By STEVE WALKER
swalker@MorningJournal.com

LORAIN — Despite recording more hits than their opponent, Lorain County had some opening day jitters, as Butler spoiled the night for the Ironmen.

The Ironmen committed three errors in a nightmare four-run third inning, losing to the Butler Blue Sox, 5-1, in Prospect League play at The Pipe Yard on Friday night.

It was also "Elyria Night" as the Elyria Pioneers’ band entertained the record-breaking crowd of 724. The Ironmen recorded more hits (11) than the Blue Sox (7), but could only get one run across, stranding 11 runners on base for the game. The Ironmen fall to 0-2, while the Blue Sox improve to 1-1.

"The kids played well, they played hard," Ironmen coach Joe Rhomberg said. "We got behind early, but they didn’t stop battling ... (Errors) happened (Thursday) night too. They’re young kids and they’ll begin to learn how important it is to not give the other team outs. They’ll learn to win after that."

Zak Blair was a bright spot for the Ironmen. Blair went 3-for-4 and had an RBI single in the fifth inning, scoring Elyria graduate Nolan Neuschaefer. Neuschaefer might’ve been inspired by the Elyria band, who played the Pioneers’ fight song before his at bat. He promptly delivered with the leadoff double to right field, before scoring the Ironmen’s lone run.

"The fans in Lorain were great tonight," Rhomberg said. "They were behind us. The band was loud. It pumped up our guys early. We just wish we could play better for them next time."

The Ironmen ruined their big chance in the bottom of the eight inning with the bases loaded and one out. Elyria Catholic graduate Andrew Kubuski led off the inning with a single, Sam Alvis reached on an error by the shortstop, and Anthony Tomasome drew a walk.

However, Neuschaefer lined a 3-2 pitch right to the second baseman, who promptly threw to the shortstop to double up Tomasome, who was leaning toward third.
Michael Clarke started on the mound for the Ironmen, and allowed just three hits, but he walked five batters and hit two. He gave up five runs, only two earned, and lasted just three innings.

Sean Blackburn came in and shut the door on Butler, pitching three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk.

Elyria graduate Dan Poskocil pitched the next two scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Kevin Hughes pitched the ninth, striking out 2 of 3 batters.

"Pitching tonight was pretty good for the most part," Rhomberg said. "It’s still early in the season so right now we’re just trying to get our pitchers work. After that, we’ll be able to see where they fit in."

Butler took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Taylor Juran scored from third on a passed ball. Juran singled with one out and went to second on a passed ball, and advanced to third on back-to-back walks to Ryan Siegal and John Crummy.

The Blue Sox added four more runs in the third, thanks to three Ironmen errors. Jason Rodwan hit an RBI single that scored Matt Berezo, who walked and stole second. After a Shane Houck single, the Ironmen committed two errors on one play, allowing another run to score.

Juran popped up in front of home plate, but catcher Anthony Tomasome couldn’t find it, allowing the ball to bounce right in front of the plate. Clark then picked it up and attempted to throw to third to get Rodwan, but threw it into the Ironmen bullpen.
Another error on a ball hit by Stephen Vranka allowed another run to score and the Blue Sox upped their lead to 5-0.

Butler 5, Ironmen 1
Prospect League
Butler Blue Sox (1-1) 014 000 000 — 5 7 1
Lorain County Ironmen (0-2) 000 010 000 — 1 11 3
TWO HITS OR MORE — Butler: Matt Berezo, Shane Houck; Lorain County: Zak Blair (3), Sam Alvis; 2B — B: Houck; LC: Nolan Neuschaefer; WP — Pete Slavonic (1-0); LP — Michael Clark (0-1).