Durkin's Irish back again

In seven seasons as Ursuline's baseball coach this is his fourth trip to state.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- You can probably count on one hand (and have a few digits left over) the number of high school coaches who have led teams to the state tournament twice in three months.
Ursuline baseball coach Sean Durkin is one of the few.
For the fourth time in Durkin's seven years as baseball coach, the Irish are competing in the state semifinals.
Saturday at 3 p.m. at Columbus' Cooper Stadium, Ursuline (24-5) will play Canton Central Catholic (29-3) in a Division III state semifinal.
The winner will play the winner of the Marion Pleasant (24-5)-Sparta Highland (25-5) contest for the state crown Sunday at 7 p.m.
Was there in March
In mid-March, Durkin led Ursuline's girls basketball team to the state championship game.
"This last three months has been pretty much a whirlwind," said Durkin. "My assistants carry the brunt of the preseason work and they did a good job of preparing the kids."
Durkin's assistants are Bill Metzinger, Joe Metzinger and Randy Rair.
When Durkin was finally able to give his full attention to the baseball team, he saw a lot of young faces dotting the roster.
"Half of our roster [are] freshmen and sophomores," said Durkin.
Only three senior starters
There are three senior starters -- pitcher-outfielder David Patrick, shortstop Ryan Satterlee and outfielder Rick Malleske.
With so many younger players, Durkin wasn't counting on making another trip to the state's final four. But his green lineup has blossomed.
"We thought we had a lot of young talent [and] they just jelled in the second half of the year," Durkin said. "By the time the tournament started, we thought we had a nice shot because of how our youth progressed."
Hot in tournament
In the tournament, the Irish have been unstoppable. In the sectional and district, they shut out Warren JFK and defeated Garrettsville Garfield and Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary by comfortable margins. They beat Garfield Heights Trinity 8-3 in the regional semifinal.
As a result, the Irish are making their sixth trip to state and fourth since 2000 when they won the title. Ursuline was state runner-up in 2001 and was a state semifinalist in 2003.
"Only David Patrick has been to state -- for all the others this is a new experience," Durkin said, "and that's just always a job to be able to bring kids there for the first time."
"When I was a freshman, I was just happy to be there and I didn't expect to do anything," said Patrick, who is expected to start Saturday's game. "Now, as a senior, I kind of feel like I have to lead this team."
Once the Irish opened up a 5-0 lead on Berkshire, Patrick was able to reflect.
"As I saw the innings going down, I kept thinking back to what it was like as a freshman," Patrick said. "It was nostalgic, a sweet feeling, it was magic."
Confidence is top priority
Patrick said the team's top priority is "mostly ... to be confident. Although there are only four teams left, we're one of them and we're good and we're just as good as any of these other teams.
"[We need] to stay loose, not to get too nervous," Patrick said. "It's baseball -- it's a game, it's supposed to be fun."
Right after Sunday's win, Patrick said he was ready.
"With all the adrenaline going, I'd like to go right now, hop on the bus and go down to Columbus," Patrick said. "But having five days off will help us calm down a little and get back to reality."
Ah, reality. There's a little celebration planned at Ursuline Saturday for graduating seniors.
Will miss commencement
"The seniors will miss commencement, but I don't mind -- I'd rather be in Columbus," Patrick said.
Junior outfielder Matt Yarab said qualifying is not enough.
"It feels great. It means a lot, especially knowing that only four teams get to go," Yarab said. "We're happy to go but we certainly don't want to just go down there and lose. We want to win."
Juniors Eddie Rohan (catcher) and Todd Finn (designated hitter) also start.
Three sophomores are in the starting lineup: first baseman Mark Lapikas, second baseman Joel Wielbruda and third baseman Ross Revella (who also pitches). The other starter is freshman pitcher-outfielder Shawn Roman.
williams@vindy.com