Division III Regional in-depth preview

Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

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DIVISION III

Massillon Regional

No. 20 LaGrange Keystone (23-7) vs. No. 5 Youngstown Ursuline (22-2)

After losing last year's 1-2 pitching combo of Brandyn Sittinger (Marshall) and Caleb Shillace (Toledo) to graduation, Keystone found themselves searching for a new set of arms to lead the way in their rotation. This year, a pair of talented juniors in Marcus Gunter (pictured left) and Tyler Gullet (picture right) have stepped up to fill the void. After a 2-4 start to the season, LaGrange Keystone has come on strong to reach regionals, capped off by a 7-6 win over Elyria Catholic in the district title game. Sophomore Aaron Brodnik (5-1, 1.54 ERA, 28 K, 36 1/3 innings) will get the ball in the opener against Ursuline with a pair of 7-0 pitchers, Gullett (1.80 ERA, 50 K, 35 innings), Kendle Stiner (2.28 ERA, 53 K, 40 innings) and Gunter (3.68, 70 K, 38 innings) available when needed. Gullett, a junior who will start at third base, tops the team in hitting at .464 with an amazing 14 home runs and 64 RBIs along with 24 stolen bases, 11 doubles and three triples. Junior catcher Pierce Young is hitting .400 with 40 runs scored, tied for the team lead with Gullett and bats lead-off. Junior center fielder Gunter (.355, 25 stolen bases, 38 runs), junior second baseman Collin Fitzgerald (.329), junior first baseman Korey Horne (.322) and junior shortstop Stiner (.307) are other big bats in the lineup for a team with only two seniors on the roster.

Youngstown Ursuline reached the regional finals a year ago before falling 12-11 to Orwell Grand Valley. A year prior Ursuline fell to Lagrange Keystone 5-0 in the regional semis. All but one starter is back from a year ago led by four-year starters Sam Donko (picutred left, Iowa Western recruit, pitcher), Anthony Rohan, Ryan Strollo and Harrison Finelli (third base). Joel Hake is a talented middle infielder (pictured right). Ursuline has been impressive in the tournament, winning all three games by five-inning run-rules by a combined score of 50-4.

Orrville (15-13) vs. Wickliffe (13-12)

Orrville is back at regionals for the second year in a row with a team that has seven starters back from 2012 when they lost to Orwell Grand Valley 7-4 in the regional semis. The road to regionals has not been easy, with a 6-5 win over Doylestown Chippewa in the district finals and a 6-4 victory over Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas in the sectional finals. Unsigned senior Trevor Kerr (pictured left, 7-2, 0.91 ERA) is counted on to start against Wickliffe with Stuart Schley (pictured right, 1-6, 2.68 ERA) the number two pitcher. Mason Birckbeck (3-2, 3.59 ERA) and Wes Stauffer (4-1, 1.87 ERA) provide more pitching depth. The top hitters are Schley (.337, 4 HR, 22 RBIs), Kerr (.384), catcher Layne Scheuffler (.381), center fielder Kyle Ritchie (.386) and leadoff hitter Matt Sherlock (.303, 20 SB) who plays catcher.

The last time Wickliffe was in the regionals was 1989 when head coach Phil Motta played for the Blue Devils. Wickliffe 9-12 in the regular season before coming up big in close games in the tournament. The Blue Devils have beaten Gates Mills Hawken 6-4, Beachwood 5-4, Andover Pymatuning Valley 4-2 and Garrettsville Garfield 6-4 to reach the regionals. Anthony Jansoky (9-4, 1.58 ERA) will get the call on the mound to face Orrville. Janosky tops the teams in most hitting categories as well with a .358 average, three homers and 27 RBIs. Matt Sherlock, a catcher how bats first, is hitting .303 with 20 stolen bases.

Elida Regional

Genoa Area (18-8) vs. Lima Central Catholic (19-12)

The Comets are a surprise team in the regionals after upsetting Lake 3-2 in the sectional finals before outlasting Metamora Evergreen 5-4 in the district finals. Genoa does not have a senior on its roster, with sophomore Luke Rightnowar (8-0, 2.49 ERA), the son of head coach Ron Rightnowar (a former minor league pitcher who played one season in the majors with Milwaukee), expected to get the nod on the mound against LCC. Junior second baseman Casey Gose (pictured left, 30 stolen bases) provides plenty of speed in the lead-off spot in the order with junior shortstop Alex Hayes (.494, 37 RBIs, 30 runs) the top hitter. Hayes is also the number two pitcher, throwing a five-hitter to get the Comets to regionals. Goose had three hits and three stolen bases in the district title game. Sophomore outfielder/infielder Cody Pickard (.368, 33 runs, 18 RBIs) and sophomore catcher Nick Wolfe (.378, 29 RBIs, 20 runs) are other key contributors for a team that finished tied for third in the Northern Buckeye Conference. The Comets are looking to become the third team in school history to make it to state in baseball (1974 and 1999).

