By Chris Webb

As the final two games of District play remain, the number of schools per division will be at 16 by weeks end as we head into the Regionals. Prep Baseball Report sticks with the 16-team theme by presenting a list of what to watch for in four districts that set up one Regional field per division.

Division I
Cincinnati Regional: Kettering I & II and Cincinnati I & II Districts feature top teams and top arms.

With the Southwest garnerning four of Ohio?s top DI teams (#1 Vandalia-Butler, #2 Moeller, #3 St. Xavier, and #8 Centerville) in the latest OHSBCA poll, there is no shock that this Regional is composed of our four highlighted DI Districts. While the four teams are in separate Districts, making a dynamic Regional field if they all advance, the four top teams will not be without challenge in their respective Kettering I, Cincinnati II, Cincinnati I, and Kettering II fields leading up to the must-see Regional.

The Kettering I District is home to top-ranked Vandalia-Butler who is led by RHP Taylore Cherry, PBR?s 2012 #1 ranked player and a University of North Carolina recruit. The Aviators would have a path of Huber Heights Wayne, then either Xenia or Springboro if they are to advance.  While on paper Vandalia-Butler would be the overwhelming favorite entering the contest with their 22 wins against the five of Wayne, one of Wayne?s handful of wins this season, was 3-1 over Vandalia-Butler in their season opener, which is one of only thre losses to date for the Aviators.

Two top teams and one top pitcher is what you will find in the Kettering II District. Riding the left-arm of Indiana bound Sr. Kyle Hart, in an upset over LaSalle, Cincinnati Sycamore will again look to knock off a favorite as they face Liberty Township Lakota East, the District?s three-seed and #12 DI team in the state. Whoever emerges from that game will face either the state?s #8 DI team in the Elks of Centerville or New Calisle Tecumseh.

The Cincinnati I District will feature  #3 St. Xavier who is paired against Cincinnati Turpin and Tennessee-bound Sr. RHP Eric Martin. While Martin was brilliant in a 3-2 win over Harrison, St. X has a pitcher who performed well in his own right on May 12 as Jr. RHP Jake Sambrookes no-hit Mount Healthy in a 11-0 to set up this District semifinal. The other pairing features Kettering Fairmont taking on Clayton Northmont. Northmont boast two DI players as Sr. RHP Grant Walker is heading to Cincinnati while fellow right-handed pitcher and classmate Robert Sakosky is heading to Ohio State.

The Cincinnati II District is where the Crusaders of Moeller, Ohio?s #2 DI team, sits. Moeller is led by two of the top 25 players from PBR?s class of 2012 rankings, LHP John Tanner and MIF Ty Amann, Moeller run-ruled Walnut Hills 10-0 in their first game. Loveland, their opponent, has played two games, both nail-biters. A 4-3 win over Edgewood set the stage for a 3-2 upset of Colerain. The Tigers now stand at 11-10 after starting 1-5. The winner of that game will take on the victor of Milford and Kings Mill Kings. Milford upset a Fairfield team 3-2 which had Sr. OF Will Drake who is headed to Michigan, and Jr.  MIF Curtis Olvey who committed to Kent State. Kings edged out Cincinnati Oak Hills 3-2 on May 12 in their first tournament game.

Email us your game scores and summaries to Chris Webb at [email protected]