Moeller High School 2003-04 Baseball Articles by Archbishop Moeller High School

â&#x20AC;˘

THE ci~dN~A~

n ........_ ENQuiRER

SPORTS

Higb schools

GCL South rules Ohio sports Has won 5 of last 6 'Big 3' championships after Moeller's baseball title By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Greater Catholic League South continued its dominance of Ohio Division I prep sports Saturday with Moeller's state baseball title, capping a strong two-year run in the major boys' sports. The GCI.S has won five of the last six Ohio big-school championships in the so-called "Big 3" sports of football, basketball and baseball. In the 2002-03 school year, Elder (football), Moeller (basketball) and St. Xavier (baseball) won state titles. For 2003-04, Elder repeated as football champion and Moeller won the baseball title. The only nonGCL winner in that span was Hamilton, a Greater Miami Conference school which won the 2003-04 basketball championship. "I think the incredible competition we have to face. week in and

"We (GCL schools) like to beat each other, but we pull f-or each other too." Moeller at!Htic di"ector BillY Bonnan week out, is something that really helps you prepare for the postseason," Moeller athletic director Barry Borman said. The GCI.S this season also saw St. Xavier win its sixth consecutive state swimming title, and the Bombers' cross country team win its third state championship in six years. The GCI.S' fourth member, La Salle, also has had a big year. The Lancers' football program earned its first postseason berth since 1985, and the basketball team was ranked No.1 in the state for a

month. Other leagues tire of hearing about how strong the GCL is, but the state titles speak for themselves. It starts with intense intra-league competition that includes matchups with the smaller-school GCL North, which in the 2002-03 school year saw Dayton Chaminade-Julienne win the Division II state football title and Purcell Marian the Division II baseball crown. 'There is an eXpectation of excellence among the players and coaches in the league, and it really drives everyone," Borman said. "It permeates every school." Elder athletic director Dave Dabbelt also mentioned the schools' strong parental support and coaches. Many GCL coaching staffs having stayed virtually intact for many years. "I know the discinline within our

schools carries over to sports," Dabbelt said. 'The kids have to be willing to sacrifice personal stats for the good of the team. And certainly it's not just us ... you also see that in the public schools, like Colerain with football and Hamilton in basketball." The GCL schools are hypercompetitive, but there also is a camaraderie among them. For example, last spring when the St. Xavier and Purcell Marian baseball teams, driving home from Columbus after winning the Division I and II state baseball titles, happened to meet in a restaurant parking lot, the teams staged an impromptu pep rally, celebrating as GCL brethren. "We like to beat each other, but we pull for each other too," Borman said. "When a GCL team wins a state title, we all feel some pride." R-mail turnl!.~r.htmJii!tmnuirl!r. r.nm

CS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2004

i~~

.t,

[':I ~:~

<"i; rS'

{l~'

~~r,

,,~

;:}i

''··=

~:"

WEDNESDAY, JUNe 16, 200.11:7

ti' ,, ~' ~

-,,~~

!:~¥:

MOELLER: STILL MIGHTY

.,, ,/~I •>>

Moeller rolled to its fourth state baseball title. Aces Andrew Brackman and Eric Surkamp combine_d to go 15-0, with Brackman named Ohio Division I player of the year by state coaches. Along with timely hitting (team average .351) led by GCL South player of the year Cameron SatteiWhite, the Crusaders finished the year 28-3.

SALUTE 16 area teams capture state titles

MASON: SPECIAL DELIVERY

ELDER: THE SEQlJEL

In the fall, Mount Notre Dame won its second consecutive state

Mason shared the Divisidn l girls' state track title, the1first Cincinnati-area team to Win a girls' state track champidn-

quarterback Rob Forian (1,922 yards and 20 TDs; and the

golf title. In the winter, the Cougars' basketball team rolled to an

unbeaten season and the Division I state title, led by Ohio Ms. Basketball Mel Thomas (left), who hugs coach Scott Rogers after winning state. The team finished No. 2 in the USA Today Super 25 ratings but was named national champion by both Student Sports magazine and iHigh.com.

David Oberly (left) jumps on MIKE SIMONS for the E:JHlUirer

MT. NOTRE DAME: COUGAR POWER

Surkamp after winning the title.

Elder rode the paS,'31ng of running of Bradley 31atthaar

ship since 1989. Star hu\dler

(2,217 yards and 33 TDs) to its

LeAuna Sistrunk (left), wno won two golds and distan'ce ace Angela Blzzarri, who won one gold, led the Comets. Cleveland Collinwood was co-champ.

second consecutive Division I

state football title, Glatthaar set a Division I stcte champion· ship-game record with 252 yards rushing. He also scored three TDs in the g;Jme. H~ was named first-team all-state and has signed to play for the University of Cincir1nati.

FALL

INhMDUAL CHAMPIONS

WINTER

.Girls' Tennis

Another high school phenom?: North College Hill freshman O.J.

Mayo had an average year- for an NBA all-star. Mayo averaged 30.9 points per game in his first season with the Trojans. The C1ncmnati EnqUirer/ MEGGAN BOGKER

',.

Girls' Cross Country

The next 'uconn star?: Mount Notre Dame

See

basketball player Mel Thomas led the

Jeff See, Middletown Division I champ

Kylee Wiegand, Jessica Flannery, Badin Division II

Cougars to an undefeated season and a state title.

Leeper

In memory ...

The Cincinnati Enquirer;

Sarah Leeper, Loveland Division l champ; Emily Thornpson, Taylor Division II champ

Wrestling

GARY LANDERS

Bradley Glatthaar had a record 252 rushing yards in the Division I ·state title game. Elder beat St. Edward, 31· 7.

They did it again

lder becarr).e the first Cincin- nephew· of the rock star with the nati school to repeat as Ohio same name, will play for Indiana big-school football champion University this fall. Mellencamp the musician lives in Bloomington, sinoe Moeller in 1979-80. The day after the second-title, a home of ill. zealous Panther fan approached MOVING ON: Football icons Tercoach Doug Ramsey at a celebra- ry Malone (Badin) and Steve Rastory pep J'allyandsaid, "Can you do so (St. Xavier), with more than 600 it again?'' Ramsey just smiled and coaching wins between them, both said, "W·e'll try." retired after the 2003 fall season. Ramsey later said, "I don't know Also retiring is OHSAA commiswhen thE! next one's going to come, sioner Clair Muscaro, after 15 but righ: now we're in some elite years on the job. company." GONE TOO SOON: Lakota West WHAT IF: St. Xavier was 4·0 when boys' soccer coach Steve Cumrunning back Elliot Walker went mins died unexpectedly at age 50 down wRth a lmee injury. The in September. Reading junior Andy Ramsey, Bombem finished 6-3 and missed the football playoffs for the first nephew of Elder football coach time in seven years. Doug Ramsey, was killed in a car -WHAT'S IN A NAME: Lakota West accident while heading to watch soccer star John Mellencamp, the state wrestling tournament.

