Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

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DIVISION I 

Canton Regional

No. 22 Aurora (26-4) vs. No. 31 North Canton Hoover (22-7)

Aurora set a school record with a 15-game winning streak and are currently on a six-game winning streak. This will be the Greenman's 2nd regional appearance in school history, with the first coming in 1986.

The Aurora Greenman have a nice mix of upperclassmen (five seniors) and underclassmen (one junior and four sophomores) in their starting lineup. The Greenman are hitting .335 as a team, led by sophomore Nick Ely (.389, 19 runs, 14 RBIs). Other top hitters include Jake Czerwinski (Sr. .347, 24 runs, 28 RBIs, 13 doubles, 4 HR), Paul Pistone (Sr. .383, 19 runs, 16 RBIs), Andy Weber (So. .347, 21 runs, 25 RBIs), Tyler Thomas (Sr. .347, 24 RBIs, 9 doubles, 1 HR), Kirk Janoch (Jr. .335, 35 runs) and Matt Carpenter (Pictured right, So. .333, 15 runs, 15 RBIs). The Greenman had a team ERA of 2.62, with a pair of aces: Adam Berger (8-1, 53 1/3 innings, 2 saves, 2.62 ERA, 47 K, 13 BB) and Czerwinski (6-1, 56 innings, 1.42 ERA, 53 K, 14 BB). Other top pitchers include Janoch (3-0, 24 2/3 innings, 1.99 ERA) and Kyle Messner (3-0, 24 2/3 innings, 1.42 ERA). Frank Sivillo is their battery mate behind the plate.

North Canton Hoover won their first district title and advances to regional action for the first time since 1999. The Vikings also won their first Federal League title since 2006. In the last four games (three tournament games and one regular season game), the Vikings have been red hot scoring 63 runs on 63 hits. This includes the 17 runs they scored in the district final against Canton GlenOak, which had not allowed a run in the tournament before being invaded by the Vikings. Hoover has a one-two punch on the mound in sophomore RHP Jake Szendrey (pictured left) and senior LHP Drew Vargo. These two throw to their battery mate Will Haueter a junior. A couple of the Vikings top hitters are junior first baseman Matt Machamer (pictured right) and senior John Zucal.

53-year-old head coach Jeff Hite won his 500th game of his career earlier this season, but has been through a lot since being diagnosed in 2008 with pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare type of cancer that usually begins in the appendix and can spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity. In 2009 he underwent a surgery that lasted more than 10 hours and removed his appendix, spleen and gall bladder. Approximately 15 pounds was removed from his abdomen. Hite underwent a second surgery almost three years later. Detecting the presence of the condition and preventing its spread is a regular and necessary chore.

 

No. 43 Brunswick (21-9) vs. No. 14 Mentor (22-5)

Brunswick advances to regional action after a shutout of No. 12 Hudson, 3-0 in the district finals. The Blue Devils have a solid one-two punch in seniors Kyle Michalik (pictured left, Ohio State University recruit) and Gerry Salsbury (unsigned senior). Salsbury tossed a four-hitter to help Brunswick beat Twinsburg 3-2 in a district semifinal Friday. Michalik threw a one-hit shutout in the district final. Another top arm for Brunswick is Kyle Wheeler. At the plate, Michalik and Salsbury are also key hitters in a lineup that includes senior Kyle Burson (unsigned senior), junior Cory Welsh, unsigned senior Kyle Wheeler and talented sophomore Gary Clift (pictured right).

Brunswick is in the regionals for the fourth time but the first time since 2000. The Blue Devils shared the Northeast Ohio Conference River Division title with three solid teams, Mentor, Strongsville and Medina. All four teams were 7-3 in league play.

Mentor is making its fifth regional appearance since 2003. Pitching has been a strong point for the Cardinals with Louisville recruit Kade McClure (9-1, 64 2/3 innings, 0.85 ERA, 76 K) and St. Bonaventure recruit Daniel Trimble (7-0, 44 innings, 0.31 ERA, 41 K). Corey Plavcan leads the Cardinals with a .422 average and 29 RBIs, while Caleb Potter (pictured left, .352), Albert Giebel (.333) and junior Sam Vilk (pictured right, .329, 20 RBIs) also are key cogs in the Cardinals' offense. Mentor defeated Brunswick 3-1 on April 23rd.

