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2015 OHSAA Division III State Final Four Preview

June 3, 2015

By Dylan Hefflinger
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

PBR Ohio has all of your high school baseball coverage across the state covered.

The 2015 season has been a great one in the Buckeye State. The regular season showcased some dominant teams throughout the year, but as always the OHSAA Tournament brings out the best in all teams. During the 2015 tournament we have seen numerous upsets including all four State Champions from 2014 getting knocked off along the way, meaning we will be crowning four new State Champions this year at Huntington Park.

To view the other divisions in-depth preview click on the division below:
Division I
Division II
Division IV

To view the Regional Brackets please click on the division below:
Division I
Division II
Division III
Division IV
Entire Tournament Bracket

Take a look at the 2014 State Final Four Roundup:
Division I
Division II
Division III
Division IV

Visit our scout blog, which includes velocity, pop times and in-depth scouting reports. The blog will be updated throughout the entire spring, with information on top prospects and top performances, click here.

To view the 2015 Team Rankings, click here.

To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click here.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

Division I State Final Four Preview


Team Name: Canton Central Catholic
Coaches Name/overall record: Doug Miller, 680-253
Team Record: 24-7-1
Final Regular Season Ranking: #10
Preseason Rank: #2

Postseason History:

  • 6th state appearance (2011, 2008, 2006, 2003, 1997)
  • 2-time state champion (2011, 2008)
  • 2-time runner-up (2003, 1997)

Tournament Trail:

Canton Central Catholic has had an amazing tournament run so far, outscoring its opponents 28-2, including three shutouts (in district finals and regionals). The Crusaders' closest game came in the sectional final in a 3-1 win over Jeromesville Hillsdale. In the districts, CCC defeated Loudonville 5-1 and Dalton 7-0. In regional action, the Crusaders blanked #11 Gilmour Academy 10-0 (5 innings) before capturing a regional crown with a 3-0 win over Akron Manchester.

Quotes from the head coach Doug Miller:


PBR: Talk about your team advancing to state (from the regular season to the tournament run).

Coach Miller: "We played a very good regular-season schedule with eight opponents advancing to regional play. Our schedule prepared us for this run."

PBR: What has stood out along the way about this team (maybe a turning point in the season or something you saw in the offseason)?

Coach Miller: "Our pitching has been very good all year. For about the past three weeks we have played good defense and have hit the ball through the whole batting order."

PBR: What does this mean to your school, community and city?

Coach Miller: "It means everything. We have a nice following during the regular season. Of course, it increases the longer you advance."

Projected Lineup for the Crusaders

The Crusaders look to win their 3rd state title and here is the group of young men looking to accomplish another crown.

  1. Michael DeMario, LF/RF, .449 BA, 40/89, 30 runs, 22 RBIs, 17 SB
  2. Nic Millin, C, .375 BA, 36/96, 20 runs, 16 RBIs
  3. Drew Savage, 2B, .392 BA, 40/102, 20 runs, 37 RBIs, 15 SB
  4. Patrick Murphy (Marshall commit, pictured right), LHP/LF, .289, 24/83, 20 runs, 19 RBIs (On mound, 8-1, 1.02 ERA, 55 IP, 79 Ks, 15 BB). Ranked 67th in 2015 class.
  5. Dan Platek, 1B, .300 BA. 24/80, 15 RBIs, 9 2B
  6. Jake Vance (Ohio State commit, pictured above to the right), SS/RHP, .250 BA, 22/88, 16 runs, 15 RBIs, (On mound, 7-1, 1.37 ERA, 61 IP, 76 Ks, 17 BB). Ranked 26th in 2016 class
  7. Clay Davies, 3B, .264 BA, 19/72, 10 RBIs
  8. Lucas Blackerby, RF/DH, .221 BA, 15/68, 11 RBIs
  9. J.C. Colangelo, CF, .267 BA, 16/60, 24 runs, 17 stolen bases, (J.C. will also be running in the state track championships in the 100)

Other Key Contributors:


Team Name: Wheelersburg High School
Coaches Name/overall record: Michael Estep
Team Record: 29-1
Final Regular Season Ranking: #1
Preseason Rank: #24

Postseason History:

  • 8th state appearance (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 1996)
  • 3-time state champion (2012, 2010, 1996)
  • Runner-up in 2010

Tournament Trail:

From the start of the season, the Wheelersburg Pirates had one thing in their eyes, another trip to Huntington Park in Columbus. The #1 team in the state made that happen with an impressive, dominating performance in the tournament where the Pirates are outscoring their opposition 41-5. Wheelersburg cruised to a sectional and district crown with wins over Proctorville Fairland 16-1, Waverly 12-1 and Chesapeake 3-0. At regionals, the Pirates blanked West Lafayette Ridgewood 5-0 before capturing a regional title with a win over #20 Albany Alexander 5-3.

Top Player:

Wade Martin (pictured right), who as a freshman was two outs from a perfect game in the 2012 state championship game against Lima Central Catholic, retired the first 20 batters (16 on strikeouts) in a 3-0 win in the district finals. After allowing two hits and with the tying run at the plate, Martin picked off the runner on second for the final out.

In the regional semifinals, Martin shut down the West Lafayette Ridgewood Generals, as the Marshall commit went six innings allowing two hits while striking out 12.

The Pirates number two on the mound is Zach Russell, who got the win in the regional finals, while also throwing a 3-hitter in the district semifinals.

Team Name: Genoa Area
Coaches Name/overall record: Ron Rightnowar, 208-99
Team Record: 25-4
Final Regular Season Ranking: #14
Preseason Rank: NR

Postseason History:

  • 3rd state appearance (1999, 1974)

Tournament Trail:


The Comets of Genoa are making their 3rd appearance at the state tournament and are there in 2015 thanks to some clutch hitting as well as strong pitching and defense. During the tournament run the Comets have outscored their opponents 25-10. Genoa won the sectional crown with a shutout of Liberty Center 3-0. In districts, Genoa got past a talented Sherwood Fairview team 7-5 before defeating a good Millbury Lake squad 5-2. During regionals, the Comets faced Baltimore Liberty Union and Huron, winning 5-3 and 5-0, respectively.

Quotes from the head coach Ron Rightnowar:


PBR: Talk about your team advancing to state (from the regular season to the tournament run).

Coach Rightnowar: "We are very proud of our team for winning the regional championship. The experience gained the last couple of years paid off as we had a more focused effort to break through to the State Final Four."

PBR: What has stood out along the way about this team (maybe a turning point in the season or something you saw in the offseason)?

Coach Rightnowar: "We have been steady and gaining confidence and momentum with each game. The guys know they can play and are stepping into those moments together which is really nice to see."

PBR: What has stood out along the way about this team?

Coach Rightnowar: "We graduated four key guys, so we knew we would need some help from young guys in certain spots. They have grown with each game and have performed very well in support of the seniors."

PBR: What does this mean to your school, community and city?

Coach Rightnowar: "Genoa has a proud tradition in baseball and as the current coach I feel a responsibility to represent them in the right way, especially on the field. They have high expectations, which is a good thing. The kids know they are part of something bigger than them and that means something to the entire community."

Projected Lineup for the Crusaders

  1. Cody Picakard, SS, 2015
  2. Kyle Edwards, 3B, 2015
  3. Jake Wojciechowcki (pictured right), CF/P, 2015
  4. Nick Wolfe (Owens CC commit), C, 2015
  5. Matt Bradfield, DH, 2017 or Dylan Grosjean, 2B, 2017
  6. Matt Aumiller, RF, 2015
  7. Luke Rightnowar, CF/P, 2015
  8. Gabe Scott, 1B, 2018
  9. Blake Traver, LF, 2015


Other Key Contributors:

  • Jarod Brossia could be used as a defensive replacement late in the game or pinch hitter.
  • Noah Edwards could be used as a pinch runner.
  • Kurtis Lee could be used as a defensive replacement late in the game or pinch runner.

