Huskies honor seniors, prepare for postseason

One sign of a young team is senior night being over in less than five minutes.

That was the case last Thursday at Mazeroski Field as Brady McAfee and Colten Rutter were recognized in a pregame ceremony. While there are only two seniors on the Harrison Central baseball team this season, the two have left a profound imprint on the program, according to head coach Mike Valesko.

“These two guys have been a part of some very special teams for us. From 2023 in Akron to the District Championship game last season, I am proud of everything they have accomplished in their careers. It has been a pleasure coaching both guys, and I’m looking forward to their continued leadership as we start the postseason next week,” Valesko said.

The Huskies are four days away from their district semifinal matchup against the winner of Tusky Valley and West Muskingum, and things are looking up as the regular season draws to a close.

May 12, the Huskies picked up another big win, knocking off the fourth-ranked team in Ohio Division VI on the road. Toronto is a mainstay on the Ohio Valley baseball scene, and with a record of 20-3-1 this season, there is little reason to ask why.

The Red Knights had lost only to Youngstown Ursuline and Waynedale before running into the Huskies last week — or, more appropriately, running into Gage Stoneking on the mound.

With the Huskies leading 3-0, Stoneking carried a no-hitter into the 21st out. However, the strike zone tightened as the Red Knights came to the plate for their final chance. After two pitches narrowly missed the zone, a full count gave way to a Toronto double to right-center that scored two runs.

With one swing, the Huskies went from one out away from a complete-game shutout to having the tying run in scoring position. Baseball can change quickly, and last Tuesday was a prime example.

Stoneking recovered to force a flyout to center fielder Colson Crothers to end the game, but not before falling behind in the count 3-1. After a night of solid defense and dialed-in pitching, the final out kept fans on the edge of their seats in the 3-2 final.

Junior designated hitter Trae Dunfee carried the big bat on the road trip, recording a double and two RBIs. Sophomore Kolton Mizer drove in the difference-maker.

The Huskies returned home to face Toronto in the series finale last Thursday, a game that ended 3-3 because of a medical emergency in the bottom of the eighth inning. Harrison was in position to sweep the top-five Red Knights but surrendered two runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game and force extra innings.

With one out and a runner in scoring position for the Huskies, both coaching staffs agreed to stop play after a frightening sequence unfolded on the bases.

Division I state title contender Olentangy Orange visited Mazeroski Field last Friday, blanking the Huskies 8-0. Aside from the by-design challenge against Olentangy, the Huskies are playing better baseball as the tournament nears.

In the past two weeks, the Huskies have collected wins over Steubenville Big Red, Martins Ferry and Toronto, a string of results that had eluded them just two weeks earlier.

Tournament play starts May 26 at Mazeroski Field in Cadiz. The Huskies, who earned a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed, will play for a district championship May 28 if they win Tuesday.