Moeller High School 2006-07 Baseball Articles

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.JUST CiET HERE.

Archie will help you work out the rest.

Under head coach Mike Cameron, the Crusaders' baseball program has cranked out top teams and standout players for 40 years. This spring should be no different

By Brad Del Barba I Photos By Frank Victores

Winning is more than a tradition for the Moeller baseball program, it is a way oflife. With four Division I college recruits in Tom Belza, Dan Burkhart, David Coma and Alex Wimmers, that tradition will again be carried out this spring as the Moeller machine prepares for another season driven by head coach Mike Cameron.

Class is easy to identify, but often difficult to execute. Yet, for 40 spring seasons Mike Cameron has 16 Spring 2007

Hacks Magazine

Spring 2007 I Hacks Magazine 15

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guided the Crusader nine employing class that few can duplicate, but many Moeller parents and student-athletes have learned to appreciate.

62-year-old has been entrusted coaching the sons of major leato many of Cincinnati's gifted Two generations of the City's beloved baseball family, Bell's (Buddy and sons), to CincinReds favorites Barry Larkin and Griffey, Jr.; Moeller has been the of many prospective college professional baseball players due the presence of Cameron at Moeller.

"One of Moeller's strengths is our rich, athletic tradition and Mike has been a major factor in the development and growth of our athletic program," says Moeller Athletic Director Barry Borman. "He is well-liked and respected by his students and other coaches in the Cincinnati area."

Under Cameron's tutelage, the Crusaders have won 740 games, four state championships and graduated a countless number of quality student-athletes. More wins will come in 2007, as Moeller enters the season ranked No. 24 in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 40 by Baseball America. A fifth state title is not out of the question.

Baseball's revolutionary Branch Rickey once said: "Luck is the residue of design." The saying aptly applies to Moeller's Cameronled machine, as the coach feels luck is involved. But parents and students know it is the hard work that he and his coaching staff have employed throughout the years that has made the Crusaders' program the success it is today.

"One thing we tell them is that it is our job to teach them the game of baseball and our goal is to be the very best team we can be and that we are going to be in it together," emphasizes Cameron on his basic philosophies. "I really believe this, that we want to

Camero1n' tutela~e,

under 5 the crusaders hav.e won 740 games, fou1r state championships an~raduated a countless number of quality studenc:-athletes. More wins will come in 2007, as Moeller enters the season ranked No. 24 in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 40 by Baseball America.

make it a part of their high school experience and if they are fortunate enough to go on to play college ball great and if we can help them go on to play at the professional level that's good, but everyone is important and we want to make it a good experience for all."

While most schools field a team, Moeller runs a program. Annually at tryouts the Crusaders' staff whittles down 100 prospective players to 50 young men who will comprise the three school teams. It's an immense task for Coach Cameron and assistants Bob Sherlock and Tim Held.

"I know a lot of schools say, 'here comes the Moeller army and how to do that and keep them all happy?'" says Cameron. "We sell the kids on the idea when they are freshman on being a team player and the life values that they are going to learn."

Cameron joined the Moeller staff in 1967, after a football-based career at the University of Cincinnati. He joined then-coach Jerry Faust as an assistant football coach, while asking to coach baseball. He would coach both sports for 18 years, before focusing entirely on baseball and teaching health and physical education.

Through Cameron's high standards and sound baseball knowledge, the Moeller program has been the choice of many future collegiate and professional stars. Present day Royals' manager Buddy Bell was on Cameron's first team; while sons David, Mike and Ricky followed.

"Coach Cameron was one of the best coaches that I have had in any sport or at any level," says Mike Bell, who left Moeller as a first round pick of the Texas Rangers en route to a 14-year professional career and a stint with the hometown Reds in 2000. "He knows and understands the game, but his ability to relate to high school kids makes him great."

Mike Bell was a member of the 1993 Moeller state championship club. He remembers it as a great experience, which concluded with Bell giving a buzz haircut to his coach, who was part of the fun.

Ken Griffey, Jr. and Barry Larkin both donned the blue and gold of Moeller and could find themselves

Spring 2007 I Hacks Magazine 17

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one Of the best COaches

"Coach Cameron was that I have had in any sport or' at any level," says Mike Bell, who left Moeller as a first !"ound pick of the Texas Rangers en route to a 14-year professional career and a stint with the hometown Reds in 2000. "He knows and understands the game, but his abil- / ity to relate to high school kids makes him great."

enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

"I know with Griffey we just kind of sat back and (said) let's just enjoy watching him, because this is a once in a lifetime kid that is coming through our program," remembers Cameron. "Everybody could appreciate his hitting, but Paul (Smith) and I remarked and loved to see him in the outfield and how he would get to balls that we knew that other high school kids would never have a chance of getting. He made it look so routine ... we knew we were watching a player that was definitely going to play pro ball."

CAMERON'S CREW (from left) Belza, Burkhart, Corna and Wimmers are the lastest Div.l recruits.

"Now Larkin was one of those who I Ben Hunter, who along with Brackwas not surprised that he played major league baseball," continues Cameron. "But more, the success that he was an MVP man, are in the running for the prestigious Roger Clemens Award given player and played 19 years, that is really something."

Nine former players have made their way to the major leagues. This stands to annually to the top pitcher in collegrow in the future, as 2004 state champion alumnus Andrew Brackman projects giate ball. While Hunter has spurned early overtures by the scouts in favor to be a first round pick in the 2007 amateur draft following his junior season at of a career in medicine, he still may be North Carolina State. in the scope of baseball's ivory Also being looked at by the pro scouts this year will be Dan Remenowski, who heads the staff of pre-season top-ranked Dill Otterbein College, and Wake Forest's hunters.

Naturaily, the prophets of the sandwill find their way to Crosley Blue Ash to watch Belza State signee) and Wimmers and Coma, who with Big Ten powerhouse Ohio Shortstop Belza hit a robust .389 18 stolen bases last season. (.312, 20 RBI) and Burkhart 25 RBI) will add punch to the Crusaders' lineup. Wimmers, whose attended Moeller in 1972, between the mound (S-1, and first base (.473, 24 RBI).

W:1ile the 2007 season will probably the last for Cameron, he does concede that he is now taking it a year time.

"To compete at the level that you need to compete at in the GCL, and our goal is to compete at the state-wide level, you need a guy that still has the passion," says Camemn. "The future is a lot shorter than the past; (but) I am looking forward to this

18 Spring 2007 I Hacks Magazine

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One Of the best COaches

"Coach Cameron was that I have had in any sport or at any level," says Mike Bell, who left Moeller as a first round pick ol the Texas Rangers en route to a 14-year professional career and a stint with the hometown Reds in 2000. "He knows and understands the game, but his ability to relate to high school kids makes him great."

enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

"I know with Griffey we just kind of sat back and (said) let's just enjoy watching him, because this is a once in a lifetime kid that is coming through our program," remembers Cameron. "Everybody could appreciate his hitting, but Paul (Smith) and I remarked and loved to see him in the outfield and how he would get to balls that we knew that other high school kids would never have a chance of getting. He made it look so routine ... we knew we were watching a player that was definitely going to play pro ball."

CAMERON'S CREW (from left) Belza, Burkhart, Corna and Wimmers are the lastest Div.l recruits.

"Now Larkin was one of those who I was not surprised that he played major Ben Hunter, who along with Brackleague baseball," continues Cameron. "But more, the success that he was an MVP man, are in the running for the prestiplayer and played 19 years, that is really something." gious Roger Clemens Award given Nine former players have made their way to the major leagues. This stands to annually to the top pitcher in collegrow in the future, as 2004 state champion alumnus Andrew Brackman pro_iects giate ball. While Hunter has spurned to be a first round pick in the 2007 amateur draft following his junior season at early overtures by the scouts in favor North Carolina State. of a career in medicine, he still may be Also being looked at by the pro scouts this year will be Dan Remenowski, who in the scope of baseball's ivory hunters. heads the staff of pre-season top-ranked Dill Otterbein College, and Wake Forests Naturally, the prophets of the sandj.

-~--____...L-.--lots will find their way to Crosley Field in Blue Ash to watch Belza (Oklahoma State signee) and Burkhart, Wimmers and Coma, who jThough best fo signed with Big Ten powerhouse Ohio !Ash's Crosley Field, C ' State. worked as a 'fisiting cl Shortstop Belza hit a robust .389 "Part of whkt deveJo with 18 stolen bases last season. and sophomdre years Coma (.312, 20 RBI} and Burkhart 25 RBI) will add punch to the Crusaders' lineup. Wimmers, whose jerry attended Moeller in 1972, between the mound (5-1, and first base (.4 73, 24 RBI).

While the 2007 season will probably be the last for Cameron, he does concede that he is now taking it a year time.

"To compete at the level that you ould run QUt an ge need to compete at in the GCL, own to thei bullpen t and our goal is to compete at the he relief pi¢her com state-wide level, you need a guy that still has the passion," says Cameron. "The future is a lot shorter than the past; (but) I am looking forward to this year."

< \From crl»Jey ~nown

18 Spring 2007 I Hacks Magazine

guided the Crusader nine employing class that few can duplicate, but many Moeller parents and student-athletes have learned to appreciate.

Cameron's

62-year-old has been entrusted coaching the sons of major leato many of Cincinnati's gifted athletes. Two generations of the City's beloved baseball family, Bell's (Buddy and sons), to CincinReds favorites Barry Larkin and Griffey, Jr.; Moeller has been the of many prospective college professional baseball players due the presence of Cameron at Moeller.

"One of Moeller's strengths is our rich, athletic tradition and Mike has been a major factor in the development and growth of our athletic program," says Moeller Athletic Director Barry Borman. "He is well-liked and respected by his students and other coaches in the Cincinnati area."

Under Cameron's tutelage, the Crusaders have won 740 games, four state championships and graduated a countless number of quality student-athletes. More vvins will come in 2007, as Moeller enters the season ranked No. 24 in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 40 by Baseball America. A fifth state title is not out of the question.

Baseball's revolutionary Branch Rickey once said: "Luck is the residue of design." The saying aptly applies to Moeller's Cameronled machine, as the coach feels luck is involved. But parents and students know it is the hard work that he and his coaching staff have employed throughout the years that has made the Crusaders' program the success it is today.

"One thing we tell them is that it is our job to teach them the game of baseball and our goal is to be the very best team we can be and that we are going to be in it together," emphasizes Cameron on his basic philosophies. "I really believe this, that we want to

tutela~e,

under the crusaders have won 740 games, four state championships an~raduated a countless number of quality student-athletes. More wins will come in 2007, as Moeller enters the season ranked No. 24 in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 40 by Basebalt America.

make it a part of their high school experience and if they are fortunate enough to go on to play college ball great and if we can help them go on to play at the professional level that's good, but everyone is important and we want to make it a good experience for all."

While most schools field a team, Moeller runs a program. Annually at tryouts the Crusaders' staff whittles down 100 prospective players to 50 young men who will comprise the three school teams. It's an immense task for Coach Cameron and assistants Bob Sherlock and Tim Held.

"I know a lot of schools say, 'here comes the Moeller army and how to do that and keep them all happy?"' says Cameron. "We sell the kids on the idea when they are freshman on being a team player and the life values that they are going to learn."

Cameron joined the Moeller staff in 1967, after a football-based career at the University of Cincinnati. He joined then-coach Jerry Faust as an assistant football coach, while asking to coach baseball. He would coach both sports for 18 years, before focusing entirely on baseball and teaching health and physical education.

Through Cameron's high standards and sound baseball knowledge, the Moeller program has been the choice of many future collegiate and professional stars. Present day Royals' manager Buddy Bell was on Cameron's first team; while sons David, Mike and Ricky followed.

"Coach Cameron was one of the best coaches that I have had in any sport or at any level," says Mike Bell, who left Moeller as a first round pick of the Texas Rangers en route to a 14-year professional career and a stint with the hometown Reds in 2000. "He knows and understands the game, but his ability to relate to high school kids makes him great."

Mike Bell was a member of the 1993 Moeller state championship club. He remembers it as a great experience, which concluded with Bell giving a buzz haircut to his coach, who was part of the fun.

Ken Griffey, Jr. and Barry Larkin both donned the blue and gold of Moeller and could find themselves Spring 2007 I Hacks Magazine 17

I

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Higb schools

Wimmers gets best 9;f,~lder, Nastold

By Tom Groeschen

Elder is (}2 overall and (}1 in the GCL The Panthers lost their opener 5-3 to Centerville on Monday.

Thompson said it is the first (}2 start in his 18 years as Elder head coach. Elder has only two returnees from the eight position players who started last year's regional final, but the Panthers are still strong with Nastold, catcher Pat Williams and shortstop Brett Hofmann the leaders.

"We11 see what we're made o~" Thompson said. "I think we11 be OK, but these kids have to learn what it takes to compete."

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Moeller senior pitcher Alex Wunmers was enjoying himself too much to come out of the game. Still, Wunmers yielded after five innings of a big 61 win over Elder on Friday.

Moeller, ranked No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I coaclies' poll, outdueled No. 2ElderinaGreaterCatholic League South showdown before several hundred fans at Elder's Hille Field.

Wmuners, a right-hander headed to Ohio State next year, went five innings and allowed only three hits and one run (unearned) in his first start of the year. He struck out five and walked two. His pitch count was 92, enough that he agreed to the Moeller coaches' decision to lift him with a 5-1 lead.

'This was a big game, but we've got a whole season ahead of us," Wmuners said. 'We definitely needed a big win after yesterday."

Moeller lost 5-2 Thursday to No. 5-ranked St. Xavier.

Up next was merely Elder, with junior right-hander Mike Nastold making his first 2007 start Friday after being nearly unhittable in 2006.

Nastold, 8-0 with a 0.30 ERA last season, was touched for three runs and four hits in four innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Nastold left with Elder down 3-1 after four innings, resulting in the first varsity loss of his career. Nastold has had a sore left knee and recently had a cortisone shot, but he said he felt fine Friday.

"I just need to step it up ... we need to step it up as a team," Nastold said. 'They were the better team today."

Wmuners also has had health i!r sues, having not pitched in preseason scrimmages because of a tender shoulder. He said he had no prolr !ems Friday.

Elder had a chance to break it open early, loading the bases with none out in the first inning. But Wunmers got away by allowing only one run (unearned). ''Wmuners was tough," Elder . coach Mark Thompson said. 'When

Moolor - - - 021 020 1 -6 t 3 Eldor 100 000 0 -1 3 0 WP - WIITI/lleiS (1.0. 5 Ks). lP - NasiDid (0.1). L.eodels: M ~24.28;011orik24.1f1.3RBI;S1acy2R81;ComaR81.

Recon!s: M J.l (1·1 Ga.·S); E0.2 (0.1) .

The Enquirer/ Jeff S'f-linger

Moeller starter Alex Wimmers al-

lowed only three hits and one unearned run in five innings against Elder Friday.

he gets his cwveball over early Jl the count, he's very- good. When we saw that, we knew we were in trouble."

Moeller, with six returning starters from last year's regular starting eight, got to Nastold with a two-run single by senior Adam Stacy m the second inning. That gave Moeller a 2-llead.

Junior designated hitter Ross 01torik made it 3-1 with an RBI groundout in the third inning.

Nastold left after four innings.

Oltorik hit a two-run homer off reliever Drew Ernst to make it 5-1 in the fifth inning. Moeller added a final run in the seventh on an RBI single by senior Dave Coma.

Junior left-bander Pat Curtin relieved Wmuners with two hitless innings.

Moeller coach Mike UL'lleron was glad Wmuners was sharp, especially with Nastold on the otht"r side.

"It's a very- good early--season win," Cameron said. "(Nastold) was tough on us last year, so this is big for us."

Moeller is 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the GCL

La Salle 5, St Xavier 4: Terrell Jones scored on an error on Jordan Hoffman's bunt attempt as La Salle (1-1), ranked No. 7in the Enquirer area coaches' poll, knocked off visiting No.5 St. Xavier (3-1).

Footbal Fmneytown has named Eric Taylor its new head football coach, pending school board approval in April.

Taylor will replace Dave Brossart, who resigned to become head coach at Covington Catholic.

Taylor, 29, has been defensive ro ordinator at Fmneytown for the past three seasons. Before that, he was an assistant coach at Indian Hill from 2000 to 2003. Taylor also has been Fmneytown head wrestling coach the past three years. Taylor will resign the wrestling job because of his new football assignment, Fmneytown athletic director Chuck Grosser said.

"We are very- fortunate to have Eric lead our football program; Grosser said in a statement "He is an excellent person who has esta~ fished a strong connection with many of our students and our atb· letes. Eric has been a large part of our recent athletic success here at Fmneytown." , Fmneytown was 14-17 the past ' three seasons, including 7-3 this pa!t season. . l

FRIDAY, JUNE :22, 2007 ((9

BASEBALL ALL-StARS The senior hit .545 with 12 doubles, six triples, two home runs, 25 RBI and 20 steals. He was GCLS player of the year.

'

SELECIED BY ENQUIRER REPORTER TOM 'GROESCHEN BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ARtA COACHES

T.C. Wethington, And~rson

DIV.J PLAYER OF THE YEAR Tom Belza, Moeller

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.Bill Dreisbach, lakota West He led Lakota West (28-5) to the state title. It was also the firststate tournament appearance by a Lakota baseball team in the school district's 48-year history. ·

DIVISION I FIRST TEA

The senior hit .395; and was Anderson's No. !pitcher with a 3-1 record, two saves and a 1.77 ERA. He was secondteam FAVC Buckeye.

Steve Williams, Milfor~ The senior hit .429 with 25 runs scored, 12 doubles, 23 RBI and four steals. He was AII-GMC. ·

Brad· Gschwind, lakota West

Alex Wimmers, Moeller ·

the senior hit .550 with 12 doubles, six triples, three homers, 45 RBI· and 10 steals.

He was GMC player ofthe year. ·

The senior hit .452 with nine doubles and 29 RBI. He was 8-1 as a pitcher with an 0.70 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 55 innings.

He was AII-GCLS.

Edge~ood The senior hit .405 with 28 t'uns ·. scored, 17 RBI and 20 steals. 'He was also 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA as a pitcher. He was AII-FAVC Scarlet ·

CollinTaylor, lakota West

Ron Nelson, Aiken

Ben Hunterman, Oak l-lills .

· The senior had a 10-1 record, 2.48ERA, and struck out 60 batters in 70 innings.. He was AII-GMC. ..

Mike Nastold, Elder

The senior hit .544 with 10 doubles, six triples; two homers, 36 RBI and 18 steals. He also struck out66 men in 33 innings. He . was SOPL Southern player of the year.

Anthony Smith, Withrow

The junior had a'7-4 ~cord, 1.20 ERA and 94 strike.outs in 67 innings. He was AII-GCLS.

The senior hit .385 with eight doubles, two triples, 24 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He was AII-SOPL Southern.

Brett Hofmarm, .Elder

Chris Hall' Mason

The junior hit .390 with six home runs, 40 RBI and 40 runs socred. He was All" GCLS.

Ben Stroube, St. Xavier The senior hit .489 with 10 doubles, five triples, one home run and 25 RBI. He was AII-GCLS.

Ryan Campbell, St. Xavier

·The senior hit .506 with 13 doubles, three triples, three homers, 46 RBI and only one strikeout. He also was erro~ess in the out. field. He was FAVC Buckeye player ofthe year.

Matt Mays, Hamilton The senior hit .395 with five doubles, two · triples, two homers, 29 RBI and 11 stolen . bases. He was AII~GMC. ·

Conor Thomas, Kings

The senior had a 9-1 record with a 2.50 ERA, and 68 strikeouts in 62 innings. He . was second-team AII-GCLS.

The senior had a 6-2 record, one save and 1.54 ERA. He allowed only 40 hits and struck out 28 in 55 innings. He was FAVC Cardinal player of the year. ·

Dan Burkhart, Moeller

Terrell Jones, La Salle

The senior hit .415 with five doubles, three home runs and 23 RBI. He was AIIGCLS.

The junior hit .4 75 with 11 doubles, four trtples; three home runs, 33 RBI and 16 steals. He was AII-GCLS.

Jason Edwards,

The senior was 7-2 with a 2;79 ERA as Oak Hills' leading pitcher. He was AIIGMC .

Nate Hirsch, loveland

.

The senior was the Tigers' ace with a 4-2 record, 2.52 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 41 innings. He was AII-FAVC: Buckeye.

Sam Dawes, Princeton The senior was 5-0 with a 1.68 ERA, , and 56 strikeouts in 42 inning$. He alsoi hit .410 ·and stole eight bases~ He was AII-GMC.

Ryan Bellamy, Northwest

:·

The senior hit .423 with seven doubles, a triple, 14 RBI and eight steals. As a : ' catcher he picked eight runners off first ; base. He was AII-FAVC Scarlet.

'HONORABLE MENTION

'

Aiken- Alex Williams; Ame11a- Jason Wu!'!rdeman, SpenC€r Cox, Garrett Hounshell; AndeJ~on- Josh Jeffe!)',-~!ex Barden; Colerain- Dan Kernen, John Pasquale; Edgewood- Billy Stevenson, Nathan Hangbers, Kyle Sigmon; Elder~ Brlan Weller, Drew Ernst, Eric Unneman, t..~ike Murray,- Pat Williams; Fairfield- Kyle Ottaway, Phil Bauer, Mike Haney; Glen Este- Andrew Keller, Joey Mack, AnC:Irew Hard, Jerry Neeley; Hamilton- Jake Fath, Zach Murphy, Jus~n Schultheiss; Hamson- Brad Brown, Colron Gibron, James W_elnle; · · : Hughes- Justin Hagood, Fernando lt'N/e!)'; Kings- Cramer Dethy, Chrts Maxwell, Derek Reese, Kyle Hobar, 1 James McCreedy; lakota East- Da\le GleS~e, Nate Kautz; Lakota West- Dustin Huff, B!)'an Bea\IElr, Jimmy Brenne-: man, Dane Fienn!ng, Tadd Dombart, Mike, Stidham; La Salle- Ryan Bedlnghaus, Alex Betsch, Matt Brown, Dylan.; Sontag; Lebanon ~ cam Colbert, Bo Gray·;, .-Adam Tucker; loveland -Ryan Gunnarson, Derek McClary, Taylor Russell, Patrick Grant, John Kennedy; Mason- Chase Conn, Bryan Fusco, ~leb Swanson, Kyle Weldon, Josh Murphy, Drew Williams; Miiford- zact~ Chalupa, Ryan fulton; Moeller- Dave Cerna, Ross Oltorlk, Ryan Rodriguez, Adam Stacy, Greg Wllilams;-Mount : Healthy- Andrew Nichols, Tony Weber; NI.Jrthwest- Justin Flynn, Zach Brown, Mitch Morgan; Oak H!!!s -Josh Rich: mond, B!)'anJordan, Jake Proctor, Kyle B:1ucsteln; Princeton- Chlis Dlxcn, Dann~ Rinck, Oonan West, Marcus Davis; St Xa\lier- Mike Basil, T1111 tssler, BillY R~rmpke, Kyle McGreevy; Sycamore- Andrei'/ Hancher; ;1 .

