2021 OHSAA Tournament: Division II State Semifinal - No. 22 Hoban vs No. 13 Vermilion

June 12, 2021
Dylan Hefflinger and Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout and Senior Writer

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2021 OHSAA Tournament: Division II State Semifinal - No. 22 Hoban vs No. 13 Vermilion

AKRON - Archbishop Hoban pitchers came through time and again when it counted to advance the Knights into the Division II state championship game with a 4-3 victory over Vermilion on Friday evening.

Noah LeFine threw 2.2 innings of shutout relief to pick up the win after Hoban starter Dylan Snyder gave up three runs in 4.1 innings.

Deadlocked at 3-3, the Knights scored what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out double to right-center field by Parker Falkenstein.

LaFine came on in the top of the fifth with the bases full and one away. After Jacob Krausher scored on a passed ball, the freshman right-hander got out of the jam with a strikeout and fly out.

Things stayed uneasy for LaFine in the sixth when Vermilion again loaded the bases on two hit-by-pitches and an infield single by Ethan Hendrickson before a groundout closed the frame.

Hoban took an early 3-0 lead in the last of the first on a two-run triple by Nolan Holmgren and a sacrifice fly from Dylan Feltovich.

Krausher, the Vermilion ace, then blanked Hoban until the fifth before the Knights went back in front.

Mike Ciavolella, Alex Givens, Matt Terzola and Feltovich all had singles in the six-hit attack by the 22nd-rated D-II team in Ohio, which faces Bloom-Carroll on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Jack Wells hit a single and double and Holmgren produced a pair of singles for Vermilion, which stranded 12 in the game, including eight in scoring position. The 13th-ranked Sailors, making the program’s first state appearance, closed out the season at 26-7.

HOT TAKES

CO-PLAYERS OF THE GAME: It was a game in which freshmen came through for Hoban with LaFine and Falkenstein sharing Player of the Game honors. LaFine escaped Vermilion threats in the fifth and sixth, then recorded a one-two-three seventh to pick up the victory thanks in part to the game-winning hit by Falkenstein, who drove in Feltovich after the senior reached on a bunt single in the fifth.

DEFENSIVE GEMS: Infielders impressed in this one highlighted by a diving stop down the line by Vermilion third baseman Konnor Clark to take a double away from Holmgren to open the bottom of the third. On the other side, Shawn Parnell displayed an ability to charge the ball well and get a number of outs with the quick release and strong arm at shortstop for Hoban, finishing the contest with four assists including the final out of the game.

WHAT’S NEXT?: Hoban has a date in the state finals with hopes of earning the first state title in program history while Vermilion has a tough task ahead with a senior-laden squad. However, the Sailors do return the number three and five hitters in the lineup in left fielder Jack Wells and Hendrickson at shortstop to form a one-two punch to build around. Pitchers will be needed to step up for veteran coach Jeff Keck, who is 21 wins away from number 500 in his career.

LINESCORE

Vermilion 000 030 0 - 3 8 2
Hoban 300 010 X - 4 6 1

Records: Hoban 23-9, Vermilion 26-7

Winning Pitcher: Noah LaFine (2.2 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts, 0 walks). Other: Dylan Snyder (4.1 innings, 3 runs, 2 ER, 3 strikeouts, 3 walks).

Losing Pitcher: Jacob Krausher (6 innings, 4 run, 3 ER, 6 hits, 7 strikeouts, 3 walks).

Leading Hitters: (Vermilion) - Mason Shultz single; Jack Wells single, double; Jacob Krausher single; Ethan Hendrickson 2 singles; Carter Klausing single; Jaden Fox single. (Hoban) - Mike Ciavolella single; Alex Givens single; Nolan Holmgren triple; Dylan Felotvich single; Parker Falkenstein double.