Kirtland pounded out 11 hits and stole 16 bases in a 16-1 five-inning win at Harvey on Monday.
The Hornets, who improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division play, also got a strong performance on the mound from Matthew Finkler, who struck out 11.
“It was a great way to start the conference schedule,” said Kirtland coach Luke Smrdel. “We did everything great today. It was good to see. We ran the bases really well and made solid contact and did all the little things right.”
Finkler allowed just two hits in improving to 3-0 on the year. He also lowered his earned run average to 0.41. He was equally as dominant at the plate, where he was 2-for-3 with two triples and two runs batted in.
“Matthew is on a roll,” Smrdel said.
Joey Bates and Vinny Matticoli both had a pair of hits for the Hornets. Matticoli was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI while Bates was 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Anthony Fortuna was 1-for-1 with three walks and now has hit in six straight at bats.
David Allchin and Jacob Boyd both led the team with three stolen bases. Allchin also knocked in three runs.
Eight of 10 Kirtland batters had at least one hit in the game and nine Hornets scored a run.
“Our offense is very balanced,” Smrdel said. “From 1-9, the bats are alive through the order. We’re not a home run hitting team. We’re a team that’s going to make solid contact and hit line drives all over the field.”
The Hornets host Harvey on Tuesday.
