The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Baseball regional semifinal capsules
BHercik@news-herald.com @BHercikNH on Twitter
(4) CHARDON VS. (5) CHAGRIN FALLS
What: Division II regional semifinal
When: 2 p.m., June 2
Where: Canton McKinley, 2501 Allen Ave SE, Canton
Records: Chardon 20-10, Chagrin Falls 19-11
Chardon’s path: Def. Howland 5-3, Def. Field 15-6, Def. Niles 10-0
Chagrin Falls’s path: Def. Coventry 8-0, Def. Revere 3-0, Def. Cloverleaf 6-4
On deck: Winner advances to play (5) Louisville or (4) University in a Division II regional final June 3.
For the record: These are two teams are very familiar with each other, as they played twice in the regular season and split. They are also on completely different ends of the spectrum as they enter the regional semifinals. … The Chardon bats found a rhythm in the district round as they combined for 25 runs with the trio of Christian Hall, Nolan Kirsh and Heath Fetchik had four RBI apiece. Jake Barker was right on their tail with three RBI. … Both Hall and Kirsh have been strong on the mound this season as well, both providing strong pitching to go with the strong bats as well, and either will get the nod to go against Chagrin Falls. … The Tigers have been led by good pitching this offseason with the duo of Leo Fornara and Andrew Kirkpatrick. Fornara has thrown a pair of shutouts, and Kirkpatrick battled back from a rough first inning against Cloverleaf to only allow two runs the rest of the way. Fornara will be on the mound for Chagrin Falls against Chardon to try and ice their red-hot bats. … That duo has also been strong from the plate as well, both knocking in a pair of RBI in the district round. If the Chardon bats remain hot, they will need to have the likes of Donny Hardy and Brett Vaccaro to get going as well. The Tigers’ bats do have some pop, as three bats have combined for six home runs on the season.
Hercik’s pick: Chagrin Falls
(4) UNIVERSITY VS. (5) LOUISVILLE
What: Division II regional semifinal
When: 5 p.m., June 2
Where: Canton McKinley, 2501 Allen Ave SE, Canton
Records: University 23-7, Louisville 21-9
University’s path: Def. Fairless 11-1, Def. Buckeye 3-0, Def. Tallmadge 4-1
Louisville’s path: Def. Struthers 8-0, Def. Salem 2-1, Def. Marlington 2-0
On deck: Winner advances to play (4) Chardon or (5) Chagrin Falls in a Division II regional final June 3.
For the record: It’s the first trip for University to a regional semifinal in 30years, and the Preppers look to make it to a regional final for the first time in school history. … The bats have been big for University when called upon. The district round saw the Preppers rack up 15 hits and push seven runs across. Against Tallmadge, University got out to a lead in the first inning thanks to an Aaron Moss single to bring two runs across. Joey Zigman pushed a third run across in the sixth. Against a Louisville team that has shut out four of its last seven opponents, University will need to get the bats going early. … Evan Shapiro gets the start on the mound as he looks to continue an impressive junior season. Against Tallmadge, Shapiro worked out of a basesloaded situation, allowing just one run and striking out six. For the biggest game for University in the past three decades, the Kent State commit looks to help continue the Preppers’ season. … Louisville jumped out to early leads against Salem and Marlington to get to the regional round. The defense has been strong for the Leopards and against the University bats, they will once again need to be on their A game.
Hercik’s pick: University
(17) KENSTON VS. (4) NORTH ROYALTON
What: Division I regional semifinal
When: 5 p.m., June 2
Where: Louisville, 1201 S Nickelplate St, Louisville
Records: Kenston 16-8, North Royalton 14-3
Kenston’s path: Def. Kent Roosevelt 2-1, Def. Jackson 7-5, Def. South 4-1
North Royalton’s path: Def. Copley 10-5, Def. Westlake 6-3, Def. Avon 5-4
On deck: Winner advances to play (1) Walsh Jesuit or (11) North Canton Hoover in a Division I regional final June 3.
For the record: The Bombers come in off a walkoff three run home run from Drew McKenna against South in a district final to make their first trip to the regional semifinals since 2004. While the spotlight shown bright on McKenna after the victory against the Rebels, he is one of several strong Kenston bats. Jake Vasil and LA Mighton are batting over .350, and three other bats are hitting over .300. Kenston will need all the bats to stay hot against a North Royalton team that at times have allowed five or more runs seven times this season. … The Bombers will see Vasil take the mound against the Bears and hope for a repeat of his outing against Jackson. In that game, Vasil went five innings, struck out three and allowed just two earned runs. . … In its district final, North Royalton had to rally from down a run in the seventh to force extra innings against Avon. After the two sides both pushed a pair of runs across in the ninth, an error from third base allowed for the Bears to bring the winning run home. The Bears aren’t afraid to chase pitches either, as they struck out 10times against Avon.
North Royalton
Hercik’s pick: (4) HAWKEN VS. (1) SOUTH RANGE
What: Division III regional semifinal
When: 2 p.m., June 2 Where: Massillon, 1Paul E
Chardon’s Heath Fetchik looks to throw a runner out on a ground ball during the Hilltoppers’ game against South.
Brown Dr SE, Massillon Records: Hawken 18-5, South Range 18-3
Hawken’s path: Def. Northwestern 12-2, Def. Canton Central Catholic 5-0, Def. Elyria Catholic 5-3
South Range’s path: Def. Pymatuning Valley 10-0, Def. Champion 3-1, Def. Columbiana 7-2
On deck: Winner advances to play (2) Waynedale or (4) Ursuline in a Division III regional final on June 3.
For the record: Hawken travels to a regional semifinal for the first time in 26years. After they grabbed a first-inning lead against Elyria Catholic, the Panthers struck back with two runs in the bottom of the third. Hawken struck back right away as Dom Brancel sent a three-run homer to left and gave the Hawks the lead for good. … Brancel has been a strong bat all season, and Khalil Suggs, Paxton Laschinger and Tommy Clark have all also been strong. Those bats will need to be strong again with the South Range defense allowing just over two runs a game. … Hawken does feature two strong arms with Lucas Brandt and Devin Anthony both boating ERAs under 1. The defense has been strong behind them as well, holding teams to three runs per contest. They will need another strong defensive performance against a South Range team that has put up 10or more runs seven times this season.
Hercik’s pick: South Range