SPORTS
A6 • FOREST HILLS JOURNAL • MARCH 28, 2012
Editor: Melanie Laughman, mlaughman@communitypress.com, 513-248-7573
HIGH SCHOOL | YOUTH | RECREATIONAL
FOREST HILLS
JOURNAL
CommunityPress.com
Anderson Orangemen seek to defend state club lacrosse title
2012 seniors hope to keep momentum By Adam Turer presspreps@gmail.com
ANDERSON TWP. — There is no easy way to defend a state championship. The best way to repeat is to have a senior class determined to create their own legacy and win their final game. For the Anderson Orangemen lacrosse program, a second straight Ohio High School Lacrosse Association Club Division state title is in sight. The Orangemen claimed the 2011 title thanks to in large part to the contributions of several nowgraduated seniors. This year’s seniors know the feeling of success and accomplishment that comes with a championship. They hope to lead the Orangemen to another title this season. “This year’s seniors are eager to leave their mark on the Anderson lacrosse tradition,” head coach Todd Shelton said. Senior tri-captains Andrew Roeding (attack), Daniel Whitford (defenseman), and Matt Ro-
Anderson's Brad Rolfes passes the ball during the Orangemen's 16-1 win over Seven Hills last year. He will be a big part of the midfield in 2012. FILE PHOTO sen (middie) will lead the team in its quest to repeat. Six other starters return from the state championship squad. Senior Kyle Loseff moves from middie to defenseman, where he will team up with Whitford and junior Jacob Lind.
Seniors Seth Gerke and Brad Rolfes return as middies. Senior Ben Sullivan and junior Jason Smith join Roeding on the attack. “Our returning starters need to have a big year,” said Shelton. “We will be counting heavily on
our tri-captains.” The biggest question facing this team entering the 2012 season is figuring out how the team will replace graduated all-state goalie David Dornette. Pressure will be on the returning middies and defensemen to protect the net while the new goaltender settles in. “We have no returning goalie. We have a couple of guys trying to find their way around the cage, but that can be tough for a firstyear player,” said Shelton. In addition to starting an unproven proven goalie, the Orangemen will also have to rely on newcomers to provide depth. How quickly they adapt to the speed of the varsity game will be a deciding factor in the team’s success. “Our young guys are going to have to step up and play big and it needs to happen fast,” said Shelton. “They are the ones who are going to truly make the difference in how the season turns out.” Last season was a major step in reclaiming Anderson’s status as a perennial state power. The program reached the Club Division state championship game
four straight seasons from 20042007, winning the title twice. 2011 marked the team’s first state title game appearance since 2007 and first championship since 2006. It also raised the bar for this year’s team. “The expectations are high, especially since we had a great year last year,” said Shelton. “We feel we have finally gotten back to the level where we once were.” There will be no sneaking up on opponents this season. The Orangemen are back in familiar territory for the program, but it will be a new experience for the boys on this roster. Despite the turnover at some key positions, Anderson is expected to be one of the top teams in the state again this year. It will be up to the returning upperclassmen to guide the team through the lofty expectations. “For the past couple of years, we flew under the radar a bit and lived the underdog role,” said Shelton. “Winning the state championship has placed the target back on our backs. We just have to quickly realize what we can be and play up to that potential.”
Boys of spring take to the diamond Pitching will be key to successful seasons By Nick Dudukovich ndudukovich@communitypress.com
As area baseball players practice their swings and loosen up their arms, the Forest Hills Journal previews the upcoming season:
Nick Mason returns to the mound for Anderson after posting stellar stats during the 2011 season. FILE
Anderson
The Redskins enter this season coming off a year in which the squad posted a 16-4 record and finished second in FAVC East play. Heading into the season, head coach Chris Newton likes the makeup of his roster. “I think the best attribute of the 2012 Anderson baseball team is that we have tremendous character and chemistry,” head coach Chris Newton said by email. “...We are going to be a team that finds some ways to win.” The Redskins will return a stellar duo on the mound this spring in seniors Bela Perler and Nick Mason. Mason, who orally committed to Parkland Community College, was second in the FAVC with six wins a season ago, while posting a 1.44 ERA. Perler, who is orally committed to Northern Kentucky University, was 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA. Matt Birkenhauer could also be a contributor on the mound. In 2011, he went 2-0 in 15.2 innings of work. He struck out 13 batters. At the plate, Anderson will count on seniors Ben Lemaster (1B/3B/P) and Jake Schraer (OF). Lemaster hit .311 with two home runs and nine RBI in 45 atbats last spring.
McNicholas
First-year Rockets’ head coach John Christmann inherits a team that went 18-11 and advanced to the D-II district finals a season ago. The new skipper said his team as optimistic as it readies for the
PHOTO
McNick senior Brian Schlagheck should provide a spark for the Rockets’ lineup this spring. FILE PHOTO
Turpin shortstop David Morton will play college ball for Xavier University next season. FILE PHOTO 2012 campaign. “The players...have worked hard to become better players. We will be able to do the little things that can help us win ball games,” Christmann said by email. Christmann, who is a 1985 graduate of McNicholas, will
have the benefit of returning key seniors this spring. Southpaw Cole Gauch should eat up a lot of innings on the mound, while Max Harmon and Dillon Stanfield patrol the outfield. Craig Kaimer (C), a West Virginia Wesleyan commit, and Alex Hartman (3B), as well as ju-
nior Logan Roberts (SS), will shore up the Rockets’ infield.
Turpin
The Spartans’ success this season should come down to pitching, according to head coach Rob Lubanski. Turpin’s all-time career leader in victories said his hurlers’
top priority is to throw strikes, while letting a strong defense take care of the rest. Ryan Paytes should lead the staff after going 3-2 with a 1.39 ERA a season ago. The senior is deciding between playing college ball for Marietta and Wooster, according to Lubanski. “We will rely heavily on him, especially in big games,” Lubanski said. “He is a strong righthanded pitcher who throws strikes and always keeps us in the game. The squad’s lineup should be boosted by Xavier Universitybound David Morton. The senior shortstop hit .371 with 13 RBI and 18 stolen bases last spring. “He is a smooth-fielding shortstop with a strong accurate arm. At the plate, he is a line drive hitting lefty who also bunts See BASEBALL, Page A7