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Warriors will meet Springfield in a Division II semifinal today
By Jonas Fortune
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Jun 05, 2008
The Walsh Jesuit baseball team is familiar with leaving Columbus as the Division II state champions. In the past 10 years, the Warriors have claimed three championships. They go for a fourth this weekend.
And if Walsh's five tournament games this year are any indication, the odds are with the Warriors as they meet Springfield Kenton Ridge (21-6) in the Division II state semifinal at 10 a.m. today at Cooper Stadium in Columbus.
The winner will play in the championship game Saturday against the winner of today's Canal Winchester (21-12) vs. Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (22-4).
In order for the Cougars to beat Walsh (28-3), they must do something no other team has done in four games: Score a run. The last team to score against Walsh in the tournament, Buchtel in sectional play, lost 22-2.
''As talented as they are, you cannot make a mental error or they take advantage of it. You can't make a physical error; they take advantage of it. You can't leave fastballs up in the zone; they take advantage of it. They are obviously the most talented team in the state,'' Highland coach Jeff Rollyson said after his team lost to Walsh 17-0 last week in the regional final.
In the final two rounds of districts, Walsh relied on a dominant, smothering defense that, combined with above-average pitching, suffocated Field 1-0 and Tallmadge 3-0.
The pitching and great defensive effort didn't disappear when the Warriors swept through regional play last week. Their bats showed up this time. Thirty-three hits and 27 runs later, Walsh was off to state.
''All three phases of the game, in addition to our running game, were clicking [at regionals], and we hope to keep it going,'' Walsh coach Chris Kaczmar said.
One could argue that the Warriors have been ''clicking'' all year. Their only losses came against two teams fighting for the Division I state title; Cleveland St. Ignatius and Lakewood St. Edward, whom the Warriors lost to twice.
Much of their success could be attributed to the tremendous amount of depth on Kaczmar's team. Behind 6-foot-5 inch sophomore ace pitcher Tyler Skulina (8-0) stands senior left-hander David Starn (7-0). Senior left-hander Brannon Belair, who has already committed to Kent State, is behind them.
All three pitchers could eventually be Division I college players. Skulina might take his 92 mph fastball directly to pro ball.
''A lot of people don't know this, but a lot of people on our bench are just as good and capable as the people on the field,'' senior designated hitter Kevin Emmendorfer said.
Canton Central Catholic
Joining Walsh in Columbus is Central Catholic (28-4), which is making its fourth appearance under coach Doug Miller. The 27-year veteran earned his 500th career win (523-201) this year but has yet to win a state title, although he has come so close.
In 2003, Central pitcher Zach Winkhart carried a no-hitter into the bottom of the seventh inning of the Division II state championship game against Purcell Marian, but after a double and three walks, the Crusaders went home as runner-up.
Now in Division III, they will play Coldwater (27-4) at 1 p.m. Friday in the Division III State semifinal at Cooper Stadium. The winner will play at 4 p.m. Saturday against the winner of Hamilton Badin (25-6) and Wheelersburg (29-1).
The Walsh Jesuit baseball team is familiar with leaving Columbus as the Division II state champions. In the past 10 years, the Warriors have claimed three championships. They go for a fourth this weekend.
Get the full article here.
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