Steve Cummins 1952-2iiJJil"i3

Nick Thoman, Mariemont 100 backstroke champ

lakota West boys' soccer coach

Andy Ramsey was slated to be Reading's starling quarterback next season. QUIRKY COACH: Edgewood football coach Steve Channen admits to many superstitions, including wearing the same coaching attire (shorts, short-sleeved shirt) no matter the weather. He also did not get a haircut all during the 2003 season, trying to keep his luck alive as unbeaten Edgewood advanced to the Division II title game. "My wife says the :first thing I have to do next week, win or lose, is get a haircut," Channell said just before the title game. Edgewood lost 10-7 on a snowy night in the :fi. nals, and Channell had to wear long pants and a windbreaker becauSe of the nasty weather. He also got that haircut.

Tony Johnson, lakota East Division ·I 275~pound champ; Nathan Thobaben, Clinton-Massie Division m215-pound champ

Boys' Track

Andy Ramsey Jones

Reading junior football player

Mike Chia, La Sai'O! Division I pole vatJit champ; Hamid Jones, Wyoming Division II 800-rMter champ

Girls' Swimming

!Boys' Tennis

Lindsay Graessle, Kings Division 1100 breaststroke champ; Ashlee Edgell, Madeira Division 11200 IM champ

Mike McCarthy, Indian Hill Division II singl~s champ

Pete Carothers, Kit French, Ryan Lindsay, Jared Wagster, St. Xavier 200 medley relay champs; Carothers also 100 freestyle ____ ao~L100 butterfly c_tlafT!p_

SPRING

Girls' Track

leAuna Sistrunk, Mason Division 1100-, 300-meter hurdles champ; Angela Blzzarri, Mason Division 13,200-meter champ

Moeller pitcher Andrew Brackman finished the baseball season 7-0 with a 0.60 ERA. His fastball has been clocked at 94 mph.

Simply the best

his kind of "double" might have happened before, but not in recent memory. Moeller senior Andrew Brackman was the No.l-rated prep player in the state in two sports- basketball (by national recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons) and baseball (by Baseball America). Braclman was the Enquirer boys' basketball player of the year and is <1 leading contender as a pitcher Jor baseball player of the year when the Enguirer soon announces that team. Brackman vvill attend North Carolina State in the fall on botl1 a basketball and baseball scholarship.

DOUBLE NO·NO: McAuley softball star Amanda Pick threw consecutive no-hitters on two different occasions this season. Pick threw backto-hack jJetfect games at one juncture, then followed thereafter with consecutive no-hitters. COOL KEIR: Lakota West softball pitcher Keir McEachern has an engaging personality to go with her status as one of the area's top players. McEachern, signed with Kent State, ended her prep career on a tough note by hitting Mason's Erin Gilbett in the knee with the bases loaded, forcing in the winning run in the lOth inning of a 1-0 loss. What did she learn by the de-

feat? Just minutes afterward, McEachern smiled and said, "I learned you shouldn't pitch inside in that situation, that's for sure." THANKS FOR MEMORIES: Land· mark Trinity annolUlced it will close its doors due to declining enrollment. The school produced numerous standout athletes in recent years, including Sonny Snell, Mick Shannon and Amy Sebastian (basketball) and Tiffany Burlew (softball). l,OOOK GOLD: Bethel-Tate softball pitcher Taryn Beck became just the ninth player in Ohio girls' fast-pitch history to strike out 1,000 batters for her career.

t has been another fabulous year in Cincinnati prep sports. The.'are;;rcaptured 16 team state championships in the 2003·04 school year, compared to 13 the previous school year. There were also numerous individual state champions, and.rnanyathletes won national honors, including St. Ursula's Bryn Kehoe as PrepVblleyball.com's U.S. girls' volleyball Player of the Year. Here is a look at some of t!Je highlights and offbeat happenings from the 2003-04 school year:. O.J.'S HERE: Freshman basket· ball star OJ. Mayo anived as a transfer to North College Hill amid huge hype, and he delivered. He averaged 30.9 points a game, was named Division III state player of the year, and charmed the masses with an engaging, down-to-eatth persona. And yes, he really is that good. After Mayo dropped 44 points on a strong Wyoming team, CowboyscoachTonyGentrysaid, "O.J. is the best player in the state, in any class." NCB was upset by Reading in the sectional tournament. but

'.'

Blanchester, became the first female wrestler to win a varsity high school tomnament in Cincinnati when she won the Reading Invitational. That was according to Blanchester coach Bryan Pennix, and no one could prove him wrong. 'There have been quite a few boys that walked off the mat in tears," Breezley's father said. "I recall one Mayo will return with classmate by tl1e scene, -~lipped out of the boy crying after she pinned him in Bill Walker for 2004-05. Both play· crowd and gav12 'his- r-ace-winning 21 seconds." ers are ranked among the nation's medal to Purooll.cOach Wade DaPRIORITIES STRAIGHT: Kudos to top 10 sophomores-to-be by Hoop vis. "For Alex:' -Angelini said. The David Lumpkin, who stepped story was fronf:page news in the down asWmton Woods boys' varScoop recruiting service. ' ANGEI.S AMONG US:·At the Great· En{juirer. sity basketball coach to become er Catholic League boys' swim WHAT IF: La Salle "Was 19·0 and head coach of the girls' team. meet, Moeller sophomore Matt rankedNo.l:iri.BiVisi.on !state basLumpkin, a highly successful Angelini won the 100 backstroke ketball when ~tar Joiward Justin boys' coach with a state rum1ei--up but made headlines for giving his Orr was lost1o·a]cnee injury. The finish on his resume, stepped gold medal to Purcell Marian soph- Lancers madea~gallant run in post- down because he wants to watch season play but were stopped short his son play varsity basketball at omore Alex Hamm. Hamm, who has Down syn- of a possible state tournament final Colerain and because he wants to drome, also competed in the 100 vs. Moeller, which w<is upset in the coach his daughter, who will enter backstroke and his gutsy effottwas regional final while Jrying to repeat Winton Woods' program next sea· cheered wilcl)y by spectato~s. as state chan1p. · son. In his coaching prime at age Moeller's Angelini, also touched GIRL POWER: Amanda Breezley, 44, Lumpkin put family first.