A team loaded with experience from last year's state runner-up (losing 1-0 to Wheelersburg) looked in trouble late in the regular season when the T-Birds lost 7-of-9 games in one stretch to fall to 14-12. But some how, LCC had been able to rebound to win four tournament games, limiting the opposition to just two runs in the tourney. LCC beat Bluffton 1-0 and Coldwater 5-1 before knocking off No. 18 Ottawa-Glandorf 3-1 and Lima Bath 1-0 in the districts. Colin Stolly (7-0, 0.44 ERA) and Nick Watkins (4-5, 1.86 ERA, Defiance College recruit) have been limiting the opponents when it counts most. Watkins threw complete games a year ago in the district finals, regional finals and state final games. Both Stolly and Watkins play shortstop when the other is on the hill. Stolly will lead off for LCC with senior center fielder Sam Huffman to follow. Watkins hits third followed by senior DH Connor Dee, junior second baseman Drew Jennings, senior outfielder Corey O'Dowd, sophomore outfielder Jacob Judy, senior first baseman Ben Stolly and freshman third baseman Ethan O'Connor.

No. 9 Bloom Carroll (23-4) vs. No. 2 Mansfield Ontario (27-3)

Bloom Carroll has won three straight district championships, but just haven't been able to get it done in the regionals, losing to (Tinora and LCC) the past two seasons. After starting the season 4-3 the Bulldogs have won 19 of its last 20 games, and currently are tied the school record for wins with 23. At the plate the Bulldogs have a team batting average of .346 and are led by Levi Fetherolf (.333, 33 runs), Blake Smith (.373, 20 runs, 25 RBIs), Jarrett Peters (pictured right, .406, 26 runs, 20 RBIs), Jake Newton (Marietta recruit, .456, 23 runs, 32 RBIs), Seth Paszke (.450, 6 doubles), Scott Baker (.369, 24 RBIs), Roger Danison (pictured left, .333, 25 runs, 17 RBIs), Mitch Lambert (.339) and Zach Jude (.370). On the mound the Bulldogs have a team ERA of 2.27 led by starters sophomore Corey Stanley (7-1 52 1/3 innings, 1.74 ERA, 60 K) and Senior Jake Newton (5-0 27 innings, 1.04 ERA, 28 K), with Baker (3-0, 31 innings, 1.81 ERA, 26 K, 4 S) to come in relief.

Bloom Carroll head coach Brian Thacker on winning three straight district titles: 

"To win 3 district championships in a row is something hard to put into words. I tell our kids all the time I hope they appreciate what they have accomplished because they have achieved a goal that every HS baseball player sets for themselves and their team at the start of each season and they have done it three straight times, some kids never even get to a district championship game. I am very proud of our kids."

A year ago Ontario was undefeated and ranked number one in the state before being upset by Milan Edison 9-4 in the district finals. With seven returning starters Ontario has lived up to high expectations this year with a fourth straight 20-win season and a 13-1 record in the NCC to win a third league title in four years. A tournament run that has seen opponents score only three runs in three games has followed. Senior Tyler Beal, a second-team all-state performer last season, leads the way with a .470 batting average and a 10-2 pitching record. Mitch Mccristall (pictured right, Heidelberg recruit) is also 10-2 on the mound with 100 strikeouts while hitting .373. Senior Wyatt Clemens (Grace College) is batting .455 while senior catcher Vinny Sansalone (Mount Union) gives more experience to a squad that owns a win over a strong Division II Lexington squad during the regular season. Other regulars are junior third baseman Kyle Pasheilich (pictured left, .415), junior outfielder Brad Dretzka (.421), junior first baseman Tyler Gorbett (.311), sophomore shortstop Paul Homan (.385) and sophomore DH Aaron Baker (.359).

Chillicothe Regional

No. 13 Wheelersburg (25-4) vs. Portsmouth West (14-9)

Wheelersburg the defending state champ and has its eyes set on Columbus again. The Pirates have ace Derek Moore back to lead the way. Moore also has his battery mate in Dylan Miller back for the ride. The Pirates have lost just four games this season, with only one coming to a team from Ohio (Watterson). The other three losses all came from teams from Kentucky, who was well into their respected seasons when Wheelersburg faced them.

Portsmouth West is at regionals for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 1994-95. A year ago West reached the district finals before falling to Frankfort Adena. Although just 14-9, the Senators had one of the biggest wins in school history in the district semifinals with a 4-2 win over Piketon and star hurler Zach Farmer (Ohio State). The task at hand is tough again against last year's Division III state champs from Wheelersburg. Junior Luke Morgan is expected to throw for West. Morgan was a 3-1 loser to Wheelersburg in his lone outing against them, providing the only West run with a homer.  The Senators to not bat any seniors in a starting lineup that will go like this: sophomore center fielder Wesley Book, junior shortstop Todd Galloway, Morgan, junior DH Nathan Reynolds hitting for senior left fielder Alex Lewis, sophomore catcher Trevar Welch, junior first baseman Austin Howard, junior third baseman Travis Smith and junior right fielder Justin Scott.

