By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – When the call came, much earlier than expected, Isaac Daria answered.
Pressed into service on the mound when Bedford North Lawrence starter Ryker Hughes had to step down with a physical problem after only two innings, Daria was the perfect solution to the problem. He went the rest of the way as the Stars conquered Class A No.4 Shakamak on Monday evening.
Daria worked the final five innings, while Walker Ward, Kline Woodward and Hughes did offensive damage during a solid 8-2 victory over the Lakers, ending Shakamak’s 6-game winning streak.
Pitching is like real estate – it’s all about location. Daria is not a flame thrower, he’s a mover and shaker, counting on placement more than velocity. He struck out three in those five innings, his defense turned two double plays, and he earned a tough win.
“He did what he needed to do, throw strikes and make them put the ball in play,” BNL coach Jeff Callahan said. “He did a great job. He’s worked hard to get the opportunity.”
BNL (8-4) took the lead with three runs in the first. Maddox Ray doubled in the first run, Woodward doubled him home, and Ward had a two-out single for the third score. In the third, Ward came through again with a clutch two-out, two-run triple.
The Lakers (7-5) scored their two runs in the fourth, but the Stars answered with key insurance runs in the bottom of that frame when Hughes blasted a three-run home run to center.
Woodward was 3 for 4, Ward had two hits and 3 RBIs, and Ray added two hits. Daria did the rest, scattering four hits.
“I’m just there to get ground balls,” Daria said. “I’m not going to power it by people. I throw strikes and get people out, that’s all I’m trying to do. I just have to do my job. When I have location, I can mow them down. When I don’t, they get base hits.”
BNL will visit Columbus East on Tuesday.
