By Chris Webb

Division IV
Lancaster Regional: Cambridge, Dublin, Lucasville, and Rio Grande Districts; State powers found here

Sneak Peak

As unpredictable as baseball can be, one thing almost seems certain; Newark Catholic participating in the DIV State Final Four. The Green Wave have played in three of the last four tournaments, being DIV?s Runners-up in 2007, ?09, and ?10, while capturing the crown in 2003, ?04, and ?06. The two years that Newark Catholic did not participate in the remarkable stretch, the state saw runners-up finishes in 2005 by Fisher Catholic, and in 2008 by Berlin Hiland. Once again, those schools are alive and present in this region. If that isn?t enough, this region also features a team that advanced to play for a District crown by upsetting a ranked-team by way of no-hitter.

Cambridge District

The Cambridge features a Berlin Hiland team that was ranked sixth in the final OHSBCA Division IV poll. Their opponent will be Toronto who edged Steubenville Central Catholic 10-9 for a Sectional title after opening the tournament defeating Bridgeport 14-1. In their two tournament games, Hiland has outscored the opposition 20-0. Cambridge High School is set to host the Hiland-Toronto game on May 17^th weather permitting at 5 p.m. The victor will play the winner of the  Shadyside and New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Catholic game, which is set to occur at Cambridge on Wednesday. The title game is set for 5 p.m. on Friday.

Dublin District

In total, Newark Catholic has made 11 State Tournament appearances, tied for fourth-most all-time, while their six state titles sits tied for second. DIV?s second-ranked team led by pitcher Jimmy Lough (2012) will open Dublin District play Wednesday May 18^th at 2 p.m. against Plain City Shekinah Christian. The winner will advance to play Fisher Catholic as the Irish have secure their title game spot by defeating Tree of Life 4-2 on Monday.

Lucasville District

Chillicothe?s VA Memorial Stadium will host the final three games of the Lucasville District. The semifinals will pit Portsmouth Notre Dame against Reedsville Eastern Wednesday at 5 p.m., while at 7 p.m. South Webster will tangle with Leesburg Fairfield. While Eastern, South Webster, and Fairfield squeaked out wins respectively of 3, 2, and 2 runs, Notre Dame, the district?s number one seed, advanced with a easy 10-0 victory over Portsmouth Sciotoville Community.

Rio Grande District

The Rio Grande District already has their final set as on Sunday May 15 Racine Southern defeated Mowrystown Whiteoak 15-5 at VA Memorial Stadium prior to Franklin Furnace Green taking down the state?s seventh-ranked team Ironton St. Joseph Central Catholic 6-0. In the later game, Green was propelled by a no-hitter from senior right-handed pitcher T.J. McCloud in the upset. Green will need to pull another upset to advance as Racine Southern finished the season ranked 11 in DIV. The final will be held at VA Memorial Stadium at 5 p.m. Friday May 20.