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Baseball State Tournament Recaps

Division III State Final

Early run lifts Warren Champion past Berlin Hiland to first baseball state title
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A single in the bottom of the first inning by Warren Champion senior Michael Turner to score senior Lucas Nasonti proved to be the decisive run for Champion (27-3) in a 1-0 victory over top-ranked Berlin Hiland (31-1) in the 2017 OHSAA Division III baseball state championship at Huntington Park on Saturday.

Champion was making its first appearance in a baseball state final after scoring a 2-1 win over Bellville Clear Fork in a Division III state semifinal on Thursday.

Leading the way for the Golden Flashes was sophomore pitcher Andrew Russell, who went all seven innings on the mound, striking out eight and allowing no earned runs. Turner led Champion offensively, going 2-for-3 with one RBI.

Hiland, which was playing in its second-straight Division III state final, recorded seven hits in the contest but could not capitalize. Hiland senior pitcher Mitchell Massaro allowed just four hits in six innings of work, walking just two batters. Hiland junior Michael Miller went 2-for-3, and senior Bryan Yoder went 2-for-4 for the Hawks.

Hiland runners reached third base in the third, fourth and fifth innings but the Champion defense recorded five outs with Hiland runners on third. In the top of the fourth, Hiland sophomore Ryan Hershberger doubled to left field to lead off the inning and advanced to third in the next at bat after a sacrifice bunt. But Champion’s Russell notched back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Hiland again threatened the Champion defense after loading the bases with two outs, but Russell induced a foul out to the catcher to end the inning and once again shut the door on Hiland’s hopes of scoring.

Champion finished off the Hawks and their hopes of a comeback in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Yoder singled to left field, but a fly ball to center field in the next at bat was caught by Champion senior Will Kovach, ending the game and earning the state title for the Golden Flashes, 1-0.

Division II State Final

Tallmadge defeats Dayton Chaminade Julienne 4-0, captures second state championship
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Tallmadge (25-7) defeated Dayton Chaminade Julienne (22-5) by a final score of 4-0 in the 2017 OHSAA Division II baseball state final at Huntington Park on Saturday to capture its second baseball state title.

The Blue Devils were making their sixth appearance in the OHSAA baseball state tournament and earned their first state title since 2002. Tallmadge topped Maumee 4-1 in a Division II state semifinal on Thursday.

Tallmadge junior Jared Burick pitched a gem for the Blue Devils, allowing just two hits in six innings of work, striking out five en route to the win. Tallmadge juniors Phillip Glasser and Scott Seeker each went 2-for-3, with Seeker notching two RBIs, and juniors Jake Rensel and Seth Gergely also finished with one RBI apiece for Tallmadge.

Chaminade Julienne was making its first appearance in a baseball state final. Senior Daniel Slaybaugh and junior Ben Thomas each notched one hit for the Eagles.

Tallmadge wasted no time getting on the board, as a single up the middle in the top of the first with two outs by Seeker scored Glasser to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 advantage through one.

In the top of the third, Tallmadge sophomore Rich Eyre singled down the left field line to lead off the inning. A single through the right side in the next at bat by Glasser advanced Eyre to third, then Gergely recorded a sacrifice fly to score Eyre and increase the Blue Devils’ lead to 2-0. Later in the inning, another single by Seeker scored Glasser from third and Tallmadge took a 3-0 lead through three.

The Blue Devils added a fourth run in the top of the sixth, and the Tallmadge defense finished the job in the top of the seventh, earning the victory and state title, 4-0.

Division IV State Final

Walk-off single lifts Minster past Russia to third baseball state title
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A walk-off single by Minster senior Jon Niemeyer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning scored junior Jared Huelsman to earn a 2-1 win for the Wildcats over Russia in the 2017 OHSAA Division IV baseball state final at Huntington Park on Saturday.

Minster (25-7) was making its fourth trip to the baseball state tournament and walks away with its third state title since 2011. The Wildcats bested top-ranked Toronto by a final tally of 3-0 in a Division IV state semifinal at Huntington Park on Friday.

Russia (24-7) was making its third appearance in a baseball state tournament and its first trip to the state tournament since 1975. The Raiders used a walk-off single of their own to defeat Dalton, 7-6, in a Division IV state semifinal on Friday.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning and the score tied at 1-1, Minster’s Huelsman singled to third base. A groundout to the shortstop by senior Isaac Schmiesing allowed Huelsman to advance to second, and then with two outs on a 1-0 pitch, Niemeyer singled to left field, scoring Huelsman from second to score the game-winning run for Minster, 2-1.