Top Arms for the Comets

  • Luke Rightnowar, RHP, 2015, 9-1 (26-4 career, school record)
  • Jake Wojciechowcki, RHP, 2015, 5-1, no-hitter in regional finals with 13 Ks
  • Matt Aumiller, RHP, 2015, 4-1
  • Kyle Edwards, RHP, 2015, 4-0

Team Name: Summit Country Day
Coaches Name/overall record: Triffon Callos, 139-87
Team Record: 18-12
Final Regular Season Ranking: NR
Preseason Rank: #18

Postseason History:

  • 3rd state appearance (1996, 1995) - 1st appearance in Division III
  • Won state in 1995 (Division IV)

Tournament Trail:


The Silver Knights cruised in the districts, defeating St. Bernard Roger Bacon 6-3 and West Alexander Twin Valley South 12-2. At regionals, Summit Country Day would face very stiff competition in #2 CHCA and #6 Waynsville, coming up victorious 6-2 and 2-1, respectively.

Quotes from the head coach Triffon Callos:


PBR: Talk about your team advancing to state (from the regular season to the tournament run).

Coach Callos: "We had some very tough losses in the regular season. Our kids have learned how to close a game out and that has been key to our success in the postseason. We have been a different team this postseason. We have got up early on each opponent and our pitching and defense have been exceptional. This team went through the best regional in the State (#2 CHCA #2 & #6 Waynesville) to get to Columbus. We have faced excellent competition all season. I schedule the way that I do to prepare us for the postseason. We are a battle-tested group."

PBR: What has stood out along the way about this team (maybe a turning point in the season or something you saw in the offseason)?

Coach Callos: "We have executed during the tournament. We have played solid defense and put the pressure on our opponents in every game this postseason. I also notice a team that is very relaxed and having fun. They are a very close group who is playing each game for our senior class. They are a fun group to be around."

PBR: What does this mean to your school, community and city?

Coach Callos: "It means so much to the school, parents, players and coaches. This team has left a legacy at Summit Country Day. The support of our community has been excellent and we look forward to a large group making the trip to support us on Friday in Columbus. "

Projected Lineup for the Silver Knights

Summit Country Day is hitting .328 as a team while outscoring opponents 224-138. The Silver Knights have 85 stolen bases as a team.

  1. Brooks Taylor, .253 BA, 2 2B, 37 R, 12 RBIs, 14 SB
  2. Eric Terry (Emory commit, pictured right), .462 BA, 11 2B, 1 HR, 23 R, 38 RBIs, 6 SB, ranked 122nd in 2015 class.
  3. Mark Peterson, .346 BA, 11 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 28 R, 22 RBIs, 4 SB
  4. Connor McMurry, .337 BA, 7 2B, 17 R, 26 RBIs, 8 SB
  5. John Merritt, .440 BA, 5 2B, 19 R, 27 RBIs, 5 SB
  6. Craig James, .313 BA, 4 2B, 20 R, 12 RBIs
  7. Brennan Gick, .359 BA, 3 2B, 15 R, 10 RBIs, 6 SB
  8. Logan Bernhardt, .191 BA, 14 R, 9 SB (in limited ABs)
  9. Will Mackey, .229 BA, 22 R, 11 RBIs, 11 SB

 

Top Arms for the Silver Knights

Summit Country Day has been up and down on the mound with a team ERA of 3.35, but have come on strong lately. The Silver Knights are led by a sophomore and junior on the hill.

  • Connor McMurry (pictured right), 2017, 3.72 ERA, 58.1 IP, 66 Ks, ranked 21st in 2017 class
  • John Merritt, 2016, 2.45 ERA, 51.1 IP, 27 Ks
  • Mark Peterson, 26 IP, 23 Ks
  • Reece Jackson, 2.37 ERA, 23.2 IP, 10 Ks
  • Brooks Taylor, 17.1 IP, 17 Ks

 

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