A few observations as the baseball season winds down …
Justin Chislow won his sixth game Wednesday when Lutheran West beat Brooklyn 11-5. That’s the most any pitcher in the C-T coverage area has won this season.
And this kid is only a sophomore.
Chislow, a Litchfield resident, isn’t overpowering. His best pitches, according to Longhorns coach Dave Sellke, are his change-up and curve. Control is his game. In 42 innings this season he struck out 24 and walked only four. His earned run average entering Wednesday’s game was a skinny 1.94.
He’s not bad with the bat, either. Chislow was hitting .350 (21 for 60) with 20 runs and 16 RBIs going into Wednesday. His finest hours came last week, when he went 5-for-5 with four runs and four RBIs in two sectional victories.
The hitting star for the Longhorns in Wednesday’s game was another sophomore, Ryan Jones of Elyria, who had three hits, including a home run, and five runs batted in.
• Amherst’s Logan Bruce also has six wins this year and ran his career record to 10-3.  Bruce picked up his last two victories by working six innings without allowing an earned run and yielding just two hits. He beat Westlake to give the Comets a share of the Southwestern Conference championship and came out of the bullpen to beat Elyria in the Division I sectional title game.
• Bruce is one of a trio of Amherst seniors who will play baseball next year at Lake Erie College. The others are Brett Szakats and Ryan Rua. The three will be coached by Brian McGee, a 1996 graduate of Amherst High School.
• Southview’s Chris Garcia batted only .213 this season (16-for-75) yet he had a .412 on-base average and tied Kory Martinez for the team lead in runs (22). Garcia led the Saints in walks (22) and was hit by four pitches this year. He also was successful on 19 of 20 stolen-base attempts.
• Another 2007 alumnus of the North Coast Vipers reached the varsity. Chris Browning of Southview pitched five innings and allowed one run in the Saints’ May 10 game against Brookside. Seven freshmen who played for the Vipers have played varsity ball in 2008.
Contact Steve Byrne at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Matt Toth, Admiral King

CLASS: Senior
POSITION: Catcher
LAST WEEK: Had three hits, including his second home run of the season, in a 5-3 upset of top-seeded Strongsville in a sectional final.
THIS SEASON: Was second on the team in hitting (.435), while leading in runs (23), hits (37), doubles (6), extra-base hits (10), slugging (.630) and stolen bases (7).
OTHER SPORT: Football (safety)
SUMMER TEAM: Lorain County Hawks
IN HIS FREE TIME: Enjoys working out and running. When not playing sports, enjoys watching sports, either in person or on television.
FUTURE PLANS: Will attend Lake Erie College, where he will play center field for the Storm’s baseball team. He’s undecided on a major.
PARENTS: Daniel and Nancy

Cody Buckholz, Admiral King

CLASS: Senior
POSITIONS: Pitcher-infielder
LAST WEEK: Pitched a complete-game five-hitter in Admiral King’s 5-3 shocker over Strongsville in sectional tournament play.
THIS SEASON: Batted a team-leading .458 this spring. Cody leads the Admirals in runs batted in (20) and doubles and is second in runs (22) and stolen bases (6). Also pitched 30 innings and had a 2-1 record.
OTHER SPORTS: Basketball, golf
SUMMER TEAM: Northern Ohio Baseball Club
IN HIS FREE TIME: Hanging out with friends and playing outdoor sports.
FUTURE PLANS: Attend college and play varsity baseball. Hasn’t decided on a college.
PARENTS: Jeff and Laura

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