Minster’s Niemeyer and junior Adam Knapke each recorded one hit and RBI for the Wildcats. Huelsman and senior catcher Ben Stubbs each notched one hit apiece for Minster. Sophomore pitcher Jack Heitbrink went seven innings on the hill for the Wildcats, allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out five.

For Russia, junior Hunter Cohee went 2-for-3 and sophomore Evan Monnier recorded one hit and RBI. Sophomore pitcher Daniel Kearns went five innings on the mound for the Raiders, allowing just two hits and one earned run.

Division I State Final

Massillon Jackson earns second state championship, defeats Strongsville, 8-2
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 1 Massillon Jackson (30-2) scored an 8-2 victory over Strongsville (25-9) in the 2017 OHSAA Division I baseball state championship at Huntington Park on Saturday to earn its second baseball state title since 2014.

The Polar Bears (30-2) topped West Chester Lakota West by a tally of 5-1 in a Division I state semifinal on Friday at Huntington Park and outscored their opponents 22-5 in their final three contests.

Strongsville was making its second trip to the OHSAA baseball state tournament. The Mustangs edged Lewis Center Olentangy Orange by a final mark of 3-2 in a Division I state semifinal on Friday.

Leading the way for Jackson was senior catcher Dillon Dingler, who finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Senior Cade Mottice went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and freshman Josh Romans finished 2-for-3 for the Polar Bears.

Jackson sophomore pitcher Yianni Skeriotis went all seven innings on the mound, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out five.

Strongsville was led by senior first baseman Noah Trizzino, who finished 3-for-3 with one RBI.

Jackson began its offensive onslaught in the bottom of the third, as Romans led off the inning with a single through the left side. After a groundout and error allowed Romans to advance to third, Dingler singled on a bunt to second base, scoring Romans and giving the Polar Bears an early 1-0 lead. A fielder’s choice in the next at bat allowed Mottice to advance to third, then a single through the left side by senior Kyle Nicholas scored Mottice to increase Jackson’s lead to 2-0.

The Polar Bears scored three runs in the fourth and fifth innings and the Jackson defense prevented Strongsville from significantly cutting into the deficit, earning the win and state crown, 8-2.

Division III State Semifinals

Warren Champion advances to first baseball state championship with 2-1 win over Bellville Clear Fork
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Warren Champion (26-3) advanced to its first OHSAA baseball state championship by way of a 2-1 victory over Bellville Clear Fork (18-13) in a 2017 OHSAA Division III baseball state semifinal at Huntington Park on Thursday.

Champion will play in the Division III state championship on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Huntington Park. The Golden Flashes will face the winner of a state semifinal between No. 1 Berlin Hiland (30-0) and No. 16 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (23-7).

Champion struck first, as sophomore Andrew Russell singled to center field to score junior Drake Batcho and give the Golden Flashes a 1-0 lead in the top of the second.

Clear Fork tied the contest in the bottom of the third when senior Hunter Boyer singled to center, scoring junior Hunter Auck and knotting the game at 1-1.

But the game winning run came in the top of the seventh, when Champion senior Justin Taninecz scored on a fielding error by the left fielder following a single by senior Michael Turner to give the Golden Flashes a 2-1 lead. Junior pitcher Drake Batcho finished his complete game in the bottom of the seventh, striking out Clear Fork’s batters in order to earn the win, 2-1.

Berlin Hiland stays unbeaten, advances to Division III state championship with 2-1 (8 inn.) win over Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 1 Berlin Hiland (31-0) defeated No. 16 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (23-8) by a final score of 2-1 (8 inn.) in a 2017 OHSAA Division III baseball state semifinal at Huntington Park on Thursday.

With the victory, Hiland advances to the Division III baseball state championship against Warren Champion (26-3) on Saturday at 10 a.m.

In the bottom of the eighth with the game tied at 1-1, Hiland senior Tyson Gingerich led off the inning with a single. A throwing error by the pitcher in the next at bat allowed Hiland senior Bryan Yoder to reach first, giving the Hawks two runners on base with no outs. Hiland sophomore Ryan Hershberger reached on a fielder’s choice and CHCA was able to throw Gingerich out at third to record the first out of the inning, but Hiland would score the run it needed in the next at bat, as sophomore Andrew Miller singled to left center to score junior Derek Burke from second to earn the win for Hiland, 2-1 (8 inn.).

Division II State Semifinals

Dayton Chaminade Julienne advances to first baseball state championship, defeats Steubenville 3-0
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dayton Chaminade Julienne (23-4) earned a 3-0 victory over Steubenville (28-5) in a 2017 OHSAA Division II baseball state semifinal at Huntington Park on Thursday, earning its first berth in an OHSAA baseball state championship.

Chaminade Julienne last qualified for the baseball state tournament in 1975 and will play in its first state final on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Division II state championship.