Walnut Hllis- Anthony Howard, Tyler Elrankamp, Myron Ingram; West~m Brown- Rob Reilly, JJ. Ellis, Bobby -' 1 Noeth; Western Hills -Jordan Walker, Zaci"l Norman, James Pierson: Wllmtngtan- Damn Williams, Derek W!lilaJrJS( Brent Coatney, Ste\le DeWeese; Winton Wloods- Antonio Sawyer, Brian Tolliver; Withrow- Johnny Glliard, Marcus' Swann, Andrew Tucker; : .

HIGH SCHOOLS

THE ENQUIRER

Division I baseball preview

Top arms help Moeller g~t coaches' top billing

By Mark Schmetzer Enquirl'r contributor

One Burkhart was enough for Moeller to earn respect among local high school baseball coaches.

Adding a second helped make 61e Crusaders No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I preseason coaches' poll.

Mike Cameron, in his 40th season as Moeller's coach, already had senior Dan Burkhart handling the catching duties. The Crusaders also have Dan's twin, senior left-bander Jeff Burkhart, back from shoulder surgery to job senior right-hander Alex Wunmers and junior right-hander Russ Oltorik on the pitching staff.

"We should have solid No. 1 anc 2 pitchers, but we need to have two or three more pitchers step up to have a great season," Cameron said.

Senior shortstop Tom Belza joins Wimmers as returning 2006 first-team Enquirer All-Stars.

"Moeller is loaded with Belza, WurJilers, Burkhart and Oltorik returning," Elder coach Mark -:bompson said.

Thompson's Panthers, the Enc:uirer's defending poll champions and the No. 2 team in last season's final Associated Press Divis~on I statewide poll, lost Enqnre:- Player of the Year Chris F.shburn and four other starting position players as well as four pitchers.

But junior Mike Nastold is back after going 8-0 with a 0.30 EP.A vvith 74 strikeouts in 56 innings and hitting .407.

"Go;ng into the season, I'm concerned about our offense and pitching depth," said Thompson, whose team beat Moeller in last season's regional semifinals.

Third-ranked Mason also reached the regional semifinals in Dublm. The Comets get Drew WUJams back after he hit .400 in the first half oflast season before missing the second half with an injury. They also add pitcher Brian Bobenski, a transfer from Moeller, but lost Mark Lakas,

The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran

Moeller expects big contribution from (from left) junior pitcher Ross Oltorik, senior shortstop Tom Belza and senior pitcher Alex Wimmers.

Coaches' poll Rrst-place votes in parentheses Team Points 1. Moeller (10) 168 2. Elder (7) 163 3. Mason (1) 129 4. Hamilton 125 5. St Xavier 82 6. Lakota West 62 7. La Salle 59 8. Princeton 45 9. Lakota East 35 10. Oak Hills 31 Others receiving votes: Colerain 21; Loveland 18; Kings 17; Anderson 12; Milford 10; Harrison 8; Westem Brown 5; Glen Este, Amelia 3; Sycamore 2

their leading hitter the last two seasons, and career .340 hitter Brian Porter.

"We have a pitching staff with everyone returning, plus the addition of Bobenski," coach Ken Gray said. "We must find hitters to replace Lakas and Porter."

Fourth-ranked Hamilton had four underclassmen make the

Greater Miami Conference allleague first-team last season, led by shortstop Jake Fath, who .hit .382 with seven doubles and 25 RBI. The Big Blue were one of four teams to share the GMC championship last season.

St. Xavier, in at No.5, barely extended its streak of consecutive winning seasons to 26 last year, finishing 15-13. The Bombers hope Kyle McGreevy can fill the offensive gap left by the graduation of Enquirer first-team allstar outfielder Brad Brookbank. who hit .480 and drove in 25 runs while stealing 15 bases.

Sixth-ranked Lakota West, an· other GMC quad-champion last season, has added three transfers - center fielder Jimmy Brenneman from Lakota East, infielderpitcher Bryan Beaver from Moeller and left-bander Nathan Smith from Tennessee.

Terrell Jones, a first-team allleague outfielder as a sophomore, has been moved to shortstop for No. 7 La Salle.

Senior outfielder Dan Rinck, a first-team Enquirer all-star, re-

Postseason schedule May 1-12, sectional tournament May 14-19, district tournaments Division I, Midland Complex; Division II, Kettering Fainnont; Division Ill, Centerville; Division IV, Northmont May 25-26, regional tournaments - Division I, University of Oncinnati (one of five district champions to Dublin Coffman regional); Division II, Xenia; Division Ill, Wright State; Division IV, Huber Heights Wayne May 31-June 2, state tournaments, Cooper Stadium, Columbus

turns to lead No. 8 Princeton, a third GMC quad-champion.

Lakota East somehow missed out on sharing the GMC title last season despite the contributions of Colt Cattani, a first-team allconference infielder as a sophomore. It comes in at No.9.

Oak Hills coach Chuck Laumann says the lOth-ranked Highlanders, the final team to share the GMC title last season, haw ''four potentially good ldthanders.~ •·

·· Co rna to play

at Ohio State

By John Boyle Staff Writer The Ohio State University has always been David Coma's favorite school So when Coma, a Moeller High senior and Liberty Twp. resident, was offered a scholarship offer to play baseball for the Buckeyes, it was a no-brainer.

"I've always wanted to go there," said Coma, an out6elder/ David Corn a fust baseman b the Crusadets. '"Once I got an offer from the baseball coach, it was defmitely my fust choice."

Coma also considered Ohio, Marshall, Miami, Oakland (Mich.) and Marietta. He took official visits to Ohio State and Oakland before committing to the Buckeyes last week.

"Once Ohio State gave me the offer, I knew that was it," he said.

Coma is one of four Moeller players who pian to sign with Division I programs. Coma, Dan Burkhart and Alex Wimmers are headed to OSU, while TomB~ will play at Oklahoma State.

Coma, who will receive a partial sc.ld arsbip, batted .308 with two ho(ne runs and 18 RBls as a junior to help Moeller reach the Division I regional finals.

"Now I can just focus on the season and try and help my high school team win a state championship," he said "It takes a lot of weight off my shoulders."

Coina, who carries a 3. 7 grade point average, is undecided on a major.

'

. Pu...\ 6e.. -.30u..rno-..t

•.

Moeller, Badin No.1 in

baseball Colerain, Ross tops in softball 5-6..- ~7

BY' Mike Dyer

mdyer@enquirer.com

Moeller baseball coach Mike Cameron doesn't want to get ahead of himself when it comes to the postseason, but the Crusaders seem to have the balance that most teams covet this time of year.

"What has really been outstanding has been the hitting," Cameron said, "and pitching and defense have really stepped up the last month. We feel we are a pretty complete team."

Inside Preseason Anal favorite Moelbaseball ler won the and softEnquirer Diviball polls, sion I area C2 coaches' baseball poll. It is Moeller's ninth poll title and first since 2004.

Moeller (24-3, 12-1 Greater Catholic League South) garnered 127 points and 10 firstplace votes.

The Crusaders play Walnut Hills (5-20) in a first round sectional game at Midland at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Moeller has won nine consecutive games. Its last loss came to Lakota West 2-1 April 21.

Mason (23-2) was second and earned two first-place votes. Lakota West (20-5), which had a first-place vote, was third. Elder (1~7. 10-4 GCI.rS), which had won the past two consecutive Enquirer D-I coaches' polls, finished fourth.

Badin (1~4, 10-4 GCL Central), also a preseason favorite, won the Divisions II-IV poll. The Rams earned seven first-place votes. Turpin (one first-place vote) was second, followed by third-place Ross.

Badin plays at 5 p.m.

Wednesday at Badin.

Colerain (18-2, 1&.1 Greater Miami Conference), a preseason favorite, won the Division I softball poll. The Cardinals (four first-place votes) edged second-place Harrison (three first-place votes) by five points, Harrison was 21-3.

Ross (23-2), which was also a preseason favorite, again won the Divisions II-IV softball poll.

State baseball poll How a state pallet of coaches ttes Ohio high school boys baseball teams in the fourth regular-season poll of2007 forTlle Associated Press. (first-place votes in parentheses, records at time of voting):

h:Moeller~61 21·3DMSION I

239

-m 167

~tmii'T"'

3, Mason 21·2 4, Cle. St. Ignatius (4) 16-6 5, Hilliard Davidson 17-4 6, Lakota West 1.9-5 7, Oregon Clay (I) 16-0 8, Sidney 19-3

138 132 102 92 77

9, Elder 19-5

66

10, Hilliard Darby 17-4

50

DIVISION U

I, Chagrin Falls Kenston (14) 21-2 2, Canfield (6) 22-2 3, Defiance (I) 20-3 4, Cuya. Falls Walsh Jesu~ (5) 18-3 5, Belle. Benjamin Logan (3) 18-1 6. Cols. DeSales 18-3 7, New Albany (I) 16-4 8, Turpin 17·3 9, Richmond Edison 18-4 10, Badin 15-3

260 238 181 • 1631 148 129 .

liB 104 79

51

DMSIONIU

I, Frankfort Adena (27) 25-0 2, Chill. zane Trace 21-2 3, Peninsula Woodridge (I) 17-2 4,St.Henryl6-3 5, Cots. Grand~ew Hts. 19-4 6, Wheelersburg 21-1 7, Magnolia Sandy Valley 16-4 8, Madeln 11119-6 9, Minford 18-4 10, Coldwater 15-4 DMSIONIV I,Toronto(l7)21-l 2, Minster(IO) 17-0 3, Shadyside (2) 21-1 4, Beriin Hiland 16-2 5,1ronton StJoseph 16-3 6, New Wash. Buckeye Cent 17-4 7, Newark Coth. 16-7 8, Sycamore Mohawk 16-2 9, Co~ngton 15-3 10, Racine Southern IB-5

279 200 194 Ill 83 79 71

64 44 40 268 217 213 195 113 94 86 81 71 44

Enquirer Coaches' polls BASEBALL Final pols School

~·

~: ~~r{WJJ.:::::::::::::::::::::::

Pis.

.....

.m +

3. Lakota West (I)..................

107 4 4. Elder..................................

90 3 5. St. Xa~er.

59 7 6. Princeton............................

48 5 7. Hamilton .... .......................

46 8 8. Oak Hills.............................

41 6 24 10 9.LaSalle............

10. Kings................................

20 9 Others receiving votes: Fairfield 17; Anderson 8; Lakota East 6; Loveland 5; Colerain 3; Amelia 2; Sycamore I; Mi~ord I; Wrthrow I.

Divisioos I~IV

1HE ENQUIRER

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2007 e5

HIGH SCHOOLS

Division I baseball preview

Divisions II-IV baseball preview

arms help Moeller get coaches' top billing

Badin earns nod ... for No. 1 coming ..... . off district title ..

~Top

By Mark Scbmetzer

-

:.till

""'

By Mark Schmelzer

knquirer contributor

Enquirer contributor

One Burkhart was enough for Moeller to earn respect among local high school baseball coaches.

Adding a second helped make the Crusaders No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I preseason coaches' poll.

Mike Cameron; in his 40th seaSon as Moeller's coach, already had senior Dan Burkhart handling the catching duties. The Crusaders also have Dan's twin, senior left-bander Jeff Burkhart, back from shoulder surgery to join senior right-hander Alex Wimmers and junior right-hander Russ Oltorik on the pitching staff.

- "We should have solid No.1 and 2 pitchers, but we need to have two or three more pitchers step up to have a great season," Cameron said. ._ Senior shortstop Tom Belza joins Wimmers as returning 2006 first-team Enquirer All-Stars. ·; "Moeller is loaded with Belza, Wimmers, Burkhart and Oltorik returning," Elder coach Mark Thompson said.

Thompson's Panthers, the Enquirer's defending poll champions and the No.2 team in last season's final Associated Press ·Division I statewide poll, lost Enquirer Player of the Year Chris Fishburn and four other starting position players as well as four pitchers.

But junior Mike Nastold is back after going 8-0 with a 0.30 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 56 innings and hitting .407.

"Going into the season, I'm concerned about our offense and pitching depth," said Thompson, whose team beat Moeller in last season's regional semifinals.

Third-ranked Mason also reached the regional semifinals in Dublin. The Comets get Drew Williams back after he hit .400 in the first half of last season before missing the second half with an injury. They also add pitcher Brian Bobenski, a transfer from Moeller, but lost Mark Lakas,

Badin's 2006 record was a modest .500 at 15-15, but area coaches apparently are impressed with the Rams' returning talent.

They voted Badin the No.1 team in the Enquirer Divisions II-N preseason poll with more than twice as many first-place votes- seven- than the team with the next-highest number. No. 5 Clermont Northeastern received three first-place votes.

Turpin is No.2, followed by McNicholas and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

Junior outfielder Wally Gerbus set a high bar for himself last season while leading Badin to a district championship. Gerbus, an Enquirer first-team all-star, batted .426and led the Rams with 20 RBI. Badin coach Rick Kunkel believes sophomore pitcher Brett McKinney could be a revelation.

"He could become a front-line starter," Kunkel said. "He's a hard thrower with good breaking stuff and a fine work ethic."

Second-ranked Turpin must replace the offense lost with the graduation of Enquirer Divisions II-N. Player of the Year Matt Bowersox, who hit .489 With 37 RBI while leading the Spartans to the program's first Division II sectional championship.

Turpin might be more pitchingoriented this season, especially with the addition of junior left-bander Charlie Siebert, a transfer from Anderson.

"He will provide immediate help for an already deep staff," coach Rob Lubanski said.

McNicholas, at No.3, also is hoping to bounce back after finishing below .500 at l<H4last season. Designated hitter Colin Campbell hit .417.

CHCAfinished ninth in the Associated Press Division m statewide poll ,and has city batting \:hampion Trae Balzano back at shortstop while adding 6-foot-5 left-bander Erik Fortner as a transfer.

"He adds an outstanding arm and bat to the lineup," coach Larry Redwine said.

The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran

Moeller expects big contribution from (from left) junior pitcher Ross Oltorik, senior shortstop Tom Belza and senior pitcher Alex Wimmers.

Coaches' poll Rrst-place votes in parentheses Team , 1. Moeller (10)

2. Eldei(7) -· ·· 3. Mason (1)

4. Hilmlltbn

5. St Xavier

Points

168 :1.~

129

.-125 82

6. Lak6'ta west

.·- 62

7. La Salle 8. Princeton 9. Lakota East 10. ()aKHill$

59 45 35

· 3·1 Others receiving votes: Colerain 21;

Loveland 18; Kings 17;'Anderson 12; Milford 10; Harrison 8; Western Brown 5; Glen Este, Amelia 3; Sycamore 2 their leading hitter the last two seasons, and career .340 hitter Brian Porter.

"We have a pitching staff with everyone returning, plus the addition of Bobenski," coach Ken Gray said. "We must find hitters to replace Lakas and Porter."

Fourth-ranked Hamilton had four underclassmen make the

Greater Miami Conference allleague first-team last season, led by shortstop Jake Fath, who hit .382 with seven doubles and 25 RBI. The Big Blue were one of four teams to share the GMC championship last season.

St. Xavier, in at No.5, barely extended its streak of consecutive winning seasons to 26 last year, finishing 15-13. The Bombers hope Kyle McGreevy can fill the offensive gap left by the graduation of Enquirer first-team allstar outfielder Brad Brookbank, who hit .480 and drove in 25 runs while stealing 15 bases.

Sixth-ranked Lakota West, another GMC quad-champion last season, has added three transfers - center fielder Jimmy Brenneman from Lakota East, infielderpitcher Bryan Beaver frqm Moeller and left-bander Nathan Smith from Tennessee.

Terrell Jones, a first-team allleague outfielder as a sophomore, has been moved to shortstop for No.7 La Salle.

Senior outfielder Dan Rinck, a first-team Enquirer all-star, re-

Postseason schedule May 1-12, sectional tournament May 14-19, district tournaments -

Division I, Midland Complex; Division II, Kettering Fainnont; Division Ill, Centerville; Division IV, Northmont May 25·26, regional tournaments - Division I, University of Cincinnati (one of five district champions to Dublin Coffman regional); Division II, Xenia; Division Ill, Wright State; Division IV, Huber Heights Wayne May 31-June 2, state tournaments, Cooper Stadium, Columbus turns to lead No. 8 Princeton, a third GMC quad-champion.

Lakota East somehow missed out on sharing the GMC title last season despite the contributions of Colt Cattani, a first-team allconference infielder as a sophomore. It comes in at No.9. · Oak Hills coach Chuck Laumann says the lOth-ranked Highlanders, the final team to share the GMC title last season,. have "four potentially good leftbanders."

Coaches' poll

First-place votes in parentheses Team

1 Badin (7) ~· Tu!'Plrl ~'3.)

3.McNicholas (1)

-...

Points

~

104

4:cHCA(2)

9!1-

5. CNE (3) 6:~mjpg

"ff

7. Ross

64' 58

8;,~~~)<

t9. Indian Hill (1)

,g;;~~!fa,··

n

~~

t$

Others receiving votes: Talawanda :;

22; New Richmond 21; Norwood, .w Pu~cell Marian 20; R'oger Bacon 16; Summit, Batavia 15; Cincinnati Christian 10; Bethel-Tate, CCD 9; Blanches' ter 7; NCH, Seven Hills 6; Lockland, ·-•Mariemont 4; St. Bernard, Taylor 3; . . \ New Miami, Williamsburg, Georgetowlt 2; Little Miami 1 " Catcher Trace Voshell hit .494 and drove in 31 runs as a junior Ia& season for fifth-ranked CNE. ·' "We have tremendous leadership in. our senior class, and hopefull)', this can lead us to a league title~!· coach Jason Kreimer said. "' Wyoming, at No. f; features tw:o Enquirer first-team all-stars in seniors Jon Edgington at shortstop and Ian Kadish in the outfield, lim the Cowboys lost 11 seniors. ~' Seventh-ranked Ross lost just one starter from last season's team, btit coach Jason Rettinger says the Rams need to develop pitching depth.

Reading coach Pete Muehleil- · kamp says catcher Brandon Buchanan is healthyforthefirsttime'lh two years, giving the eighth-ranked Blue Devils hopes of improving on a 20.6 season.

-,o Enquirer first-team all-star Sean Madden led No.9 Indian Hill with·a .463 batting average as a junior last season.

"We are strong defensively, have excellent speed and should score runs," coach Don Ulmer said. " Madeira coach]ack Kuzniczci believes senior pitcher-first basemltll Zach Van Fleet can help the lOthranked Mustangs after transferring from Purcell Marian. ·"' 'I

High schools

•

MOELLER: Two Crusaders~ players have made commit- ' ments to Top 25 b!iseball pro-: grams: 1 • Tom Belza, a three-year varsity starter at shortstop, has committed to Oklahoma State. Belza hit .389last year and was second-team all-1[fj state as well as first-team all- 1~ city and all-league. ~ • Dan Burkhart, a two- fJ year starter at catcher, has committed to Ohio State.~ Burkhart hit .349last spring I-.... and was first-team all-league:~ and honorable mention all-1 0 city. "'()' - Tom Groeschen: MOB.L£R II: Senior Troy; Tabler has orally committed: to play basketball at Wright!

State. · . : "It's a great fit for Troy,"; Moeller coach Carl Kremer\ said. : Tabler averaged 13.8 ·' points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 as-• sists and 1.9 steals last sea-! son. He was honorable men-1 . tion all-district and first-team! all-Greater Catholic League1 South. ~ Tabler also considered i Samford, Boston Universityi and Ball State among others.~ ...,... Mike Dyer,

I l

BASEBALL: Otterbein junior Dan Remenowsky (Moeller) was listed as the second right-handed pitcher to watch in Division ill baseball by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Mount St Joseph senior out-

fielder Michael Mayer (Badin) was

listed as the fourth outfielder, and second baseman senior Ryan Meyer (Moeller) was listed No. 10 at his position. J _1-l. 7 . Also listed as a p\ayer to watch was Transylvania junior outfielder Mitch Kuczek (Moeller).

EnqUirer coaches' polls Boooboll

:J..:rJ.l.*•u1 Divllioa •

Pts.

I. Moeller (7)

88 70 64 54 5. St. xa~er 49 6. lakota West 44 7. Princeton 31 B. Hamilton 25 9. Milford 19 10. Fairfield 13 Others: La Salle 11; Sycamore 7; lakota East5; Edgewood 4; King. 4·, Anderson 3·, loveland 3; Amelia I

2. Mason (2)

3. Elder 4. Oak Hills

Rank·r..m

Dhlsions I~IV

Pis.

I. Badin (6) 60 2. Turpin 49 3. Ross 39 4. CHCA 35 5. Wyoming 2B 6. Clenmont Northeastern 24 1. Madeira 19 B. Batavia 16 9. McNicholas 14 10. Reading 10 Others. Fenwick 10; Indian Hlll7: Cmtl. Country Day6; Bethel-Tate 4; Purcell Manan 3; Blanchester 3; New Richmond I; Taylor I; Talawanda I

Rank-Team 1. Ryle (5)

Ketlbock1

2. Covinglnn Catholic 3. Holy Cross 4. Boone County 5. St Henry 6. Bishop Brossart

Pis. 50 45 37 34 19 1B

7. Scott

17

8. Beechwood 9. NewCath 10. Campbell County Others: Higlllands 9; Ludlow I; Simon Kenton I; ner I

16 16 11 Con-

Tuesday's results

BaseiJal

Li- .. H ·-v 7

LUIIII W11114, ...,_ 31tlx iollllpJ WP-Vaske (1-0); LP-Han(2-1).Leaders: L-Brenneman 3-3, 2B; Gschwind 3-4,4 RBI; HuffHR, 4 RBI; Beaver 2-4; Oomban 2-4, 2B. A-Rod 2-3; Jeffrey 2B; Sallee 2B. Records: l 6-2, A 5-4. ,...._ 14, Wllluw 0 (h .......

WP-Pomfrey (2-0); LP-Gilland. Leaders: N-Aynn

2-2; Brown 4-4, 38; Bellamy2-3; Ehmschwender2-3,

HR; Pomlrey 2-3; Bridges 28; Aklns 2-2, 38; Enaerle 2-3, 2B. Records: N 5-1, W4-5 .

....... u. a.- ........ Soodlo (lido.) 0

.............

WP-WIIIiams (3-Q); LP-Benakis (0-1). Leaders: M-Belza 2-4, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI; Coma 2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI; Rodnguez 2B. Records: M 7-2, G0-2 .

....... 10, a.- PuiiiB Soodlo 5

WP-Bur1<han (2-0); LP-Riashi (0-1). Leaders: MBelza 2-2, HR, 2 SB, 4 R; Curtin 2-3, 2 RBI; Rodriguez 2 R; Stacy 2-2; Wimmers 4-4, 4 RBI; G-Abmham 2-3; lliAc:hi ?-":I·

r~n

....n

'l-':1 .,

D o ........ M"· u o., ",.., ...

