted no time getting on the board. Frankie Clark led off the game by beating out an infield single and scored on a Nick Dietrich RBI single. Dietrich would end up stealing second and Griffin Moskal drew a walk, but Georgiou got out of the inning with a big strikeout. After one inning, the Lions led the Bombers 1-0. 

In the bottom of the second, Tommy Percoraro drew a lead-off walk and stole second base. With one out, Georgiou hit a bomb to deep left and hustled around the bases for a triple, scoring Percoraro. Bridger Bischof then grounded out, but it was enough to score Georgiou, giving the Bombers a 2-1 lead after two.

Bombers Extend Lead

Though he faced some trouble early, Georgiou cruised through the middle innings, facing the minimum amount of batters in the third, fourth, and fifth. Though he did allow two singles, he got out of both situations thanks to a key double play and catcher L.A. Mighton gunning down a runner at second.

In the bottom of the fourth, Jimmy Cerha led things off with a single. Parker Munday then hit a one-out single to left, setting the stage for Georgiou to shine once again. The senior laced a double to right, scoring Cerha and extending the lead to two. Just like he did in the second, Bischof hit another RBI groundout, this time scoring Munday and giving Kenston a 4-1 lead heading to the fifth.

NDCL Threatens Late

With their backs against the wall, the Lions still had fight left in them late in the game. In the top of the sixth, Gianni Spetic hit a one-out single to center. After stealing second, Moskal came up with a single to give the Lions two on with two outs. Nick Miller then came up with a big single, plating Spetic and pulling NDCL closer at 4-2.

Down to their final two outs, Dominic Sintic and Frankie Clark each hit a single to give the Lions life. A trip to the mound from Head Coach Joe Hritz proved to be key as Georgiou got a strikeout and flyout to right to end the game, giving the Bombers a 4-2 win.

#RoadToAkron

The win sends Kenston back to Canal Park for the second time in as many years (Division I last year) as they chase the first baseball state championship in school history. The Bombers will take on Dayton Chaminade Julienne (27-5) Friday morning at Canal Park in Akron. The Eagles advanced to the state semifinals with a 2-1 win over Hamilton Badin. The first pitch is scheduled for 10 am. 

Top Performers

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin

Gianni Spetic: 2-4 R SB

Frankie Clark: 2-4 R

Griffin Moskal: 2-2

Braedan Kinnard: 2 ⅔ 1 H 1 BB 1 K 0 ER

 

Kenston

Nikko Georgiou: 7 IP 10 H 1 BB 5 K 2 ER     2-3 2B 3B 2 RBI R

Parker Munday: 2-3 R

Jimmy Cerha: 1-2 R

Bridger Bischof: 0-3 2 RBI

 

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	R	H	E
NDCL	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	10	0
Kenston	0	2	0	2	0	0	X	4	5	1

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