The West Geauga Wolverines set out with a few goals entering the 2026 season, one being to win the CVC Chagrin Division title.
Game photos click here.
The West Geauga Wolverines set out with a few goals entering the 2026 season, one being to win the CVC Chagrin Division title.
Though they ultimately fell short of Perry, who worked a perfect 10-0 conference schedule, by a score of 11-4, they definitely gave themselves a chance.
“Last year, we were in the same spot where we came into the last series against Hawken,” said West Geauga Head Coach Brett Munn. “We had to sweep to win the conference, and we didn’t. So we were in this situation last year.
“I think we were more experienced, probably a little better team this year, more capable of beating Perry. In the first game on Monday, it was 4-4 in the sixth, and it could have gone any way. The guys put themselves in a situation to win the conference, and it didn’t pan out — but overall, we’ve still had a very good season, and there are still two weeks left, so we’re not hanging our heads.
“We’re not going to lie down, the season’s not over. We know that we still have other goals.”
The Pirates drew first blood in the top of the first with an infield RBI single from Michael Niedzwiecki, followed by an RBI fielder’s choice by Carter Crofoot, giving them 2-0 lead after one inning.
In the second, Perry rallied for six runs, sparked by a Justin Costello leadoff double, and then Costello scored on an error with the bases loaded.
Carter Hopkins lined a two-run single to right, Niedzwiecki drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, Crofoot ripped an RBI triple, and Sheamus Matson capped off the rally with a run-scoring single to right for an 8-0 lead.
Then again in the fourth, Crofoot doubled, moving Niedzwiecki to third before he eventually scored on a Costello sacrifice fly for a 9-0 lead.
Also in the fourth, West Geauga finally struck for four runs. Austin Kanieski and Nick Colella both delivered with two-out RBI singles, then Mitchell Mikolay punched a two-out, two-run single to right, cutting the deficit to 9-4 after four frames of play.
To create the final score of 11-4, Perry added on in the fifth with RBI singles by Trent Taylor and Crofoot.
Although a championship is no longer in reach, there are a few more things on the mind for West G.
Those are eclipsing 15 wins and winning two playoff games, two goals that feel well within reach.
“Last year, we won a playoff game and reached the district finals. We want to get at least two playoff wins and get to regionals — that’s kind of the goal,” Coach Munn said. “We’re a pretty sound team. This game has nothing to do with what we’re going for in the next couple of weeks at the playoffs.”
And although West G lost twice this season to Perry, 8-4 and 11-4, the Wolverines competed hard in both games, and in eight other tightly contested CVC games and non-conference games, which will help gear them up for this postseason stretch.
Coach Munn said the team’s last 10 box scores show every game within a couple of runs either way.
“So it’s going to balance each other out,” he said. “Those kinda of games are certainly going to get us ready for postseason play. Even yesterday, we were up 5-1, and Wickliffe made a comeback on us, and then we held them off at 5-3.”
Against Perry, Mikolay went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, and Colella went 2-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored.
Kanieski collected a hit with an RBI, while Jackson Remaley and Luke Ottman added hits as well.
Bryce Vidovic went four innings, allowing six runs on nine hits with five walks and four strikeouts.
Remaley and Colton Milnar combined for two innings of relief, allowing two runs on four hits with four walks.
The Wolverines sat at 14-6 before facing Edgewood on May 11, Madison on May 14, and Chagrin Falls on May 15, and Cleveland Heights on the road on May 16.