.URSULA:

HAMILTON: GOLDEN YEAR Hamilton won the boys' Division I state basketball title, exactly 50 years after the Big Blue's last championship. Coach Lany Allen, who gets a hug from players Derrick Huff (left) and Latez Williams, is a product of the Hamilton system, includes the words "Big Blue" in seemingly every sentence and was thrilled to have a son, Billy, on this year's team. "I can't ask for anything more," Allen said.

a 4-foot-11, 103-pound wrestler at

.DOUBLE ACES The Madeira boys' soccer team won its second straight Division Ill state title and established a boys' state-record 46-game unbeaten streak. Coach Jon Unger did not want the streak publicized, but his players ignored the pressure and won another state trophy. Associated Press

·,.In September, St. Ursula , ,bnefly had the nation's ..fi:Jo, 1-rated teams in both •~girls' volleyball (PrepVolley·

·ball.coni) and girls' soccer .(National Soccer Coaches As-sociationjadidas poll). "Hte•Bulldogs' unbeaten "VDIIeyball team won the Di' .viSirm I state championship ·and was declared national . ,, ,champion by PrepVofleyball· .c0m. The soccer team lost in the state semifinals.

16champs Sixteen Cincinnati-area teams won state titles in the 2003-04 season. 1. St. Ursula volleyball

2. Mount Notr<rDame golf . ;.z.: 3. Mount Notre Dame basketball ~. Elder footbaJI. ~... 5. St. Xavier swimming 6. Miii~deira boy~' soc'c~r(Div:lH) 7. Hamilton boys' basketball 8. Mason gli1!?~ j:rack;,1". 9. St. Xavier cross countl)l 10~'Moefler b"EiSeb~J.bw~', -~""~

Shanna Dickenson, Mercy Division I discus champ; Jenna Nance, Middletown Madison Division I pole vault champ

StePhen Havens, Ryan Shidler, CHCA Division II doubles champs

Stories compiled by Torn Groeschen

Non-sanctioned by OHSAA

li.lndian HHl.bofst;tejlniS{OfV. !ij*~ 12. Sycamore boys' lacrosse {Div. II) 13: 'Masorl ifoys' lacrOSse, (QW: 'tV)' iJ> 14. Moeller volleyball 15. Oak Hills boys' bowling 16. Fairfield girls' bowling *Team tenms is not sanctioned, though individual titles are.

Coming for Kentucky ... Go online II For a list of where the Class of

2004 athletes are going ill Rosters of title teams ml'! Stories to date on teams, individual champs and more

Coming next Friday, the Enquirerv@ present its Northern Kentucky Salute to (hampi· ons. The page will recap the area's top stories from the fall season through this week's state baseball touman1ent and give a nod 1.o all- of Northern Kentucky's state champiom~- team and individual.

AND THE OTHERS ...

ST. XAVIER: TWICE THE FUN Josh Walters and the St. Xavier cross country team went the distance, winning a state championship.

The St. Xavier S':.Vimming . team made 1t look easy again, winning its sixth straight state

Ths Associated

title, led by

Press

Ohio swimmer of the year Pete Carothers (left).

GREG RUFFING for the Enquirer

Abby Cooper, Jenny Hagen, Sarah Krone, Tiffany Lipari, Ursuline Division 1200 free relay champs

Greater Cincinnati also produced six state team champions in events not sa~;:::tioned by the Ohio High School Athletic A:;sociation. In these events, various statG coaches' associations run their own tournaments and crown champions. The local state champions in the n::Jn-sanctioned events were Oak Hills boys' bowling, Fairfield girls' bowling, Sycamore boys' · lacrosse (Division II), Mason boys' lacrosse (Division IV), Moeller volleyball anc Indian Hill boys' tennis (Division II). Boys· tennis is a sanctioned sport and produces singles and doubles state champions, but the OHSAA does not sponsor the team competi· tion -that is a coaches' event.

I I I

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

(J~41 otf Hi schools

Showers bring scheduling. chaos Teams squeezing in makeup games By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

games the next. Ohio state rules permit schools to play 27 regularseason games on 23 dates. "No one likes playing regularseason games after the tournament has started, but we may have to do it," Princeton athletic director Scott Kaufman said. ''You have expectations that you're going to play a full league schedule, and it affects your all-sports trophy." Tennis and track have been affected to lesser degrees, with track meets sometimes running in the rain. In tennis, the annual Coaches' Classic was to be back on schedule today. The class of 2004 just wants ~orne sunshine, with barely' a month remaining in most seniors' careers. "It's depressing, where every morning you wake up and it's either rainy or wet," Moeller senior baseball player David Oberly said. "It's hard to get in a groove, because you're not playing every day. Hopefully the weather breaks soon." Many teams will try to get some games in today, with a mostly clear daytime forecast. "At least it looks a little drier for next week," Kaufman said. "Hopefully we can get some games in."

Mike Cameron rarely has seen so much rain, which is saying something. Cameron, the Moeller High School baseball coach for 37 years, said ,2004 could be the wettest spring of his career. Moeller and many other schools canceled baseball or softball games again Friday, with rainouts continuing to rule the Cincinnati-area prep spring. "I can't remember any season worseÂˇ than this," Cameron said. "Everybody's going to be scrambling to make up games." Moeller has had 10 of a possible 18 games rained out. Princeton has had 12 of 20 baseball games postponed, with roughly the same figure for its softball team. The numbers are similar all around town. This week, rain has kept most teams idle since Tuesday. ''You get these kind of springs once in a while," Mason athletic director Rod .Russell said. "We're running out of time to reschedule games." Postseason softball and baseball tournaments are scheduled to begin May 10. Because of all the rainouts, some schools could be playing tournament games one day and regular-season league makeup Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com ,

Higb school baseball

St. X rallies past Moeller in the. 9th r/+fo4 By Ale~ Blumer

Enquirer Contributor

Even before the season started, St. Xavier and Moeller predicted that their two meetings would be something special. Monday's showdown lived up to that billing, as St. X's ]. T. hnming capped a two-out rally with~ a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to give the defending state champs a stunning 4-3 victory over the top-ranked Crusaders. "]. T. hits to right-center naturally, so we told him to hit hard to right'' St. X coach Bill Slinger said. â&#x20AC;˘ "We moved him up to the twohole about a week ago (because) we want him up in exactly that situation." Moeller had a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh. In relief of Crusaders ace Andrew Brackman, Ben Hunter retired his seventh and eighth batters in a row to put Moeller one out from victory. But pinch-hitter Sean Quinn beat out an infield single to keep the Bombers alive. Leadoff man Noah Lankford then drew a walk, which brought Steven Davis (2-1) on to face Imming. The senior designated hitter laced the second pitch from Davis, an outside fastball, over the right-field fence to send the home crowd into a frenzy. "We always have a windy field up here," hnming said, "so I knew jf I got it up enough, the ball would

carry."

