DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS Canfield-Central Catholic game suspended in fifth

The Division II district finale will resume today at 4 p.m. in Jefferson.
By ROB MEYER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
JEFFERSON -- The Canfield High baseball team waited for the thunder to arrive to make noise of its own Saturday at the Division II district final against Canton Central Catholic.
After a four-inning drought of no offensive production, Canfield senior center fielder Brent Parks drove in his team's only run in the top of the fifth inning to tie Central Catholic 1-1 minutes before the game was postponed due to inclement weather.
The game will conclude today at 4 p.m. at the Jefferson Baseball complex.
The winner will advance to the regional semifinals against Poland on Friday at 2 p.m. at Bob Cene Field in Struthers.
A tale of two teams
"You have two great teams down here putting it all on the line," Canfield coach Tony Ross said. "We had clutch hitting and great pitching on both sides. Hopefully, we can come up with the same focus we had this afternoon. I know we will."
Before Parks' game-tying RBI, Cardinals hitters were stifled all day by Central Catholic starter junior Zack Winkhart.
In five innings, Winkhart allowed one run on two hits while striking out five. He was in control early in the game, retiring seven of the first eight Canfield hitters.
Ace up their sleeve
But Canfield also had a good day from its starter, junior Frank Turocy.
Turocy was able to maneuver out of more than one jam and the only run he allowed was unearned, as a dropped pop-up by Canfield second baseman Dan Leonard allowed for Central Catholic's only score.
After Central Catholic scored its run in the bottom of the second, Turocy got senior Josh Spencer to fly out to center field, and in the process left two teammates on base.
After a Winkhart single in the bottom of the third, Turocy retired the next five Central Catholic batters.
Ross said that he was pleased with Turocy's performance, but will not use him to pitch today. He also said that depending on the tightness of Turocy's throwing arm, he could see some at-bats in today's conclusion.
"What Frank did was completely awesome, he did a tremendous job," Ross said. "Obviously, we won't be able to bring him back [today]. We'll see what happens; if anything he'll play some outfield."
Depth will be important
Ross added that since the two teams have to play a single game over two days, team depth will play an important role in the final result.
"It's going to be a good ball game and it's going to come down to who makes the fewest mistakes," Ross said. "We're down to our threes and fours throwing. That's what happens in a situation like this, you get to find out how good your team really is."