Massillon like home for Irish

By Tom Williams

High School Regional Baseball

Poland and Springfield also earned baseball regional trips.

No wonder the Ursuline High baseball team considers Massillon’s Schroeder Field their home-away-from-home.

In their Division III regional trips in 2006 and 2007, the Irish went 4-0 at the Massillon High ballpark, earning two trips to state.

Several of Sean Durkin’s players are back hoping to earn the Irish (20-5) another trip to Columbus’ Cooper Stadium.

Among the starters returning for the Irish are pitchers Robert Switka and Shawn Roman. The infielders are Mark Lapikas, Nick McCartney, Joe Wielbruda and Ross Revella. Nick McGahagan plays outfield.

Their task won’t be an easy one. Standing in their way first is Canton Central Catholic (26-3), the team Ursuline beat 11-2 in the state semifinals two years ago. The Irish and Crusaders will play Thursday at 2 p.m.

In June 2006, the Irish pounded Canton Central Catholic’s unbeaten ace Eric Marzec for eight runs in two-plus innings. The next evening, the Irish lost to Marion Pleasant, 2-1.

Last June, Ursuline lost in the state semifinals to Bloomdale Elmwood by a 3-2 score.

The Ursuline-Canton Central Catholic winner will play Peninsula Woodridge (22-3) or Beachwood (16-5) in Friday’s regional final. Last year, the Irish defeated Woodridge, 10-4, in the regional semifinal.

In Division II, a Mahoning County team will qualify for the state’s final eight teams. That’s because Poland (16-8) will play West Branch (16-10) in Thursday’s regional semifinal game at 2 p.m. at Hudson High.

The winner will return on Friday at 2 p.m. to play Chardon Notre Dame Cathedral Latin (20-5) or Parma Heights Holy Name.

Rich Murray’s Bulldogs, who finished second in the final season of the Metro Athletic Conference, are making their first regional trip since 2005.

The Bulldogs feature four-year starter Mark Turnbull (third base), Kevin Koval (catcher), Matt Pitzulo (shortstop) and Trent Vallinger (center field, pitcher).

Murray uses Jason Simons and Vallinger as his top starters.

“Trent’s ready all the time,” Murray said. “He makes plays in the outfield that are unbelievable and he’s batting around .460. He’s leading off now [because] he can steal bases.”

One of the state’s 16 remaining Div. II teams, Murray said, “This feels real good. We’ve got a chance and we’re playing well.”

In Div. IV, Springfield (23-5) faces New Washington Buckeye Central in Thursday’s 2 p.m. semifinal at the Lorain Pipe Yard. The Tigers are making their first regional appearance since 1994.

The winner will play Gilmour Academy (22-4) or Ashland Mapleton (15-10) on Friday.

Springfield coach Bob Beam uses Travis Richey (7-0) and Todd Kibby (9-1) as his starters on the mound.

“Pitching is what the tournament is all about and we feel we have two really good ones,” Beam said.

williams@vindy.com