4 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2007

FN

I

BASEBALL )evil Rays 6, Orioles 4

Yankees 10, Indians 3

REDS 11, BREWERS 5

Rockies 5, Giants 3

AB R H Bl BB SO Avg. lattimore 4 1 1 0 0 0 .224 1Roberts2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 .258 ~ora 3b 4 0 1 1 0 1 .246 ~arkalds rt 'ejada ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 .286 iuffdh 4 0 0 0 0 2 246 4 0 0 0 0 0 .279 ~illar 1b 3 1 1 0 1 1.m libbons If 2 1 0 0 1 1 .214 :astilloc 1 0 0 0 0 0 .219 >-Bako ph 2 0 1 0 0 0 .222 lynumcf 1 1 1 3 0 01.000 •·Knott ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 ltemcf 33 4 7 4 2 5 rotats

Cleveland AB R H Bl BB SO Avg. 3 r o o 1 2 .294 Sizemorecf Michaels If 3 o o a 1 0 .313 4 1 2 1 0 1 .243 Hafner dh VMartinezc 4 a a 1 0 0 .375 4 a a o 0 1 .320 Garko1b 4 1 2 0 0 0 .229 Blake rt 3 0 0 0 1 1 .265 JhPeralta ss Barfield 2b 4 0 0 0 a a .162 3 0 1 1 a a .194 Marte 3b Totals 32 3 5 3 3 5

Milwaukee AB Weeks2b 5 Hardy ss 5 Fielder 1b 5 SHall cf 4 JEstrada c 4 Jenkins If 3 Mench rt 4 2 Counsell3b · 2 Bush p a-Gross ph o b-CHart ph o Villanueva p 0 BShousa p 0 Aquino p o d·Graffanino ph 1 o Dessens p Totals 35

San Fran DRoberts cf Vlzquel ss Aurilia 1b Bonds If Linden pr-~ Durf1am2b BMolinac Feliz 3b Winn rt Cainp Allonzo ph Totals

rampa Bay AB R H Bl BB SO Avg. 3 1 2 2 1 0 .269 laldelli cf 4 1 2 1 0 0 .444 lHarris ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 .259 :rawtord If Nigginton 2b 4 1 1 1 0 1 .298 )Young rt 4 1 1 1 0 0 .316 wamura 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .349 3 1 1 0 1 1 .237 ~avarro c )Pena 1b 3 0 0 1 0 1 .192 "2 0 0 0 1 1 .361 Jpton dh 31 6 9 6 3 4 rotats

New.York AB R H 3 2 1 Damoncf 5 1 1 Jeter ss 0 0 0 Caiross 4 1 2 BAbreu rt Thompson rt ooo ARodriguez 3b 5 1 2 3 1 2 Giambi dh 3 1 1 Posada c a-WIIIieves ph-c 1 a a 3 1 0 Cano2b MeCabrera If 4 1 0 Mientkiewicz 1b 3 1 1 Totals 34 10 10

81 BB SO Avg. 1 2 0 .294 0 0 1 .3a8 0 0 a .ooo 1 1 2 .28a a a 0 .500 3 0 1 .375 0 2 0 234 3 0 1 .364 0 0 0 .000 0 1 0 .292 0 0 a .174 1 1 0 .156 9 7 5

Baltimore 100 000 030 ·- 4 7 0 r.e.

000 600 OOx - 6 9 0 >·homered lor Bynum in the 8th. b-grounded

Cleveland 101 100 000 - 3 5 3 New York 260 000 20x - 10 10 0 a-popped out for Posada in the 8th.

R H Bl BB SO Avg. 0 1 1 0 0 .255 o a o a 1 .250 0 0 0 a 1 .286 2 3 0 0 1 .233 0 1 1 0 1 .2n 1 0 0 1 1 .325 1 2 1 0 0 .324 1 0 0 1 1 .233 a 1 2 0 a .333 o a o a a .308 o a o 0 0 .194 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a o o 0 0 0 0 a 0 a .2oe a o a 0 0 5 8 5 2 6

-

Cincinnati AB R H Bl BB SO Avg. Freel3b-cf 5 3 4 1 a 0 .298 Hamilton cf-~ 4 2 2 0 1 1 .318 Dunn If 5 1 1 1 0 3 .340 Coffey p ooo a 0 0 Griffey Jr. rt 5 1 2 2 0 1 .2n 8Phiilips2b 5 1 2 3 0 0 .222 Hatteberg 1b 4 1 1 0 1 0 .241 AGonzaiez ss 2 1 1 1 2 a .324 Valentin c 4 1 2 2 a 1 .273 .. """"

-

. . . .

Colorado Taveras cf Carroli2b Atkins 3b Hatton 1b

WHO':

WHO'S HOT Dodgers: Nomar Garciaparra drove in two runs with ahomer and adouble as LA. beat An· zona 5·1 Monday for its ninth win in U games.

AB 5 4 4 1

R 1 0 0 0 oa 4 a 4 1 4 o 4 1 2 o 1 0 33 3

AB 3 4 3 2 Holliday~ 3 Hawpa rt 3 Torrealba c 4 Tulowitzki ss 4 ,Hirsh p 2 SFinley ph.cf 1 Totals 29

R 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 a 0 1 5

H 1 0 2 1

Bl BB SO Avg. 1 a 2 .236 0 0 0 .239 1 0 1 .356 a 3 a .303 o o 0 a .278 o o 0 1 .279 1 0 0 a .262 a o 0 2 .184 2 1 0 0 .222 a 0 0 1 .000 0 0 0 1 .000 7 3 3 8

H 2 0 1 1 1 0 1

Bl BB SO Avg. 0 0 1 .175 0 0 1 .269 0 1 1 .255 0 2 a .347 0 1 1 .316 1 1 1 .255 3 0 a .292 o o 0 a .191 0 0 a 2 .000 1 1 0 a .091 7 5 5 7

San Fran 002 100 000 - 3 7 0 Colorado 000 000 05x - 5 7 0 LOB-San Francisco 7. Colorado 6. 28-

Jim Edmonds: l,OOOth game with St. l! reach the milestone sinc1 ---

Late Monday Dodgers 5, D'backs 1 Los Angeles AB Furcal ss 5 Pierre cf 4 Garciaparra 1b 4 JKent.2b 4 LGonzalez If 4 BCiark~

Martine Ethier rt Betemit3b Penny p Saenz ph Totals

R 1 2 1 0

o oo

4 3 .2 2 1 33

1 0 0 0 0 5

AB 3 Symes~ 4 OHudson 2b 3 Tracy 3b 3 Quentin rt 4 CJackson 1b 4 Montero c 4 CBYoungcf 3 EdGonzalez p 2 Callaspo ph 1 Totals 31

R 0 1 0 0 0

Arizona Drewss

H 0 2 2 0

Bl BB SO Avg. 0 0 2 .176 0 1 0 .204 2 1 a .306 1 o a .239 o a 0 2 .292 o a a 0 .308 1 0 0 1 .356 2 0 a 0 .276 1 1 1 o .on 1 0 0 1 .286 0 0 0 1 .200 9 4 3 7

H 81 BB SO Avg. 0 0 1 0 .196 2 0 a 0 .288 0 0 1 1 .369 0 1 1 0 .250 2 0 0 0 .500 o a o 0 0 .200 a 1 0 0 a .236 0 0 0 0 a .143 0 1 0 0 1 .333 a o o 0 0 .289 1 6 1 3 2

-·-

·--

-

National League CENTRAL Cincinnati Milwaukee Houston Pittsburgh St. Louis Chicago Cubs

w

EAST

w

Atlanta NY Mets Florida Washington Philadelphia WEST LA Dodgers Arizona San Diego Colorado San Francisco

8 7 6 6 6 5 9 8 6 4 3

w 9 9 8 6 4

T''"'"iAV'!I Results

L 6 6 6 6 7 8

Pc .57 .53 .50 .50 .46 .38

L 4 4 7 10 9

Pc .69 .66 .46 .28 .25

L 4 5 6 8 8

Pc .69 .64 .57 .42 .33

that have won or shared- with teams other than each othernine of the last 10 Cincinnati Hills League championships.

"We have an unbelievable rivahy."

Wyoming has controlled

recent history with three

championships in the lastfour years, including last season.

The Cowboys maintained that edge Friday with a 5-3 win at the University of Cincinnati's Marge Schott Stadium.

,.

>'

Grefl Lorll)3 for The Enquirer

i:.oollor shortstop Tom Belza rounds third base on his way home to score the Crusaders' first run. Belza was 3--for-3 with a walk.

Moeller: Closing in o,n GCLS title From PageCl

Elder coach lv.ark Thompson credited Moeller for being patient against Nastold.

"They did a nice job of getting deep in the count," Thompson said.

"The difference was, they were putting the ball in play on hitters' counts, while we were putting it in play on pitchers' c:>unts. Their kid did a heck of a job."

Moeller almost certainly cemented the No. 1 sectional seed, with the postseason draw set for Sunday.

"This gives the kids the confidence that maybe !his is our year,"

Cameron said.

Moelle· is ranked No.2 and Elder No. 9 in the coaches' state poll.

The two programs have dominated area baseball in recent years, with Moeller state champion in 2004, Elder state champ in 2005, and both reaching regionals in 2006.

"We've been doing everything pretty we[," Cameron said. "We've got pitching, hitting and defense.

Hopefully it continues." ~:r

~1000

-131

-4 G 0 V:?-V;, ·::::1 (IN, 3 1\'s). LP- t:::~:~ (4-2, 10K's). Lc;!::= E- Erc:t r.::·; ~.~- ec·, 3-3, 2D; v;::::~:s ru::; v;,·= 2 r.:::.

Rcm1b: E15-4 •10.3 GCI..S), U 18-3 (10.1).

ast eight seasons. â&#x20AC;˘ Kings has named John :arabinus as girls' basketall coach, pending school oard approval. Karabinm; ~mes up from the Kings juior high girls' basketball :aff.

-- TomG~hen

POLLS: Harrison dislaced Colerain as the top )ftball team in the Enquirer livision I area coaches' poll.

The Wildcats (19-3, 8-1 ort Ancient Valley Confernee Buckeye division) are : :\1ason at 4:30p.m. today.

Harrison (three first-place 11tes) won 13 consecutive ames before it lost to Nt>w ichmond 4-3 Saturday.

The Wildcats conclude :eir regular season against outh Dearborn (Ind.) at :45 p.m. Wednesday.

Colerain (six first-place otes) is tied with Lakota :ast (one first-place vote) at w No. 2 spot.

Ross remains No.1 in the hvisions II-IV poll. McNihr.lo., ;., "''rr.nrt fflllflWPrt hv

--~- -=~~------·J Tc:~~- ·'r1J:fc ;;;_:,. T~ ~:;: ::;~~J.:~"c:-

La Salle baserunner Blake Lehmann dives baci~ to first base before Anthony Smitll (10) of \'Vitr1~ow can aoply the tag Saturda}'.

No. 10 Lancers roll into district play

By Todd Bonds Saturday's game at "1.tbmw v;as all aho11t getting La Sa!ie in a v;b.ning :-;tat(• of mind <J$ the Lancers head to tlw di~!ri:'t tournruncrrt.

La SaUc, r.mkerl lOth L'1 'fhc En· quirer Division I cGadws' pnlt did so behind two big imilltz;; :md :~ dominant pitching performance friJm "t1phomorc Andrew :\eil.Jck{ 111c Lancers cruised to a 12-3 victory over the 11gen:, and await their meeting Wcdnesdav aQain\'t Oak Hills at HarriC'on in the flfsi rouud.

'We're playlug: brttrr," La SaUe coach Pat O'Cmmo1· said. "Hopefully, this can get ~1s sGme mnrncntum.

'Ye had a tough !'!rut tr; the S(:ason.''

Xeihcisel pitchc~! \'ix i:-;nir:.~~;;. allowing one run and m:c hit \\·hilc striking out eight ;:\eihe'sd fdt comfmtablc cnou.rrh to r.:·c:;,,d 1:5-: strike' out total on !he ms:ci;· 0~ h!-, hat daring- the gume. ~1'i;."k u::.~c:r f(!rsht d the fbal two innim;:; for La SU:le.

'I wanted !:1 !lnJ.;l~. but mr m;n \\'il" getting a littl.e tired," Xdhei~d "aid.

"Ibis definitely bro:tght my cnnfidt>nce up a lot" La Salle (lG-10) got on the stort~ board in the tirst inning when Terrell Jones led off the game hy reaching on an error. AfteT Jones ~I ole ~ccond. he was driven in on Blake Lehmann's single. Jones finished with three stolen bases and three r.1m: scor(·d.

After \ViGmlw's R?Jdm Edwards score<!. Drew Tucker \\itll a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ~-econd.

La Salle scored five run<.: in Cw 1011 of the third inning.

Withrow (bW), playing ih ,.,:xth .lratllc in as manv daY'>. ~h0\Yed the

Wimmers hurls Moe's first perfect game S•·nior PJcx Wimmers threw the fi.r:-t perfcli g:m:t~ in 11odler hi:;to1}' to !cad. the Cru~atl.er:; past Vandalia Hutkr ().{)Saturday.

Wim.'11cr:; struck out 14 batten; to improve to fi.O this season. He alo sa wc:tt 2-for-2 with a double and two runs batted in. h\\as tlw 19th no-hitter in school hi~tmy.

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effects of fri!iguc and depleted anns. li:c ·E_sec:-; u"<:'d fo"Jr pitcher::\ in the g;;.m1e and committed cle;ht errors.

Jht the Tifft~~ hu"tled, and made "O:nc >':;;ctia(:JJlar fidding plays de:-pitc t:.1c error;:, Tucker, Withrow's ~'ta.."ib~': pLcher, made a runnin..f{. uvef-the-~:w:.rldcr catch in left field in th: ht1h i'llli!'g. Short"top Greg Brown made a diving stlb at a line drin: to ~tnrt a double play in the fifth.

Withrow, champion of the SWOPL, pl"J·;: Loveland at Midland :\1onday in the first round of the district tournament 1knev<' coming in we had a problem," Withrow coach Tom C11arnhei'$ said. "\Vc don't have a lot in undcrdass pitching. We just make the hcst (l what \';e have."

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Nippert site for Moeller's .home games next season •By Tom Groeschen .tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Moeller will play home football games for the 2007 season at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium, Moeller announced Jbursday. . Moeller, which has no home stadium, has played mostly at Lockland High School the past five years. Moeller has played several , home games over the years at UC, ,dating to the 1970s when Gerry Faust was coach. Moeller played two home games at UC last season, •VS. Elder and Harrisburg, Pa. · Moeller will have four games this season at UC, bringing in De'troit Brother Rice (Sept 8) and Lakewood St. Edward (Oct. 20), plus Greater Catholic League South rivals La Salle (Sept. 28) and St. Xavier (Oct 26). . Moeller athletic director Barry 1 ,Borman said the school simply •. wanted an artificial turf facility, which uc is. Lockland has a grass .field, and some issues have arisen when wet grounds sometimes left 'the field unplayable. · "We just felt with the schedule .we play and the teams we are now bringing in from out of town, we couldn't take a chance on bad weather," Borman said. "Lockland was good to us, but this has worked out with UC. We have a good relationship with them, so we're going to do it" The agreement with UC is for the 2007 season only. Beyond that, Borman said Moeller will take things year to year. ~· . "It was amazing. This year, our · schedules meshed perfectly," Bor~man said . ..: ·. Moeller has played at several fa. cilities over the years, including Galbreath Field (near Kings ; Island) before going to Lockland. 1 "Playing at UC in a Big East sta:.dium is a very special opportunity · for our players and our communi. ty," Moeller coach Bob Crable said in a statement

C4 SATURDAY, MAY 12, 200 l

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Division I baseball sectional: MoeUer 3, Loveland 0

!5"- 12--07

Wmuners hurls another gem for No. 1 Crusaders Moeller advances to district playoffs

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirff.com

Moeller pitcher Alex Wunmers wasn't perfect this time, but he was more than glad to settle for a tw~hit shutout Friday.

Wunmers, a senior right-hander, struck out 12, walked none and allowed only three baserunners as the No.1-seeded Crusaders beat No.5 Loveland 3-{) in a Division I sectional final at Midland Field in Amelia.

Wunmers threw a perfect game in his most recent outing last Saturday, a 6-0 defeat of Vandalia Butler in which he struck out 14. It was the first perfecto in Moeller history.

"A perfect game didn't cross my mind this time," Wunmers said. "I just wanted to get a win."

Wunmers started flawlessly again Friday, as he retired the first 11 bat· ters before John Kennedy lined a single to right field in the fourth inning.

Kennedy was thrown out stealing to end the inning.

Moeller took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dan Burkhart doubled and came around to score on an error, and then Adam Stacy singled to center to give the Crusaders a 2-0 lead.

1bat was more than enough for Wunmers, although Moeller added another run on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Rodriguez in the sixth inning.

Moeller (2~3) is ranked No. 1 in the state and Enquirer Division I polls. The Crusaders have shut out five straight opponents and have won 11 consecutive games overall.

Loveland (1~12) lost 5-4 to Moeller in a regular-season game at Loveland on April 17. Loveland was unranked in the final Enquirer Top 10 but received some votes. "''radition has it that Loveland always plays us tough," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. 'We knew it would be another tough game t~ day."

Loveland coach Ken Reed said Wunmers was just too much.

Tony Tribble for The Enqu1rer

Moeller's Ross Oltrolk (28) beats the throw to Loveland first baseman Cody Saffell during Moeller's 3-0 victory Friday.

''We were up against a buzzsaw," Reed said. 'We played hard and gave it our all, but we just came up a little short."

Wunmers (7-0) entered the game with an 0.58 ERA The Ohio Statebound pitcher, whose fastball was reaching the high 80s on the radar gun, also was getting his curve and changeup over consistently.

"Everything's working for me right now," Wunmers said. "Fastball, curve, change. fm feeling very strong, and my team is playing well behind me."

Said Cameron: 'When he's doing that, he's tough to hit He's reaching his peak at just the right time."

Loveland did not get a runner to second base. The T~gers had only three men reach base, two via singles and one hit batsman.

Offensively, Moeller stranded 11

runners and left the bases loaded twice. T~gers starter Nate Hirsch (3-2) allowed only five hits, struck out one and walked seven - two intentionally.

Moeller advances to the district playoffs May 18 (4:30pm.) at Midland. The opponent will be Fairmont or Centerville, who play today in a Dayton sectional final Cameron said Moeller players have not flinched at being ranked No.1, which they were all season in the Enquirer coaches' poll.

"I think we've handled it well," Cameron said. "The guys are truly not looking ahead, just concentrating on the next game. We just hope it keeps up."

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Moeller methodically marcheSqOD. tgroeschtn®enqulrer.com

third to make it 3-0.

Victory sets up date with St. X in theCenterville fought back to

Moeller senior catcher Dan Burkhart has seen classmate Alex Wunmers have better stuff, but Wunmers still had plenty of quality pitches to beat Centervi.lle 4-2 in a Division I district baseball final Friday.

Wunmers (8-{)) struck out seven, walked two and allowed six hils, comiug off a pelfect

game and a two-hit shutout in his previous two outings.

"It's not easy to throw that way every day," said Burkhart, who will join Wunmers at Ohio State next ~ason, Alex was determined to finish this one."

Moeller (27-3), ranked No.1 in the state coaches' poll, held off uru·anked Centerville (22-9)

By Tom Groeschen

M

before a large crowd at Midland Field in Amelia Wunmers was given a 3-0 lead through three innings off Centervi.lle's Dan Jensen (7-3), a !Hoot-7 senior right-hander.

Ross Oltorik and Burkhart delivered RBI singles for a 2-0 Moeller lead in the first inning, and Oltorik added on RBI single

within 3-2 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.

Moeller made it 4-2 in the top of the seventh, when Oltorik scored on a wild pitch.

Wunmers then set Centerville down in order in the bottom of the seventh, finishing wiU1 a called strikeout See MOD.LER, Page C6

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Moeller's Matt Morrison slides safely into third after advancing on a base hit

by Dave Corn a.

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The Enquirert Jeff Swinge

Moell~r: .., .

..,St. Xavier is up next ~.,

From Page Cl

Wunmers threw 110 pitches overall and said he reached back for something extra in the seventh.

Moeller coach Mike Cameron visited the mound during the seventh to see ifWunmers could make it "He said, 1 got it,' " Cameron said.

"We rolled the dice a little by leaving him in, but Alex is such a competitor that he wanted to finish it off."

Wunmers acknowledged as much. The S.foot-2, 185-pound righthander retired the final five batters.

'1 wasn't as comfortable as I usually am out there, but in this big a game, I didn't want to come out," he said. '1 just wanted to throw it over and let them get themselves out" Centetville coach Terry Dickten said Wunmers had the best breaking ball he had seen all year.

'1be thing about their kid is that he gets ahead in the count," Dickten said. "He's tough that way."

Moeller now will face Greater Catholicl.eagueSouthrivalStXavier in the regional semifinals next Thursday (2 p.m.) at the University of Cincinnati. Moeller and St Xavier split two games during the regular season, but both are hot now, with Moeller having won 12 consecutive games and St Xavier nine straight "They know us, we know them,"

Cameron said. '1t should be another tremendous game."

The winner moves within one game of the state tournament, and one observer with a big stake in this is Wunmers' father, Jerry.

Jerry Wunmers played outfield on Moeller's state title team of 1972, the first of four state championships won

by Cameron. Moeller's most recent state title was 2004, when Alex W11llmers watched from the stands as a freshman.

"Alex is 10 times the player I was," said Jerry Wunmers, who sat in the stands behind home plate Friday. ....... -----2111

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28; Rodri"'"' 28; Oltlllik 2-3, 2 RBI; Bul1<hart RBI; Coma 3-4; CWolll RBI; Beyerle 2-3, 28. Recon!s: M 27-3, C22-9.

Madeira 3, Trf.County North 1 Division IU dislrictatCenll!lt'ile: Zach Van Fleet pitched a complete-game fourhitter for Madeira.

CJ. Hilberg had a two-out RBI single in the fifth and Jimmy Gulick added a two-out RBI single in the top of the seventh to clinch the game.

McNicholas3, Shawnee 1, Division II district at Fainnont Paul Uh1 threw a complete game for McNicholas, striking out U including two in a row to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first inning.

The Moeller bench erupts as Ross 01torik (left) comes home on a wild pitch to cap the scoring.

The Enquirer/ Jeff Swinger

Baseball state tournament pairings S"-"U.. -U l DIVISION I

l.lkala West (25-51 vs. Cle. Sl Ignatius (22-6), lhursday, 10 a.m.; Mentor (25-3) vs. Eldtr (25-71, Thurnday, 1 p.m. Cllamplonslllp: June 2, 10 a.m.

DIVISION a canfield (27-4)vs. Sandusl<y Pe11<ins(24·5), Frt· day, 10 a.m.; Spring, Kenton Ridge (25·5) YS. Rich· mond Edison (25-4), Frtday, 1 p.m. Championship: June 2, 4 p.m.

DIVISION n1 Mldolno (25-6) YS. Heath (20-6~ Friday, 4 p.m.; Bloomdole Elmwood (25-6) vs. Yoongs. UrsuUne (22-4), Friday, 7 p.m. Championship: June 2, 7 p.m.

DIVISION IV

Greenwlcll S. Cent (22· 7) vs. Newall< Coth.

(23·9), lhursday, 4 p.m.; Fl. Loramie (22-6) vs Fremonl Sl Joseph (24·7), lhursday, 7 p.m. Championshio: June 2. 1 o.m.

June 20, 2007

LOVELAND HERALD

PORTS &

recreation

Loveland Hera

Becker, Mosko among LaRosa's finali: 1\vo area athletes were announced as finalists for the annual LaRosa's male high school athlete of the year award.

St. Xavier's David Mosko, of Montgomery, and Moeller's Frank Becker were announced among the six finalists for the prestigious honor.

Mosko has helped lead St. Xavier to four consecutive Division I state team titles. He has won a combined eight state swimming championships between individual and relay events.

