Every fire starts with a spark. 

For the Hoban Knights baseball team, early signs of life have invigorated their inaugural Division II campaign. 

Though the Knights have begun the season (1-2), with a win against Riverside and losses to Canfield and Wadsworth, strong performances speak louder than the record. 

On opening day against Riverside, senior Dylan Snyder dealt a gem in an 88 pitch no-hitter in the 4-0 win. Seniors Thomas Crowe and Alex Givens each contributed  a RBI as well, with Crowe stepping up at the plate with a two-bagger. 

Canfield posed a difficult challenge for the Knights in the 6-4 loss. Junior Nolan Holmgren batted a strong 3-4 with 2 RBIs. Senior reliever Dillon Walsh also had a commanding mound presence, allowing no runs in the final two innings. 

“The nice thing is the aspects of the game we can control and take through the season as far  as how well we’ve defended it and pitched it are on point,” head coach Andrew Bonnette said. “We’ve only allowed two earned runs with the exception of one start this year. We have arms that can throw strikes and guys that can play defense behind them.”

Bonnette, who is in his third season with the Knights as well as a math teacher in the classroom, feels confident in the general direction this season is heading. 

“We’re one facet of the game away from bringing it all together. Once we get hitting down, we’re going to put ourselves in a really good position to succeed,” Bonnette commented. “After three games we still have some uncertainties, but what I’ve seen in three games gives me an optimistic attitude for the season. Hitting comes and goes, but fielding and pitching lasts.”

The Knights will continue their season with games on March 31 home against Cuyahoga Falls and April 3 at Woodridge. 

Find the rest of the Knights schedule here:

https://www.hoban.org/athletics/teams/team-page/~athletics-team-id/152