Chaminade Julienne senior pitcher Garrett Wissman allowed just one hit while recording a complete game, striking out seven batters en route to victory.

Eagles’ junior Ryan Peltier finished 2-for-3 with a home run. Chaminade Julienne senior Mark Barhorst went 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Steubenville was making its seventh appearance in the baseball state tournament and its second-straight trip to Huntington Park for the state tournament.

Tallmadge secures sixth state championship berth with 4-1 win over Maumee
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Tallmadge (24-7) defeated Maumee (22-10) 4-1 in a 2017 OHSAA Division II baseball state semifinal on Thursday at Huntington Park to advance to its sixth baseball state championship.

The Blue Devils scored three of their four runs in the top of the fourth inning. Trailing 1-0 with two outs in the top of the fourth, senior Josh Taylor tripled to center field to score junior Scott Seeker and tie the game at 1-1. In the next at bat, junior Jared Burick doubled to left center field to score Taylor and give Tallmadge a 2-1 lead. Another double by Tallmadge junior Jake Rensel allowed Burick to score and extend the Blue Devil advantage to 3-1 through four.

Tallmadge junior pitcher Zach Boyd allowed just five hits for the contest and held Maumee scoreless for the final six innings, recording a complete game and earning the win by a final tally of 4-1.

Tallmadge will face Dayton Chaminade Julienne (23-4) in the Division II baseball state championship on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Division IV State Semifinals

Minster defeats Toronto 3-0, advances to fourth state championship
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Three runs in the top of the first inning carried No. 8 Minster (24-7) past top-ranked Toronto (27-4) by a final score of 3-0 in a 2017 OHSAA Division IV baseball state semifinal at Huntington Park on Friday, giving the Wildcats a berth in their fourth state final.

Minster will compete in the Division IV state championship on Saturday at 4 p.m.

With the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the first inning, a long fly ball to right field was dropped, allowing Minster senior Isaac Dorsten, senior Bryce Schmiesing and junior Isaac Schmiesing to score, giving the Wildcats a 3-0 lead through one.

Minster senior pitcher Aaron Ernst pitched a complete game for the Wildcats, allowing no runs on just six hits while striking out seven batters, earning the win, 3-0.

Toronto was making its third appearance in the state semifinals and its first trip to the state tournament since 1998.

Walk-off single lifts Russia past Dalton, 7-6
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Russia (24-6) earned a 7-6 win over Dalton (16-12) on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning of a 2017 OHSAA Division IV baseball state semifinal at Huntington Park on Friday.

With the game tied at 6-6 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh and runners on second and third, Russia sophomore Evan Monnier singled up the middle to score senior Dylan Cordonnier, giving the Raiders a 7-6 win.

Russia will play in its second state championship and first since 1975 on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Minster (24-7) in the Division IV state final. Russia and Minster are separated by approximately 13 miles.

The Raiders scored seven runs on 10 hits and were led by Cordonnier, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs while also scoring three runs. Russia senior Clay George went 2-for-2.

Dalton was making its second trip to the state tournament and first since 2005.

Division I State Semifinals

Four-run first inning powers top-ranked Massillon Jackson past West Chester Lakota West, 5-1
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 1 Massillon Jackson (29-2) scored four runs in the first inning of a 2017 OHSAA Division I baseball state semifinal to help earn a 5-1 win over West Chester Lakota West (25-6) and advance to its second baseball state final.

The Polar Bears will face the winner of Strongsville (24-8) and Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (22-8) on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Division I state final.

Leading the way offensively for Jackson was senior catcher Dillon Dingler, who went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs. Jackson senior pitcher Kyle Nichols pitched a complete game and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven.

Lakota West was making its third trip to the state tournament and first appearance since 2008.

Strongsville survives comeback attempt by Lewis Center Olentangy Orange, wins 3-2 to advance to Division I state championship
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Strongsville (25-8) held off a comeback attempt by Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (22-9) to win 3-2 in a 2017 OHSAA Division I baseball state semifinal at Huntington Park on Friday.

The Mustangs will take on No. 1 Massillon Jackson (29-2) in the Division I state championship on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Leading 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning with two outs and a runner on first base, Strongsville junior pitcher Matt Brosky induced a ground ball, which junior shortstop Mitch Midea collected and threw to junior second baseman Trevor Denning for an out. Denning proceeded to throw in time to senior first baseman Noah Trizzino, recording the third out of the inning and earning the victory for the Mustangs.

Strongsville was led offensively by senior catcher Parker Shannon, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Midea finished 2-for-3. Brosky finished with a complete game, allowing just four hits and two earned runs in the victory.

Olentangy Orange was making its first appearance in the OHSAA baseball state tournament.