Ursuline wary of sub-.500 regional foe Akron Manchester

May 28, 2015 at 12:10a.m.

Ursuline wary of sub-.500

regional foe Akron Manchester

YOUNGTOWN

Akron Manchester (14-15) will enter today’s Division III regional semifinal against Ursuline in much the same manner the Fighting Irish did a season ago — as an unassuming .500 team that hopes its schedule has prepared them for a state title run.

But Ursuline head coach Sean Durkin won’t let Manchester’s record fool his team.

“They [Manchester] are a different team when Pavin Parks, their top pitcher is on the mound,” said Durkin, now in his 18th season. “When he doesn’t pitch, he plays shortstop so the key will be getting some early runs and then letting our pitchers do their job.

“We just need to play well on Thursday if we expect to get to Friday. As long as we do that and keep doing the little things that win games, then we should be all right.”

Ursuline (16-5) waltzed through the Struthers district, outscoring opponents 28-5.

The Irish won the sectional title game in five innings over Campbell Memorial on pitcher Joel Hake’s perfect game, and then the district championship over South Range in six innings.

Hake (4-0, 1.23 ERA, 38 strikeouts, three walks), who is making his fourth regional appearance and is hoping to earn a second state berth, will start today.

“Winning four district titles has been very gratifying, but there’s still a lot more that we want to accomplish as a team,” Hake said. “That’s why you cannot look ahead and must take it one game at a time.

“Hitting my spots and limiting walks is a priority. They advanced to regional play for a reason so working with a lead and keeping them off-balance will be important.”

In addition to Hake, Vinny Lucente (4-1, 1.98, 56 strikeouts), Vito Petrillo (3-1, 2.93, 29 strikeouts) and Bobby Dulay (2-1, 3.86) have combined for 13 of the Irish wins this season.

Durkin will count on all four starters the rest of the way.

“Our starting pitching has certainly been a strong point this year. Joel and Vinny have had some dominant performances and that’s exactly what you need heading into tournament play,” Durkin added. “All teams are different and each has its own identity, but I can honestly say right now that we are playing our best baseball.”

While their defense has been consistent right from the start, Durkin said finding that identity took some time; especially offensively where they’ve had to replace Dion Felger, Michael Montalbano and Tanner Berry, their top three hitters from 2014.

“Our schedule was difficult, but we threw quality pitchers and had quality starts from them all season long,” he said. “We’ve played to our personnel and tried moving runners into scoring position. We’re deep in that our one thru nine batters have really hit the ball hard this season.”

Drew Potesta (.412, 13 runs, 12 RBIs) will catch Hake while Logan Pullin (.405, 14 RBIs, 10 runs) gets the nod at DH.

“You definitely get more amped up as a team when you get to the regionals. You’re just two games away from the state so you have to be ready. Our record wasn’t that great last year, but that doesn’t mean a thing,” Potesta said. “It’s who comes to play that day and with Joel on the mound for us, we’re confident of our chances.”

Brice Bokesch (.285) will be at first base with Dulay (.312) at second and Petrillo (.397, 15 runs, 12 RBIs), the team’s shortstop, providing a formidable double-play combination.

“It’s the same basic game, just a little more intense at the regional level so making the routine plays, moving guys over and manufacturing runs will be big for both teams,” Dulay said. “The ultimate goal is state so you cannot be caught looking ahead. It’s one pitch, one inning and one game at a time from here on out.”

Third baseman Alex Schlosser (.363, 11 runs) rounds out the infield.

Vito Penza (.303) is the team’s center fielder and will be flanked by Zach Patton in left field and Gianni Quattro (.327, 10 runs, six stolen bases) in right.

Ursuline — the top seed out of Struthers — has won six straight games. Manchester, the second seed in the Copley district, took out top-seeded Elyria Catholic, 10-1 in a district semifinal.

The Panthers followed that up with a 10-0 rout of Wellington in six innings in the district final.