His times in the 200 and 500-yard freestyle events ranked him No. 1 in the nation among high school swimmers.

Mosko also won a gold medal in the 200-yard butterfly for the U.S.A. junior national team in Melbourne, Australia and has qualified for the 2008 Olympic trials.

Mosko will swim at Stanford University next year.

Becker is a stand-out· in both wrestling and football. On the mat,

Becker captured the 200 heavyweight state char posting a 45-3 overall recc also named Cincinnati wre year.

On the football field, tackles ·and was named to Catholic League South Db team. He also participal Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 3: Hershey, Pa. Becker will play footba son at the University of 0

commun1typres s. com

BRIEFLY

~·Belza gets all-state recognition

Moeller senior and Loveland resident Tom Belza was named first-team Division I all-Ohio baseball last week.

Belza, who will be playing next season at Oklahoma State University, hit .564 with two home runs and 24 RBI for the Crusaders.

Catalfu earns honors Wittenberg freshman and Loveland graduate, Cameron Catalfu led the allconference selections as she garnered first-team honors to go along with NCAC Newcomer of the Year after leading the top hitting team in the conference with 39 runs scorec!.

Junior golf camps Junior golf camps for beginners and intermediates ages 9-14 will be at Eagles Nest Golf Course, 1540 Ohio 28, Loveland.

Camp times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morninqs from 8:30 n.m. to

Summer swim team going stron

By Kyle Burch kburch@communitypress.com

Some of Emily Wethington's best memories as a child come from being at the Normandy Swim Club in Loveland.

That is one reason, Wethington has remained a part of the club's atmosphere for so long.

A member since the age of 10, Wethington is now the coach of Normandy's swim team, the Barracudas.

The Barracudas consist of around 135 children ranging in ages from 5 to 18 and compete in an eight-week schedule with other local teams.

"Being a member at a young age and seeing myself go from the age of 10 to managing the pool and coaching at the pool has been something I've really enjoyed," Wethington said. "! think doing it mvsclt". it's casil•r i'L 11' llll' I'' hL'il; t ilc- kids I ilr, 111gh

Mitch Kennedy nf l.ovel~nrl is mw of more than 100 you til swirnmPrs cmnpctinq with the Nnrmandy swim club li!am this summer.

KYLE

Higb school baseball! Division I regional semifinals

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The Enquirer/Gary Landers

Sl Xavier's Craig Rother slides home on a fielder's choice as Moeller catcher Dan Burkhart takes the throw In the fi~h Inning Thursday.

Bombers knock out No. 1 Upset state poll leader Moeller, face West next

More preps inside

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Bill Slinger has coached St Xavier baseball for three decades, and Slinger rarely has enjoyed a bigger win than Friday's ~3 upset of state No. 1-ranked Moeller.

Mostly, Slinger was thrilled for his Bombers' senior class. Shortly after St Xavier won its Division I regional semifinal at the University of Cincinnati, Slinger's first thoughts concerned his six seniors.

Among them was righthander Ryan Campbell (9-1), who pitched six innings and struck out four batters. Kyle McGreevy threw the final inning and went l-for-4 at the plate. Ben Stroube went 2-for-4 and EJ. Rumpke was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Th:~

Enquirer/Gary ~nders

Bombers playeiS celebrate their victory at the University of Cincinnati's Marge Schott Stadium, wh·ch set up a regional final matchup lVith Lakota West at 2 p.m. today.

"Our ju;lior class has carried our sen:.ors through in several sports," Slinger said.

"You think ofbotball with Darius Ashley, basketball with Walt Gibler. We put a challenge to our seniors this year: 'Be receptive to your lower classes; tl:ey can help you.'

"We also told ou- seniors, 'We can't win without you.'

Today was a great example."

Moeller (27-4) is ranked No. 1 in the Associned Press Division I state coaches' poll and No. 19 nationafy by USA Today. St Xavier (23-7) is unranked in both polls, but the

Bomberssplittwogameswith Moeller in their Greater Catholic League South r~g"Jlar­ season meetings.

"We beat Moeller eacy in the season, and that was big for us," Slinger said.

See BASEBALL, Page C4

• Kings' Matt Allare has chance to become first Ohio tennis player to win four straight state titles. C3 • Rnish-line disaster hits Indian Hill girls' 3,200 relay team at regional meet C3 • Elder advances to Division I baseball regional final; McNick, Wyoming ousted in D-11. Stories, C4 • Phillips resigns as Princeton girls' basketball coach. CS • Madeira puts up eight early runs on way to winning D-Ill baseball regional semifinal.

Roundup, CS

C4 FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007

. . .'

' Division I baseball

Elder's Nastold closes deal for Rigdon

By Frank DiRenna Enquirer contributor

DUBUN, Ohio- The Elder baseball team might be getting its pitching staff healthy at the perfect time.

Senior Dave Rigdon, who was making his first start in more than three weeks, turned in six solid innings to lead the Panthers to an 11-8 win over Delaware Hayes Thursday in a regional semifinal at Coffman High School.

Led by Rigdon, who has been battling tendinitis in his right shoulder, Elder (24-7) opened an 11-1 lead in the seventh inning and then used ace Mike Nastold in relief to nail down the win.

"Dave has had a bit of a shoulder problem, and that's the biggest reason we got him out," Elder coach Mark Thompson said. "We wanted to limit his pitching as much as possible. He did a heck of a job against them."

Hayes (22-8) scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh inning against a pair of Elder relievers and had the tying run at the plate before Nastold fanned Cody Dalga.

The Panthers will oppose Dublin Jerome in today's regional final at Coffman. Game time is 2 p.m.

Jerome (23-5) defeated Hilliard Darby (20.9) 4-1 in Thursday's other semifinal game.

Nastold, Elder's highly touted junior, is expected to get the starting nod against the Celtics.

"Cincinnati teams are Cincinnati teams," Jerome coach Chris Huesman said. 'They're great, so we have to be focused (today) and we have to come out and play another complete ballgame. Maybe reduce the errors a little bit. ... I can guarantee one thing: We're going to show up and compete."

Elder is seeking its first state crown since 2005.

"We have one goal every year, and that's to getto the state championship game," Thompson said.

"We've been pretty fortunate over the years, and it's always enjoyable to get to the regional."

Elder------020 020 7-1111 3 Delaware Hayes..--100 000 7-8 11 1 WP-Rigdon (4-1, 3 K's). LP- Sheets (4-5, 0 K's). Leaders: E-Hofmann 3 1Bs, 28, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Murray 28, 18, 2 runs, ~~~ D;N~~~n~ 21Bs, 28, 2 RBI; Wilburn HR, 2 RBI. Records:

1

Baseball: Bombers, Firebirds win From Page Cl

\'That let us know we're a pretty good team too," Slinger added.

An estimated 1,350 fans watched on a hot, sunny afternoon as Campbell outdueled Moeller senior right-hander Alex Wunmers (8-1).

'We just didn't play our game," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "X kept the pressure on us.

Whether we came in 10.10 or ranked No.1 in the state like we were, it's always tough to lose."

St. Xled 3-2 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Bombers scored three runs to take a 6-2lead.

Junior shortstop Billy Rumpke had an RBI double to make it 4-2.

Then, two more runs scored on a fielder's choice and two Moeller throwing errors - on the same play. That made it 6-2.

"Moeller is always the hardest game for us," Campbell said. "'They had the target on their backs this time, being No. 1in the state. They're a great team, but we're on a roll right now."

St. Xavier has a lO.game winning streak.

The Bombers advance to theregional final at 2 p.m. today at UC against Lakota West. St. Xis seeking its first state appearance since winning the title in 2003.

''Moeller is always the hardest game for us . ... They're a great team, but we're on a roll right now."

Sl Xavier pitcher Ryan Campbel

Moeller--· 000 5L Xavier-- 001

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WP- Campbell (9-1). LP- Wimmers (8-1). leaders: MBelza 2-2, 2B; Rodriguez3B; SX- B. Rumpke 2B; McGreevy 3-4; Straube 2-4; lssler 2 RBI; Basii2B; Lewis 3B. Records: M 27-4, SX23-7.

Lakota West 8, Hamilton 6, Division I regional semifinal at UC: West senior Collin Taylor (9-1) survived a tough start and pitched a complete game.

All the scoring came in the first three innings.

"Collin settled down and gave us some good innings," West coach Bill Dreisbach said. "He was a batter or two away from being taken out, but he came through with a good win for us."

Bryan Beaver, Brad Gschwind and Dane Fienning each drove in two runs for West. Justin Rice homered and had two RBI for Hamilton, and Jake Fath had two RBI. Hamilton starter Zach Murphy (5-2) lasted 1% innings after beat-

ing West 8-0 earlier this season.

Hamilton used four pitchers, with late-season standout Justin Schultheiss coming in to throw 2% innings of scoreless relief.

Schultheiss would have started today had Hamilton won Thursday.

'That's baseball," Hamilton coach Dan Bowling said. "I'm not going to second-guess myself for • starting a guy who beat them 8-0. If you told me we'd score six runs, I thought we'd have won.".

Lakota West is ranked No.4 in the Associated Press coaches' state poll and Hamilton was unranked, but the Big Blue had swept the Firebirds in their two Greater Miami Conference games this season.

West advances to the regional final at 2 p.m. today at UC against , St. Xavier. The winner advances to the state tournament semifinals May 31 at 10 a.m. at Columbus' Cooper Stadium, against the Shelby regional winner.

Lakota West seeks the first state baseball tournament appearance in Lakota school district history. The old Lakota High split into East and West in 1997, and West is making its third trip to the Ohio elite eight. llamillotl-- 303 000 0 -a 5 1 lakotl Wool- 224

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Division I baseball

Firebirds leave it to Moeller transfer Beaver Lakota West defeats St. Xavier 4-2

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Lakota West sophomore pitcher Bryan Beaver crawled out of the postgame victory pile-up with his red baseball shirt untucked, hat crushed and hair mussed.

Then, here came the Gatorade shower as Beaver and teammates celebrated a 4-2 Division I regional final win over St. Xavier.

The victory, before 611 fans at the University of Cincinnati's Marge Schott Stadium, sends West (26-5) to the state baseball tournament for the first time in the school's 10-year history.

Beaver, who transferred in from Moeller this school year, pitched a complete game. He did what his former Moeller compatriots could not the day before beat St. Xavier.

"I couldn't really sleep last night, knowing we had a huge game against a GCL team," Beaver said. "Sophomore or not, I knew I had to just throw strikes to ,give our team a chance. My teammates did the rest."

Beaver said he transferred from Moeller for reasons unrelated to baseball. Moeller and St. Xavier both play in the Greater Catholic League, West in the Greater Miami Conference.

"Most of my friends were back at West, so I came here," Beaver said.

Beaver drew the start Friday af. ter the Firebirds' No. 1 starter, senior Collin Taylor, beat Hamilton in the regional semifinals Thursday.

Beaver (6-1) allowed only five hits, walked three and struck out four.

West (26-5) advances to the state semifinals next Thursday (10 a.m.) at Columbus' Cooper

"It's special because we've been in this (regional final) game three times, and we finally knocked the door down. "

The Enquirer/ Jeff Swinger

ABOVE: Lakota West coach Bill Dreisbach gets a celebratory bath from his players after the Firebirds defeated St. Xavier.

BELOW: Lakota West's Zach Pohlman is tripped up as St. Xavier's Ben Stroube slides safely into second base in the Division I regional championship game Friday at the Uriversity of Cincinnati.

West coacb Bill DreisbadJ

Stadium, against Cleveland St. Ignatius. : The state baseball appearance marks a first not only for West, but also in Lakota school district history. District sports historian Bob Ashby said Lakota High was formed in the 1959-60 school year, and the school split into East and West in 1997.

"It's special because we've been in this (regional final) game three times, and we finally knocked the door down," West coach Bill Dreisbach said.

The West victory might have surprised some, since St. Xavier upset No. 1-ranked Moeller on Thursday. But Lakota West was ranked No.4 in the Associated Press coaches' state poll and St. Xavier was unranked.

Dreisbach had no qualms about starting sophomore Beaver in such a big game.

"He's got tremendous poise," Dreisbach said. "I was never worried about his nerves."

If Beaver had jitters, St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger didn't see it.

'Their kid was outstanding," Slinger said. "He kept us off balance. He hit the comers; he moved it in and out. They pitched a little better and played a 1ittle better defense."

St. X (23-8) committed three errors. Starting pitcher Kyle McGreevy (5-2) allowed all four runs, but only two were. earned.

St. Xavier grabbed a 2-1lead on a two-run single by McGreevy in the third inning.

West answered with a two-run single by No.9 hitter Craig Gauden, making it 3-2 in the fourth inning.

West added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Mike Stidham laid down a suicide squeeze bunt, with Brad Gschwind charging home from third base to make it 4-2.

'That made me feel a little better," Dreisbach said.

Beaver allowed a two-out single to pinch hitter Tyler Hollstegge in

the se,.enth inning, then ended things with a groundout. West players gleefully rushed the mound. then buried Beaver in a swarm of red jerseys.

St. X can call 2007 a good year.

"We were 15-13last year," Slinger said. 'This is more than we expected.'' ' For West, there is more.

"Cincinnati is a tough area to come out of," Dreisbach said.

'This was one of our goals all along."

West will take an eight-game winning streak upstate.

I

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WP • Be8Yel (6-1. 4 K'S). lP • McG,..vy (5·2, 6 K's). leaders: LW • Gscnwlnd 24, RBI; Stidh•m RBI; Gooden 2 RBI; SX- McGreevr 2·3, 2 RBI. Recoros: LW 26-5, SX 23-8.

'Nasty' just that as Panthers reach state -o,

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Frank DiRenna

5 -li..

rquirer contributor

DUBUN, Ohio - Nicknamed lasty," Elder ace Mike Nastold red up to his reputation Friday in a gional title game at Dublin Coffan High School.

Nastold fired a five-hit masterece, lifting the Panthers to a 5-0 in over Dublin Jerome for their th regional title and a spot in the ate tournament's final four.

Elder (25-7) will oppose Mentor 5-3) in a semifinal game ThursLy at Cooper Stadium in ColumIS. Game time is 1 p.m.

Jerome, which was making its ·st regional tourney appearance, oses out the season at 23-6.

Nastold (7-3) pitched a complete

game, striking outfour and walking just one. He allowed just two Celtic runners to reach third base, Ray Noe in the first inning and Jason King in the seventh. The ~foot-4, 22~pound Nastold pitched out of both minor jams.

"Mike didn't have his fastball today, but he learned how to pitch today," Elder coach Mark Thompson said. "He did a nice job changing speeds and kept them off balance a little bit They had some pretty nice hitters."

The Panthers, who won their last state title in 2005, are looking to erase the bitter memory of last season's 9-2loss to Miamisburg in the regional final.

"You don't necessarily bring it up, but you never really forget it,"

Nastold shutout wins regional

Division I baseball

Thompson said. 'That was probably the toughest loss I've ever had as a coach. I thought we had a chance togo back-to-backlastyear, but they responded well this year.

It's just kind of reloading every year. That's what our goal is."

Senior shortstop Brett Hofmann -who suffered a head injury but later returned in Elder's 5-1 district final win· over Sidney - was a headache for Jerome.

Hofmann gave his team a quick lead by smacking a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first against starting and losing pitcher Cory Valentine.

"I love leading off the game,"

Elder iced the win and regional title with three runs in the fifth against relief pitcher Jared King.

Another intentional walk - this one to Pat Williams- contributed in the uprising. Hofmann legged out an infield hit He stole second and two outs later, after Williams was walked, designated hitter John Groene ripped a two-run double to right-center field. Groene scored the Panthers' final run on Max Robbins' single.

Elder collected nine hits but left nine runners on base.

Groene chipped in with a double and a single.

"Cincinnati Elder is Cincinnati

Hofmann said. "It gives me a chance to get my team motivated andreallysetthetoneofthegame."

Hofmann added two singles, two runs scored and a stolen base.

"Brett's our leader out there," Thompson said. "He's a senior, a two-year starter, and he was our shortstop last year in a heartbreakingregionalfinal defeat. He sets the tone for us. We go as he goes."

Elder added a run in the second inning on Michael Murray's twoout RBI single. The run was set up after Jerome coach Chris Huesman . opted to intentionally walk Brian Weller to put runners on first and second.

Elder," Huesman said. "Any time you have 12 state championships under their belts, experience and playing in the Greater Catholic League down there in Cincinnati, and you're facing their No. 1 who's hitting in the high 80s, you have your backs against the wall."

Elder now will set its sights on the final four.

'This feels like the same team as 2005," Nastold said. "Everybody is real close. We're always talking to each other and keeping each other up."

.l«orM

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Elder 110 030 x-5 9 0 WP-Nastold (7-3, 4 K's). lP-Valentine (4-2, 1 K).

Leaders: E-Hofmann 2 1Bs, HR, 2 runs, RBI, stolen base; Gruene 2B, IB, 2 RBI; OJ -Jason Klng2B, 1B; Valentine 21Bs. Records: E 25-7, OJ 23-6

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Sp~ecial

salute :The Enquirer honors the top high school athletes in b~aseball, softball, tennis and track and field

Tom Belza

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Chris littleton

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Clnclnnatl·area high school athletes provided another exceptional sports season this spring, takin3 home 14 individual c:1ampionship and one tearr title in state competition.

Spring's sensations .

Season a shining one for local competitors

By Tom Groeschen tgrocscher.'I?t:t:qrtircr.cam

he Enquirer today present·; ks spring high school all-str.r sports teams for baseball, s:o!tball, boys' tennis and track Tne stars include Matt Allare of Kings, who heads the Enquilrcr boys' Division I tennis stars and a::so was named this weel( as natio'1d

T

All-stars inside

also include M-:>eller's Tom Belza (Division I baseball), Wyoming's • Boys' tennis, C8 Jon Edgington (Divisions II-IV baseball), Lako~ West's Rachael • Baseball, C9 Shepherd (Division I softball), • Softball, C10 Ross' Anna Smith (Divisions II-IV • Track and field, C11 softball), Indian Hill's Andrew McCarthy (Division II tennis), RaniPlayer of the Year by the National son's Chris Uttfuton (boys' track) High School Coaches AssociGton. and McNicholas' Cat Humphries The Enquirer players of the year (girls' trac:{).

HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STA We salute the spring's best

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'HE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER ~

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CINCINNAll.COM -·--··~·~·

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MoeUer methodically marches on tgroeschett@ettquirer.com

third to make it 3-0.

Victory sets up date with St. X in theCenterville fought back to

Moeller senior catcher Dan Burkhart has seen classmate Alex Wunmers have better stuff, but Wunmers still had plenty of quality pitches to beat Centerville 4-2 in a Division I district baseball final Friday.

Wunmers (8-0) struck out seven, walked two and allowed six hits, coming off a perfect

game and a two-hit shutout in his previous two outings.

"It's not easy to throw that way every day," said Burkhart, who will join Wunmers at Ohio State next season. "... Alex was detennined to finish this one."

Moeller (27-3), ranked No. 1 in the state coaches' poll, held off unranked Centerville (22-9)

By Tom Groeschen

.

before a large crowd at Midland Field in Amelia Wunmers was given a 3-0 lead through three innings off Centerville's Dan Jensen (7-3), a IHoot-7 senior right-hander.

Ross Oltorik and Burkhart delivered RBI singles for a 2-0 Moeller lead in the first inning, and Oltorik added an RBI single

within 3-2 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.

Moeller made it 4-2 in the top of the seventh, when Oltorik scored on a wild pitch.

Wunmers then set Centerville down in order in the bottom of the seventh, finishing with a called strikeout See Mon.LER, Page C6

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Moeller's Matt Morrison slides safely into third after advancing on a base hit

by Dave Corna.

The Enquirer, JeffSWin!lr

Community IPrep I Vouth

~A14 Wednesda)l November 15, 2006 Loveland Herald

PORTS &

Dick Maloney, Edtior 248-7134 rmaloney@communitypress.com

Adams dominates, leads Cougars to state title

By Kyle Burch Community Press Staff Writer

FAIRBORN - During practices tllis season, Mount Notre Dame junior Rachael Adams sported aTshirt with the word "Unstoppable" in bold print on the back No word could have provided a better description for Adams Sat~·day night as her 24 kills paced the Cougars to a 25-15, 25-22-1425, 25-15 victory over Mother of Mercy in the Division I state championship game at Wright State University.

"She is absolutely unstoppable," MND head coach Donna Mechley said of Adams of AVondale. "She's been like that all season. No team we played had an answer for her."

It is the fifth state championship that the Mount Notre Dame program has won, and the fourth for head coach Mechley She won three consecutive state championships from 1998-2000.

Mount Notre Dame advanced to the finals with a three-game victory over Solon in the semifinals Friday night, while Mercy defeated ~rrysburg in three games in their semifinal match. · Adams, who has been playing volleyball for just over three years, gives credit to her coaches putting her in the position she found hers{M in Saturday. . : "It's all thanks to my coaches," she said. "It's thanks to them to . where I am now."

According to Mechley, Adams iS the top recruit in her class in the country.

The r.ouears took control ofthP.

2008 Mount Notre Dame roster Name

Hometown

Liz DeBord Jackie Schnicke Abbie Rees Mindy Stanislova1l1s Sharon Strizak Bridgette Brownfield Rachel Rohlfs Cassie Vome Liane Rousseau Lindsay Upton Ro.e;haal AdarnB Leah Pelzel Ali Crable Tara Schoeny Devyn Moore Laura Eling Kristen Rohlfs Lauren Huser Kylee Tarantino Kelly Morrissey

(Mason) (Loveland) (Springfield Twp.) (West Chesler) (Sharonville) (Blue Ash) (Loveland) (Mason) (Loveland) (Ma;neville) (Avondale) (Loveland) .

(Loveland) (Maineville) (Loveland) (Reading) (Loveland) (Liberty Twp.) (Loveland) (Loveland)

from seniors Lindsey Upton (Maineville) who finished with 10 kills and Mindy Stanislovaitis (West Chester) who finished with seven kills. Those two along with Cassie Vome (Mason) ended their high school careers in the place they envisioned reaching for four years.

"Seeing all those banners in the gym - we always see those - and you know you want your name up there," Stanislovaitis said. "Last year we didn't get it This year, we knew it, we knew we had the team."

"This has been in our nlind since we were freshman," Upton said. "Last year was heartbreaking and we knew that you can't get that close and not next .year just take it."

Yr. 11 11 11 12 11 11 11 12.

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Catholic League was involved in the state championship game. It was the third meeting between the Bobcats anti Cougars this year, with each team winning one match a piece.

That familiarity helped the Cougars in their preparation for this match.

"We had a very definitive game plan," Mechley said. "We studied Mercy as much as we could and the execution of our players was outstanding."

Abbie Schnicke finished with 20 digs for the Cougars while setter Rachel Rohlfs recorded 42 assists.

Harvey hopes her young Bobcat team learns from this year's state championship run and uses it next year when they will have another vear of experience under

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THE ENQUIRER• f ...

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Digest

East-West baseball star~ games today : at Miami ~·~::.Enquirer staff and wire reports

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The annual East-West high school baseball senior · all-star series, featuring~· three games, begins with a doubleheader today (1 p.m.), . ' at Miami University. '~- : 1 The third game of the s~ ries will be Thursday ~ Great American Ball Park,~~ beginning one hour after.ihe '12:35 p.m. Reds-Aiigels ' game concludes. . . ;:,. ·, Head coaches are Cler-" . mont Northeastern's Jas'ori.