 

Dublin Regional

Hilliard Darby (19-10) vs. No. 25 Thomas Worthington (24-6)

Hillard Darby is getting hot at the right time, tournament time. The Panthers knocked off two top teams in Division I in No. 36-ranked Pickerington Central and No. 8-ranked Pickerington North in the districts. Junior ace Nate Green (9-0, 53 2/3 innings, 0.91 ERA, 76 K, 28 BB) will be on the bump against Thomas Worthington. At the plate the Panthers have a team average of .308 and have scored 186 tuns on the season. Darby is led by unsigned senior Jake Chetock (pictured left, .360, 31 runs, 14 RBIs, 21 steals). Other top hitters include Stephen Hernon (Sr. .333, 16 runs, 29 RBIs, Otterbein recruit), Chris Ramsey (pictured right, Sr. .343, 23 runs, 22 RBIs, Valparaiso recruit) and Connor Holdren (Sr. .319, 26 runs, 11 RBIs)

Thomas Worthington has already set a school record in wins with 24 and are currently on a six-game winning streak. The Cardinals also have won back-to-back district championships. Last season the Cardinals lost in the regional semifinals to Olentangy Orange on a walk-off home run. Thomas Worthington is strong defensively with a solid pitching staff that has a season ERA of 2.33. Junior ace Nick Pauley (pictured left, 8-2, 60 innings, 1.40 ERA, 62 K, 25 BB) will be on the bump against Hilliard Darby. The Cardinals also have unsigned senior Roscoe Blackburn (pictured right, 7-1, 59 innings, 2.49 ERA, 48 K, 20 BB) as insurance on the mound as well as Sam Ankrom (JR. 4-1, 28 1/3 innings, 2,96 ERA, 26 K). At the plate Thomas Worthington has a team average of .311, led by Ben Miller (Sr. .419, 26 runs, 34 RBIs, 2 HR, 12 SB). Other top hitters include Blackburn (.389, 16 runs, 13 RBIs, 9 SB), Nick Highley (Sr. .301, 31 runs, 14 RBIs, 22 walks), Emerson Keppler (Sr. .321, 29 runs, 14 RBIs, 7 triples, 14 SB), Kegan Lanter (Jr. .296, 21 runs, 19 RBIs), Sam Lima (Sr. .278, 21 runs, 19 RBIs, 2 HR) and Tommy Pischel (Jr. .267, 22 runs, 17 RBIs, 14 SB).

 

No. 50 Marysville (21-7) vs. No. 42 Gahanna Lincoln (20-9)

Gahanna Lincoln defeated Marysville 12-2 in the first game of the season for both teams, but each is much improved which should provide an outstanding regional semifinals match-up.

Marysville defeated one of the top teams in the state in No. 15 Watkins Memorial 7-2 in the district championship game and is on an eight-game winning streak heading into the regional semis. The district championship was the first for the Monarchs since 1992, and their 21 wins are the most in school history. The Monarchs are led by senior two-hole hitting shortstop Corey Gould (Mt. Vernon Nazarene recruit). Top underclassmen include juniors Billy Kidd, three-hole hitting third baseman, Matt Mulholland, clean-up hitting center fielder and sophomore DH Desmond Johnson (pictured left). Unsigned senior Kyle Hites will look to provide a spark at the top of the lineup. Marysville will put talented sophomore Aron Mowery (pictured right) on the bump against Gahanna Lincoln. Mowery is a small right-hander, but features an explosive fastball, which has been up to 89 mph this spring, and a hard breaking ball.

Gahanna Lincoln (20-9) started the season at No. 17 in the PBR Ohio Preseason Rankings. Now, the Lions are one of 16 teams left in the Division I state tournament. After knocking off No. 10 Olentangy Orange in the district finals, Gahanna looks to repeat its success from earlier this season against Marysville. Senior right-handed pitcher Alec Tuohy (Buffalo recruit), who was the Central District player of the year, will take the hill. Tuohy complements his mid to upper 80s fastball with a hard slider. The Lions' lineup features several big, talented athletes including junior first baseman Evan White (Kent State recruit), senior infielder Christian Chiero (pictured left, Otterbein recruit), and senior outfielder Peyton Ross (Otterbein recruit). If the Lions are going to make a run at Huntington, they will be calling upon a pair of sophomore arms, Mason Daniels (pictured right) and Cole Gibson.

Bowling Green/Cleveland Regional

No. 7 Perrysburg (26-3) vs. No. 6 Toledo St. Francis (27-2)

This is a dream match-up that folks from Perrysburg and St. Francis have been wanting all season long. These two teams have been the two top teams in Toledo in 2013, along with Anthony Wayne, and we finally have the match-up that we thought we could have.

