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Seven up for regional glory
Poland, Western Reserve have two teams alive
By Tom Williams
Despite its 10-10 record, the Ursuline High School baseball team is the squad no one wants to play as the Irish chase another state berth.
Last week at Cene Park in Struthers, the Irish knocked out Springfield (21-6), 7-1, in the Division III district semifinals. The Irish pounded out 12 hits in the game that pitted last year’s state semi-finalists against the Division IV state runner-up (Springfield).
A day later, Ursuline evened its record by knocking out South Range (22-4), 11-2. Facing Raiders ace Tyler Baird (6-1), the Irish sent nine batters to the plate in the second inning, Michael Montalbano’s two-run triple was the big blow.
As a result, Ursuline will be making its fourth consecutive trip to the Massillon regional on Thursday when they play Gilmour Academy at 2 p.m. at Massillon High’s Ducky Schroeder Field.
Six other Mahoning Valley baseball and softball teams will be making regional appearances this week. Two schools — Poland and Western Reserve — have both its baseball and softball teams playing.
Rich Murray’s Poland baseball team defeated Cardinal Mooney, 8-3, to capture its first Division II district title since 2009. Ricky Svetlak led the Bulldogs’ offense with two hits and two RBIs.
Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Ball Park in Hudson, Poland (19-5) will play Peninsula Woodridge in a regional semifinal. It will be Murray’s fifth regional trip since he started coaching in 2000.
Poland’s softball team also is returning to the Division II regional for the first time in two seasons.
In Friday’s district championship game at Alliance, Poland (21-8) ousted archrival Canfield (21-6), 7-6, in eight innings. Senior Taylor Miokovic relieved Kristyn Svetlak in the fourth in inning to earn the win. A day earlier against West Branch in the semifinal, Svetlak relieved Miokovic in a 6-4 victory.
Wednesday at 5 p.m., the Bulldogs will take the field in Akron’s Firestone Stadium to play Tallmadge.
In Division IV, the Western Reserve baseball team defeated Mathews, 3-0, and will be making its first regional appearance since 2011. Nick Allison tossed a three-hit shutout against the Mustangs.
Thursday, the Blue Devils (18-5) will travel to Lorain to play St. Thomas Aquinas at The Pipeyard at 4 p.m.
The Western Reserve softball team earned its first regional trip since 2007 by defeating St. Thomas Aquinas, 6-2. Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Kent State University, the Blue Devils (20-2) will play Seneca East.
Joining Ursuline in a regional return is the LaBrae softball team. For the second straight year, the Vikings (17-5) won the Division III Jefferson district with a win over All-American Conference Blue Division rival Champion. Emily Dugan tossed a two-hit shutout in the 4-0 win.
Wednesday at 5 p.m., the Vikings will play Akron Manchester at Massillon High School.
The Vikings could face South Range in the regional championship game. The Raiders (24-5) defeated Ursuline, 5-4, to earn their first regional trip in three years. On Thursday at 5 p.m., South Range will play Independence in Massillon.