Kreimer (East) and wr,o:·~ ming's Chris Fiehrer (West).,.; East players include CHCA's· Trae Balzano, CNE's Traer , Voshell, Mason's Chris'Hatf! .

1 and Moeller's Adam StaSi.~;~ West players include Aiken'S: : Ron Nelson, Elder's Brett~' Hofmann, Lakota West;s·' Dane Fienning and Ross' .r 1 Chris ~elind a. '",._,, '' ,' ~

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Tom Groeschen -

Special salute I The Enquirer honors the top high school

athletes in baseball, softball, tennis and track and field

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tMatt Allare Tom Belza

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Cat Humphries

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Rachael Shepherd Enqu'rc~

Cincinnati-area high school athletes nl'rtulnill!nanother exceptional spo1:s one team tiUe in state competition.

s~:ason th~s

p.1o:o illustratlo:1/Ra~dy t/cazzola

spring, tak ng home 14 individu~ champfonship and

Spring's sensations Season a shining one for local competitors

By Tom Groesohen tgroc3cl:cr:€er:qr~irer.com

he Enquirer today presents its

T

spring high school all-star

sports teams for baseball, softball., boys' tennis and track.

The stars include Matt Allare of Kinrxs, who heads the Enquirer boys' Division I tennis stars and also was named this week as national

also in.cbde Moeller's Tom Bel7..a (Divisior: I baseball), Wyoming's • Boys' tennis, C8 Jon Edgington (Divisions II-IV ,. Baseball, C9 baseball'), L1kota Vfest's Rachael Shepherd (Division I softball), • Softbal~. C10 Ross' Aoo11. 3mit:l (Divisions II-IV • Track and fleld, C11 softball}. Indian HHII's Andrew McCrut!as Oivhion H tellllis), HarriPl.ayer of the Year by the ~a!:i:mal son's Ch:is ::ittlcton (boys' track) High School Coaches Association. and rvic:t'Jiclrrolas' Cat Humphries T::1e Enquirer players of the year (girls' t:rn=lc) .

Afl-stars inside

AII·Uhlo baseball teams The 2007 All-Ohio Higll Scllool Baseball Teams as 'IOted by the Ohio High School Baseball Coaclles Association:

DIVISION I Flnt tum: P-Tadd Sparl<s, Hilliard Dalby; AJ. Achtef, Oregon Clay: Alex WiaMMn, Moeller. elude Deloye, Sidney: Don llltrlduort, Moeller. IBZack Nowland, Delaware Hayes. INF-Brod Gschwlad, Llkotl Will. Ryan Meade, Lewis Center Olentangy: Tom llllu, Moeller; Derek Dietrich, Cle.

St Ignatius. OF-Andy PaytDn, Spring. North; Jason King, Dublin Jerome; Jlmlll)' llrlll-o, Llkotl Will. Brett Szakats, Amherst Steele. UTII/DH-Matt Seeman, North Royalton.

Player of the year. Jason 1\mg, Dublin Jerome.

Coach of the year. Mike ClnoofOn, Moeller.

Second tum: P-Cory Hough, Spnngboro: Matt Suschack, Brecks~ile Broadview HIS.; Mike NISiold, Eldtr. C-Matt Razzante, Mayfield HIS.; Anthony Bokar, Strongsville. IB-Aeron Thompkins, M= Perry.

INF-Joe Engte, Sidney; Cory 1\riechbaum, Marietta; Mike Yednock, Thomas Wolthing!On; Tonoll Jo-, Ll Salle. OF-Britt Williams. Mass. Jackson; Mike Kin· del, Spnngboro; Ben Jerevicious. Cle. St Ignatius: Ross Hartwig. Tol. St John's. UTII/DH-111\oo Giese,

Llkotl Ent. Honorable lllllltion: Alex Loltm, Stow; Scott Foster, Green: Dan Burant - l i e : Jason Haunty, Thomas Wonhington; Darnell Young, Spring. Nonh; Kyle Rlsh, Brecks~lle: Steve Hajdin, Strongs~lle; Joey Ciamacco, Hilliard Davidson.

DIVISION H

Flnt tum: P-T~er Burgoon, Defiance; T~er Melling, Bellefontame; Breonan Smith, Sand. Perldns C-Jimmy Vahalik, Cols. DeSales; AleX Monroe, Kenston.IB-Domlnick McCellister, Cols. Watterson. INFBrett Tevepaugh, Kenston; Austin King, Gallipolis Gal· lia Acad.; Tra~ Shaw, Washington CH: PhH cnsp, Spnng. Shawnee. OF-Ben Klaftzynskl, Medina Higll· land; Devon Tomence, canton South; cameron Stykernan, Defiance; Ryan Cull, Cols. DeSales. UTII/DHKyle Hallock, Sand. Perldns.

Player of the year. Tyler Burgoon, Def~ance.

Coach of the year. CMs Kaczmar, Walsh Jesun.

Second tum: P-Aiex CUitice, Za~lle: An· drew Turocy, Cenfield; Justin Wantngton, Pataskala Watkins Memonal. C-Jarrerl Black, Cenal Winchester; Kyle Mossbarger, Urbana. IB-Domlnick McCelllster, Cols. Watterson. INF-Kolbnn Vitek, Bryan; Chris Peters, lipp City Tippecanoe; loll Ed&lallon, Wyo. mlac: Donnlo Wlllmln, GrMntlold Mealin. OFDan Sherwood, Walsh Jesutt; Daryl Dotter, Cols. Watterson; Chad Bajc, Olmsted Fans; Ryan Munch. Tol. Cent. Ceth. UTII/DH-Bobby Butvin, Mantua Crest· wood. llotoorable mot111on: Zane BaytisS, Bene. Benjamin Logan; Josh Bohn, Rossford; TrKe Vosloel, ~ ~: Kevin McCell, Chardon NDCL; Zach Collaros, Steubenvtlle; Evan Bailey, Willard.

DIVISION Ill Flnt tum: P-Celeb Wnglll Chill. Zane Trace; Preston Zachrich, Del. Aye~lle: wes Rehmen. w. AleJ<andna Twin Valleys. C-Nick Burzanko, Bunon Berl<shire; Tony R.omira, .._,_ !B-Ene Sielski, Andover Pymatunlng Valley. INF-M1chae1 Keen, Sparta Higllland; Will Brechen, Cen. Cent Ceth.; Justin Shl· nett, Chill. ZaneTrace: Tyler Chadwell, Stewan Federal

~":':r~R~~~ePa:~;,~n~.ntH~~~~~~e~;l Clint Roush, Frankton Adena; Nick Jones, Peninsula Woodridge. UTII/DH-JaredYoder, Shelwood Fairview, Player of the year. K~e Bnlggeman, St Henry.

Coacl1 of the year. Ed Yates. Franfon Adena.

Second tum: P-Derek Chaflins, New London;; Mett Zahel, castalia Margaretta: Elliot Rosenbaum, Beachwood. C-Mike Del!onl, Peninsula Woodlidge; Chanie CehiU, West Jefferson; Geon Bowers, Uma Central Cethollc. IS-Luke L.estor, Minford. INF-Collin Uhrig, Frankton Adana: Andrew Cerpenter, Day. Oakwood; Nick Schoeppner, Magnolia Sandy Valley; T~er Kieth, Northridge. OF-Briggs DISbon, Convoy Crest~ew: Chris Hardy, Day. Oakwood: TrKe Horton, Reodlac; Ben Haynes, Chill. Zane Trace: Cory Schneider. Convoy C~w. UTII/DH-Andy Puthoff, St Henry.

Honorable lllllltion: Jordan Wilhite, Peninsula Woodlidge; Travis Kottenbrock, Urna Cental Ceth.; TY· 1er Ott, WoodsHeld Monroe Central: Chad Mullins, Apple Creek Waynedale; Jake Mahl, Aruca Seneca East.

Ben Kubuski, Elyria Cetholic; Brad Crozier, West LafayetteRidgewood;TratBolza... CIICA;T~erHaubie!, Ashland C~ew: Austin Fredencl, Gallon Nonhmor.

Max Cotaner, Cent Cent Ceth: Grant McCoury, Cent Cent Ceth.

DIVISION IV

Flnt tum: P-M1chael Melnte!, Shadyside; Steve Miner, Benin Hiland; Cody Elwin, Nonh LewisburgTnad. C-Mattlott. Newarl< Cetholic: Zach Martin, Wlllougllby Cornerstone Christian. IB-T~er Moore, Newark Cetholic.INF-T~er Engte, Beverty Fl. Frye: Aaron Henbrink, Minster. Zac Osborn, Greenwich South Central; Aaron Miller. Toronto. OF-Tra~ M1Her. Toronto: Mike Kley, Tipp C1ty Bethel; Corey Hartoog.Oalton: Milt van dor Horst, Savtn IIIIIs. UII/DH-Paul Dunn, Sycamore MohaWk. Player of the year. Tyler Engte, Beverly Ft Frye.

Coach of the year. Mike WISS, Minster.

Sacolld tum: P-Ryan Wagloger, Ironton St Joseph; Nick Johnson, Delphos St John's: AAan Heit· brink. Minster. C- Josh Kocher, New Wash. Buckeye Central; Drew D~on. DeGraff RiYerside IS-Derek Erwin, New Wash. Buckeye Central. IN F-lared HO)'Ing, Fl. Loramie: Clinton Yoder, Benin Hiland: Tyler Scherger, New Rll!gel; Andy Parl<er, Tol. Ottawa Hills; Connor Jump, Sycamore Mohawk. OF-Mark Elwell, Newarl< Cethollc: Troy Luebke, Marion Local: Eric Yunker, Tol. Christian: Grant Barbour, Fremont St Joseph; Ross Guisinger, Kalida. UlllfOH- Jacob Cooke. S. Charteston SE. Honorable lllllltion: Jake Daniel, Sycamore Mohawk: Johnny Crooks, Tol. Ottawa Hills: Adam Hoh· man, Sycamore Mohawk; Bob Inskeep, Minster: Zacl Kier, Latham Western; RJ. Ringer, Greenwich So~ Central: Andrew Baumer, M1nster. Aeron Woods, S Charteston SE: Kyler Ludlow, Fl Loramie; Jordar Goldschmidt, Fon Loramie; Ryan~. Gahanm Cols. Acad.: sean Brickner, Bascom HOjlewelt-Loud an: Evann Farren, CUyahoga HIS.; Evan Brown, Sllyke1 Zach Stewart, Toronto.

Crusader trio goes from Moeller diamond to OSU t;z..t'3JofP

By Kyte BurCh Community Press Staff Writer

Ten student athletes from seven different sports recently helped add to the Moeller athletic tradition by signing letters of intent to continue their careers at NCAA Division I programs next season.

Among those signing were three seniors baseball players who will be staying together to play at Ohio State University.

Alex Wrrnmers, Dan Burkhart and David Coma will travel up take their baseball playing prowess up Interstate 71 following their senior seasons.

"The biggest thing is they all really wanted to go there and be a part of that program," Moeller head coach Mike Cameron said.

"They all three passed up opportunities where they might have gotten a chance to get more playing time right away, to go and play at Ohio State."

Wunmers, of Sharonville, who is one of the Crusaders' leading pitchers and hitters, may get a chance to do both at the collegiate level, but is expected to get more of an opportunity on the mound.

"I love that we'll be playing in such a big atmosphere up there," Wunmers said.

"I think this is going to give me the best opportunity to play at the next level."

He chose Ohio State over Eastem Kentucky University, VIrginia Tech, Miami (Ohio) and Marshall Last spring Wunmers was the Co-Greater Catholic League player of the year after posting a 5-1 record with a 1.51 ERA. . He also led the team in hitting With a .473 batting average and 24 RBI. Burkhart, also from Sharonville, signed after hitting .349 with 25 RBI and 19 runs scored last season.

Heeamedfirst-teamallconference accolades last season and is known for his defensive prowess behind the plate.

One of the perks Burkhart sees of playing for the Buckeyes is the support of its athletic teams from the student body. . "The support that the athletes m every sport get from the students is great," Burkhart said . "'f!le facilities are unbelie~ble, 1t's gomg to be a lot of fun."

Burkhart chose Ohio State over Vrr~~ Tech, Kent State, Ohio Uruvei"SJty, Xavier and UC. For David Coma, of Uberty Township, signing with the Buckeyes fulfills a lifelong dream.

Co_rna watched the Buckeye

athle_nc pr~gram up close after growing up m Columbus.

After attending several Ohio State baseball camps he finally caugh_t the eyes of the proaN> .....'s coaching staff. o-~u

..

Moetter bnetiatt players, .

¡to;

Township), Dan Burkhart (of Shar,onville) and Alex Wimmers Sharonville) signed letters of intent to play at Ohio State University.

"It's been my dream ever since I

Cameron says the Ohio State

can remember," Coma said. program is fortunate to gain all "I grew up a huge fan and now three players and expects their I get the chance to play for the pro- time at Moeller has prepared them

gram, I couldn't ask for anything for the next level. else."

The first baseman hit .312 with 20 RBI last year, while not committing a single error in the field.

Of course the chance to continue their careers with high school teammates was also a big draw for all three.

"Having those guys there will be great," Wunmers said.

"Especially having Dan there as my catcher, knowing that I'll be familiar with him. That's going to help a lot"

"What they'll bring to that program is great work ethic and competition," Cameron said.

"Nothing was handed to them here and nothirlg will be handed to them there. They will have to compete for playing time and I think that will help them because they had to do that here.

"Our league afforded them as good competition as they could get, so they'll be prepared." kburch@communitypresS.CQ.("

576-8255

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Editor: JoshPichler,jpichler@enquirer.com, 513-766-8381

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SATURDAY, APRIL&B,

High schools I No.1 Moeller 4, No.2 Elder 1

Greg Loring for The Enquirer

Moeller':& Greg Williams outdueled Elder ace Mike Nastold Friday, improving to 6-0 on the season. Williams, who entered the game with 23 consecutive scoreless innings, pitched a complete game.

Moeller's Williams one-ups Elder ace

By Tom Gneschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Moeller left-bander Greg Williams was handed the unenviable task of facing the area's top pitcher Friday, but W'illiams was more than equal to the challenge.

Williams, a 6-foot-3 junior, outdueled Elder junior ace right-hander Mike Nastold 4-l at West Chester Baseball Complex. The game was ,~pved troll!- Moeller's u~Yf}, Cr<fsley F1eld home m Blue Ash because of wet grounds. ·· '

~;-'MoellerisrankedNo.laJld,Elderis

No. 2 in the Enquirer Division I coach· es' poll, and the Greater Catholic League South victory put the Crusaders (18-3, 10-1 GClrS) in the driver's seat for the league title. Elder (154, 11}3 GClrS) has one league game left, while Moeller has three.

Moeller beat Elder 6-1 in the first week of the season, and the Crusaders also beat Nastold that day. The 6-foot-4 Nastold (4-2) is now 12-2 in his varsity career, both losses to Moeller: Nastold struck out 10 but walked eight; Williams (6-0) struck out three and walked three. · "It's a big accomplishment to beat him," said Williams, who entered with a string of 23 scoreless innings. "I've

Moeller batters, as they had planned, often worked the hard-throwing Nastold deep into the count "We just tell the kids to be l>atient and make him &.row a Jot o1 pitches, get good at-bats," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "Then, just try to pick up that timely hit" Moeller took a 1-0 lead in the third · inning when Alex W1mmers singled, with Tom Belza coming home on the same play via an Elder throw4J,g, error, W'Immers made)t w by walking · with the bases lmidt:d in thefoorth inning.

Elder drew within 2-1 on an RBI single by Drew Ernst in the fourth :inning.

Then, after Nastold walked tWo batters in the fifth inning, Jeff Wilson stroked a two-run single to center to give Moeller a 4-1lead.

Greg Loring for The Enquirer Belza, Moeller's senior shortstop, went 3-for-3 with a walk but s~d it is Ellder ace Mike Nastold struggled with his control, walking eight bat- never easy to face Nastold. .

"I heard he was dialing it up at 92 ters. Nastold is 12-2 in his career, (mph) on the radar guns back there," both losses coming to Moeller.

Belza said. "That's not your typical faced him in the summer, and I'd never high school pitcher. Any time you can beaten him." beat a guy of his caliber twice in one Williams threw 100 pitches In going year, that's huge.. He beat us twice last the distance on a raw afternoon. There year, and it kind ofleft a bitter taste in was an occasional cold, misty rain that our mouth." made things miserable for the large See MOELLER, Page C7 crowd of fans.

DAVE DOV£/CC)N

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Sharonville resident and Moeller High School pncher Alex Wimmers tossed a 3-0 shutout against Loveland at the Division 1 sectional final.

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,Best friends stay close

,on dian1orid at Moeller

By Mark Schmetzer nesuburban@communitypress.com

Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart considers themselves to be just your basic best friends, doing the things normal high school seniors do: movies, swimming, video games,. double~dating. .· For getting a charge, they fall back on what .they've been doing since they were 9 years old, playing baseball together. . .

Wimmers and Burkhart, who are Sharonville residents and members of St. Michael's CathoHc parish, are mainstays of the Moeller baseball team that was ranked No. 1 in the final Associated ·Press Division- I statewide poll.

"We've-gone to school together, I guess since kinderganen, a,Q.d we~ve

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- J\J'loeller defeated,CentE3rville 4..,_ 2 M~y·1·a in1:h~:bivii3io~\'&istnet-

fioals: ~The'.Crtisadefs advance to "t~e'fE39fon!3.is~'ttKgre·''f'hey _will ~

·

-

meet Greater Catholic League ·rival St: Xavier Tl)ursda.yi':~ay 24, / at.!he:U~iversityq(-cf~<;:inh~ti., _

· ·· · ' ··' -.. ' -•-•~ "Actually, (love it,'' he said. "He, knows what- is working Jor me on1 any given day. 'We,tre usually on the same page. : ·":· ?7-: ·, · · "When I l].a~~1a ~ifferent catcher, I have to start 't[e \process all. over again.:~··.. ·'...

--"~_,.

Wifumd'rs p'rohably won't have' to

o-_.::.·pl_a.yin·g· .tog~~he. sinc·e····.~~ wer~.--_, go. ·t.hm.ugn that f~r a. their "':'h.~e.careers Bo~h .be,_~_ 9 yearey,>•old on ~ rthe Cmcmnat1 players plan to continue .Flames,"· 'said_ Blirkhart. the· .cru~ at Ohio State. · saderey\s'enior'catcher. ·. ~. · . , Attending the same school always i "I've been catching_ him my ~hole was part of the plan. . · ..b~seba~ f~reec,M.Qs_t~ofth_ ~ ~-·.m_. ~· he'_s · ."\W•always talked about it," said .pitchedJ" , , · ~~' · ,-.:..· W1mmers, ,who's got a perfect game ( Burkhart was hitting .42l..With 18 on his resume. · R rwhg~ ~elpiD,g;MOe~lt~r,:r:~~.a::Qivi- . ·"~e_n~ve_r tho_ught it would actuLsectiona~dl'amJ?IOnshipt -~ '·\lallyi'come true w1th.all of the places f "lY\'imrriers; a·~s'eriioftngnt~hafiaer;: yori'can actUally go, but with it com-. was 6-0 with· a~().58 T;'ERA and. 58 . ing true, it's_;JuSt awesome." . strikeouts while·<·also hitting' .470 /'It's a dream come true, pretty with- 31 RBI. · much, going 'lo college with one ·of He never g~t:s tired of throwing to your best~frie.~~d§· ". Burkhart said. ~urkhart. · - · .. _5: ~l\ ·.,.,_ )~ f,;·r .

I

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HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Cameron tops m coaches in wins Moeller defeated La Salle ll-1 to give the Crusaders a share of the Greater Catholic League title and coach Mike Cameron his 761st career victory. Cameron moved into first place on the all-time victories list for Division I coaches in Ohio. "I'm more excited (about the milestone) for the program," he said.

Cameron's career record is 761-303 with four state titles in 40 seasons. "It's hard to beat-when ')OU. w1n a state championship," Cameron said. "This is definitely a milestone for 1 sure.l'd be crazy not to think of it as a milestone."

-

KyleBrown I

Moeller answers wake· up call after loss ;rJ;}o1

By Kyle Burch Community Press Staff Writer KENWOOD - On April 21, the Moeller baseball team did something it hadn't done in three weeks -lose.

The Crusaders lost 2-1 to Lakota West, moving their record to 143 overall and ending a 10-game win streak.

Head coach Mike Cameron says the loss came at just the right time for his squad.

"I think it definitely serves as a wake-up call for our guys," Cameron said of his team's loss.

Cameron was proven correct last week when the Crusaders defeated St. Xavier and Elder to clinch the Greater Catholic League South Division championship.

The Crusaders enter the week in a tie atop the Greater Catholic League South Division with Elder and stand just a half a game ahead of St. Xavier.

"The league crown, the city crown and our seed in the district draw could very well be dependent on what happens this week," Cameron said prior to play last week.

Senior Tom Belza (Loveland) led the Crusaders nto the wee~· with a .500 batting average, scorthe sixth inning of the Crusaders 2·1 loss. ing 26 runs, with 15 RBI. I Fellow seniors Alex Wunmers (.467), Dan Burkhart (.436), David Coma (.373), Adam Stacy (.422), Ryan Rodriguez (.419) and Mike Kovacs (.364) have also displayed very productive bats.

On the mound, Wunmers has been stellar, going 3-0 with a 0.39 earned run average.

He has been helped by the emergence of junior Greg Williams. Williams has posted a 50 record with a 0.25 ERA He has given up just six total hits in 28 innings pitched, striking out 28 batters.

"Going in to the season, we thought he could be our fourth or fifth starter," Cameron said of \1\Tilli-::an"'c uParh tin"'o ntd ho'c l'lnno

. 8ASEBAU.: Senior Alex Wimmers struck out 11 batters as top-ranked Moeller defeated visiting La Salle 11-1 in a game shortened to five innings as the Crusaders clinched a share of the Great- ~\ er Catholic League title. ' â&#x20AC;˘ Senior Kyle McGreevy e, struck out five and improved '-' to 3-1 in leading visiting St.~ Xavier (14-7, 11-3 Greater ' Catholic League South) to a"7..0 victory over Elder (18-5, ~ 1<M. St. X is tied for No. 6 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll. Elder is third. â&#x20AC;˘ Withrow clinched the Southwest Ohio Public League championship with a 6-2 victory over Taft.

Jl

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2007 C3

SPORTS

No. 1 Moeller tested - for a change Crusaders edge Loveland 5-4 in a non-league game

• the game in the bottom of the seventh, as Oltorik stranded Loveland runners at first and third base. 01torik (1-1) struck out three batters in 2~ innings of relief. ''We needed a game like this, a white-knuckler," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. ''We'd been

By Tom Groeschen scoringalotofruns, butyou want a tgroeschen@enquirer.com challenge too."

Moeller has been crushing its Entering Tuesday, Moeller baseball opponents lately, so the (12-2) had outscored opponents No. l·ranked Crusaders actually 103-16 during a seven-game winwere pleased that unranked Love- ning streak. land gave them such a battle Tues"Baseball is a weird game someday. times," Oltorik said. "You're going . Moeller prevailed 5-4 in a non· to get a game like this, no matter league game at Loveland, as the what it says on paper. Loveland Tigers took the Crusaders to the fi. showed lots of heart today." nal strike.