West Lafayette Ridgewood (19-9) vs. Oak Hill (20-8)

After losing in the district finals the two of the last three seasons Ridgewood was determined to take the next step. The Generals had six consecutive hits and scored five runs in the first inning of the district finals game against Fort Frye, showing that determination. Senior Zak Keesee threw a three-hitter against Fort Frye. After claiming the district championship the Generals set out to win the IVC championship and did just that as they defeated No. 3, Division IV Tuscarawas Central Catholic 7-2 to earn a share of the IVC title with Hiland.

Oak Hill had close games in each of its three tournament contests. The Oaks narrowly defeated Ironton 2-1 to claim a sectional crown. In the district semis the Oaks defeated Chillicothe Huntington 6-4. In the district finals Oak Hill knipped Chillicothe Zane Trace 4-3 to set up the regional match-up against Ridgewood.

Xenia Regional

Johnstown Northridge (19-10) vs. Cincinnati Summit Country Day (21-10)

Johnstown Northridge had to come from behind three times (scoring four runs in the 7th) to defeat Heath in the district championship game (The first in the schools history). The Vikings also had to come from behind to defeat Marion Pleasant in the district semifinals, so the Vikings are ready for anything when they face Cincinnati Summit Country Day. Senior Storm Strout is a four year starter, who only won three games as a freshman. Jarred Carr had two hits and four RBIs in the district championship game.

Summit Country Day is coming in riding a nine-game winning streak. The Silver Knights are also battle tested as they are in the same conference (MVC) as CHCA and Cincinnati Christian. At the plate the Silver Knights are hitting .321 as a team, led by Tommy Crowl (pictured left, .430, 27 RBIs, 25 runs, 4 HR, 13 SB), Doug Compton (.421, 42 runs, 30 RBIs, 14 doubles, 28 SB), Jack Meininger (.377, 43 runs, 1 RBIs, 9 doubles, 29 SB), Mark Peterson (.368, 16 runs, 16 RBIs), Eric Terry (pictured right, .323, 13 runs, 31 RBIs), Michael Jaeger (.321, 26 runs, 32 RBIs). As a team the Silver Knights have stolen an astounding 105 bases. On the mound Country Day has a team ERA of 2.46 led by Crowl (6-2, 58 1/3 innings, 0.84 ERA, 67 K). Other top arms include Christian Kuethe (40 1/3 innings, 31 K), Compton (31 1/3 innings, 25 K) and Benjamin Davis 31 innings, 21 K).

No. 4 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (24-6) vs. No. 14 Hamilton Badin (21-8)

Badin has been a nemesis for CHCA in tournament play, eliminating CHCA two of the past three years in the district final and in 2009 in the regional championship game. Junior No. 1 rated player Cameron Varga (pictured left, 8-1, 0.25 ERA, 132 K, 56 innings), who has made a verbal commitment to play at North Carolina, will start for CHCA. Varga has allowed just four runs (two earned) this season for a team with an ERA of 0.94. Varga earlier this season threw 34 consecutive scoreless innings to break the mark of 28 set by CHCA number two hurler Jacob Banks (8-1, 0.67 ERA, 84 K, 52 innings). A Miami recruit, Banks would be next in line to pitch followed by Evan Jelley (1.67 ERA), a Miami Hamilton recruit. The starting lineup is sophomore shortstop Cam Murray (.410, 19 stolen bases), senior second baseman Bobby Paola (.360, Ohio Dominican), junior third baseman Kyle Davis (.488), DH Banks (.415), senior center fielder Nick Weaver (.450, Butler for football), junior first baseman Ricky SIlvestri (.316), senior right fielder Jacob Russell (.390), senior catcher Jonathan Banks (pictured right, Rose-Hulman) and either junior left fielder Mike Edelmann (.319) or freshman Chase Murray (.361). 

Hamilton Badin, which started the season 1-4 before winning 12 in a row, is counting on a strong schedule to prove beneficial in the regionals. Badin is 8-7 on the season against Division I teams and 5-0 against Division II opponents. More impressive, Badin finished 11-1 in the Greater Catholic League, with wins over LaSalle, Elder and St. Xavier. The lone loss was 2-1 to Moeller. A team with plenty of speed, Badin is led by a duo of seniors heading to play baseball in college, T.J. Nichting (pictured left, North Carolina Charlotte) and Nick Browning (Mt. St. Joseph). Underclassmen Zack Gray and Alex Holderback are key players for Badin, which will be playing in the regionals for the 16th time.