Edwardsburg’s Gaideski wins 400th

Published 9:19 am Friday, March 29, 2019

EDWARDSBURG — Veteran Edwardsburg coach A.J. Gaideski picked up his 400th career victory as the Eddies edged Mishawaka Marian 2-1 in non-conference baseball Wednesday.

“Winning 400 games means No. 1, I have had the privilege of coaching terrific young men who work very hard and do what we ask of them daily,” Gaideski said. “We have excellent student-athletes in Edwardsburg who want to succeed, not only in baseball, but in the classroom as well. Number two, I have and had great assistant coaches who are dedicated and teach athletes not only the game of baseball, but life lessons they can take with them in their journey throughout life. Lastly, I am blessed with a great family that is supportive and understanding of letting me do what I love.”

The Eddies (1-1) scored a run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Zach Stryker that scored A.J. Obren, who had reached base on an error to open the inning.

Edwardsburg increased its lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning on fielder’s choice ground ball off the bat of Stryker. Obren, who drew a one-out walk, scored what turned out to be the winning run on the play.

Marian cut the lead to 2-1 in the sixth inning with a double.

Eddies’ starter Jonah Sibley was able to work his way out of the inning without any further damage and pick up the victory. Colby Sidenbender pitched the seventh inning to earn the save.

“We are a work in progress so far,” Gaideski said. “We will get better every game this season. I’m excited to see our progress as the season goes on. We will be solid defensively and throw strikes. I would like to see us get consistent at the plate by being aggressive but at the same time patient enough to hit your pitch which is a fine line.”

Edwardsburg finished with just a pair of hits — both singles.