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By: Dan Machovina
PBR Ohio Assistant Scouting Director

We look to bring the Buckeye state top-notch high school coverage throughout the entire state.

We will have the 2016 Scout Blog, Spotlight Games, Inside the Recruitment Articles, Unsigned Senior Spotlights, The Recruiting Trail, All-State Selections, Full Coverage of the OHSAA State Tournament as well as numerous other articles throughout the spring.

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To view the full list of 2016 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2016 spring season visit the 2016 Ohio Scout Blog by clicking here.

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Ohio Spotlight Games: #28 Strongsville vs Massillon Perry vs North Royalton

In a Saturday tri-way between #28 Strongsville, Massillon Perry and North Royalton, each team came away victorious.

Strongsville vs North Royalton

On a chilly saturday morning in division I action North Royalton (3-9) visited #28 Strongsville (9-5). These two teams are no strangers to each other. They were in the same conference for a previous number of years, this being the first year that they played each other as non-conference opponents. It would be North Royalton using their offensive aggressiveness to come away with the victory over Strongsville by a score of 8-3.

Strongsville got on the board first in the second inning, scoring one run. Senior right fielder Nico Ramicone hit an infield single and would later score on a ball in the dirt that got past the North Royalton catcher.

North Royalton however would respond with two runs of their own in the top of the third. Leadoff hitter, senior Michael Damiano would start the inning off by walking and proceeded to steal two bases shortly after, plating the first run. Royalton would then add another run in the inning, giving them a 2-1 lead.

North Royalton then added three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. The Bears stole a total of eight bases throughout the game. Ace junior RHP David Steward got the win on the mound. Steward went the first five innings allowing three hits, three walks, three runs (one earned) and struck out four.

North Royalton vs Massillon Perry

This was a non-conference game played at a neutral field between two division I teams, North Royalton (3-10) and Massillon Perry (6-6). In a well played, baseball game it was Massillon Perry coming away with the victory over North Royalton by a final score of 2-0.

Perry would put their first run on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the first inning. Sophomore second baseman Robby Kirchner drew a leadoff walk. The next batter junior center fielder Andy Price promptly executed the sacrifice bunt to move Kirchner over, when Kirchner attempted to take third base on the play an errant throw was delivered passed the Royalton third baseman allowing Kirchner to score the run, giving North Royalton their first and only error of the ball game.

With the score 2-0 in favor of Perry, North Royalton had a bases loaded opportunity with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. However, senior RHP Ryann Burkheimer would retire the North Royalton hitter by getting a strikeout to preserve the win, registering the save.

Junior RHP Derek Ritterbusch got the tough loss going all six innings for North Royalton. He scattered eight hits, walked two, struck out zero, and allowed one earned run. Junior second baseman Jacob Willman was 2-3 with two singles on the day.

Freshman RHP Bryce Warwick got the start and the win for Perry. He went four innings yielding just two hits, walking one, striking out four, and allowing zero runs. The Massillon Perry Panthers played tough defense all game long, without allowing a single error in the ball game. Senior shortstop Ty Jones was 2-3 with two singles and an RBI for the Perry Panthers. Senior third baseman Jonathan Newsome (West Liberty Commit) also was 2-3 collecting two singles in the contest.

Strongsville vs Massillon Perry

This contest featured two division I teams, #28 Strongsville (10-5) and Massillon Perry (6-7). On a chilly afternoon, it was Strongsville who received strong starting pitching and errorless baseball from it’s defense, to come away with the victory by a score of 4-1 over Perry.

Back to back lead off walks, an error by the Panther short stop, and the Mustangs stealing home would put two early runs up on the board in the first inning.

Strongsville would add an additional run, when senior center fielder Jon Campo drilled a two-out RBI double to right center field. The Mustangs final run came in the sixth inning when junior third baseman Kyler Damm hit a single through the right side of the field, earning an RBI.

Perry would get their run in the seventh inning. Senior first baseman Rece Sabo ripped an RBI single down the third base line. Junior designated hitter Jarod Brown was 1-2 with a double.

Strongsville got strong starting pitching from junior RHP Louis Rahm. He went the distance going seven innings, facing the minimum number of batters in five of those innings. Rahm allowed four hits, walked one, hit one batter, struck out four, and allowed just one earned run in the complete game effort. Senior short stop Sami Mehmed (Cuyahoga Community College Commit) was 2-3 with two singles, a walk, and three stolen bases for the Mustangs.