"We just went with the percentages," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said of his decision to replace Hunter with two outs. "Steve got the ball up and out and allowed him to extend his hands on it." The Bombers got five quality innings from starter Taylor Barnes, who limited Moeller to just two hits. The Crusaders finally scored in the sixtli when Mike Belza blasted a double, his second of the day, off Bubba O'Donnell to score Tyler Stovall with the tying run. Moeller got to O'Donnell for two more runs in the seventh on consecutive ont\-out singles from Cameron Satterwhite, David Oberly and Mitch Kuczek. St. X had clawed its way to a 1-0 lead against Brackman in the fourth. O'Donnell led off by reaching on an error and stealing second. After a walk to Lankford; Adam Kroth delivered an RBI base hit. With a gaggle of pro scouts in attendance, Brackman struck out nine, but left after four innings. 'They weren't going to quit; our kids didn't quit; teams just don't quit in the GCL," Cameron said. Moeller.................. 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 -3 6 2 StXavier. ............... 001 000 3-4 4 0 WP- O'Donnell (4-Q); tp- Davis (2-1); Hitting leadeo;: X - Imming 2-4, game-winning 3-run HR; Kroth 1-3, RBI; O'Oonnell2 R, SB; M- Bella 2-3, 2 2B, RBI; Satterwhite 2-4, R, RBI. Rerords: X 17-5, (6-2 GCL), M 12-3 (~Âˇ2)

BLUE ASH AmstslcHatlons Beverly Woolfork, 40, 2631 Eastern Ave., Cincinnati, theft, May 9 at 4650 Cornell Road. Michael Taylor, 27, 1375 Hamilton·Cieves Road, drug abuse, May 7 on the con· nector at Kenwood Road. Charles E. Stanton, 37, 9656 West ave., · obstructing official business, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphemalia, driving under suspension, marked lanes, reckless operation, May 4 at 9656 West Ave. Jimmy Louis Pickard, 47, 4900 Cooper Road, drug abuse, May 4 at 4900 Cooper Road. Julie Jones, 30, 8911 Summit Ave., dog at large, May 4 at 8911 Summit Ave.

lncldentsnnvestlgatlons Theft Someone took an unknown amount of overthe-counter drugs, value $300, from CVS Pharmacy, 9525 Kenwood Road, May 10. Someone took an unknown amount of mail from a mailbox at Harkavy Properties, 11258 Cornell Park Drive suite 611, May4.

Weekly roundup Blue Ash police reported the following activity for the week of May 4 to May 10: 332 dispatches/calls for service; 24 criminal arrests/charges filed; 15 traffic arrestslcharoes filed: ftve crash reports:

About pollee reports Police reports are gathered from reports on file with local police departments. This information is a matter of public record and does not 1mply guilt or innocence. The Community Press publishes the names of all adults charged with offenses. Following disposition of cases in the court system, mdividuals may supply The Community Press with documentation of the disposr bon for publ1cation. To contact your local police department: Blue Ash, Chief Chris Wallace,

745-8573. Montgomery, Chief Kirk Nordbloom, 985-1600. Sycamore Township, Corp. Jim Angel, 792-8565. Symmes Township, Hamilton County Sheriff's Departmen~ Simon L leis, sheriff; call 683-3444. A man said someone took a Moeller money clip and $200 in cash from the glove box of a vehicle at 10500 Montgomery Road April 30. Someone drove off without paying for gasoline at 9759 Montgomery Road April3 . A '"""" ~"'l;..., ho n•"IM~ c-nn'!o"no """""""'""";""'3+o-

s. s N A

s. s p;

u A

n s

2004 GREATER CATHOLIC LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL STAR TEAM SOUTH DIVISION FIRST TEAM POS 1B 2B

ss 3B OF OF OF

DH p p

PLAYER AdamKroth Mark Olexa Steve Brown Bubba O'Donnell Cameron Satterwhite Mitch Kuczek Jason Cisper Tyler Stovall J.T.Immin2 Andrew Brackman Eric Surkamp

YEAR 12 12 11 12 11 12 10 12 12 12 11

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

SECOND TEAM POS 1B 2B

ss 3B OF OF OF

DH p p

PLAYER David Oberly Noah Lanl!ford DrewMetz Jake Brown Ben Wittwer Ben Johnson Charlie Leesman Billy O'Connor Mike Belza Pat Berndsen Sean Quinn

Elder: LaSalle: Moeller: St. Xavier:

YEAR 12 12 12 11 11 12 11 11 12 12 12

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

HONORABLE MENTION Ian Carter, Alex Lagreca, Eric Spille Rick Betsch, Eric Morton, Ben Miller, Tyler Phillips Steve Davis, Ben hunter, Dan Remenowsky Jordan Gula, Tom Nurre, Matt Stiers, Nick Williams

Player of the year: Captains: Coach of the Year:

SPECIAL AWARDS Cameron Satterwhite, Moeller Mark Olexa, Moeller and Bubba O'Donnell, St. Xavier Mike Cameron, Moeller and Bill Slinger, St. Xavier

\ 2004 GREATER CATHOLIC LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL STAR TEAM NORTH DIVISION FIRST TEAM POS 1B INF INF INF INF OF OF OF

DH p p

PLAYER Bryan Scheffel Drew Schmidt DrewMaus Jake Oester Jason Smith Dustin Woods Kyle Pfirrman Kevin Wilson Scott Pumpple Myles Swartzel Tim Murphy Kyle Pfirrman

YEAR 12 10 11 11

12 12 11

12 12 12 12 11

SCHOOL Badin McNicholas Badin McNicholas Purcell Marian Purcell Marian Badin McNicholas Ro2er Bacon Alter McNicholas Badin

SECOND TEAM POS 1B INF INF INF OF OF OF

c DH p p

PLAYER Dan McManus Drew Wurtzelbacher Ryan Mahle A.J. Shiverdecker Jeff Pater Tyler Bien Bobby Pangallo Jake Suer Nate Luken John Strittholt Jake Geglein

YEAR 12 11

12 11

12 12 11

12 12 12 12

SCHOOL Roger Bacon Badin Alter Alter Badin Roger Bacon McNicholas Purcell Marian Chaminade Julienne Badin McNicholas

