Champion falls to G-Men in Div. III regional final

By Greg Gulas

MASSILLON — The last time Garfield made it to the regional finals, coach Beau Norton was a senior on the team that lost to Springfield as the G-Men came up short in their quest of the school’s first trip to the state.

That was 1994 and Norton admits the sting still remains of falling in that championship game.

Fast forward 15 years.

With Jon Hartman on the mound, a solid defense behind him and a potent offense, the G-Men would not be denied that elusive trophy as they defeated Champion, 8-2, in the Division III regional final at Carl “Ducky” Schroeder Field.

The realization that the G-Men are now one of the last four teams remaining was a great feeling to both Norton and Hartman.

“First, it is really sweet to be heading to Columbus. I looked up in the stands prior to the game to see so many fans, former players and teammates that I had to remind the team that they were playing for more than just themselves,” said Norton.

“Every player in the lineup hit the ball hard. As a coach, you really appreciate the fact that everyone stepped up today.”

Hartman (6-1) struck out eight and scattered seven hits, needing just 100 pitches for the complete-game victory.

“I really felt like I threw well the entire game, bringing the gas when I needed to and then pulling back when the situation called for me to let up,” said Hartman.

“I got in trouble when I got behind in the count and when I stayed ahead on the batters, then good things just seemed to happen.

A double by Joe Collins and three singles by Jeremy Ross, Cody Berg and Brandon Baumgardner in the first inning staked the G-Men to a three run advantage.

Berg’s two-run double then highlighted a five-run second frame as Garfield built an 8-0 advantage.

Ross and Berg both had three hits on the day and each scored two runs.

Hartman set down the first seven Golden Flashes that he faced; five on strikeouts.

Champion loaded the bases in both the third and fourth innings, but Hartman worked out of both jams as he forced a 6-4-3 double play to end the third, then struck out the final two batters he faced to finish off the fourth.

Despite being short on pitching, Champion coach Tim Cope wasn’t about to make any excuses.

“We started slow and dug a hole for ourselves, but it was just too little, too late for us in the latter innings.

“We really didn’t get the timely hit when we needed it, but I am so proud of our guys because they refused to quit. They did everything that I asked of them all season long,” Cope said.

Champion finished the season with an 18-9 ledger, and Garfield advances with a 20-6 mark.