The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
High school baseball tournament capsules
(17) KENSTON VS. (12) SOUTH
What: Division I district final
When: 2 p.m., May 26 Where: Euclid, 711 E. 222 St, Euclid
Records: Kenston 15-7, South 11-13
Kenston’s path: Def. Kent Roosevelt, 2-1, Def. Jackson, 7-5
South’s path: Def. North, 10-4, Def. Green, 4-3, Def. Mentor, 5-2
On deck: Winner advances to play (2) Avon or (4) North Royalton in a Division I regional semifinal on June 2. For the record: Sometimes the stories write themselves when two teams meet in the postseason. These two Western Reserve Conference foes split their regular season meetings and will settle the rubber match with the steaks raised. … Starting with Kenston, the Bombers raced to an early lead against Jackson with runs brought in by Nikko Gregoriu, LA Mighton and Logan Koller in the second, fourth and sixth innings respectively. Jackson was able to tie and then take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with three singles bringing in four runners. Kenston then tied the game with a bases-loaded walk after three singles started the seventh inning. A single by Bridger Bischof drove in the final two runs for the victory. Jake Vasil put in a solid start for Kenston with five innings, allowing
two earned runs and three strikeouts. … South recorded four of its five runs against Mentor in the first three innings. Jeremiah Atwell and James Lavigne drove runs across in the first two innings followed by two bases loaded hit by pitches. Vince Carins recorded his sixth complete game and struck out four. If the Rebels want to continue their Cinderella run, they will need to find a way to improve with runners on base. Against Mentor, South stranded 11. … The pitching match-up in the district final is Parker Munday for Kenston going against Giovanni Holmecki for South. Early run support will once again be important for the Rebels as Munday comes into the game with a 0.91ERA and 38 strikeouts. If the same bats show up that did against Mentor, the clock might finally strike midnight. Hercik’s pick: Kenston
Walsh Jesuit’s path: Def. Madison, 16-0, Def. Ellet, 4-0
On deck: Winner advances to play (11) North Canton Hoover or (16) Boardman in a Division I regional semifinal on June 2.
For the record: The bats came to play in a big way for Mayfield against Massillon. The Wildcats posted a seven-run second inning to begin their path to victory over the Tigers. Frank Ceraolo led the way with three runs brought in while Matt Snider and Austin Ziance also drove in a pair.
Coupled with Patrick Dinnen’s performance on the mound (five innings, four hits, nine strikeouts) and it spelled a rematch of last year’s regional final. … Mayfield will send Ziance to the mound, in hopes of a reflection of his outing against Riverside (four hits, seven strikeouts). If the defense follows suit in their first three games, this should be a low-scoring contest. … Walsh had an equally impressive performance in their district semifinal against Ellet, Ryan Piech had a no-hitter going until a one out single in the bottom of the seventh. He finished with 19strikeouts against the Orangemen. The Warriors have yet to allow a run in the postseason while Mayfield has given up just two. … This game should come down to which team is able to figure out the zone first and be able to take advantage of the gaps in the defense first.