Parker Munday and Drew McKenna returned to Canal Park in Akron last week, where just a few weeks ago they helped lead Kenston to an OHSAA Division II State Championship.
Parker Munday and Drew McKenna returned to Canal Park in Akron last week, where just a few weeks ago they helped lead Kenston to an OHSAA Division II State Championship.
On June 28, Munday and McKenna represented Kenston and Geauga County in the Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association (NEOBCA) All-Star Game.
As NEOBCA All-Stars, Munday and McKenna helped the Geauga/Medina County All-Star Team battle the Mahoning/Stark County All-Star Team to a 7-7 tie.
After the game, McKenna reflected on the meaningfulness of winning the OHSAA State Championship at Canal Park just a few weeks earlier.
“It’s a surreal moment,” McKenna said. “It’s everything you dreamed of when you’re a freshman coming into high school, and it’s just a dream come true.”
Added Munday, “It felt great to be out here again and be with Drew, and we did great.”
Both athletes had great games at the plate. Munday also pitched a scoreless inning.
McKenna got the Geauga/Medina All-Stars on the scoreboard in the second inning, hitting a hard line drive single, then scoring on a triple by Medina’s Nate Hill.
Trailing 4-2 in the top of the fourth, McKenna hit a sacrifice fly to bring the Geauga/Medina All-Stars to within one run, 4-3.
Munday then singled to load the bases. Shortly thereafter, the Geauga/Medina All-Stars tied the game, 4-4, on another sacrifice fly.
Fast forward to the seventh inning, and the Geauga/Medina County All-Stars were trailing 7-4.
However, as in the OHSAA State Semifinal Championship game, where Kenston trailed going into the final inning, Munday got on base again to start a rally.
Then Medina’s Brennan Stobbs tripled to drive Munday in from first base.
The seventh inning ended with two more Geauga/Media County runs to tie the score, 7-7.
Due to two-hour time constraints, the all-star game ended there.
“It was really fun, really relaxing, you just come out and play baseball,” McKenna said. “There really is no pressure. You get to meet new people. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Further representing Geauga teams, Chagrin Falls Assistant Coach John Bakalar received the NEOBCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year Award.
Upon receiving it, Bakalar reflected on the season.
“We started in Myrtle Beach and we had a tough time. We really kind of learned a lot about ourselves,” he said. “As the season went on, we just got better. It was a very competitive team; we always felt like we were in it. Our pitching did an outstanding job.
“You always hope you get hot right around the playoffs, and that’s what we were able to do.”
“We had a great season considering what we had to replace, and I think we have a bright future for next year, too.”
Then Bakalar discussed the meaningfulness of receiving the Assistant Coach of the Year Award.
“It means a lot,” he said. “Coach Sweeney nominated me, and they selected me.
“This is my second year as an assistant, and I appreciate that Mike gave me the opportunity to come coach with him and learn from him.
“Working with the pitchers, it really has been a great situation being at Chagrin. I am really thankful.”
The NEOBCA all-star game officially concluded the high school sports season for Geauga County’s 2022-23 athlete.
Fall sports practices for the 2023-24 school year begin July 31, and first competitions begin August 4.
