Canfield's Turocy blanks Poland
The Cardinals' junior avenged last year's district final defeat to the Bulldogs.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- A fan said that Andrew Turocy looked like he was playing catch.
Canfield coach Matt Koenig said his junior pitcher saved his best for last.
Poland coach Rich Murray said Turocy was the best he's seen all season.
Turocy said he was hitting his spots.
The scoreboard said 9-0.
The Canfield ace looked very smooth in striking out 14 during a two-hitter in Friday's Division II district championship win over Poland at Cene Park.
The victory vaulted the Cardinals into the regional next Friday at 5 p.m. at Hudson High School.
Reversal of fortune
What was most satisfying for Turocy was the fact that he redeemed himself after losing to Poland in the same game a year ago.
"He said that he'd been waiting for this game for a year," said Koenig, Canfield's first-year coach.
"I really didn't have to say too much," the coach said of reminding his team about the importance of playing Poland in the district championship. "They were geared up for this one since last year. These guys are gamers, especially when it's Poland."
Joe Rosko had two triples and Brett Grabman a double as part of the Cardinals' eight-hit attack.
Frank LaRubbio and Mark Turnbull had the hits for Poland, which lost to the Metro Athletic Conference champions for the third time this season.
LaRubbio got the first hit of the game in the first inning, a hard grounder that was slightly off the glove of third baseman Mike Hoelzel.
Big lead early
Then Poland starter Jim Pasquine set down Canfield's first three batters. But Canfield broke out with four runs in the second inning.
"He had a couple of bad pitches and was OK until leaving a 1-2 count curveball up high on a 1-2 count," Murray said of Rosko's first triple into right-center to drive in Grabman and Kyle Banna for a 2-0 lead.
The Cardinals (23-5) added two more runs in the third inning and the beginning of Poland's last game was in progress.
"Turocy took us out of the game. He's the best we've seen all year, by far," Murray said of the pitcher who only walked one.
Poland finished 19-7.
"He was on tonight," Koenig said of his ace pitcher. "He saved his best outing of the year for the biggest game of the year, so far."
Reflections
Turocy reflected back on the district title game he started last year against Poland.
"Unfortunately, I didn't come out with a win. But this year, I only thought of redemption. I came out as hard as I could. I worked so hard in the offseason that I just went out and threw my game. I didn't listen to anyone else. I did what I knew I could do."
Turocy said he was hitting his spots.
"I was throwing my curveball well and my control was awesome. I gave up one cheap hit in the beginning, and then one more and that was it."
Of his 14 strikeouts, Turocy said: "It's an accomplishment for me. I'm glad I did it. Either way, a win's a win."
bassetti@vindy.com