HONORABLE MENTION Alex Payne, Michael Smith, Taylor Neace, Danny Diehl, Johnny Lekan,

Alter: Mike Anacker Badin: Brian Burton, James Clear, Brian Dirheimer, Chad McKinney, Chris McCaughey, Alan Wolf Chaminade Julienne: McNicholas: Greg Feldkamp, Brady Denton, Jon Fehring, Kyle Meeker, Brad Gibson Purcell Marian: Ian Zellner, Joe Policastro, Bill Antle Roger Bacon: Andrew Zeller, Jason Combs, Ben Daleiden, Mark Westrich, Lance Durham, Kyle Chouteau Player of the year: Captains: Coach of the year:

SPECIAL AWARDS Jason Smith, Purcell Marian Scott Pumpple, Roger Bacon and Myles Swartzel, Alter Willy Corbett, McNicholas

By Todd Bonds The Cincinnati Enquirer

FAIRBORN - Moeller's Andrew Brackman is a high school pitcher, but Saturday he spoke for all pitchers at any level. "I get insulted when people score on me," Brackman said after his Crusaders defeated Lakota West 7-0 for a Division I district championship at Wright State University. Brackman pitched five innings, giving up five hits and three walks and striking out nine batters for Moeller (23-3). In three of the first four innings, Brackman, a senior bound for North Carolina State, dashed Lakota West scoring opportunities. During the bottom of the first, third and fourth innings, the Firebirds (16-14) had runners in scoring position with less than two outs, only to have the innings end

with back-to-back strikeouts by Brackman. "He's usually not in trouble. But he's got the stuff that kids can't hit," Moeller catcher Tyler Stovall said of Brackman. "We didn't put enough pressure on their defense," Lakota West coach Bill Dreisbach said. On offense, the Crusaders were led by sophomore Jason Cisper, who went 4-for-4 with a double and three runs. David Oberly and Mitch Kuczek, both seniors, each , had two RBI for Moeller. Junior left-bander Eric Surkamp pitched the final two innings for Moeller. Surkamp nearly had the same type of outing as Brackman, struggling with control issues and hits early in the inning, then settling down to record the crucial outs. Surkamp allowed three hits and struck out four Firebirds, including the side in the sixth inning.

"I thought they were clutch," Moeller coach Mike Cameron, who claimed his eighth district title and first since 2000, said of his pitching staff. "Stovall deserves some extra stars for having the confidence to call breaking balls with men on." The Crusaders, who finished the regular season atop the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll and are ranked second in the state, will play Harrison in a Region 4 semifinal matchup at 2 p.m. Friday at Miami University. Moeller ...........- •• 000 320 Lakota West .......... 000 000

2 0

-7

-0

10 8

2 0

WP- Brackman (5.0, 9 Ks); LP- Williams·(3·4). Leaders: MCisper 4-4, 26, 3R; Oberly 2-4, 2RBI; Kuczek 2RBI. LWMirizzl2-3. Records: M 23-3, LW 16-14. Next: Moeller plays Harrison 2 p.m. ·Friday at Miami University.

Harrison 6, Fairfield 2 The Wildcats loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning and took advantage to take a 2-0 lead on the way to victory in the second

Division I district title game at Wright State. In the second inning, Harrison continued to play "station-to-station" baseball. Matt Hinssen led off with a double, wentto third on a sacrifice bunt by Chad Norton and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jon Back. Harrison advanced 1:o play Moeller at 2 p.m. Friday at Miami University. The last time Harrison made it to the regionals was 1993, when the Wildcats lost to eventual state champion Moeller. "We don't usually make it this far," Harrison coach Dave Bader said. "We're looking forward to the opportunity. We'll see what happens." Harrison ••••••••••••••• 210 002 Fairfield .................. 001 000

1 1

-6 -2

8 7

1 3

WP- Kramer (7-1, 7 Ks); LP- Gore (7-2, 7 Ks). leaders: HBack 2-4; Hinssen 26. F- Gore 26; Sneed 36; K. Wolfe 2-4. Records: H21-7, F15-11. Next: Harrison plays Moeller Friday at 2 p.m. at Miami University.

High school postseason

Moeller, Milford last local hopefuls S/J1t/o'f

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller will shoot for the school's fourth state baseball title this week, while Milford makes its first appearance in the girls' softball Final Four. Moeller and Milford are the only Cincinnati-area teams remaining in their respective sports. Moeller (26-3), ranked No.2 in the final state coaches' poll, will face No. 5 Cleveland St. Ignatius (24-6) in the state semifinals at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Canton's Thurman Munson Stadium. Reynoldsburg (22-8) plays Mentor (28-2) in the other semifinal. Milford (22-5), unranked in the girls' state poll, will face No. 2 Toledo St. Ursula (25-4) in the state semifinals at 3 p.m. Friday in Ash- ' land. Moeller won state baseball titles in 1972, 1989 and 1993 and was a state semifinalist in 2000, all under coach Mike Cameron. Cameron is in his 37th year at Moeller. "These kids made a goal last November to win the state title," said Cameron. "Whenever we break out of a huddle or a meeting, they've yelled, 'State champs.' I wondered if we should think that far ahead, but they've been determined to do it." Moeller is led by pitching aces Andrew Brackman (6-0) and Eric Surkamp (7-0) and Âˇoutfielder Cameron Satterwhite (.435 batting average). Satterwhite was named Greater Catholic League South player of the year. In softball, Milford has given the school its third consecutive Final Four spiing sports team. The Milford baseball team was Division I state runner-up in 2002 and 2003. . "It's been another wonderful spring," Milford athletic director Hank Ohnmeis said. "Our team just plays so well together, and everyone finds a way to contribute." Milford, airected by secondyear coach Christy Foster, was ranked No. 4 in the final Enquirer area coaches' poll. Lauren Robertson (22-5) has pitched all but six of Milford's innings this season. Milford will attempt to become just the second Cincinnati-area school to win a state softball title, with Hamilton (1985) the lone local champion. Milford is hoping to get its Friday game moved up to 12:30 p.m., with graduation scheduled that 1ight. Ashland is about a 3lh-hour lrive (northeast) from Cincinnati.

