Wednesday, July 7, 2004
CHAD BAKER
School/grade: Canfield, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .404 with 38 RBIs and five home runs; went 7-0 with school-record low 0.65 ERA; first team All-Metro Athletic Conference; selected to Mizuno All-Ohio Senior Series.
Name a positive influence in your athletic career: Throughout my baseball years I have been blessed with great coaches, who made a great impact on me and everything I've learned about baseball. Some of these coaches include: Ross, Thornes, Finigan, Bubba, Scott, Pitzula, Novotny, Buck and Kime. My thanks to all of them.
Best memory from this season: Just being with my friends everyday.
Something people don't know about you or would be surprised to learn: I want to get a van and take a trip to Cali with my friends.
RICK BANNA
School/grade: Canfield, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Posted a 9-1 record, with a 0.95 ERA, six complete games, five shutouts, one no-hitter and 81 strikeouts.
Positive influence: My parents have always been at every game to support me. My father taught me to play and kept pushing me all these years. The whole coaching staff on our team was a positive influence, from Coach Ross to Allen and Todd Thorne, to my pitching coach, Brian Finnigan. Jack Kucek was also a big part in my improvement as a pitcher.
Best memory: Looking back at this great year that we had. Playing at Myrtle Beach and in the state semifinals with 16 seniors was the best memories I have.
Surprised to learn: I was accepted into three culinary schools this past year.
DAN BERTOLINI
School/grade: Poland, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .387 for career, including .325 this season with eight doubles, two triples and 20 runs; three-time first team all-Metro Athletic Conference selection; played in Coca-Cola All-Star game at Cene Park; had 0.60 ERA in 15 innings.
Positive influence: My father. When I was 6, I used to ask him to take me to our pee-wee field and we spent hours every day hitting and fielding. As I got older, we did much of the same. He has been there for me whenever I needed him. He lets me know when I need to pick it up a little and listens to me. He hits grounders and pitches to me to this day. Without him, I wouldn't be the same.
Best memory: When Coach Rich Murray took our team bowling. One day at practice, we were not doing so well. We got off to a 1-4 start and he asked us if we wanted to go bowling. None of us thought he was serious at first, but before we knew it, we were at Holiday Bowl. After bowling, our team won 16 of 17 and eventually lost to Canfield. But I feel it was because of [bowling] that we were successful.
Surprised to learn: I am in a band. A few of my friends at school got a band together and we played in our school talent show and at the Relay for Life. Also, I like art. I like to draw and paint and have won awards in art. I will be attending Mercyhurst in the fall on a baseball scholarship.
BRAD M. BORGHETTI
School/grade: Ursuline, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .387 with 27 RBIs, 20 runs scored and four game-winning RBIs.
Positive influence: My parents and family have always been my biggest fan. Their support has always brought out the best in me. They have given me every opportunity to be successful in each sport I've played. I have had the best coaches for baseball and they have been positive in my career.
Best memory: Beating Newton Falls in the sectional finals at Newton Falls. We were down 3-2 in the fifth inning. We believed in each other and came back to win 5-3 in an extremely harsh environment. Since 2000, I have a lot of great memories of Ursuline Irish baseball!
Surprised to learn: I start and end each day with a big glass of Nestles strawberry milk.
JUSTIN BYLER
School/grade: Warren Harding, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .475 with 28 runs, 36 RBIs, 39 hits and four home runs.
Positive influence: Jim Devine. He helped me become a better baseball player.
Best memory: Getting drafted by the Pirates.
DAN FORD
School/grade: Boardman, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .494 with nine home runs; broke school's career batting average record (.489); first team All-Federal League; selected to Mizuno All-Ohio team.
Positive influence: My parents are the best! They've given me every opportunity that I've had. They give support in everything I do. My grandparents are always at my games giving words of encouragement. My coach, Scott Knox, has given me all the skills and tools he possibly could to help me succeed in baseball.
Best memory: My friends and teammates all year. My senior year as a whole is a great memory.
Surprised to learn: I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my grandparents.
JEFF HEHR
School/grade: Cardinal Mooney, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-Steel Valley Conference. Team won district championship. Hit .538 this year.
Positive influence: My parents have both had an enormous amount of influence on my life. They have supported me in everything I do. My first-year head coach Steve Leslie also had a lot of influence on me this year, and I wish I could have played for him another year.
Best memory: Winning my first district championship at Mooney.
Surprised to learn: I almost quit baseball a few years ago.
COREY MANFULL
School/grade: United, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-Ohio and All-TCL; set school records for doubles in a season (14), hits in a season (48) and assists (48); holds career school records for average (.464), hits (110), doubles (27), stolen bases (47), RBIs (71) and assists (138).
Positive influence: My family, because they have always been supportive of me throughout my life.
Best memory: The Belpre trip, when our coach thought it was some else's birthday but we told the restaurant it was his, so they sang to him.
Surprised to learn: I used to get really nervous before games and I would have to throw up right before playing. After that, I would be OK to play. It was before every game from Little Eagles to junior high.
BOB MELNEK
School/grade: Fitch, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Went 7-0 with 1.06 ERA, two shutouts and six complete games. Batted .375 with two homers. First team All-Federal League; team MVP; received Ed Mauch Pitching Award and Wally Ford Sr. Memorial Scholarship.
Positive influence: My parents, for always supporting me and giving me opportunities to become a better athlete and person.
Best memory: Pitching a two-hitter in the regional semifinal.
