At-bats are where Irish do damage

Like last year’s team, Ursuline has solid hitters from top to bottom.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — When it comes to experience competing for a state baseball title, Ursuline High’s team has the market cornered.

When the Division III state semifinals are played Friday at Cooper Stadium in Columbus, the Irish (23-5) will have seven players in their lineup who played in the 2006 state tournament.

“These kids have put a lot of pressure on themselves to [advance],” Ursuline coach Sean Durkin said after the Irish defeated LaGrange Keystone, 7-3, for the Massillon regional title. “At times this year, I thought it kind of affected us.

“[Their motto] was ‘June Trip to Columbus or Bust’ and I think that might be a bit unfair to put on themselves,” Durkin said. “But they did so it kind of makes me a little happier to see them reach the goal that they’ve set for themselves.”

Opponent

Ursuline’s opponent Friday — Bloomdale Elmwood (25-6) — and the other semifinalists — Cincinnati Madeira (25-6) and Heath (20-6) — were not state competitors last spring.

Expected to start for the Irish are junior third baseman Ross Revella, senior right fielder Matt Yarab, senior catcher Ed Rohan, senior designated hitter Todd Finn, junior first baseman Mark Lapikas, left fielder Shawn Roman and junior shortstop Joe Wielbruda.

All played in last year’s state semifinal and final games. A year ago, Ursuline defeated Canton Central Catholic, 11-2, in the semifinals before losing to Marion Pleasant, 2-1, in the title contest.

Like last year’s team, the Irish are solid hitters from top to bottom.

“We’re a real good hitting ballclub,” Durkin said. “We take pride in taking professional at-bats and it’s something we’ve been working on a lot this year, kind of maturing at the plate. It’s really come around the second half of the year.

“There are great pitchers out there but if we show that kind of professionalism at the plate, it makes a big difference,” Durkin said.

Bats respond

The Irish proved their hitting skills last Thursday in their regional semifinal victory against Woodridge. After starter Robert Switka gave up four runs in the top of the first inning, the Irish responded by scoring 10 unanswered runs for a 10-4 victory.

“In every inning, we were able to put pressure on them so I had confidence,” Durkin said. “Down 4-0, the game certainly wasn’t over but we had to answer pretty quickly to take confidence away from them.

“Once we grabbed the lead, it was kind of downhill from there.”

Despite the surprising deficit, Yarab said the Irish weren’t ready to quit.

“We all knew that we could all swing,” Yarab said. “We hadn’t even had a chance at that point. We had a lot of game left and we just wanted to chip away and play solid defense.”

They did once Switka struck out Woodridge slugger Mike DeBord with the bases loaded in the second inning to end a threat.

Switka went on to retire 13 straight batters.

“That was probably my best stretch of the year,” Switka said.

Yarab said, “That was definitely big because you don’t know how he’s going to react. It was definitely all positive seeing him react the way he did, settling down and taking control of the game.”

Roman returns

In the regional final against Keystone, Roman, a sophomore who started the state championship game against Marion Pleasant, had some control issues.

“I had a couple of location problems with my curveball, but my fastball was on target most of the game,” said Roman, who struck out seven.

Rohan said, “He didn’t have his best stuff, but he battled through it.”

Another start in the state title game has Roman’s attention.

“Last year, I was a little nervous as a freshman in such a big game,” Roman said. “I think if we get back this year, I’d be a lot more composed and be able to deal with the pressure that was on me.”

Durkin agrees.

“The composure that that kid has as a sophomore is remarkable,” Durkin said. “He doesn’t say much, he’s a quiet, polite kid but when he gets the ball in his hand, he’s as fierce of a competitor as there is.”

williams@vindy.com