Canfield sharp in title victory

The Cardinals defeated Niles 14-1, advancing to the regional at Hudson.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- After an extra inning victory over Poland on Thursday and two days of rain delays, the Canfield High baseball team made short work of Niles Sunday at Cene Park.
Canfield (25-4) defeated the Red Dragons 14-1 in five innings, to capture the Division II district championship, and advanced to play in a regional semifinal Friday at Hudson High School.
The Cardinals will play Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (21-4). The other semifinal will match Canton Central Catholic against Chagrin Falls Kenston.
The Cardinals last appeared in regional play in 2000.
Canfield showed no signs of a letdown following Thursday's impressive 1-0 victory over Poland in eight innings by erupting for five runs in the first inning against Niles' pitcher Kevin Robertson.
Coach not surprised
Canfield coach Tony Ross said he wasn't surprised by the quick start by his team despite a two-day wait.
"These guys have been there before and they've been able to do these kinds of things," Ross said. "They know how to win and they just took care of business."
Those five runs were all the Cardinals would need because pitcher Chad Baker pitched a shutout at the Dragons in the first four innings.
Baker (5-0) didn't allow a hit through the first four innings and 11 of the 12 outs were by strikeouts.
In the fifth Baker walked one, gave up his only hit and was removed after striking out Niles' Jeff Claar in favor of Josh McKenney.
"Chad did a great job," Ross said. "He got the run support that he needed."
Long home run
Baker helped lead the offensive attack by blasting a 415-foot, two-run homer to straightaway center field. He finished with three RBIs.
Justin Kucek hit two doubles and drove in three runs to lead a 15-hit effort by the Cardinals.
Frank Turocy had two hits and Mike Pulakos had two hits, along with a double and an RBI. Josh Geric also had a double.
Shortstop John Virostko closed out the scoring with a bases-loaded double that cleared the bases in the bottom of a six-run fourth inning.
"We brought our bats today," Ross said. "These guys are so business-like when they need to be."
Niles shortstop Mike Ruscitti had the only hit off Baker and the Red Dragons scored its run on a bases loaded walk by Mike Conroy.
"You have to take your hat off to Baker today," said Niles coach T.C. Guarnieri. "He's a heck of a pitcher and he threw a heck of a game."
Guarnieri said that he was proud of his 10 seniors that helped lead Niles (14-7) this far into postseason play. It is the first time during the coach's tenure that Niles has played for a district title.
"This is a great group of seniors," Guarnieri said. "This program is better because of them and we will miss them."