HUDSON — Hits were hard to come by for Chardon and CVCA in a Division III regional semifinal June 3. But the Royals found a rhythm in the fourth.
Four hits generated two runs for the Royals, and Kyle Shaw held the Hilltoppers hitless for 5 2/3 innings in a 2-0 victory.
CVCA will play the winner of Hoban and Akron SVSM in a regional final at 5 p.m., June 4, at Hudson.
Tim Robertson got the nod to start for the Hilltoppers and worked out of a first-inning runner in scoring position by striking out the side.
“Tim is just a competitor,” Chardon coach Greg Fronk said. “He brings four pitches in every game, whether they’re strikes or not. I don’t know what he does out there to get them to swing or keep them off balance. He’s just a dog, and he’s got one more year with us, and hopefully he carries that into next year.”
Robertson went the distance, allowed five hits and struck out nine
Both sides created contact, but the fielding handled any situations. In the third inning, Chardon’s Justin Smith turned a 6-3 double play and tracked a popout into the shallow outfield.
The Royals broke through in the fourth inning with four singles. One from Alex Mammone fell in shallow left, and Jonah Gaudro tried to score from second. But AJ Nagaj fired a throw to Jayden Buth for the forceout at home.
Every move Robertson and the Hilltoppers made, Kyle Shaw copied for CVCA. The two worked through counts in several different styles.
“He worked the outside of the zone a lot,” Fronk said. “He pitched a great game and got the calls he needed. He was able to keep us off balance. There’s not much more to say on that.”
Shaw allowed one hit with five strikeouts.
Zac Anderson broke the stalemate with a single for a run in the next at-bat. The Royals also scored a run on a passed ball in the inning.
Chardon had a chance to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning with a walk and single from Buth. Ty Roediger worked a 2-1 count, but a liner back to Shaw ended the scoring threat.
This was the Hilltoppers’ first regional appearance since their 2022 state title run. Fronk believes it’s just the start of another deep run.
The Hilltoppers have five seniors and several returning underclassmen who will see increased roles next season.
“It’s just building to next year,” Fronk said. “It’s all building to regionals. First year we get here and we plan on doing that again. The seniors carried us and we need some dudes to step up. What’s interesting is they rode the highs and lows. Everyone picked each other up, guys like Adam Gable and Jayden Buth. We didn’t even coach at the end because everyone picked each other up.”
The score
CVCA 2, Chardon 0
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