Loveland (6-6) trailed 3-0 after Crusaders junior right-hander llh innings. The underdog Tigers Ross Oltorik got a strikeout to end stayed dose despite issuing 13

High school baseball walks, three intentional.

Loveland fought back and took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, on a two-run double by junior shortstop John Kennedy.

Moeller responded with an RBI single by Oltorik and another RBI single by senior first baseman Dave Coma, good for a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning.

Coma said being No.1 in the Enquirer Division I poll has been good for Moeller. ''We've kept a level head about it," Coma said. ''We do know every team we play is up for us. That's part of having the target on you."

Loveland coach Ken Reed had suggested before the game that

anything could happen on that given day, and Tuesday nearly was it.

'That's how I expect us to play every day," Reed said. "Are they more talented than us? Probably, but I expect us to be in every game.

The last thing I want is pity with a game like this ... We can't be satisfied with almost beating a good team."

That said, Loveland did have its fans standing until the final out Tuesday. Moeller fans also were on their feet as Oltorik clinched it with a swinging strikeout of one of Loveland's top hitters, cleanup man Derek McClary.

Cameron, in his 40th year at Moeller, boosted his career record to 752-301. He stands third all time in coaching wins in Ohio and first among Cincinnati coaches.

Cameron's most recent Moeller state title team was 2004, and this one has the earmarks of challenging for another. The Crusaders are stocked with talent, including three players headed for Ohio State (Coma, third baseman/ pitcher Alex Wunmers, catcher Dan Burkhart) and one to Oklahoma State (shortstop Tom Belza, who was 3-for-3 with two RBI Tuesday). Loveland outhit Moeller 8-6. ''We told the guys the hitting won't be there every day, but pitching and defense should always be constants for you," Cameron said. ''We had just enough today."

Moeller-........_ 120 002 0 -5 6 0 t.o...land ··-······-· 000 130 0 -4 8 0 WP- Oltonk (1·1). LP- McOsker (1·2). Leaders: M- Belza 3·3, 2 RBI; Oltonk RBI; Coma RBI; l- Grant 2·4; Gunnarson 2·3, RBI; Kennedy 2·3, 2B, 3 RBI. Records: M 12·2, L 6-6.

Greg Loring for The Enquirer

Woeller shortstop Tom Belza rounds third base on his way home to :>core the Crusaders' first run. Belza was 3-for-3 with a walk.

Moeller: Closing in on GCLS title From PageCl

Elder coach Mark Thompson credited Moeller for being patient against Nastold. "'hey did a nice job of getting deep in the count," Thompson said.

'The difference was, they were putting the ball in play on hitters' counts, while we were putting it in play on pitchers' counts. Their kid did a heck of a job."

Moeller ahnost certtinly cemented the No. 1 sectional seed, with the postseason draw set for Sunday. "'bis gives the kids the confidence that maybe this is our year,"

Cameron said.

Moeller is ranked No. 2 and Elder No. 9 in the coaches' state poll.

The two programs have dominated area baseball in recent years, wiili Moeller state champion in 2004, Elder state champ in 2005, and both reaching regionals in 2006.

"We've been doing everytling pretty well," Cameron said. "We've got pitching, hitting and defense.

Hopefully it continues."

DHr 000 100 0 -1 3 1 IIJieolor ---001 128 I -4 I 0 WI'- Wi!Uams (6-0, 3 K's). LP- NastDid (4-2, 10 K's).l.eo!les: E-Ernst RBI; M- BelzB 3-3, 28; WimmeiS RBI; Wil..., 2 RBI. Records: E15-4 (10.3 GCL¡S), M 18-3 (10.1).

sl;k~tb1If)ti;t ~~~~ part of Moeller's winter success Moeller High School recognized the school's newest state champions, the 2007 basketball team, with a recognition assembly March 2 7.

Lead by head coach carl Kremer, the varsity team's overall season record was 25-2.

"The 25 wins are the best in the history of the program at Moeller High School," Athletic Director Barry Borman said. "This state champion team did not lose a game outside the GCL." Moeller topped St. Xavier in the state game 43-40. The Crusaders have won the GCL basketball championship 10 times in the past 15 years.

This is the Crusaders¡ third state title (1999, 2003 and 2007), with four Final Four appearances (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007). Moeller basketball also has had four regional championships, one regional runner-up, and five district championships.

This basketball state championship caps off a stellar year for the Crusaders.

"Moeller has just had an incredible winter sports season," Borman said. "We had three additional state champions this year: two in wrestling (seniors Frank Becker and Germane Lindsey) and one in swimming (senior Brian Howell)." To honor these athletes, as well as the other outstanding athletes and programs this season, Moeller held a winter recognition assembly.

Bowling

Coach Bob Orr - Moeller bowling finished second at sectionals and earned the opportunity to compete at the district meet in Middletown.

Jake Maciulewicz, senior captain, had an outstanding year, earning first team GCL All-Star status and WLWT Student Athlete of the Week. Maciulewicz competed in Denny's All-American High School Championships, where he finished fourth of 29 bowlers from across the nation.

SwimminQ

Coach BiTI Whatley - The state final took olace in Canton

Junior Brian Howell won the first individual swim state title in 18 years. Howell won the 200 individual medley at the ........._~,..;..-.::. state champi- Howell onship swim meet. In addition to Howell, four other Moeller swimmers qualified to the state meet: Kevin Koeing, Mike Krone, cocaptain Aex Jackson and David Sanders. Moeller placed 17th in the state.

Hockey

Coach Mike Reeder - Crusader hockey made it to the "Sweet 16", playing at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus. The team was led by senior captains George Courtemanche, Matt MacDowell and Steve Bennett. Season highlights included our second round state tournament game against Dublin Coffman, which Moeller won 4-3. Senior captain Bennett was named WLWT Student Athlete of the Week.

Skiing

Coach Bill Kohus Jr. -

Undsey

Rushing

Moeller's ski team finished first in the city tournament for the fifth time in the past six years.

Wrestling

Coach Jeff Gaier - The state finals took place at The Ohio State University's Value City Arena. Seniors Germane Lindsey and Frank Becker earned the honor of state champion.

Lindsey won the state champion in the 140-pound weight class with an 8-6 overtime decision. Becker won the 285pound weight class with a 3-1 overtime decision.

Tom Weinkam, Mike Mahon, and Dean Gaier each finished third place in their weight class. Pierce Hager placed sixth, becoming only the third freshman in Moeller's history to place at state. Eric Gobin and Adam Wallander finished in seventh place.

Moeller's team finished as state runner-up.

Wimmers hurls Moe's first P.erfect game ,~. ~ '

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.

Enquirer staffreport

. ' ~

Senior Alex Wunmers threw the first perfect game in Moeller history to lead the Crusaders past Vandalia Butler 6-0 Saturday.

Wunmers struck out 14 batters to improve to 6-0 this season. Healso went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs batted in.

It was the 19th no-hitter in school history.

- KyleBrown

Moeller, Badin No.I in baseball Colerain, Ross tops in softball

By Mike Dy~r .j1B/oJ mdyet@mqu1rer.com 1â&#x20AC;˘ Moeller baseball coach Mike Cameron doesn't want to get ahead of himself when it comes to the postseason, but the Crusaders seem to have the balance that most teams covet this time of year.

"What has really been outstanding has been the hit~ ting," Cameron said, "and pitching and defense have really stepped up the last month. We feel we are a pret~

~am~omplete

Inside:

Preseason Final favorite Moelbaseball ler won the and softEnquirer Diviball polls, sion I area C2 coaches' baseball poll. It is Moeller's ninth poll title and first since 2004.

Moeller (24-3, 12-1 Greater Catholic League South) garnered 127 points and 10 firstplace votes. .

The Crusaders play Walnut Hills (~20) in a first round sectional game at Mid~ land at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Moeller has won nine consecutive games. Its last loss came to Lakota West 2-1 April 21.

Mason (23-2) was second and earned two first-place votes. Lakota West (20-5), which had a first-place vote, was third. Elder (19-7, 10-4 GCI.rS), which had won the past two consecutive Enquirer D-I coaches' polls, finished fourth.

Badin (19-4, 10-4 GCL Central), also a preseason favorite, won the Divisions II-IV poll. The Rams earned seven first-place votes. Turpin (one first-place vote) was second, followed by third-place Ross.

Badin plays at 5 p.m.

Wednesday at Badin.

Colerain (18-2, 16-1 Greater Miami Conference), a preseason favorite, won the Division I softball poll. The¡ Cardinals (four first-place votes) edged second-place Harrison (three first-place votes) by five points. Harrison was 21-3.

Ross (23-2), which was also a preseason favorite, again won the Divisions II-IV softball poll.

E'-:So.~JLLo'{e.

:::J//.&/~7

Accomplishments stacl< up as Moeller closes season The Moeller Crusaders wrapped up their regular season on the baseball field with a multitude of rankings.

The Crusaders finished the year 243 and captured the Greater Catholic League South Division title. Moeller also finished the year as the top-ranked team in the city. They were also ranked fourth in the final AP Division I state poll, No. 6 in the Midwest Region by USA Today, No. 37 in the nation by Perfect Game Magazine, and No. 40 in the

.'• /;.3/c_,?

THE ENQUIRER

I

Higb school insider

Thoughts on track, fields. and the like Spring seasons not short on stories

T

houghts, news, notes and quotes as we head for home in the spring 2007 sports season: 8 The Withrow girls' 4()(). meter relay team ran a city-record time of 47.51 seconds at the Roosevelt Memorial meet in Dayton last weekend. The foursome is freshman Genesis Calhoun, sophomore Brittany Smith, senior PorschaJohnson and sophomore Jade Clingman.

The previous record of 48.01 stood since 1991, by Mount Healthy's Anita Scott, Ttffney Roper, Nikeya Ralls and D'Andre Hill.

• Elder junior pitcher Mike Nastold is, most agree, the scariest and most intimidating baseball arm in the area The 6foot-4, 220-pound Nastold approaches the mid-90s on the radar gun. He struck out 15 but Tom lost 1-0 to Lakota West last week.

Groeschen Nastold projects as a first- or second-round pick for the June 2008 amateur draft, some scouts say.

• I also like the quote by Moeller shortstop Tom Belza. also one of the area's top stars, after facing Nastold recently. "I heard he was dialing it up at 92 (mph) on the radar guns back there," Belza said. "That's not your typical high school pitcher."

8 Elder expects to be playing baseball next season in its new Panther Athletic Complex, just off Quebec Road near the school. That means Elder will be leaving its current . home, Hille Fteld in Cumminsville. "111 miss Hille, I really will," Elder coach Mark Thompson said.

-

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Sports Bri~fs

NIJ. !J ~.;;1o 7 HIGH SCHOOLS ÂŁ

Moeller finishes No.1 in state poll Moeller finished No. 1 in the season's final Associated Press Division I state poll released Monday. The Crusaders (26-3) won the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll last week.

Moeller, which had 241 points, earned 21 firstplace votes. No. 2 Strongsville, which had 189 points, had one first-place vote.

Moeller plays Centerville at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Midland in the districts.

STATE BASEBAll POLL, C2

State baseball poll How a state panel of coaches rates Ohio high school boys baseball teams In the fifth and final regular-season poll of2007 tor The Associated Press (oy Ohio High School Athletic Association divisions, with first-place votes in parentheses, records at time of votIng):

DIVISION I

1, Moeller (21) 25-3

241

2, Strongsville (I) 17-2

189

3, Mason (1( 25-2 4, Lokota West 21路5

150 143

5, Sidney 21-3 6, Cle. St. Ignatius (2) !7-6 7, Hilliard Davidson 20-5 8, Mentor 19-3 19, Tol. StJohn's 14-4

91 90 86 77 44

19, Elder 21路7

44

DIVISION II

, I, Cuya. Falls Walsh Jesuit (II)

220

21-3 2, canfield (5) 24-3 3, Defiance (4) 23-3 4, Chagnn Falls Kenston (4) 22-4 5, Cois. DeSales (I) 21-3 6, Belle. Benjamin Logan (I) 20-2 7, Richmond Edison 20-4 8, Washington CH 18-4 9, Cols. Watterson (I) 21-5 10, Vermilion 20-6

207 183 !58 154 178 70 68 42 40

DIVISION Ill

I, Frankfort Adena (26) 25-0 2, Peninsula Woodndge (I) 21-2

3, Chill. Zane Trace 23-4 4, Genoa Area 17-2 5, Coldwater 18-4 6, Wheelersburg 21-1

269 208 161 102 95 84

7, Madeira 11121-6

70

8, New london 19-3 9, caledonia River Valley 20路3 10, St Henry 18-5

47 42 39

DMSION IV

I, Minster (18) 21-0 2, Toronto (7) 23-2 3,Shadyside(2)21-3 4 Benin Hiland (I) 22-3 5, Ironton St. Joseph 19-4 6, Sycamore Mohawk 19-3 7, N. Lewisburg Tnad 22-4 8, Newark Cath. (I) 19-8 9, New Wash. Buckeye cant. 20-6 10, Racine Southern 19-5

250 244 216 193 Ill

105 103 90 79 39

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•

2007 GCL BASEBALL SOUTH DIVISION ALL LEAGUE FIRST TEAM POS lB INF INF INF

c OF OF OF DH DH p p

NAME Dave Corna Tom Belza Brett Hofmann Terrell Jones Dan Burkhart Ryan Rodriguez Brian Weller Ben Stroube Ryan Bedin~haus Ross Oltorik Alex Wimmers Mike Nastold ·

YEAR Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

SCHOOL Moeller Moeller Elder LaSalle Moeller Moeller Elder St. Xavier LaSalle Moeller Moeller Elder

SECOND TEAM POS lB INF INF INF INF

c

OF OF OF OF DH p p

NAME Mike Murray Dylan Sonta~ Tim Issler Bill Rumpke Eric Linneman Pat Williams Drew Ernst Mike Basil Alex Betsch Adam Stacy Matt Brown Ryan Camp bell Greg Williams

YEAR Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr Jr. Sr. Jr. Sop h.

Sr. Sr. Sop h.

Sr. Jr.

SCHOOL Elder LaSalle St. Xavier St. Xavier Elder Elder Elder St. Xavier LaSalle Moeller LaSalle St. Xavier Moeller

HONORABLE MENTION ELDER: Nate Brown (Sr. lB/OF); Max Robbins (Sr. OF); Dave Rigdon (Sr. P) LaSALLE: Jordan Hoffman (Sr. inf/OF); Elliott Hebeler (Jr. OF); Aaron Walter (Jr. P); Dave Middendorf (Sr. P) MOELLER: Mike Kovacs (Sr. OF); Jeff Wilson (Sr. 2B) ST. XAVIER: Kyle McGreevy (Sr. INF) SPECIAL HONORS MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Tom Belza, Moeller CAPTAINS: Pat Williams, Elder and Terrell Jones, LaSalle COACH OF THE YEAR: Bill Slinger, St. Xavier and Mike Cameron, Moeller

Centerville plays well, but loses to No. 1 Moeller

Page 1 of2

Dayton Daily News

C!~PRII

www .da ytondailynews.com

BASEBALL INSIDER

Centerville plays well, but loses to No. 1 Moeller Pitcher Jensen slows Crusaders in 4-2 loss, but Elks get little off Moeller's OSU-bound ace.

By Ron Jackson Staff Writer Saturday, May 19, 2007 AMELIA- Now Centerville knows what it is like to face the state's No. 1 baseball team. Cincinanti Moeller is a team with a tradition-steeped pedigree and a national ranking.

The unranked, unheralded Elks went face-to-face with the baseball titan and didn't flinch, but still lost 42 in the Division I district championship game at the Midland Complex.

Moeller has won four state titles and produced the likes of Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin. The Crusaders are the team to beat in Ohio with a 27-3 record and a lineup laced with four D-I college s1gnees.

"We couldn't wait to play them," said senior pitcher Dan Jensen. "Their scouting report was pretty simple- one through nine were all tough outs and great hitters. I thought I kept them off-balance with my curveball, and I hit my spots."

The Crusaders entered the game averaging eight runs a game and wielding a potent .3 80 team batting average. They scored two runs early on back-to-back run-scoring singles by Ross Oltorik and Dan Burkhart. They tacked on one more in third on another RBI by Oltorik, opening a 3-0 lead.

Centerville answered with two in the fourth off Moeller ace Alex Wirnrners (8-0, 0.50 ERA) who is headed to Ohio State along with two other starters. Junior Patrick Beyerle went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Elks. Moeller added a crucial insurance run in the top of the seventh.

"I'm extremely proud of our players," said Elks coach Terry Dickten, whose team finishes at 22-9 and with the Greater Western Ohio Conference Central division title. "When you come to Cincinnati, you

http://daytondaily.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Centerville+plays+we... 5/19/2007

Centerville plays well, but loses to No. 1 Moeller

Page 2 of2

.. play the best and it only makes your program stronger. Wimmers had THE best breaking ball we've seen all season."

Jensen held his own in the pitching duel, scattering eight hits.

"He (Jensen) really battled us," said Moeller coach Mike Cameron. "Players were coming back to the dugout, muttering how tough it was to pick up his pitches. At 6-foot-7, he comes at you off that high mound. It's at a great angle that they haven't seen."

On April30, Cameron surpassed former Centerville coach Tim Engleka in career victories with No. 761 to become Ohio's winningest D-I baseball coach. He now has 767 and counting.

"It was a privilege to coach against Tim and I have the utmost respect for him and the Centerville program," Cameron said. "It's a great milestone."

c ontact this reporter at (937) 225-2478 or rjackson@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Find this article at: http://www .daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/high-schools/2007/05/19/dd n051907 centerville.htm I

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Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article.

CENTRAL·Mi CHlGA UNIVERSITY .

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Belza's bat leading Crusaders into postseason

By Kyle Burch

stop has figured it out.

"I finally feel like I'm playing like myself," said Belza, of Loveland~ "All along I knew I could do what I'm doing now and things seem to be going my way."

What Belza is doing now is leading the state's second-ranked team in most of the major offensive categories

and providing the leadership needed for a long postseason run.

Through the first 20 games, Belza After starting every game at shortwas hitting a team-best .556. stop as a sophomore and earning secHe had scored 31 runs, with 35 ond-team all-State honors as a junior, hits, seven doubles, five triples a home Tom Belza still felt he wasn't playing run, 19 RBI and 15 stolen bases. to his potential.

"Seeing him as a freshman, we It seems the Moeller senior shortknew he'd be a varsity starter as a sophomore," said Moeller coach Mike Cameron.

"But the best thing about Tommy Belza is that each year he improves.

"He comes back as a better hitter, a better fielder, a smarter player. He gets better in every aspect."

Belza comes from an athletic family.

His father played collegiate baseball for the University of Louisville, while his mother played tennis for the University of Louisville Cardinals.

His brother Mike was also a member of the 2004 state champion Moeller baseball team.

Belza has signed to play baseball next season at Oklahoma State University - something that he hopes help him achieve his ultimate goal of playing the game professionally.

"That's what's great about OSU," Belza said.

"They tum out professional athletes like it's their job. It will be great to get that opportunity."

Until then, Belza is leading the Crusaders into another postseason appearance.

Moeller received the No. 1 seed in its sectional and will take on Walnut Hills on Wednesday, May 9, at 3 p.m. at Midland in the first round.

With a victory, they advance to play either Loveland, Withrow or Moeller senior shortstop Tom Belza is leading the Crusaders in hitting in his third year as the team's starting Aiken on Friday, May 11, at 4:30p.m. at Midland. shortstop. kburch@communitypress.com

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'Moe[~r= ~j· Xavier is up next · · '

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Wunmers threw 110 pitches overall and said he reached back for something extra in the seventh.

Moeller coach Mike Cameron vi& ited the mound during the seventh to see ifWunmers could make it "He said, 'I got it,' " Cameron said.

"We rolled the dice a little by leaving him in, but Alex is such a competitor that he wanted to finish it off."

Wunmers acknowledged as much. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound righthander retired the final five batters. "' wasn't as comfortable as I usually am out there, but in this big a game, I didn't want to come out," he said. ''I just wanted to throw it over and let them get themselves out" Centerville coach Teny Dickten said Wunmers had the best breaking ball he had seen all year.

"The thing about their kid is that he gets ahead in the count," Dickten said. "He's tough that way."

Moeller now will face Greater Catholic League South rival St Xavier in the regional semifinals nextThur& day (2 p.m.) at the University of Cincinnati. Moeller and St. Xavier split two games during the regular season, but both are hot now, with Moeller having won 12 consecutive games and St. Xavier nine straight "They know us, we know them,"

Cameron said. ''It should be another tremendous game."

The winner moves within one game of the state tournament, and one observer with a big stake in this is Wunmers' futher, Jeny.

Jeny Wunmers played outfield on Moeller's state title team of 1972, the first of four state championships won

by Cameron. Moeller's most recent state title was 2004, when Alex WIIIlmers watched from the stands as a freshman.

"Alex is 10 times the player I was," said Jeny Wunmers, who sat in the stands behind home plate Friday. ...... --2111

000 1 -4 8 0 200 0 ....2 6 1 WP-1'11mmets (S.O. 7 K's).LP-Jensen (7-3).l.eadels: M• Be1za 2B; Rodi10Jez 2B; illDIIk 2·3. 2 RBI; Burkhart RBI; Coma 3-4; C~

____:ooo

Wolff RBI; l!eye!1e 2-3. 28. Reoonls: M 27-3. C22-9.

Madeira 3, Tri-County North 1 Division II district at~ Zach Van F1eet pitched a complete-game fourhitter for Madeira CJ. Hilberg had a tw(}{)ut RBI single in the fifth and Jimmy Gulick added a tW(}{)ut RBI single in the top of the seventh to clinch the game.

McNicholas l,Shawnee 1, Division I district at Fairmont: Paul Uhl threw a complete game for McNicholas, striking out 11, including two in a row to get out of a base&loadedjam in the top of the first inning.

The Moeller bench erupts as Ross 01torik (left) comes home on a wild pitch to cap the scoring.

The Enquirer/ Jeff Swi nget

Congratulations to Mike Cameron!!!

Mike won his 750th game in a Moeller uniform on Friday by defeating Chaminade Julienne, 17-1. The win also ties Mike for third place all time in the state of Ohio with legendary Coldwater coach Lou Brunswick. Should Mike win ten more games this season, he would tie former Centerville coach Tim Engleka at 760 wins. With 11 wins, Mike would be the winningest Division 1 coach in the state. The current leader is still active, Don Thorp, from Division 2 Hebron Lakewood high school---778 entering the 2007 season.

Sports. ~I'

KATHY DOVE/CONTRIBUTOR

Moeller's Ross ottorik dives for home plate beating the throw to St Xavier catcher Andy Lamping to score in the fourth inning of the Regional semifinals.

Moeller knocked out The state No. 1-ranked Moeller Crusaders baseball team was knocked out of the playoffs by the St. Xavier Bombers 6-3 in the Division I regional semifinals May 24.

KATHY DOVE/CONTRIBUTOR

Moeller second baseman Jeff Wilson gets the out on St. Xavier's Jordan Rnley, then shoots the ball to first base in an attempted double play in the fourth inning of the Division I regional semifinals.