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2004 B5

Moeller's top gun goes against St. Ignatius 17:e Cincinnati Enquirrr

High schooL~aseba]

Moeller likes its chances today when Andrew Brackman, the team's ace, faces Cleveland St. Ignatius in a Division I state semifinal baseball game in Canton at 1:30p.m. Brackman, a 6-foot-10 right-hander, is 6-0 with an 0.53 ERA He is rated Ohio's No. 1 prep player by Baseball America magazine, but Moeller will see a pretty good arm itself in St. Ignatius right-hander Brian Hoyer. The 6-foot-5 Hoyer (7-0, 2.10 ERA) is rated No. 5 in Ohio by Baseball America. "St. Ignatius is predominantly a right·handed hitting team, but I'm not a big righty-lefty guy," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "I feel if you've got the better pitcher, you've got the better pitcher." Cameron had debated whether to save Brackman for a possible ap-

pearance in Saturday's state finals. Should Moeller win today, junior left-hander Eric Surkarnp (7-0, 0.33 ERA) will start the championship game. 'The kids are expecting Andrew to walk out there first, since that's the way we've been doing it in the tournament," Cameron said. "We feel' we're in a nice situation either way." Moeller (26-3) was ranked No.2 and St. Ignatius (24-6) was No. 5 in the final coaches' state poll of the regular season. Today's other semifinal pits No. 3Mentor (28-2) vs. unranked Reynoldsburg (22-8) at 10 a.m. at Canton's Thurman Munson Stadium. The Brackman-Hoyer matchup is a pairing of multi-sport stars. Brackman has signed with North Carolina State for both basketball

By Tom Groeschen

walks. "I just want to win," Brackman said. "We have two more wins to get, and that's all I care about." Moeller also can hit, batting .354 as a team. Junior outfielder Cameron Satterwhite (.400 batting average) was voted Greater Catholic League South player of the year. Other top Moeller bats include sophomore outfielder Jason Cisper (.482), senior first baseman David Oberly (.407), senior designated hitter Mike Belza (.386), senior shortstop Mark Olexa (.379), senior outfielder Mitch Kuczek (.370) and st>nior catcher Tyler Stovall (.324). The Crusaders carry a 14-game The Cincinnati Enquirer/ERNEST COLEMAN win streak. This is Moeller's fifth state tourMoeller pitcher Andrew Brackman, ranked the No. 1 prep player in nament appearance in Cameron's Ohio by Baseball America, will start today against St. Ignatius. 37 years of coaching, with state tiand baseball, while Hoyer sl{{Iled Brackman has pitched 40 in- tles in 1972, '89 and '93 and a Final as a football quarterback with nings this year and has allowed on· Four appearance in 2000. Michigan State. ly 19 hits, with 70 strikeouts and 12 St. Ignatius is making its seventh

Final Four appearance, winning its only state title in 2002. Hoyer, third baseman jeremy Farrell (.480 batting average) and shortstop Jeff Deighton started on the 2002 title team. The Division I championship game Saturday has been moved back from its original tO a.m. start time. Should Moeller win· today, it will play in the state finals Saturday at either 1:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m, depending on two other outcomes. Because of conflicts with graduation with Mentor (Division I) and Perry (Division Ill), who also are in their respective semifinals, the Division III finals have been changed from 1:30 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. If Mentor wins its semifinal game vs. Reynoldsburg today, the Division I championship game will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. If Reynoldsburg beats Mentor tuday, the Division I title game will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Brackman's tune. stays same Moeller pitcher dominates in Division I semifinal By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

CANTON - Andrew Brackman has pitched some phenomenal baseball games in his Moeller career, but none better than Thursday. Brackman, a 6-foot-10 se, Âˇ~ nior right-hander, threw a ~~~J two-hitter and struck out 11 as '::t' -~loeller beat Cl~veland St. lg,..,,,s 6-1 in the Division I <:mifinals at Thurman Âˇ Stadium. The Cru-

saders (27-3), ranked No.2 in the final'coaches' state poll, will face No. 3 Mentor (30.3) in the state finals here Saturday at 3:30p.m. Brackman (7-0) closed his senior year with an 0.60 ERA. He . could pitch Saturday if needed, butit'sunlikely Moeller will use him. Brackman was virtually unhittable Thursday, as St. Ignatius made solid contact only a few times and flailed at his combination of fastballs,

curves and knuckle-curve pitches. Brackman was clocked as high as 94 mph on his fastball. "I don't know if I've seen Andrew pitch better," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "He was throwing fastballs in curveball situations and vice versa, and he really upset their rhythm." Brackman, ranked the state's No.1 prep prospect by Baseball America magazine, overmatched the No. 5-ran-

ked prospect in St. Ignatius right-hander Brian Hoyer (7-1). Hoyer was knocked out of the game in the fifth inning, when Moeller scored three times for a 6-llead. "Big games are easy for me," Brackman said afterward, cool and nonchalant as always. "My teammates get the hits and I just do my job. Once we get some runs, it makes it easier."

Moeller pitcher Andrew Brackman delivered another stellar performance for the Crusaders Thursday in the Division I state semifinals. He allowed three base runners and struck out 11 in a 6-1 win.

The Associated Press

See MOB.LER, Page B5

SPOR1S

The Associated Press

Moeller's Mitch Kuczek (bottom) steals third base as Cleveland St. Ignatius' Jeremy Farrell tries to tag ! him. Kuczek had three RBI for the Crusaders, who play in the state final Saturday.

Moeller: Crusaders aim for

school's 4th baseball title From Page Bl

Frrst baseman David Oberly got · it going with a two-run double in thE: third inning. Outfielder Mitch Kuczek added an RBI single to make it 3-0 in the same inning. In the fifth inning, Moeller's Jason Cisper scored on a wild pitch and Kuczek added a two-run single to make it 6-1. Moeller has hit only four home runs all season, but once again simply got the bat on the ball. The Crusaders, hitting .354 as a team, banged out nine hits (one double) and stole five bases in keeping the pressure on St Ignatius. The Wildcats also made three errors. "We lost our first tournament game last year, and that gave us fuel for this season," Kuczek said. "We're real patient at the plate, and we make them' work for their outs." St Ignatius coach Brian Morgan sensed trouble once Moeller grabbed a 3-0 lead. Brackman nev-

"I don't know if I've seen Andrew pitch better. " ...._. CNCII• c.... • ace llitdler .... Br. . .

other Cleveland-area team. Mentor advanced when Bill Mustard drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the lOth inning to beat Reynoldsburg 2-1 Thursday in the other semifinal. Mentor is seeking its first state title, while Moeller is seeking to add to the championships it won in 1972, '89 and '93 - all under 36thyear coach Cameron. Moeller also reached the Fmal Four in 2000. Moeller will throw junior leftbander EricSurkamp on Saturday. Surkamp is 7.:0 with an 0.33 ERA, and is considered starter 1-A alongside ace Brackman. "It's always special," Cameron said of the finals appearance. "I11is is new for all these kids and most of our coaches. It's been fun to watch."