Perrysburg is hitting .333 as a team led by talented junior Mark Delas (pictured left, .424, 23 runs, 29 RBIs, 4 triples). Unsigned senior catcher Kyle Durham (.333, 15 runs, 17 RBIs, 3 HR) looks to provide some power. At the top of the lineup senior Steve Slocum (.374, 34 runs, 16 RBIs, 3 triples, 22 steals) looks to provide a spark. Other top hitters include Austin Lee (Sr. .312, 23 runs, 16 RBIs, 4 triples, 13 steals), AJ Stockwell (Jr. .303, 24 runs, 19 RBIs), Nick Munger (.348, 20 runs, 24 RBIs), Nick Fleming (Jr. .328, 18 runs, 14 RBIs) and Gus Dimmerling (So. .372, 16 runs, 23 RBIs, 13 steals). On the mound the Yellow Jackets have a team ERA of a 2.25, led by unsigned senior Nick Munger (8-0, 56 innings, 1.75 ERA, 4 complete games, 51 K, 18 BB, .240 BAA). The Yellow Jackets also have LHP Stockwell (7-0, 37 2/3 innings, 1.49 ERA, 38 K, .176 BAA) and RHP Delas (6-1, 48 innings, 1.60 ERA, 4 complete games, 31 K, .180 BAA).

St. Francis had won 26 games in a row before losing on Tuesday night in the TRAC tournament finals to Toledo Central Catholic. The Knights other loss this season came on April 1st against McGill Toolen, Alabama. The Knights are hitting a robust .363 as a team, led by senior twin brothers and Denison recruits Eric Zmuda (pictured right, .450, 28 runs, 34 RBIs, 7 doubles, 5 triples, 13 SB) and Matt Zmuda (.344, 22 runs, 23 RBIs, 7 doubles). Other top hitters include Max Lyon (.410, 27 runs, 21 RBIs, 6 doubles, 3 triples), unsigned senior Cody Lewis (.407, 31 runs, 19 RBIs, 4 triples), Joey White (.387, 24 runs, 20 RBIs), Michael Wagner (.377, 16 runs, 14 RBIs), Adrian recruit Miccoy Drzewiecki (.318, 22 runs, 23 RBIs), Andy Okuley (So. .281, 14 runs), Nick Lankard (So. .304, 20 runs, 16 RBIs). On the mound the Knights have a team ERA of a minuscule 1.77 and are led by John Carrol recruit Max Lyon (pictured left, 6-0, 48 1/3 innings, 33 K, 17 BB). The Knights also have six other pitchers with more than 12 innings pitched including, M. Zmuda, Trine university recruit Kenzie Mayo, sophomore Jacob Lang, Drzewiecki, Josh Williams and Kevin Greenoe.

 

Avon Lake (17-10) vs. No. 13 Cleveland St. Ignatius (24-6)

Avon Lake, which is on a 10-game winning streak, looks to continue its magical tournament run. The Shoremen have defeated 2012 state participant Westlake and a talented Lorain squad in sectionals. In the district Avon Lake shut out both No. 18 Amherst Steele 5-0 and No. 19 Grafton Midview 6-0. 

St. Ignatius has won 19 of its last 20 games and are in their second consecutive regional appearance. Coach Brad Ganor has gotten the Wildcats to their fifth regional appearance in nine season at the helm and looks to return to state as was the norm, reaching state in 2007, '08 and '09. The Wildcats use a "small ball" approach on offense, which is led by unsigned senior Connor Hennessy, who set the team record for stolen bases with 28. The team as a whole has more than 100 stolen bases on the season, which is also a team record. On the mound, St. Ignaius is led by Ashland University recruit LHP Tom Rolle (picuted left, 5-0) and talented junior LHP Nick Margevicius (8-0). Senior RHPs Kyle Pluta, Matt Lynch and sophomore RHP MJ Nara hold down the bullpen. Juniors Nick Fabian (pictured right) and Shane Skuhrovec are other arms Ganor could rely on.

 

Cincinnati Regional

No. 9 Lakota East (26-3) vs. No. 2 Cincinnati Moeller (27-2)

Lakota East is on a 20-game winning streak, having last lost to No. 1 Mason on April 12th. The Thunderhawks have outscored their opponents 250-105 on the season. At the plate, Lakota East has a team average of .340 and are led by Ball State recruit Jarret Rindfleisch (.476, 33 runs, 37 RBIs. 15 doubles, 2 HR), Tyler Gibbons (.394, 28 RBIs, 6 doubles), Max Minnier (.389, 28 runs, 17 RBIs), Andy Almquist (pictured left, .375, 16 runs), Brett Colburn (.363, 26 runs, 25 RBIs, 6 doubles, 3 triples), Adam Delaet (.315, 23 RBIs) and Lincoln Trail recruit Chris Elam (.313). On the mound, the Thunderhawks have numerous pitchers they rely on including Ashland University recruit Derek Baker (pictured right, 4-2, 48 1/3 innings, 40 K), Kyle Lepper (7-1, 44 2/3 innings, 2.35 ERA, 33 K), Almquist (5-0, 38 1/3 innings, 2.37 ERA, 40 K) and Nick Snyder (5-0, 27 innings, 1.30 ERA, 19 K). The Thunderhawks have a team ERA of 2.62

