Aidan Zdarko’s RBI double over the left-fielder’s head tied the game at 3-3, and Gio Elinsky’s go-ahead single scored Zdarko, keying a three-run bottom of the fourth inning for Warren (1-0).

Senior pitcher Carson Farr would strand runners on second and third in the top of the fifth and finish with a three-inning save. That was after Farr threw a St. Marys runner out at second from left field earlier in the game.

“You could tell during the first few innings we haven’t been on the field much,” said Warren coach Andrew Morrison, “but we buckled down once we got our feet under us. Last year, we’d let an inning like the (St. Mary’s’ three-run) third define the game. We didn’t do that today and that’s great to see.”

Warren junior Brady Berdine started on the mound and allowed just one earned run on five hits over four innings, striking out six.

Warren starting pitcher Brady Berdine picked up a win on Wednesday in the Dragons’ 5-3 season-opening victory over visiting St. Marys. Times Observer Photo by Jon Sitler

“I was really happy with the pitching as well,” said Morrison. “(Coach) Ed (Baldensperger) has done a great job building (them up) all offseason. Brady picked up where he left off last year. He gave up one hard-hit ball and three unlucky infield singles.

Later in the year, that’s a game he stays in. We were hoping for around 70 pitches with him and that’s right where we ended up. When he’s in the zone consistently, his stuff overpowers batters.

“Carson’s curveball was working today,” added Morrison. “When he throws that for a strike, he’s tough to hit. He will start games for us this year, but we really like him following Brady, too. He’s a tough kid who’s built well for the stopper role.”

Offensively, seven different Dragons recorded base hits with doubles by Zdarko and Eric Dippold, who scored an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth.

“I really liked our ABs all the way through the lineup,” said Morrison. “One thing we as coaches really like is the balance we have. You saw that tonight; we had seven hits from seven different kids. Aidan Zdarko had a huge RBI double in the fourth; happy for him as he has worked really hard to get a shot and he took advantage.”

Warren second baseman Eric Dippold throws to first baseman Brady Berdine for an out during the Dragons’ 5-3 season-opening victory on Wednesday over visiting St. Marys. Times Observer Photo by Jon Sitler

The Dragons also walked more than they struck out with seven bases on balls to six Ks.

“Overall, I’m very happy with where we’re at, but we definitely have work to do,” said Morrison. “St. Marys beat us last year, so I’m sure it feels good for the guys to get a little payback. I told the guys after the game, that wasn’t our best game, but we toughed it out and did what we had to do. That’s a huge step in the right direction.”