er allowed more than two runs in a game all season. "He was everything he was billed to be," Morgan said of Brackman. "When you can throw as hard as he does and then get your breaking ball over for strikes, that's tough. He was dominant" Brackman, going off a scouting report prepared by Moeller assistant coach Scott Humes, consistently was ahead in the count He allowed only one walk and three base runners. ........ 803830 8 ~90 "Normally when I face teams I a...St........ 001 000 II -1 2 3 haven't faced before, they can't WP - BIBCionan (7.0, 11 t<s). LP - Hoyer (7-1). Hitting leaders: M- Clsper 2-2. 2R; Satlerwhltl! 1·3; Ol>el1y 2-4, 28, pi~k up my tll~,~ Brackman 2R81; Kucz8lt 2-4, 3R81; Belza 1-3; Day 1-4; CSI- Feltlls 28. srud, re1AirJ'iiC. · his knuckle- Records: M 27-3, CSI25-7.

c~~ller ..;:~ Mentor, an-

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Well-armed Crusaders win state Surkamp, Brackman shut down Mentor 6-2 By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

CANTON- Moeller pitchers Eric Surkamp and Andrew Brackman were unbeatable all season. Saturday, they overpowered Mentor 6-2 in the Ohio Division I baseball championship game. "' Surkamp (8-0), a 6-foot~ >-

Âˇ-

Mason wins state

ning. Brackman, a 6-foot-10 senior right-hander, saved it The Mason girls tied Clevewith lY.\ relief innings then was land Collinwood for the Division mobbed by happy teammates I state track title Saturday, 815 in the postgame charge to the mound. "I wanted to finish it," a nior left-bander, threw a no- grinning Brackman said, surhitter for 5Y.\ innings and al- rounded by 1V cameras and lowed two hits before yielding to Brackman in the sixth ln-. See MOELLER, Page 815

Moeller's Andre~r Brackman (no hat) is greeted by teammates after he closed out the Crusaders' 6-2 victory over Mentor Saturday. Courtesy of The Plain Dealer

Simply the best his kind of "double" might DOUBLE NO-NO: McAuley softball have happened before, but star Amanda Pick threw consecu· not in recent memory. Moel- tive no-hitters on two different occa· ler senior Andrew Brackman sions this season. Pick threw back· was the No.l-rated prep player in to-hack perfect games at one june· the state in two sports - basketball ture, then followed thereafter with (by national recruiting analyst Bob con~e no-hitters. Gibbons) and baseball (by Baseball ~"KEIR: Lakota West softball America). . 'hP.ilther Keir McEachern has an en· Brackman was the Enquirer · &-aking personality to go with her boys' basketball player of the ~ar status as one of the area's top playand is a leading contender as a ers. McEachern, signed with Kent pitcher for baseball player of the State, ended her prep career on a year when the Enquirer soon an- . tough note by hitting Mason's Erin nounces that team. Brackman will Gilbert in the knee with the bases attend North Carolina State in the loaded, forcing in the winning run fall on both a basketball and base- in the lOth inning of a 1-0 loss. ball scholarship. What did she learn by the de-

feat? Just minutes afterward, McEachern smiled and said, "I learned you shouldn't pitch inside in that situation, that's for sure." THANKS FOR MEMORIES: Landmark Trinity announced it will close its doors due to declining enrollment. The school produced numerous standout athletes in recent years, including Sonny Snell, Mick Shannon and Amy Sebastian (basketball) and Tiffany Burlew (softball) . 1,000K GOLD: Bethel-Tate softball pitcher Taryn Beck became just the ninth player in Ohio girls' fast-pitch history to strike out 1,000 batters for her career.

)eQY@enquirer.com Phone: (513) 768-8381

dfilluhJdilfu ............-

SUNDAY, JU~E 6, 2004

~~~

Well-armed Crusaders win state Surkamp, Brackman shut down Mentor 6-2 By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

ning. Brackman, a 6-foot-10 senior right-hander, saved it The Mason girls tied Clevewith 1!1.! relief innings then was land Collinwood for the Division mobbed by happy teammates I state track title Saturday, 815 in the postgame charge to the mound. "I wanted to finish it," a nior left-bander, threw a no- grinning Brackman said, surhitter for 5!1.! innings and al- rou~ded by TV cameras and lowed two hits before yielding to Brackman in the sixth in- See MORLER, Page 815

Mason wins state

Moeller's Andrew Brackman (no hat) is greeted by teammates after he closed out the Crusaders' 6-2 victory over Mentor Saturday. Courtesy of The Plain Dealer

Community \ Prep I Youtf-t )nN W:.xir:es:i;;y, Jwne 9, 2004

\~:!~:,~as: S:.ib~~c~r. ~:~e

SPORTS &

Jt~usaders t:3lJ G:::orgo Schutte Sf:tY!~ E:i to:

Early in the season Moeller High School head baseball coach lvlike Cameron was worried. Not about how his team would perform, but about the lofty goals they placed on themselves. "At the beginning of the year I said we'll break huddles with 'league champs' but they quic!dy corrected me with 'state champs,"' Cameron said. "I was thinking, 'Wow, do I correct them?' They were sincere so I didn't say anything." The goal came as a result of a disappointing firstround exit in the sectionals last year to Glen Este. "Losing to Glen Este last year was rough for us," senior third baseman Brian Day said. "That r,ame provided the motivation tur us all year to advance farther." ~iocller capped their season with a 28-3 record and •he school's fourth state title ; 199:~. 1989, 1972), all under coach <:ameron. "This is special for me because it is my fourth," ( :ameron said. "But before anything else, I'm happy for 1he par~nts and the players.

George Scbtle Community Sports Editor z48 7i 30, ext '2?7

,- _l,

close out school year with state title ------~

-~----

[.-~----..;·• ,:-~;n

----~~---------~-

-~~---

·~t.<.J'

'-' ;,

•;4,

,:~~{-

•••

i'lc,i . ,

""8' -~

·• ..::'ih.

,.,;' \.. _l:" •....,

~~ ~

~·

~:~i

.;;.·

,...

:'.: . -<4f"'·

;:;;:;,.""

'%-"~. .~ -

.........

~-'.:::;,.-,-

GEC~G~ SCii~/

lt/SfAf-F

Moeller's '!Yier Stoval blocks a ball In the dirt in the state finals against Mentor.

They will never lose the memory of this. Kot many people can say they've been here." On Thursday afternoon in the state semifinals, Moeller sent their ace, senior Andrew Brackman (7-0), to the mound and he promptly shut down Cleveland St. Ignatius 6-1, while ~triking out 11 batters and allowing just three base runners all game. Leftf1elder Mitch Kuzcek provided most of the offense with an RBI single in the tl1ird inning and a two-run single

in the fifth inning. In the state championship game against Mentor, junior lefty l:iric Surkamp (8-0) was not to be outdone. Through five innings of play, Mentor's only base runners came compliments of walks issued by Surkamp. Hy then, Moeller had the game well in hand.. "We felt witl1 a Hw-run lead we were pretty solid," Cameron said. 'To tllcircredit tl10ugh, they kept coming at us." .Mentor finally got to

Surkamp in the sixth inning with a run-scoring single. '1\fter the game on Thursday, we thought Andrew for done for the season," Cameron said in reference to Brackman. "But he came to us on Friday and said, 'If you need me for an inning I can do it.' "We didn't make the decision until this morning (Saturday) that if we needed a closer, he was it." Brackman came in the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs and runners at second and third. He set down the final four batters he would face with two strikeouts, a line out and a ground out. "We were confident all year we'd be here," Surkamp said. "We've been in close games all year. We weren't going to let them rally on us. "The final inning I was ~>truggling with my control and with Brack (Brackman) coming in, that's just scary for other teams." Mentor started the scoring for the game when Bill Mustrud grounded into a fielder's ch:>ice and later advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher 1yler Stoval. After a walk, Mustard stole

home on a double steal. He reached home before the runner on first was thrown out at second base. Upset with his mental error, Stoval responded. David Oberly Jed off the top of the second with a walk and advanced to second on a sac-bunt. With one out and one on, Stoval drilled the first pitch he saw over the leftcenter field wall to give Moeller a 2-llead. "Tyler was really upset with himself by the steal home," Cameron said. "He picked us up as a team and himself with that home run." The Crusaders didn't stop there, scoring four more times in the inning, all of them unearned. After the homer, Mike Belza singled, Brian Day flied out to center field and Steve Davis singled to center, advandng Bdza to third. Then the errors came by Mentor's shortstop. On a grounder to short by Mark Olexa, the shortstop bobbled the ball, then threw voide of first base allm.ving both Belza and Davis to score. Olexa then scored on a wild pitch and Jason Cisper, who had singled to right-center, scored on a double by

\\~., :/~,. ~~~3