Surprised to learn: I am a published poet. Also, my girlfriend lives 600 miles away.
TOM ORLANDO
School/grade: West Branch, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .475 with four home runs; tied school records for hits and doubles; named first team All-Northeastern Buckeye Conference as a catcher; played in All-Ohio Mizuno game in Columbus and Dumonts All-Star game.
Positive influence: My father and grandpa. They have pushed me to go to Medina every Saturday morning to train with Ron Pruitt even when I was too tired. They have taught me how to work hard and show discipline.
Best memory: When our team played the Louisville Leopards, the No. 1 team in our league, and took them to 10 innings tied at 1 in the snow.
Surprised to learn: I don't always feel like going to the field and taking BP, but I know if I don't, I will struggle. I like bowling and hanging out with my friends.
GREG ROHAN
School/grade: South Range, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .478 with nine doubles, a triple, six home runs and 36 RBIs.
Positive influence: My dad, George Rohan, because he was always there for me and always helped me when I needed help. When I look back, I don't think I would have loved sports or had such an intelligence about them without my dad.
Best memory: When our team was in Myrtle Beach playing the best team in the tournament. It was a team from Loris and they were the host of the tournament. We played the best we ever did as a team -- with high spirits and great intensity. The final score was 21-0.
Surprised to learn: This summer I moved to Weirton, W.Va., to live and play baseball for the Mountaineer Park Hitmen. It is an 18-under travel team with players from all over the country.
MARK SUCH
School/grade: Campbell, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Played senior year with a torn ACL.
Positive influence: My father. As a young child growing up, my father spent numerous hours helping me perfect my athletic ability. The funny thing is, I didn't even know it. My father made everything fun and I didn't realize the fine-tuning he instilled in me. He was my coach from little league to pony league.
Best memory: Hitting a walk-off home run against Mooney.
Surprised to learn: Being the oldest out of my family of four, I enjoy talking a leadership role. I help my parents in caring for my three younger sisters, whether it is helping them with homework, playing ball or a more serious matter of giving advice on a problem they may be going through.
TYSON ROWLAND
School/grade: Warren Harding, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Went 8-1 with 73 strikeouts and 1.34 ERA; stole county-best 32 bases; had 24 hits, 27 walks and scored 32 runs.
Positive influence: My dad, because he is always pushing me to achieve more. Satisfaction is never an option.
Best memory: Striking out season-high 14 batters against Mooney to clinch Warren's first outright SVC title.
Surprised to learn: I credit my success to getting out and traveling more in summer ball. I plan to major in toxicology at Ashland University.
FRANK TUROCY
School/grade: Canfield, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .500 with three home runs, 34 RBIs, 32 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. Named first team All-MAC for the third year and second team All-State. Team won the Div. II district and regional championships and advanced to state. Selected for the NEOBCA All-Star Classic at Jacobs Field.
Positive influence: My dad, Frank, because he has always been available to practice with me to make me a better player.
Best memory: Winning the district and regional championships.
Surprised to learn: I will be playing baseball for the U.S. Naval Academy.
JOHN VIROSTKO
School/grade: Canfield, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-MAC; broke school record for hits in a season (48); batted .458 with 19 stolen bases, 23 RBIs and 34 runs; .983 fielding percentage.
Positive influence: My family and coaches, Mr. Novotny and Coach Tony Ross. They all taught me to play hard and make the best out of every situation because you never know who is watching.
Best memory: Spring break in Myrtle Beach and the state semifinals in Columbus.
Surprised to learn: I plan on studying architecture in college.
DAVID VITKO
School/grade: Columbiana, junior
Statistics/accomplishments: Second team all-Ohio; set school records for hits (46) and at-bats (103), stole 12 bases and assisted on 14 double plays.
Positive influence: My dad. He's been there in the good and bad times, always willing to help me improve.
Best memory: Beating Division II-foe Chaney twice.
Surprised to learn: I will try to attend college in Florida.
JAKE ZATCHOK
School/grade: Western Reserve, senior
Statistics/accomplishments: 6-3 record as a pitcher, with a 3.34 ERA and 73 strikeouts. First team All-Inter-County League pitcher who set the school record for most wins in a career (15) and most shutouts in a career (5). Selected to play in the NEOBCA All-Star Game at Jacobs Field. Team won district title.
Positive influence: My grandparents, because they have always been there cheering me on in anything I do.
Best memory: Pitching a no-hitter in the sectional championship game and striking out 11, and winning in the district championship game.
Surprised to learn: I'm a very shy person.
COACH OF THE YEAR
TONY ROSS
School/years at school: Canfield, three years
Statistics/accomplishments: Career record of 72-19; led Cardinals to 28-5 record (school record for wins), 10-2 in the MAC (won league title) and a Division II state semifinal berth.
Positive influence: I was fortunate to have two great coaches in high school: Phil Bova (baseball) and Sam Davis (football), who really taught me the game. I am forever grateful to John Cravens, who gave me my first coaching job in 1985.
Best memory: Being with this group of seniors was a year filled with memories that I will never forget. Some highlights were: Being the first Ohio team to win the Hawaiian Tropic tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a 1-0 victory over Poland in eight innings; going to state.
Surprised to learn: I've been married to Lisa for 13 years and we have twin 11-year-old boys, Anthony and Michael.
Note: Adam Boris and Grant Sevek were chosen for the team, but did not participate. Mike Ellis did not return a questionnaire.