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Prepped for state
Clippers hope for reversal of 1981 result
By John Bassetti
COLUMBIANA
Scott Knox recalls the last time Columbiana made a state baseball tournament appearance.
It was 1981, when the Clippers were playing Gahanna Columbus Academy in the semifinals.
“It was a real tight game, 0-0 in the fourth inning and we left the bases loaded twice,” Knox said of his first-person account as the Clippers’ pitcher.
“But we didn’t take advantage of our opportunities, offensively. We had our chances, but didn’t score. It wasn’t the ending we wanted that year.”
Columbiana lost, 4-0.
Now 47, Knox is coach of the Clippers, who have won 13 of their last 15 games in search of a better outcome.
Leading the way are pitchers Josh Saverko (6-2), Hank Schlueter (4-3) and Jeff Davidson.
“Our pitching’s been real consistent and the rise of our defense has allowed us to get on this hot streak, but, once we got started in the sectional against Crestview, then the district and regional, our offense helped tremendously,” Knox said.
“The guys in the lineup from 1-9 have taken good swings and have a really good plan at the plate, especially with runners in scoring position,” Knox said.
“We’ve been able to get big hits and multiple hits and multiple runs,” Knox said, especially first-inning 5-0 leads in the regional games. “That really helps.”
Incorporated in that offensive plan is a philosophy that emphasizes attention to pitches, so that a batter carefully chooses his pitch.
“We try to teach them to look for a certain type of pitch in a certain zone,” said Knox, explaining that the Clippers may be waiting for a fastball, middle-in when the batter has no strikes.
After a strike, an adjustment is made and the batter looks to the opposite field.
“Our guys have really been disciplined at that. It allows you to swing at the pitch we want to swing at. Not swinging at bad pitches has helped us have big innings.”
The approach could wear down a pitcher.
SDLQMore than not, pitchers are going to throw fastballs early in the count and we want to be ready for them. As the pitcher gets ahead in the count, usually, he’ll go to more off-speed and that’s why we’re looking away to keep our weight back and stay back longer. It helps the fundamentals and mechanics of the swing and it’s a matter of simplification for the hitter.”
Saverko is a junior right-hander, Schlueter is a left-handed sophomore and Davidson is also a junior right-hander.
Davidson wasn’t used in the regionals because Saverko pitch a 13-2 win over Cuyahoga Heights and Schuleter pitched an 8-3 win over Buckeye Central.
Davidson relieved Saverko for an inning in Columbiana’s 7-2 win over Mathews in a district final.
However, Davidson has had an outstanding tournament at the plate and defensively.
For Newark Catholic, Knox will decide on one of the three based on the scouting report.
“It’s more about how we think those three match up [against Newark Catholic].”
The Clippers didn’t use a designated-hitter in the regionals and may not do so at state.
“We played a straight nine,” Knox said, which, translated, means that the outfielders are doing well at the plate on their own.
If a DH is employed, it’s between Luke Barker, Bryce Miner and Saverko.
No DH is used if Saverko, Schlueter or Davidson are pitching.
Saverko will play third most of the time if not pitching. If someone other than Schlueter and Davidson is pitching, then Knox will have Saverko DH for that pitcher.
The fathers of a few current players were also on the 1981 team, include Jim Douglas, father of catcher Matt Douglas (Jim was also a catcher); Mike Schlueter (Hank’s dad) and Barry Miner (Bryce Miner’s dad).
“That makes this that much more special,” Knox said. “It’s kind of neat how that’s happened.”