By Chris Webb

Division II

Teams:  Dayton Regional Champion: Jonathan Alder (23-3), Hudson Regional Champion: Akron Hoban (17-8), Tiffin Regional Champion: Parma Heights Holy Name (17-3), Zanesville Regional Champion: St. Francis DeSales (19-9)

Pairings: DeSales vs. Jonathan Alder Friday 10 a.m., Hoban vs. Holy Name Friday 1 p.m., championship Saturday 4 p.m.

Top Players: Akron Hoban Sr. C Lucas Sokol (Toledo recruit), Holy Name Sr. RHPs Tyler & Nick Plys (Ohio), Holy Name Sr. 1B/3B Anthony Smith (Toledo), Jonathan Alder Sr. IF/RHP Graham Johnston (uncommitted), DeSales Jr. IF Zak DeCamp (uncommitted)

Quick hits: Both semifinals will be rematches of earlier games this year. Jonathan Alder defeated DeSales 3-2 while Hoban defeated Holy Name 12-5? Jonathan Alder?s top two pitchers Adam Collier and Graham Johnston are a combined 16-1with 138 strikeouts in 104 innings? DeSales is making the sixth State appearance in school history, second in three seasons, 1979, 81, 90, 2002, 09? Hoban is making its first appearance, while Holy Name too is making its sixth 1942, 79, 81, 82, 88? DeSales, Hoban, and Holy Name respectively ended the season of Ohio?s #1, #2, and #3 Division II teams.

Preview: The DII final four features a bit of everything. Jonathan Alder is making their second appearance in Huntington Park after finishing 2010 34-0 as the Division II champions. Holy Name features a quartet of seniors who have signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiately, including three to Mid-American Conference schools. Hoban enters the State Tournament as David after slaying the Goliaths of northeast Ohio baseball. DeSales enters the final four as the hometown team looking to continue a surprising tournament run that has been built around close and dramatic games.

Jonathan Alder is back to defend its championship despite losing 10 seniors from last year?s perfect season. Division II?s #4 team in the state in the final OHSBCA poll has rolled through the tournament, winning the Dayton Regional 8-2 over Greenville, after collecting wins of 7-3, 10-5, and 6-0 in the District Tournament.

Hoban has toppled Division II heavyweights left and right en route to Columbus. Out of the Akron District in the Hudson Regional, Hoban knocked off Woodridge 10-4, Kenston 4-0, the state?s #2 team Walsh Jesuit 3-0, Tallmadge 7-3, and Mentor Lake Catholic 9-6 the state?s #8 team in the Regional final. Along the way Hoban has ended the seasons of top players Tucker Linder, Pat Porter, and Michael Marsinek.

Holy Name hopes they are the latest team filled with stars that fall to Hoban. Ohio-bound senior pitchers Nick and Tyler Plys have powered a Holy Name team that has been dominant on the mound in their tournament run. Holy Name opened the tournament with a 10-0 victory over Richfield Revere, picked up another shutout over Clearview 3-0, and shut out Napoleon 2-0 in the Tiffin Regional semifinal. The offense keyed Holy Name?s spot in the final four as a 9-4 victory over Oak Habor won the region.

DeSales enters the final four as the most-storied program of the group, and also the team with the biggest 2011 accomplishment to date. In the Zanesville Regional final, the Stallions knocked off Ohio?s #1 team Steubenville 10-8. But to get to that point DeSales had to scrap, claw, and fight to survive. A trio of one-run victory?s precluded the victory of the Big Red. An 11-10 win over Canal Winchester led to a 5-4 decision over Big Walnut for a district championship. In their regional seminal game, DeSales edged Claymont 3-2.