Bob Cene prep baseball tournament this weekend

April 7, 2017 at 12:08a.m.

STRUTHERS

The six-team Bob Cene Park High School Baseball Tournament is scheduled for this weekend with locals Cardinal Mooney, Ursuline and Niles set to take part at Bob Cene Park.

Rounding out the field will be Akron Hoban, Lakewood St. Edward and Canton, Mich.

“We want to showcase the fields and teams as much as possible,” said tournament director Bob Beam. “We’ve expanded the tourney this year to include public schools and everyone from grounds crew, to concessions to press box personnel plays a part in making this one of the very best early season tournaments.

“It’s also great to see the reaction from out-of-town teams because many aren’t accustomed to playing at such a great facility.”

The Cardinals will be looking to defend their title, won last year by defeating Ursuline, 7-6. They will be joined by St. Edward and Niles in Pool B play.

Pool A consists of Ursuline, Akron Hoban and Canton.

“We return seven starters and are a veteran group overall, but our pitching is really young,” Mooney head coach Al Franceschelli said. “We’re looking forward to playing in the tournament and hoping to make it to the finals. If that happens, then we will have accomplished what we sent out to accomplish.”

The Cardinals started their season 1-3, but defeated Ursuline 10-6 on Tuesday.

They are led by shortstop Bryce Richey, catcher Dom Pecchia and infielders Gino Guerrieri (second base) and Chris Lewis (third base).

The Fighting Irish split their first four games of the season prior to playing the Cardinals and are a mix of veterans and newcomers with five freshmen slated to see plenty of action.

“We’re young so we expect some inconsistency, but won’t use that as a crutch,” Ursuline head coach Matt Weymer said. “We’re looking forward to the tournament because any time you put something on the line it’s going to be fun. Plus, playing some of the better area teams and highly respected baseball programs like Akron Hoban, St. Edward and Canton, Michigan, it’s a nice challenge for your team.”

Ursuline features seniors Chris Patton (pitcher, catcher and third baseman) and Jimmy Kerrigan (outfielder), sophomore pitcher-shortstop Bobby Cavalier and freshman outfielder Vince Armeni.

Niles went 23-6 last year, losing to Marlington in a district final.

The Red Dragons won their first three contests and feature six seniors that head coach T.C. Guarnieri will count on for leadership.

Tyler Srbinovich is a four-year starter and pitcher that gives opponent batters fits while lead-off batter Tre Martin is hot with a .630 average thus far. Outfielder Joe Proper is also hitting over .600 with third baseman and clean-up hitter Damion Coleman another player to watch.

“We didn’t go to Myrtle Beach this year, so getting in three games in the tournament is going to be big for us,” Guarnieri said. “Due to conference play we probably won’t be able to throw our top three pitchers, but this will give us a chance to see where we are with some of our other players.”

Akron Hoban went 16-14 last year and lost to Medina Highland in a district final.

At 2-0 this season, Knights head coach Andy Capraruolo features Grant Kersh (catcher-third baseman-shortstop), Isaiah Jackson (outfielder) and Blake Baldwin (pitcher-first baseman).

“We take it one inning and one game at a time so in essence, we are playing against ourselves looking to get better,” Capraruolo said.

St. Edward coach Matt Rosinski has his team off to a 3-2 start with left-handed pitcher Quinn Lavelle, a Northwestern University commit, the ace of the staff.

“We have an inexperienced infield playing basically freshmen and sophomores, but we’re balanced in other areas,” Rosinski said. “This tournament will be a good test for us because we’ll see exactly where we stand after playing some excellent competition.”

Lead-off batter and shortstop Danny McGuire is committed to Shawnee State University, center fielder Riley Bombeck is headed to Asbury University and right fielder Jacob Lozinski, the team’s batting leader at .525, will play at Lake Erie College in the fall.

Canton comes into the tournament with the fewest number of games under its belt, winning its season opener this past Sunday over Novi Catholic Central, 10-0 in five innings.

Mark Bloomshield is in his 10th season as Chiefs head coach has guided the team to a 166-90-1 overall mark.

They were 28-12 a year ago, 10-1 in their league and feature three pitchers, Dean Dawson, Turner Donlin and Aaron Dolney, each of whom throw in the high 80’s and each of whom will get a start in the tournament.

“We’re looking forward to getting in a few games, realizing full well that with only one game played thus it will give us a better idea of where we stand as a team,” Bloomshield said.

Play begins Saturday at 2 p.m. with Cardinal Mooney hosting St. Edward and Ursuline taking on Akron Hoban.

The championship game is set for Sunday at 5 p.m.