Best friends stay close on diamond at Moeller

By Mark Schmetzer

loveland@communitypress.com

always was part of the plan.

"We always talked about it," said Wimmers, who's got a perfect game on his resume.

"We never thought it would actually come true with all of the places you can actually go,

but with it coming true, it's just awesome."

"It's a dream come true, pretty much, going to college with one of your best friends," Burkhart said.

Alex Wimmers and Dan ¡ Burkhart considers themselves to be just your basic best friends, doing the things normal high school seniors do: movies, swimming, video games, double-dating.

For getting a charge, they fall back on what they've been doing since they were 9 years old, playing baseball together.

Wimmers and Burkhart, who are Sharonville residents and members of St. Michael's Catholic parish, are mainstays of the Moeller baseball team that was ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press Division I statewide poll.

"We've gone to school together, I guess since kindergarten, and we've been playing together since we were 9 years old on the Cincinnati Flames," said Burkhart, the Crusaders' senior catcher.

"I've been catching him my whole baseball career. Most of the time, he's pitched."

Burkhart was hitting .421 with 18 ¡RBI while helping Moeller win a Division I secSharonville resident and Moeller High School pitcher Alex Wimmers tossed a 3-0 shutout tional championship.

Wimmers, a senior right- against Loveland at the Division 1sectional final. hander, was 6-0 with a 0.587 ERA and 58 strikeouts while also hitting .4 70 with 31 RBI. He never gets tired of throwing to Burkhart.

"Actually, I love it," he said.

"He knows what is working for me on any given day.

We're usually on the same page.

"When I have a different catcher, I have to start the process all over again."

Wimmers probably won't have to go through that for a while. Both players plan to continue their careers at Ohio State.

Attending the same school

ay Division I district finals.

The Crusaders advance to the regionals, where they will meet Greater Catholic League rival St. Xavier Thursday, May 24, at the University of Cincinnati.

High schools BASEBALL: Senior Ryan Bucher struck out nine batters and senior left fielder Chris Hall went 2-for-4 with home run and three RBI as host Mason beat Loveland 6-2 to clinch the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye Division title. ·· • Moeller senior Alex Wunmers improved to 4-0, giving up one run over six innings and striking out seven, as Moeller beat Greater Catholic League South Division rival St Xavier 4-1.

SOfTBALL: Freshman Lauren Collier struck out 11 over five innings and sophomore catcher Theresa Mann had four RBI as Kings beat Walnut Hills 15-0 to clinch the FAVC Cardinal Division with a 9-0 conference record.

• Junior Caroline Kirker threw a no-hitter as Glen Este defeated Wmton Woods 7-0.

• Mariemont upset Deer Park, the No.4 team in the Enquirer Divisions II-IV area coaches' poll.

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Page 1 of5

Super 25 baseball rankings- USATODA Y.com

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Super 25 baseball ran kings Analysis by Christopher Lawlor, USA TODAY Handful: Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) takes over the top spot after two teams previously ahead of it lost. Five schools, highlighted by two from the South Region and California, join the rankings. A fifth team, No. 25 Strongsville, is Ohio's top-ranked large class (Division I) team. Five teams already have entered postseason play.

Player of the week: Catcher Cody Freeman of No.2 West Lauderdale (Collinsville, Miss.) has raised his game in four postseason contests, going 7-for-14 with three home runs and nine runs batted in. For the season, the Mississippi Statebound Freeman is batting .423 with 13 homers and 50 RBI. Pitcher of the week: Right-hander Jimmy Messer ran his season mark to 10-0 after a one-hit, eight-strikeout outing as No. 18 South Caldwell (Hudson, N.C.) defeated McDoweii10-0. Messer, one of the nation's top juniors, has struck out 72 in 55 innings, allowing only eight earned runs (1.02 ERA).

Game ofthe week: Friday, No. 3 Wilson (long Beach, Calif.) travels to No. 13 Lakewood at 9:30 p.m. ET. Wilson, looking to wrap up the Moore League regular season championship, won the first meeting 7-61ast month and is 7-0 in league play.

Omar Jiminez (6-1), a 6-7, 245-pound junior, will likely pitch for Lakewood, the CIF-Southern Section, Division I defending champions.

Milestones: Coach Mike Cameron of Moeller (Cincinnati), No. 6 in the Midwest Region, picked up his 750th career win in a 17-1 drubbing of Chaminade-Julienne (Dayton, Ohio). Cameron is Ohio's third winningest baseball coach. Mike Pienkoshis of Chaminade (Mineola, N.Y.) picked No. 400 in a 1-0 win vs. Kellenberg Memorial (Uniondale). Ralph Pacifico of Montclair (N.J.) Kimberley Academy recently notched his 300th victory in a 6-0 win vs. Barringer (Newark). Joe Faccone of Kennedy (Seattle) won his SOOth game in 38 seasons in a 14-1 win vs. Evergreen (Seattle). Faccone has won two Washington state titles, the last in 1999.

Extra bases: 3B Josh Vitters of Cypress (Calif.) is back after missing nearly three weeks with an illness. Vitter, who signed with Arizona State but will likely go in the first round of the first-year player draft in June, is batting .408 with six homers and 22 RBI. No.8 Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.) honored senior Eddie Pickens by retiring his No.. 7 jersey and allowing him to play the final out in a win against Shadow Mountain (Phoenix). Pickens, born with a heart deformity causing other health issues, has been a part of the team for the last seven years and suited up on Senior Day. No .. 5 Owasso (Okla.) heads into the postseason with three solid lefties: Matt Hoffman (5-1), 6-8 junior Brian Flynn (7-1) and sophomore Andy Kirk (4-0, 2.38 ERA).

Records through Tuesday 1. Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, N.J. (11-0) Previous ranking: 3. Result: Won its 11th straight, beating Hanover Park (East Hanover) 10-0 as Notre Dame-bound righty Evan Danieli (4-0, 0.70 ERA) threw a complete-game two-hitter with six strikeouts, pushing his season total to 27 in 20 innings. RHP Rick Porcello (3-0, 0.70 ERA) has allowed 16 hits with 43 strikeouts in 20 innings, adding a .469 average with four homers and 20 RBI. Opens Greater Newark Tournament Saturday vs. Montclair Kimberley Academy.

2. West Lauderdale, Collinsville, Miss. (32-1) Previous: 4. Result: Extended win streak to 26 games, sweeping New Albany 11-0 and 6-0 in the Class 4A best-of-three first round playoff series. Austin Davis threw a complete game four-hitter for the victory in Game 2, while Luke Walker had

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Super 25 baseball rankings- USATODA Y.com J

three hits and two RBI and Paxton Pace went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Also swept Neshoba Central (Philadelphia) in the district playoff series. Opens second-round series Friday at Pearl.

3. Wilson, Long Beach, Calif. (22-2) Previous: 5. Result: Won sixth straight game in a row, beating Millikan (Long Beach) 6-0. RHP Ray Hanson improved to 7-0 firing a four-hit complete game, with four strikeouts. Richard Hanson had two hits and two RBI. 4. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (33-1) Previous: 11. Result: Won 15th consecutive game, beating Warren County (McMinnville) 14-3, improving 11-1 in district play with three games left. Beat Warren County 13-1 as Brett Wilson improved to 7-0 and Tennessee-bound P.J. Polk and Drew Fann both hit home runsred.

5. Owasso, Okla. (24-3) Previous: 7. Result: Beat Jenks 14-2 behind a complete-game effort from sophomore LHP Austin Kirk (4-0, 2.38 ERA) and two RBI from Wichita State-bound SS Pete Kozma (.488, 6 HR, 35 RBI). Heading into next weeks Class 6A doubleelimination regional playoffs, the staff is bolstered by junior Brian Flynn (7-1, 1.44, 62 strikeouts) and Oklahoma-bound lefty Matt Hoffman (5-1, 1.91).

6. Barbe, Lake Charles, La. (32-4) Previous: 8. Result: RHP Ryan Doiron (5-3, 1.34 ERA) tossed a one-hitter and Rice-bound SS Carmen Angelini (.434, six homers, 4 7 RBI) slugged a three-run homer in a 10-0 mercy-rule win vs. Westgate (New Iberia). Closes out regular season today at Sulphur.

7. James Monroe, Bronx, N.Y. (26-0) Previous: 10. Result: Has won 76 of the last 78 during two seasons, including an 18-9 victory vs. Newfield (Selden) as C Gaby Molina (.406, 32 runs, 39 RBI) and Emmanuel Rodriguez (.500, 21 RBI) each contributed three RBI and two hits. Ps Nolan Herrera (6-0, 1.45 ERA) and Dawin Rivas (5-0, 0.90) have combined 67 strikeouts in 61 innings.

8. Horizon, Scottsdale, Ariz. (26-3) Previous: 6. Result: Finished season on six-game win streak, sweeping Shadow Mountain (Phoenix) 4-0 and 10-1. RHP Time Alderson recorded a school-record 18 strikeouts in blanking Shadow Mountain. Has outscored opponents 257-60.

9. Brophy Prep, Phoenix (25-3) Previous: 1. Result: Lost to Desert Mountain (Scottsdale) 8-2. Swept Paradise Valley (Phoenix) 14-0 and 10-0. Averaging almost nine runs per game.

10. Katy, Texas (28-3) Previous: 17. Result: Clinched District 18-5A regular season title. Has averaged 15 runs in the last five games. Top RBI producers are sophomore C Andrew Stumpf (44), 2B Michael Fuda (42) and Nick Pepitone (40). Texas A&M-bound LHP Aaron Daab (7 -1, 0.20 ERA, 61 strikeouts) has allowed one earned run this spring.

11. Langham Creek, Houston (25-2) Previous: 2. Result: Beat Cypress Springs (Cypress, Texas) 13-3 as Illinois State-bound Corey Maines (7 -1) went five innings with 10 strikeouts, allowing four hits and added his fifth homer. Zak Leonhardt struck for two homers and four RBI. Lost to Cy-Fair (Houston) 7-0.

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Super 25 baseball rankings - USATODA Y.com

Page 3 of5

12. Calvert Hall, Baltimore (21-0) Previous: 15. Result: Winning streak hits 25 games after a 10-4 win vs. Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore) as CF Reid Chenworth went 4-for-4 with a grand slam and right-hander Mike Dillon (6-0, 2.37 ERA) scattered five hits in six innings.

Sophomore SS Patrick Blair is batting .586 with 38 runs scored, two homers and 25 RBI, pacing an offense which produces 11 runs per game.

13. Lakewood, Calif. (21-3) Previous: Not ranked. Result: Won Anaheim Lion Club tournament, beating El Toro (Lake Forest) 6-3 in final. Pepperdinebound C Travis d'Arnaud. (37 RBI) was the offensive star slamming a two-run homer and RBI single. 3B Trevor Costin (.521, 33 RBI) was named tournament MVP, driving in nine runs in five victories.

14. Valley Christian, San Jose (23-2) Previous: Not ranked. Result: Coach John Diatte's club won their 10th in a row, beating Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 8-1.

Solid pitching and defense allow less than two runs per game. Friday's key league game at Serra (San Mateo) will decide regular season title with four games left.

15. James Madison, Vienna, Va. (13-1) Previous: 14. Result: Beat Mclean 11-1 as RHP Jason Farley (6-1, 0.87 ERA) threw a two-hitter in five innings. SS Richie Conlon (.417) went 7-for-11 with nine RBI and 10 runs scored during a recent three-game tear. Team is batting .377 with 1 B Arman Moniri contributing (.480) with a team-best 22 RBI. 16. Bishop Gorman, las Vegas (23-4-1) Previous: 9. Result: Took second in the Bishop Gorman Easter Classic, losing to Monterey (Calif.) 7-2 in Blue Division final.

At least eight players have 22 RBI for a team which hits .424 with 280 RBI. SS Cole Taylor (.500) has three homers and 35 RBI, while Jeff Maim leads the club with 41 RBI and a 6-1 pitching mark.

17. Thousand Oaks, Calif. (20-3-1) Previous: 13. Result: Placed third in Anaheim Lions Club tournament, beating Diamond bar 11-0 in consolation game. LHP Matt Bywater is 7-0 with a 1.02 ERA and 2B Harrison Kain is batting .500 with a team-leading 22 RBI. 18. South Caldwell, Hudson, N.C. (20-1) Previous: Not ranked. Result: LHP Madison Bumgarner (6-1, 0.85 ERA) and junior righty Jimmy Messer (10-0, 1.02) have combined for 16 wins and 155 strikeouts in 101 innings. Coach Jeff Parham's club can clinch the Northwestern 4A Conference regular season title with a win Friday at A. C. Reynolds (Asheville).

19. Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (23-2) Previous: 16. Result: Closed out regular season, beating Suncoast (Pompano Beach) 9-0 as RHP Sean Koecheler (8-0) threw six innings. Opened District 9-5A tournament Wednesday. RHP-CF Andy Mee is 6-0 with a 0 .. 00 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 33 innings, topping a staff which allows opponents a .161 batting average.

20. Niceville, Fla. (21-3) Previous: 19. Result: Closed out District 1-5A play, beating Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) 13-2. Aim for a third consecutive District 1 tournament crown, entering as the top seed. Alabama-bound Jimmy Nelson (7-1) and junior Austin Wood (6-1) have combined for 13 wins. Junior RF Matt Herndon (.440) is the leading hitter and C Tyler Hasting (.370) adds five homers and 18 RBI.

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Page 4 of5

Super 25 baseball rankings - USATODA Y.com

21. Pace, Pensacola, Fla. (22-3) Previous: 18. Result: Closed out regular season beating Pensacola Catholic 13-0 in five innings. Opened District 1-5A tournament Wednesday. Junior LHP Ryan Sorce tops the staff with an 8-0 record and 1.23 ERA Top hitters are CF Caleb Gindel (.570) and LSU-bound SS Drew Cumberland (.535).

22. Auburn, Wash. (15-1) Previous: 24. Result: During a three-game stretch the pitching staff allowed no runs and three hits, highlighted by junior David Olson's five-inning no-hitter in a 10-0 win vs. White River (Buckley). The offense has outscored opponents 156-29.

23. Riverside (Galif.) Poly (17-3) Previous: 23. Result: Have won 12 of last 13 games. Finished second in National Baseball Classic, losing to Palm Beach Central (Wellington, Fla.) 2-1 in final.

24. Daphne, Ala. (31-3) Previous: Not ranked. Result: Alabama's top-ranked 6A team closed regular season winning its 25th consecutive game, beating Russell County (Seale) 8-6 in the Nike Gulf Coast Classic final. Beat Stanhope Elmore 3-2 in the Class 6A South sub state game as Daniel Peterson had an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. Hosts Russell County Friday in a doubleheader to open the second round best-of-three series.

25. Strongsville, Ohio (11-0) Previous: Not ranked. Result: Won its 11th in a row, Beat Normandy (Parma) 10-0 as junior Taylor Lorenz (2-0) eamed the team's 11th consecutive win. Connecticut-bound SS Steve Hajdin and 2B Jason Lash are both batting .505.

Dropped out: No. 12 Poway (Calif.) lost to Westview (San Diego) 4-3 and Torrey Pines 8-2; No. 20 Brownsburg (Ind.) lost to Noblesville 1-0 and McCutcheon (Lafayette) 2-1; No. 21 Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw, Ga.) lost to McEachern (Powder Springs) 1-0 and Harrison (Kennesaw) 2-1; No. 22 St. Ignatius (Cleveland) lost to Notre Dame Academy (Middleburg, Va.) 81 and Lancaster (S.C.) in Southeastern Baseball Classic; and No. 25 Newbury Park (Calif.) lost to St. John's (Washington, D.C.) 5-0, Valhalla (EI Cajon, Calif.) 8-5 and Agoura (Calif.) 5-4.

About the rankings: USA TODA Y's Super 25 baseball rankings are compiled by Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of prep sports writers, scouts and coaches. Among the criteria considered are a school's strength of schedule, the quality of competition in its state or league, and the quality of its players.

Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/baseball/super25.htm

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Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article.

Copyright 2007 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

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Print - Moeller takes 3rd straight sectional title

\

Page 1 of2

The The Com .. munity Community

Press

Recorder

Sports Wednesday, May 17, 2006; Posted: 11:15 a.m. EDT

Moeller takes 3rd straightr----'-------~ sectional title

BY KYLE BURCH I COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER KENWOOD -- In its first two sectional games, the Moeller Crusaders have left their coach Mike Cameron, at least early on, wondering when they will start the ignition to the offense.

In wins over Amelia then Glen Este last week, the Crusaders trailed early before eventually getting the offense in gear to come back and win.

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"Our pitching and our defense has Moeller shortstop .Tom Belza plays the hop on a ground ball during the really come through, it's kept us in Crusaders sectional game with Amelia last week. the game because we've been scoring late," Cameron said.

"Pitching and defense are what you rely on in the tournament to win, but it'd be nice to get ahead a little bit at the beginning to take some pressure off."

First knocking off Amelia 4-2, the Crusaders stormed back to defeat Glen Este 9-2 in the sectional championship.

It is the third consecutive sectional title for Moeller and the 16th in the program's history.

The pitching efforts of Brian Bobinski and Alex Wimmers had a lot to do with the third straight title, as the two combined to give up eight hits and two earned runs while striking out 19 in two games.

PRESS STAFF

Alex Wimmers of Moeller fakes a bunt during last week's sectional game with Amelia. Wimmers would double later in the at-bat, but was stranded "Our pitching has come through for us," Cameron said. at second base.

"Now we get a little time to sit back and rest up our pitchers for this week."

That time will come as the Crusaders await to find out their opponent in Thursday's district final game. It will come from the winner of the Oak Hills and Colerain game, which was suspended Monday with the game tied 4-4.

That game was scheduled to resume Tuesday, however, results were not available at Suburban Life deadline.

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5/18/2006

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Print - Moeller takes 3rd straight sectional title

Page 2 of2 ¡

While Moeller hasn't met Colerain yet this season, they defeated Oak Hills 8-5 late in April. While the time off will give Cameron a chance to rest up his pitchers, it will provide a break from the everyday routine of a baseball team.

"It kind of puts everyone at a disadvantage, number one because that's not the way you play baseball (playing one game a week), and number two because it's hard to simulate a game atmosphere in practice."

In order to try and maintain that pressure and atmosphere, Moeller will scrimmage Kings later this week.

The Knights also won its sectional last week.

The game against the Oak Hills/Colerain winner will take place at Midland, the same site as the Crusaders sectional.

Cameron says the association of playing on the fields at the Amelia complex gets his team ready for any game.

"Midland is associated with championship games and championship baseball," Cameron said. "Immediately our kids associate Midland with big games and I think that kind of heightens the emotions."

The Deer Park baseball team had a short stay in sectional play, ending its season in the first round with a 4-3 loss to North College Hill last Monday.

Madeira lost 5-3 Monday to top-seeded Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

The Mustangs advanced to that game with a 10-3 victory over Blanchester in the first round.

Print I Go back I Copyright 2006, Community Press, Community Recorder

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5/18/2006

H'omsby, Goshen Black, NCH Henn, Colerain , Brinkmeyer, Norwood· Hall, Mason Browne. CHCA Kadish, Wyoming SmiL\ Aiken · Brown, LaSalle Gillard, Withrow LawiS.,Uttle Mlaml Williams, Aiken Bums, CHCA Budig, Indian HiR Browne, CHCA Norton, Reading Brenneman, Lak. _w Rogers, Goshen Malone, Madeira Wlmmers 1 Moeller Kelly, Turpin Burtlharr, Moeller ; Muse, Oak Hills Seibert, Turpin ~nnock, Shrader Vander Horst SvnH!IS Fisler, Batav'ia : Llibanskl, Turpfn Murphy, Indian Hill Bartow; Talawanda Simons, Mariemont: Di'ivis, Princeton Weldon, Mason Re!p, Hughes Hangbers, Edgewood Lowery, Hughes Coml:Js, St. Bernard Williams, Fayetteville Weller,.Eider Powell, NCH Bischoff, Ross Forte, Woodward Fusco, Mason , Brown, Hamson Van Fleet, Madeira ' Russell, Loveland Goldfarb, ·s~camore'' Croau, Seven Hills Fluellen, Hughes Pomtrey, Northwest Cordell, Indian Hill Polaneczky, Turpin Gan-ett, CHCA .

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Plilyer, school

Howard, Walnut Hills f Nash, Clermont North~astem. van der Horst, seve~ ,Hills Dicks, S_hroder Paldei:a Simms, Shroder Paldeia Conn, r~asoil .

Pinnock, Shroder Paideia Rod; Anderson · c5 Arnold, 'Ailderson !

Walton; ShroderPalde'e .550 Lffiietl, .Shrader Paldela .534 Carey, Deer Partl · .53.1 Brenneman, lakota west ·.526 Ingram:.- Walnut Hills .523 Nelson; Aiken ' .517 Auellen, Hughes . , .515 Beckrrian,_ Readin,g ; · .515

0.19

6-0

n:1-

.}:~~

.. t~

17.2' 32.3 31.33

1.18 1.30

1.56 28.3~ . 1. 73 271.81 25.2 L90 30 33 19

2.10

18.33

·2.12 2.21 2.29

30 26

2.33 2.42

22.2 29 13 38.2 28;3 18 12.2

40 25 34.t 31.1 26 WINS

2.47 · 2. 65 2.69 2. 71 2. 72 2.72 2. 76 2.80

2~0

5-1 6-0 1~4

2.1 2-.0 5-0 3-1 2-0

2.0 2-2 4~1

1-1 2-3 0·1 0-0

3·2 ·1-1 2-0 5~1

2.80

2-0

2.85 2.90 2.96

3~1 3~1

1-3 ·

NO.

Tucker, Withrri\~ 8 Ott, Monroe 6 Jefferson,- CNE · 6 Weldon, Mason 6 Hunterman,·aak Hills 6 6 ..433 Williams, Moeller 5 .433 Pennington, Ross 5 .433 Gillespie, Taylor 5 .433 Smith, Lakota West 5 .432 Taylor, Lakota west Martin, summit 5 ,431 5 .430 Fulton, MilfOrd '5 Martin, Turpin No. Relp, Hughes 4 4 15 Dawes, Princeton 11 Weaver, Prinr::eton 4 11 Grahl. Cinr::lnnatl Christia'n 4 11 Kelly, Turpin 4 11 Campbell, St Xavier 4 '4 10 Nastold, Elder 10 Hecktor, Batavia .

4 10 Randolph, Batavia 4 4 10 Thomas, Kings g McCreOOy, Klngit 4 9 Wimmers, Moeller 4 .. 4 9 PerKins, New Richmond 4 g SmiL\ An demon 8 Kadish, Wyoming 4 8 Conn, Mason 4 8 Morga·n, Northwest 4 8 Berta; Madeira 4 8 Murphy, Hami~on 4 8 ·• STRIKEoUTS 8 Player, school No. 7 Highlander, New. Rlchmoild. " 68 7 Jefferson, Clermont Northe~tem 61 7 Beard, Deer Par'n . 52 7 Nastbld, Bder 49 7 Dawes, Princeton 49 7-, C!a!K, Nonvood 48 7 ·Tucker, Withrow 46 .7 Nelson,-Aiken 44 7 Kadish, WyOming 42' 1. Martln, Turpin 42 7 ller. Aiken 41 7 Peterson, Surilmi~ Co~litri oa~ 41 7 Hecfrtru ·,Batavia · _·_ 40 7 Perkins, New Richmond 40 , 7 Brankamp, Walnut Hills' 39 7 Wethington, Colerain 39 7 Uhf, McNicholaS 37 7 Randolph, Balavla 367 Swann, Withrow 34 7 Hirsch, loveland 347 Campbell, St Xavier , 33 7 Stept1enson, Talawanda 33 ,7 Wlmmers, Moeller 33 Woodward, Reading 32 No. Teylar, Lakota West 32 32 6 Reip, Hughes .

