regional baseball \ Semifinal pairings

DIVISION II

POLAND (17-7) vs. LOUISVILLE (20-6)

When: Thursday, 5 p.m.

Where: Hudson High School

Directions: Take I-80 to I-480 exit and head north. Take Frost Road exit (41) and turn left onto Hudson Aurora Road. School is 1 1/2 miles up on your left.

Poland head coach: Rich Murray

Starting lineup: Zack Custer, DH, Sr.; Sean Gabriel, P, Jr.; Matt Pitzulo, P, Jr.; Drew Petro, first base, Sr.; Trent Vallinger, center field, Sr.; Ross Lopez, catcher, Sr.; Phil Lipari, second base, Jr.; Nick Elliott, right field, Sr.; Ryan Rovnak, third base, Sr.; Jim Dobran, flex/left field, Jr.

Bench: John Price, Jr.; Dom DeFelice, Jr.; Brian Heldry, Jr.; Matt DiMuzio, Sr.; Pat Donahue, Soph.; David Bobby, Soph.; David Jack, Sr.; Earl Neff, Sr.

Scouting report: This is the second straight regional trip for the Bulldogs and third under Murray Junior ace Sean Gabriel is 8-1, but may have been overshadowed a bit last week when his little sister, freshman Erin Gabriel, struck out 25 in a 15-inning district final victory. Trent Vallinger is the baseball team’s other starter. Pitzulo, one of the area’s top hitters, has a scholarship to play baseball at Bowling Green next year. Poland’s lone trip to the state tournament came in 1983, when it lost in the semifinals. Louisville defeated Alliance 20-5 in last week’s district final and has scored 37 runs in its last two games.

Regional final: Friday, 5 p.m. against

DIVISION III

CHAMPION (17-8) vs. GARFIELD HEIGHTS TRINITY (17-7)

When: Thursday, 5 p.m.

Where: Massillon High School

Champion head coach: Tim Cope

Flashes starting lineup: David Palm, sr., centerfield; Billy Yartz, jr., shortstop; Tommy Stroup, sr., first base; Scott Bailey, sr., pitcher; Rick Yauger, so., catcher; Derek Sumner, sr., second base; Brent Barbe, sr., left field; Shane Brown, so., third base; Bobby Stroup, sr., right field.

Bench: Sophomore Tyler Cykon; sophomore Kris Karr; sophomore Colton Greathouse; junior Scott Aston; sophomore Trevor Ross; sophomore Greg Culp; sophomore Steven Bush.

Scouting report: Champion is in the regional tournament for the first time since 2005, when the Flashes advanced to the state semifinals before losing to Frankfort Adena 5-4. Champion also advanced to the state semifinals in 1971. Trinity defeated Burton Berkshire 11-5 in last week’s district final.

Regional final: Friday, 5 p.m. against Canton Central Catholic or Garrettsville Garfield.

DIVISION IV

SPRINGFIELD (26-4) vs. CRESTLINE (13-13)

When: Thursday, 2 p.m.

Where: Lorain Pipe Yard

Springfield coach: Bob Beam

Tigers starting lineup: Travis Richey, pitcher, Sr.; Ronnie Bovo, shortstop, Soph.; Todd Kibby, center field, Sr.; Bryan Visingardi, third base, Sr.; Dylan DeJane, first base, Jr.; Frank Sferra, second base, Sr.; Matt Semach, catcher, Jr.; Brad Ferraro, right field, Soph.; Nick Russell, left field, Fr.

Bench: Erik Birmingham, Sr.; Eric Lipp, Sr.; Joe Musial, Sr.; Jason Horn, Soph.; Jake Noble, Soph.; Aaron Yoder, Soph.; Joey Ohlin, Fr.; Mike Semach, Soph.

Scouting report: Springfield is making its second straight trip to the regional tournament. Richey, the team’s ace, is 7-1. The other starter, Todd Kibby, has also accepted a scholarship at Bowling Green. The Tigers avenged two regular season losses to Columbiana by turning back the Clippers 5-3 in last week’s district final. Springfield advanced to the state semifinals in 1994 — its only state appearance. Crestline defeated South Central 8-7 in last week’s district final.

Regional final: Friday, 5 p.m. against Hartville Lake Center Christian School or Gates Mills Gilmour Academy.