Poland seeks third straight Final Four

May 12, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

STRUTHERS

It’s no stretch to say that the Division II regional road goes through Poland.

As the top seed in this year’s Struthers District, head coach Rich Murray realizes that there’s a bulls-eye on his teams’ back each and every time they take the field.

Staying focused and not looking ahead will be key, however, if last year’s state runner-up Bulldogs (21-3) expect to make a third consecutive “Final Four” trip.

“We have to take it one game at a time and that starts with sectionals. With teams like Niles, Marlington, Ursuline and Canfield in the division, as well as other talented squads, any team can get hot and win it all,” Murray said. “We played a tougher regular season schedule this year and hopefully that has prepared us for tournament play. Good pitching and experience should help. This group wants to prove that they, too, can do it and everyone has stepped up their game since the season began.”

Five pitchers have combined for 18 wins, including Dan Klase (5-1, 1.35 ERA), Mike Maillis (4-0, 1.90 e.r.a), Jared Burkert (3-0, 2.10 ERA), Matt Baker (3-0) and Eric White (3-1).

Six new starters have emerged and matured over the course of the season with Anthony Calcagni (.482 batting average), Pad O’Shaughnessy (.425), White (.396), Nick Petrolla (.395), Tony Chiaro (.363) and Klase (.324) a big part of their offensive success.

Niles (22-3) is the No. 2 seed, entering play as the All-American Conference, White Division champions — their first league title since the 2012 campaign.

“In most years, this sectional is a district. It’s a brutal district that was tough enough before and even tougher now,” Red Dragons head coach Michael Guarnieri stated. “Good pitching, flawless defense and timely hitting will be the key for all teams if they expect to advance.”

Guarnieri’s go-to guy on the hill is Tyler Srbinvich (5-0, save, 2.80 ERA) with Jared Johnson (5-0, 2.81) equally impressive when given the ball.

Johnson, Garrett Pitts, Geno Barricella and Damion Coleman are all offensive threats with each hitting over .400 on the campaign.

Both Poland and Niles have drawn opening round byes with the Bulldogs taking on the winner of the Southeast-Alliance game and the Red Dragons entertaining the winner of the West Branch-Struthers contest in Friday’s final.

Southeast (16-6), the No. 8 seed, has won 13 of their last 14 outings while No. 10 Alliance (10-16) has won six of their last eight outings.

West Branch (12-13) is the No. 5 seed and will take on No. 11 Struthers (6-16) for the right to meet the Red Dragons.

“We’ve played well at times, and not so well other times so we need to be consistent,” Warriors head coach Shawn Alazaus noted.

Brant Alazaus (4-3, 1.61 ERA) and Gino Sabatine (2-3) are the mound mainstays with Hunter Steele (449), P.J. DeShields (.340) and Seth Schroeder (.316) threats offensively.

Pat Carano (1.80 ERA) and John Medvec are the Wildcats’ pitchers to keep an eye, Carano (.415) and Jake Kriebel (.330) offensive threats.

Ursuline coach Matt Weymer is in his first season with the Fighting Irish (15-8), which enters tourney play riding a four-game win streak.

“Staying away from costly mistakes and cashing in on our chances will be big,” Weymer added. “We cannot afford to leave any opportunities lingering, like during the regular season.”

Vinny Lucente (5-2), Vito Petrillo (2-3) and Alex Schlosser (4-1) are the twirlers Weymer counts on. Drew Potesta, Schlosser and Logan Pullin are the key bats.

They will meet the winner of the No. 6 Hubbard (17-8) and No. 9 Girard (10-13) match-up while the winner of the No. 7 Canfield and No. 12-Salem match-up advances to meet No. 3 seed Marlington in the finals.

Colin Shinosky (6-2, 2.81 ERA), Nick Ferrara (3-2) and Mason Trinckes (2-1, 2.70 ERA) are the Eagles pitchers with Shinosky (.421), Brett Lopuchovsky (.502) and Ryan Love (.498) the run producers.

Girard features Nick DeGregory (3-1, 1.40 ERA, .320), Troy Trumbetta (3-3) and Austin Claussell (.308) while Canfield relies on pitchers Joey Machuga and Luke Kelty, and hitters Joe Delucia (.479), Matt Pappas (.400) and Spencer Woolley (.340).