32 6 Raggets, Turpin 32 5 Bucher, r.lason 32 5 Williams, Moeller 32 4 Dietz, Cincinnati Country Day 31 4 Fulton, Milford 30 4 Bischoff, Ross ~ I_:B---Ia_ck::_,N---o---rth:_:_Go---ll_::eg::_e---Hi::..ll_ _ _ _ _ __

.439 .437

.437 .437 .435

3

Bischoff, RosS' -.,. . · Aenni~g, Lakota west ! Norton, Reading ·McClary, Loveland Gill, lndlan Hill ApKing, Mason .

Kelly, Ttirpln , ; Johns, Shrader ~aidela Huff, Lakota West Stevenson, Edgewood on, Monroe : : Rohde, summit Country Day swanson, Mason Berta, Made·1ra : _ ; Peterson, Summit Country Day Kernen, Colerain Kennedy, Loveland Jeffery, Anderson Gunnarson, LOVeland Tucker, Withrow Fries, Fairfield Coma, Moeller ~ Hornsby, Goshen Kadish, Wyoming Peters, Harrison Woodward, Reading Hannan, loveland Hagood, Hughes

2~3 2 RBI; Ottorik 2--3, 2B, 2 rurl$; Rodriguez 2·runs,~

,456 .455 .456 .456

3

Van Aeet, Madeli'a · Hall, Mason .

- . _: Voshell, ClermOnt Northeasterr) ·Gschwind, Lakota west NeisOn, Aiken Balzano, CHCA Weldon, Mason Hofmann, Elder Martin, Turpin 1 Raffilre~, rrfadeira ~

Sta;y 2-3,.\Wo 28, 3 RBI; WilSon 2·2, HR, 3 RBI, 3

Player, school;

.459 .459 .458 .458

No. 6

ll

..:a:!

-'3

3

Player, schOol

.

AI Midland • .

'MOeller 13, Milford 1 (five i!1nings} : Milford ......... ,.:........ 010 00 -1 4 Mnelor:................... 421 6< -13 II WP-Burl\hart (4-0); tP-HiCkoli. Leade~: Mo-Belza_

.442 .441

.459

-3

Croaii,-Seven HUis : Berry, Clark MontesSori Polaneczky, Turpin Huff, Lakota West Martin, Turpin Fath, Hamiitbn :Brown, LaSalle Hal!, Mason I,Dmk1n, Taylor Hofer, Monroe Malone; Madeira Van Aeet, Madeira' Voshell, ClermontNortheastem-

Beast of the EastTaumament

-444 .444 '.442

Hammons, Tlwnde Martin, Turpin Otl. Monroe Penny, Williamsburg Brankamp, Walnut H Kroell, Sfcamore Smith, Lakota West Van Aeet, Madeira Barnett. Fayettev_i!ie Mefford, Mr::Nicholas Uhl, McNicholas' Conn, Mason Brooks, Summit Hanks, Hamilton Clements, Mr::Nir::k · Haney, Fairfield Bischoff, Ross Diei2,_CCO Dikeman, NGH Taylor, Lakota West Maupin, Hamilton Ruggerie, Summit Wethington, Colerain Brown, Hamson

3

~r;~~~~~~ Hmi

Baseball

f:J~·rs~:,0~N~~t

3

!J

W·L

_ 36.1

Ka'gg~~ Boyd,"Mason 12 0.56 1~0 Williams, Fayetteville 35.6 0.78 5~0 Bucller, Mason 26 0.80 2·0 Thomas, Kings 32.67 0:85 4-1 Black, NGH 24.1 0.86 3-1 Dawes, Princeton 3il.2: 1.00 4~0 Weloon, Mason 27 · 1.03 . 6-1

3 3 3

·.:1

,

(~inimum l~~~AA

.Nilial!!~ llloet~r

3 3

HOME RUNS

Ramirez, Madeira Edgington, Wyoming: Fienn!ng, Lakota west ~.Ho.lmann..EI@L._c. ____ Hayden, Mllforo

PITCIIING

Player, school

.48! .4i6 .475 . .473 .473 .472 .459 .468 . .468 .467. .464 .464 .463 .450

.454 .454 15 14 . .451 18 .450 .450 23

13 13 13 20 24 31 31

30'.

30 60 37

Ohio baseball stat leaders

.488 .487 .485 ,483

. 20

-29 29 29 . 45 54 70 70 43 41 32 48 39

.500 .500 .500. .500 .500

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 .3 3 3

3 No. 39 37

36 30 ; 27

27.

27 26 26 26

~ 25

25 25

24 24

23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 21

21 21 21 21

~ 20

20

.. 20-

~i\ 31

~ 29 28 27 27

26 25

25 25

25 25

24 24 24

24 24 24 24 '•24 23 23 23 23

.23 22 22 22 22 21 . 21 21

21 21 21 21 20

20 20 20

20 20

No. 29 24 23 23 22 21 20

19 19 19 18 18 1l

17

n

16 16

Goldfarb, Sycamore Fis1er, Batavia Highlander, N.Rich,

84

forte, Woodward Ausse!l, lov-elilnd Fusco, Mason Bischoff, Ross Ambrose, Indian Hill Weldon, MaS~Jn HoDge, Ross Brown, Hanis~m Carroll, Elder · Messinger, CNE Haft, CNE Tucker, Wlthro·.v Pomtrey, Nortnwest Spaulding, Shroder

63

28

36

16 31 27 27 18 36 25 32 14

70 61 61 41 82 57 73 32 46 53 60 81 51 65 65 56 49 35 75 75

Urmston, Badin Gill, Indian HHI Van Fleet. Madei'm

Brinkmeyer, NorWood Conn, MasoJJ Vlllllams,MHford Murphy, lndlan Hill Pola11ec~~. Tu!p!n WarrJ, WoOdward Gunnarson, Lovelantl Meininger, Summit

Ramirez, MMe!ra

15

Dicks, Shrode1

29 18 22 13 34 25

40 49 29 76 56

61

.453

.450 .448 .448

.447 .446 .444 .444 .442 442 .442

.439

·.439 .438

.438 .437 .434 .433 .433 .432 .431

20 23

26 35 22

.430

28 28 24

.430 .428 .428 .428 .426 .426 .426 .426

21 15 32 32 32

25

DOUBlES

Player, school

No.

TeRnda, Ross

16 13 13

Balzano, CHCA KaO!sh, Wyomilg Matcne, Madeira Meininger, Summit Counb)I:Day

Bischoff, Ross

Hall, M~an .

Pate/Son, Summit Country Day

Norwood Thole, McMcholas Jones, laSa!le Norton, Reading Weldon, Mason Nelson, Aiken Williams, M!!forn

9 9

8 B

a a

8 8 8 8 8 B 8

8 B 8 8 8

8 B

8

8

Jlf!rn

Mqe!ler Nelson, A11®i Gschwind, lakota WeSt Balzano; CHCA Gerbus, BMin Strobe, _St. Xilvier Brenneman, laKota West Hagood, Hughes Gunnarson, Uweland Welnle, Hantsnn Scheid!, Harrison Spaulding, Sllroder Paideia Beard,. Deer Park Conway, Ma1iemcm: Stevenson, Engewood

Fne~ Fol11i~d

McClary, lOIE-!antl

Ohio basebaU stats ·B~mNG

Player, st~~~1imuml0 ga~fl,lOf1~atsJ Avg. Nelson, Alxen Gschwind, lak. West Be-lm, Moeller 'AU~ Hecktor,'Batavia Martin, EdgewoOd Riley, St Bemard Henry, East Clinton Hall, Mason · Edwards, Woodward Kaols11, W)omlng Jeffries, St Bernard

Telinda, Ross BalZano, CHCA Jones, t.aSal!e Voshell, CNE Hornsby, Goshen Malone, Madeira Jones, LaSalle Edgington, Wy<Jming Browne, CHCA Powell, NCH Gillard, Wltllrow Strobe, Sl Xavier Cordell, Indian Hill Rogers, Goshen Budlg, Indian HIU Williams, Aiken Parks, Rass Reip, Hughes · Lewis, Uttle Miami Pressley, Aiken Norton, Readi~g WIIUams, Wi)mlngton Vander Horst, S.Hills Bmvme, CHCA Woodwaui, R_ead!ng Seibert, Turpin Kelly, Tulpin

~!:l.rsWr~l~KA'Mas

Clark, Nor•ood Smltll, Alkel) Black, NCH: Reily, Western Bmwn Thole, McNicholas towel)', Hugnes Gemus, Badin Pinnae!\, snroner White, Edgewood

52 76 78

"11'!

64 22 39 54 71 3B 68 37

74 75 58

80 58 74 90 71 67 35 70 66 62 56 52 50 71 46 42 40 78 55 55 51 SB 51 66

*.62 43 .52 61 70 46 55

·~~'·

·44

30 43

A! "2T 35 12

21 29 38 20 35 19 38 38

.576 .565 ,554 ~ .546 ,545 .538 ,53 7 ,535 .526 .514 ,513 .513 .506

29

.500

40 29 37 45 · 35 33 17 34 32 30 27 25 24 34 22 20 19 37 26 26 24 32 24 31

.500

~

.soo

.500 ,500 .492 ,492 .485 .485 .484 .483 .482 .480 .480 ,478 .478 .476 .475 A74 472 472 .470 ._4-70 .470 .469

:5 .467

29 20 .455 24 .461 28 .459 , 32 .457 21 .456 25 .454 25 · A54 20 .454

HagoOd, Hughes Mays. H.amlltan Gunnsrson, loveland Hodge, Ross PinnocK. ShroclerPaldeia Slirimpton, Sycaroore Sclieid~ Harrison Hornsby, Goshen Cordell, Indian HDI BeOinghaus, LaSalle Strobe, St Xavier Meininger, summltCountcy Oay Wiliams, Wilmington • Dunn, Wilmington Bluestein, Oak Hitls Smith, Witllrow Fath, Hamilton ~an der Horst, seven Hills Ott, Monroe Williams, Aiken Gerbus, Badin Woodward. Reading Malone, MMeira Rinck, PriMceton RUNS

Player, school

Edgington, Wyoming Jones, LaSalle Bf!!7~ Mm;ller lfsC Wind, Lakota West Wl!!lams, Mason Ramirez, Mallei!:~ Balzano, CHCA Rodrtguez, Moeller Brenneman, La!«lta West Brooks. Summit Court try Day Simmons, CHCA Nortnn, Reading Swanson, Masorl Meininger, Summit CounUy Day Glllarti,Withrow Nelson, Aiken Apkirtg, Masnn Bluestein, Oak Hills Simpson, Monroe Garrett, CHCA Russeli, LOveland Hofmann, Elder Fudala, Turpin Franzreb, Oak Hills Richardson, Ta!awarn.!a Brown, Withrow Sanders, Clermont No,1heastem Betscll, LaSalle Gunnarson, lO">e!and SIOlEH BASES

*

8.2 0.80 50.6 0.96 28.2 0.97 35.2 0.98 '27 1.03 26 1.07 .19 1.10 '31 1.12 . 31 '1.34 28.1 1.48 40.67 . 1.54 31.33 '!.56 46 1.61 41.2 1.67 40.3 1.73 23.2 1.77 28 2.00 40.3 2.08

0-0

1·1 2·0

5·1

6-1 2·1 3-0

3-1 3·4 3·2 5·1 6-Q

0·4 5-0 6·1 4-1 3-2 1-6

20

2.10

1-0

19 '34.2 37 '30.1 27 38.33

2.21

2-0

1

1

13 46.6 18 28 38 22.

44.2 12,33 3a7 WINS

2.22

3·2 2-3

2.27 2.30 2.33 2.37

5·1

3·3 3·2

2.37

1-1

2.44 2.49 2.67

3·1 4·1 2-4 0-1 1·1 1·1 3-2 4-3

2.69 2.70 2.72 2.75

2.76 2.80 2,82 2.83

2·1 0-0

0-1

2.ss

5·1

No. 10

7 7

·No, 6 . 6

6 6 5

5 5

5 4 4 4 4 4

4 4 4 4

6

t,

Dawes, Pl'lnceton BrankBmp, Wa;lnUt HJI!s He~ktqr, Satavfa, Martin, Turpfn Stephenson, Talitwanda Perkins; New Richmond Peterson, summn Kadish, Wyoming ller, Aiken Uhi, McNicholas Swann, Withrow Carson, Western Brown Randolph, BataVia Reip,_Hughes 1!lliams Mo1lffer "MCGreevy, S[~avler WethingtCJo, Cqleraln Fortner. CHCA KaBy. Turpln Cese, Ne'N Richmond

Black, North Ccllege Hill RaggeiS, TUrpin.

SChultheiss, Hamilton

3 3

6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5

5 5 5 5 5

5 5 5 5 5

5 5 5 5 5

~IKEOUfS

H/i5Cfl, love/.;tnd

3

G

()

Weldon, Mason Huntennan, Oak Hills' Smith, lakota West Taylor, lakota West Brankamp, Waflltit H!tts Martin, Summit Col111tiy Oay Dawes, Princeton Fu~on, Milford Thomas, Kings Xefly, Turpin Berta, Madeira Murphy, Hamilton Grah.J, Clnclnnati Christian Pennington, Ross Relp, Hughes Conn, Mason Gi!!esp!e, Taylor Ranclolpl'1, BatavJa ICadish, Wyoming lambeTt, CHCA Hecktor, Bata~la Perkins, New RichmOnd Hall, Clermont Northeastern

J.li, AIRI?H

Nn. 81

ao

78 76

64 61

61 61

..58..

-5T 56 .

55 54 51 49 49

47 46 45

42 42

42 41 41 J_O_

4U 40 39 39 37

36

35

35 35

~ f~O::':":'::_•C:::la::ri<:_:::MD::n~tes;:s:arl~-'------"'3:25-l 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 .3 :.3 ~,a"

3 3 3 3

3•

3 3

3 3

No. 47 44

44 41

36 35 34 33 '32 32 32 31

3 30 30

28 28

28 28 27 27

27 27 27 27 26 26 25 25 25

'*

24 24 ' 24

24

"':!!r 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23

23 23

22 22 22 22

22 .

22

22 22

22 22 22

22 ' No; 40

38 37

"'j'f' 35 35

i~

l

3D '

30 30

so

30 29 29

29 29 29 29 29 29 29 28 28

2B 27 27 27 27

No.

Dicks, Shroder Paldeia Howard, Walnut HIHs

36

Pinnock, Shroder Paldela Carey, Deer Park Walton, Shrader Pa!deia Simms, Shrader Pakleia lovett, Shmder Palde Ia Cum, Mason Ingram, Walnut Hfl!s Simmons, CHCA Laugi}Un. Cim:innatl Christian Rdp, Huglles Arnold, Anders:Jn Beckman, Reading

W·L

Martl~

Player, $Chool

Player, school

~:;~e~~~:~~~~e~~~~em

EM

Ott Monroe

WiUiams, Wilmlngton Jefferson, CNE Clark, Nor.vaad Highlander, New Rich. ~astold, Elder campbell, St xavier Beard, Deer Park: Tucker, Withrow Vlimmers, Moe!lef

HOME RUNS

Glll, lmlian Hill Swanson. Mason Stevenson, E.UgeWQOd Tucller. Withrow ~~lij ~ueller USCO, ason Berta. Madeira lolhrop, Sycamore Aikins, CHCA Coma, Moeller 'Rm'l'rr~·m countrt Day Kernen, Colerain

IP

~·%.i

e &!._ms;-mo-elrer

_e_

~

miPLES

RBI

PITCHING

Tuclmt, Withrow Campbe!, St. Xavier .

Jefferson, Clermont Northeastern W1Qiams, Moeller

g

'""!"

Bartow, Talawant.la Bluestein, Oak Hills Voshell, ClermontNonheastem Be za Moeilet on , en Hit!:, Reading Simpson, Clark Black, North Cciklge Hill Sanders, Clermont Nanneastem Howard, WainutHifiS Hecktor, Batavia Proctor, Oak Hilts Swanson, Masoll Oombart, Lakota West Ramirez, Madeira Jones, laSalle Hagood, Hughes Garrett, CHCA Rinck, Princeton Browne, CHCA Jordan, Oak Hms Smith, Withrow ZfpRo, Ta!awanda 8eny, Clark Hofmann, Elder

Player, school

ceo

10 9 · Player~ school

van der Horst, Seven Hllls ,,.ers, Moeller i¥1, UikGIJ W~t

van Fleet, Madeira Voshell, Clermont Northeastern Hall, Mason Balzano, CHC~ Nelwn, Aiken Weldon, Mason Browne, CHCA Gschwind, Lakota West . Thole, McNicholas Norton, Reading_ Jones, laSafle Kadish, Wyoming mers M ell r Joh11 , ro e aldela Brnwn, LaSalle Huff, Lakota West Ma"oy, Oak Hilts Ramirez, Madeira Martin, "Turpin Hofmann, Elder Peterson, Summit Country Day Kennedy, loveland Apklng, Mason Henning, lakota West Kelly, Turpin Bisc:h0ff1 Ross

Die~.

11 REggets, Turpin • 10 Stephenson, rwantfa 10' Esteve, McNic:tmlas 10 Haney, Fairfield 10 Walker, Kings 10 Kaily, TU!)lln

Jeffel)', Anderson Brenneman,· lakota West

Player, school

Player, school V!lli s Mo!! r oytl, t~son Browne, CHCA Jefferson, CNE Bucher, Mason illm!Jert, CHCA Wek:lon, Mason Forrester, Aiken Post, lakota West Hammons, rwanda Taylor, Bethel-Tate Black, NCH Thomas, Kings Ott, Y.onroe Clark, Norwood Oawes, P~nceton Martin, Turpin Sulli'IBn, Hamilton Nelson, Aiken ~enny, Wi!!iamsburg Wilson, N. Richmond Mefford, McNicbolas Sammons, Finney, Uhl, McNicholas • Conn, Mason , Former, CHCA Van Fleet, Madeira Evans, CHCA .

Clements, McNick Campbell, St. Xavier

12 I! 11

Clar't~:,

liall, Mason Edgington, Wyoming Williams, Wi!mlnglon Ramirez, Menetra Aenn!ng, lakota West Polaner.:zky, Turpin Van Fleet, Madeire Huff, Lakota West.· Berty; Clark MontessOri Oom!Jart, Lamta West Bmwhe, CHCA Pete~on, SUmmrt):nuntcy Day Fath,. Hamilton . -: Malone, Madeira Madden, Jndfan Hill Brow~, liJSa/le Hofmann, Elder Jane~, LaSalle RlchmCJnd, Oak Hills Weln!e, Harrison , Vllsh~ll, Clermont Northeastern Bischoff, Ross lamllin, Taylor Martin, TIJfiJin .

Pete'm, Hamson· Tobiil, Sycamore Conner; Sycamore MurPhy, Mason .

Fusco, Mason trord, Glen.Este . .-.-Miiroht'r.lntltan,~~l:..-,.... :~-~-.:.­ --Bre'nneman, Uiktlta West Balzano, CHCA ' trofer,Monroe ( Ro!!!ns, North College Hi!! ' Ellis, Westem Brovm Craall, Seven Hills Gschwind, Lakota west Hayden, Milford Thole, McNiohl}las Franzre!l, Oal< Hills

Ohio baseball stilts

12 12 17,2 12 R~oon, Eider . ;28.67 12 Ruggerie, Summit . 39.1 12. Case, New Richmond 36.67

Tucker, Withrqw

Player, school

HIGH SCHOOLS .r.--,_11.'01

37

31 30 30

26 21 27

23 22

22 21 21 20.

20 20

----~-L------~--------

KYLE BURCH/STAFF

Moeller's Doug Cherry celebrates a point during the Crusaders Division I state semifinal victory over Hilliard Darby. Moeller finished the season with a five game win over Elder for the state ctlampionship.

Crusaders finish i perfect seasOn . { ;as .s,tate charp.ps .

·.. ·

.

.

.·

(sf"~;{h. .

1

1

. .· kburch@communitypress.com

j

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.

There

IS

.

.

no dou9t th~t the ,. Mo.e~er v~lle_Yball te·.am IS. the m OhiO m 200.7.

1i bestThe Cmsaders recently stmck down any .argument otherwise by defeating Elder 22~25, 25-19,27-29,26-24,

.

.

..

th~state.

15-12 in championsb.ip game at Cincinnati State Technical College.

Tl;le victory not only gave. the Cmsaders . .the s..ta·te championship, it also ended' their season with a perfect 29-0 . record. · "We knew 'that we would KYLS: BURCH/STAFF needeveiythirigwehadtowin Moeller's James Emming (Mason) puts the ball past the Hilliard Darby defenders at the net during the Crusaders victory in the Division I state semifinals.

2007 MpeUer Volleyball team : ','

Name .

Steve Kaes: Vinnie Palopoli · Brendan Lacey MarcKetcha Doug CherrY .

Dan Frank · Mike Chandler . . . Brian Schings

SR. . JR. SR. JR. SR. SR. SR. SR. SR. SR. . SR. SR. JR. JR. SR. SR. JR. SR.

·· · -Pat r<anetik~-

RyanKelsey Tee Meyer · · Nick Meyer David Richa~ds Andy McKe~na Judd Hopkins · Jar;nes Emming · M£:Jrk Shipp ; Dan Brandel'

Sp~cial Ride Pricf:!S for Children sunday, June 10 - 4:b0-6:00pm 1 , .

.

Yr. ·

'

RIDES • GAMES • AND LOTS OF FQOD ENTERTAINMENTNIGHTLY

JOIN THE FUNI

the match and that's the way it turned out," head coach Greg Ulland said of the Crusaders third win this season over Elder. · "We played them three times and they pushed us to the limit twice." . The Moeller senior class is with. p·ostiniaTeasol1= long perfect retord. · As sophomores, ·the Crusader junior varsity squad also , finished the season as undefeated champions.· . "We were kind of looking at this season· as one game at a time, but we knew we were capable of having a perfect season," senior Doug Cherry (Loveland) said.

"It was in the b{l.ck of our· minds and · was d~finitely a goal." · · The Crusaders · :made an impressive push through the postseason with victories over Milford, McNicholas, Akron Hoban and Hilliard Darby to . setup the championship,game with Elder. . Senior Dan Brandel (Landen), who won a state championship with the Crusaders as a sophomore, says this title felt more special sharing with his classmates.

"It's always been a goal of ours to win state our senior year," said Brandel who will play at Ohio State ne;,.'t season.

"This year was a lot more special because it happened with my class."

Brandel was one of 12 seniors on this year's squad.

While the .Moeller program is already littered. wit!Jh history in the state toumnament, Ulland hopes this zgroup of . seniors have a farr;reaching positive effect.

"This has alwayss been a very strong class,',"' Ulland said.

"Hopefully (winming. the state title) isn't theiir biggest contribution. Hopeffully the example they've settwill be a bigger impact in tli<e coming · years."

·-ramlliar

[.