Boardman, Fitch hot at the right time
By Greg Gulas
STRUTHERS
The Boardman Spartans have caught fire since returning from their spring trip at the beginning of the season.
Austintown Fitch’s pitchers have all of a sudden turned into shutout artists at tournament time.
Both local teams will need to be on top of their games when the Division I baseball tournament begins today at Bob Cene Park in Struthers.
The Spartans (16-10) will take on third-seeded Stow-Munroe Falls (14-11) while the Falcons (10-10) meet top-seeded Walsh Jesuit (19-6) in semi-final action beginning at 4 p.m.
“We’ve relied on our pitching all year, but a timely hit or two goes a long way at tournament time,” Boardman coach Joe Gabriel said. “We’ve matured as a team since our spring trip with our senior leadership taking over to keep us on track. It doesn’t matter whether they play or take a game off, they are right there making sure we stay focused.”
A tough Florida trip might have been just what the Spartans needed as they have gone 15-5 since and enter districts riding a four-game win streak.
“Our spring schedule was very challenging and we learned a lot. More than anything though, it prepared us for the regular season,” Gabriel said. “We benefitted from that tough schedule because we are now ready for the tournament. The key will be pitching and defense for all teams while not hurting yourself with any costly miscues.”
Pitchers Hudson Woodrig (6-1, 0.57 ERA), Jared Jay (2-1, 0.79 ERA) and reliever Sammy Varga are the Boardman mound leaders while Lou Cardona (.370), Gaven Strines (.363, team-leading 18 RBIs) and Coleman Stauffer (.406) are looking to propel the Spartans to their first district title since early 2000.
The Spartans take on Stow-Munroe Falls team that has won 12 of their last 14 outings to rebound from a 2-9 start.
‘It has been 20 years since we last won a district title and advanced to regional play. If we expect to do that this year, then we have to play solid defense,” Bulldogs coach Aaron DeBord said. “We need to give ourselves a chance to win and that means no free opportunities to the opposition.”
DeBord relies on starting pitchers Jake Dohar (3-4, 2.40 ERA) and Jeremy Tarton (6-2, 2.11 ERA), and closer Logan Huffman who has yet to give up a run in relief.
Owen Fankhouser (.359) and Scott Swango (380) their offensive stalwarts.
The Falcons have clawed and fought their way back to the .500 mark and after making it to the district finals three years ago, they’re looking to return to the championship game after two consecutive early district exits.
“We’ve gotten great starting pitching over the last several weeks and our bats are also coming around,” Ford stated. “It has taken a while, but two shutouts in sectionals and some solid offense just tells me that we are peaking at the right time.”
The Falcons dropped Akron Ellet, 11-0 in six-innings in the sectional semi-finals and then shut out Kent Roosevelt, 4-0 to advance to district.
Ford will give the ball to Jared Kapturasky and Derek Gunter while offensively, Dominic DiFrancesco, Brian Beany and Michael Grazier are the run producers and table-setters.
With top seed Walsh Jesuit, the Warriors rely on senior leadership with eight of 10 players committed to playing the diamond sport at the collegiate level.
Pitcher Dominic Canzone (5-1, 0.85 ERA) is an Ohio State signee while Dan Mendenhall (4-0, 2.51 ERA) and Jace Burke (1-1) round out the staff.
Offensively, those to keep an eye on include Canzone (.470), the teams’ average leader, lead-off hitter Brendan Regan (.450), Mendenhall (.400) and Mac Shinsberry (.390).
The Division I finals are set for Thursday at 6:30 p.m.