Perennial state power and defending state champion Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller is riding high as they are on a 15-game winning streak, while also starting the season with an 11-game winning streak. The Fighting Crusaders have won the Greater Catholic League for seven straight seasons and have advanced to regionals for the 10th straight year. At the plate the Fighting Crusaders have a team average of .338 and are led by Kentucky recruit Zach Logue (pictured right, .420, 20 runs, 22 RBIs), Nick Meece (.397, 21 runs, 17 RBIs, 3 triples), Kentucky recruit Riley Mahan (pictured left, .386, 33 runs, 7 doubles, 4 triples, 26 RBIs, 26 SB), Marshall recruit Spencer Iacovone (.367, 25 runs, 30 RBIs), Dayton recruit Justin Wampler (.358, 28 runs, 13 RBIs, 18 SB), Furman recruit Cameron Whitehead (.357, 28 runs, 26 RBIs, 9 SB), Evansville recruit Max Foley (.342, 21 runs, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 30 RBIs) and Ashland university recruit Patrick McAlpine. On the mound Moeller has co-aces in Gus Ragland (5-0, 39 1/3, 0.71 ERA, 41 K) and Logue (6-1, 43 innings, 1.47 ERA, 48 K). Other top arms include Nick Voss (5-1, 32 1/3 innings, 1.95 ERA, 30 K), TJ Marklay (4-0, 27 innings, 1.04 ERA, 35 K) and TJ Storer (2-0, 20 1/3 innings 22 K). The team ERA is at a minuscule 1.70

Head coach Tim Held on his team's strengths:

"Our pitching has been a big strength. I didn’t think they would be as strong as they are early in the season.  Because they were throwing so well, it allowed us to start out 11-0 and have the great looking record that we have now.  Our offense has also done a great job.  We came out of the gates very hot and that allowed the young pitchers to settle down and concentrate on throwing strikes and not worry about allowing base runners."

 

No. 1 Mason (26-0) vs. No. 47 Clayton Northmont (22-7)

Mason is the prohibitive favorite, even with the likes of Northmont, Moeller and Lakota East in their regional. The Comets have just been unbelievable this season, having outscored their opponents 230-39, allowing just five runs in their last nine games combined. At the plate the Comets are hitting .369 as a team and are led by RJ Thompson (.507, 36 runs, 28 RBIs, 3 HR, 8 SB), Lee Sponseller (.442, 21 runs, 22 RBIs, 4 triples), Drew Johnson (.432, 25 runs, 31 RBIs, 6 HR), Connor Bryan (.396, 21 runs), TJ Dunn (picture left, .395, 15 RBIs), Rodney Hutchison (.378, 38 RBIs, 4 HR) and Cincinnati recruit Connor McVey (.312, 36 runs, 19 RBIs, 13 SB)

Mason head coach Ken Gray on his team's strengths:

"Our pitching depth is good and the character and commitment of our team has been tremendous all season."

Speaking of pitching, the Comets have a team ERA of an outstanding 1.34 led by four talented pitchers, Ohio Dominican recruit Seth Bowles (7-0, 44 2/3 innings, 1.10 ERA, 42 K), Virginia Tech recruit Andrew McDonald (6-0, 39 2/3 innings, 1.06 ERA, 66 K), Pittsburg recruit TJ Zeuch (pictured right, 6-0, 35 innings, 0.80 ERA, 45 K) and Rodney Hutchison (3-0, 21 innings, 1.00 ERA, 26 K).

Clayton Northmont is looking to shock the world and knock off the top overall team in the state, and the Thunderbolts have the talent to do so. Northmont has outscored opponents by a score of 238-94 and are on a five-game winning streak.

At the plate the Thunderbolts have a team batting average of .357, led by Troy Mangen (.450, 22 runs, 24 RBIs, 11 doubles), Ty Bussey (.410, 28 runs, 25 RBIs, 11 doubles), Bobby Saul (.392, 12 runs, 20 RBIs), Zach Weatherford (.386, 28 runs, 15 RBIs, 27 SB), Alex Farlow (.341, 31 runs, 19 RBIs, 9 doubles), Virginia Tech recruit Tom Stoffel (pictured left, .341, 25 runs, 14 RBIs), Keegan Rottgen (.337, 24 runs, 12 RBIs, 11 SB) and Austin Sanders (.325, 19 runs, 27 RBIs). Northmont has a team ERA of 2.88 and is led by the one-two punch of Stoffel (7-1, 50 2/3 innings, 1.11 ERA, 84 K) and Mangen (4-2, 43 innings, 1.47 ERA, 59 K).