~~~~.l

~~·l

t /--· ' i'' /

-1:;.

~-· ~':Cel:>t'. ~C"ii.:'

lt:/S'AFf

Eric Surkamp proparos to release tho ball in his start in the state finals against Mentor.

Cameron Satterwhite. The Crusaders graduate all but seven players on the team and just four starters (Davis, Satterwhite, Cisper and Surkamp). But as it often the case in Cameron's 36 years at Moeller in which he has compiled a 687-287 record, they will reload for another run. gsd~utt:'~t.:err:nunityprt~ss.com

248·7570

Co~rt~sy

of Tha P:a'n Dea•c•

Moeller's Brian Day (right) slides safely into second ahead of the tag of Mentor's Denver Wolf in the fifth inning.

Moeller: State title

is school's fourth From Page Bl

four hitters he faced, including the last batter. Surkamp, who struck out seven and walked five, admittedly was a bit nervous early before settling down. "I was just trying to get outs," Surkamp said. "And when I go off and they see a 6-10 guy coming in there thro\ving smoke, you lmow you're in good shape." Mentor coach Len Taylor aclmowledged as much. "Both their pitchers are very good," Taylor said. "I saw the one (Brackman) on Thursday and said oh, I'm glad we don't have to face him. Unfortunately, he came back." Cameron, :Moeller's 59-year-old coach, owns all of Moeller's state titles in 36 years as head coach. He has coached superstrrs such as Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin and now Brackman, and said he can't wait to try again next year. "It means a great deal to me to win it, but I'm probably happiest for the players, coaches and parents because this is the first time for most of them," Cameron said. "It's always special." It is the 38th big-school title for Cincinnati-area teams in 77 years of Ohio tournament play. Yet, Moeller (2004) and St. Xavier (2003) are the first Cincinnati i teams to win consecutive Ohio big-school championships in nearly two decades. The last time it happened was when Hamilton (1983), Elder (1984), Fairfield (1985) and Western Hills (1986) won four straight It also is the second straight year that local teams have !>Wept Division I state titles in the "big three" boys' sports of football, basketball and baseball. In the 2002-03 school year, Elder (football), Moeller (basketball) and St. Xavier (baseball) won titles. Elder repeated as football champion for the 2003-04 season, with Hamilton (basketball) and Moeller (baseball) completing this year's title run.

reporters afterward. "I wanted to be out there when everybody ran out to the mound." The state title is Moeller's fourth, along with championships in 1972, 1989 and 1993. A crowd of 1,838 watched on a relatively cool (60 degrees) afternoon at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium, with the lights illuminated. Brackman, rated the state's No. 1 player by Baseball America, beat Cleveland St. Ignatius &1 in the semifinals Thursday. He threw 101 pitches, but on Friday's off day he told :Moeller coaches he was ready if needed Saturday. "We thought Thursday that Andrew was done for the season," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. 'Then he told us Friday, 'I think I'm good for an inning if you need me.' We decided if we needed a closer, he's it." Moeller fell behind 1-0 in the frst inning when Surkamp, caught off guard, allowed Mentor's Bill Mustard to steal home. But then the Crusaders erupted for six runs in the second inning, led by a tworun homer by catcher Tyler Stovall that traveled an estimated 400 feet over the left-center power alley. It was only Moeller's fifth home run all season, but Stovall's third. "Not in my wildest dreams did I think I'd hit one out," Stovall said. "I've never hit one that hard. I was just looking to drive it in the gap." Moeller's Mike Belza and Steve Davis followed with singles, and both scored when Mark Olexa's grounder was booted and then thrown away by Mentor's shortstop. That made it 4-1, and Olexa later scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-1. Cameron Satterwhite's RBI double made it &1 and chased Mentor starter Mike Brancazio. Mentor mounted a rally against Surkamp in the sixth, with an RBI single making it 6-2. With Mentor having runners at second and Moe!!er060 000 0 third and two outs, in came Brack- Mentor 100 001 0 man. He struck out the next hitter, v:?:s-a 7 t{(:.! then retired Mentor in order in the ~;;Q~~.~~~c )~~~ ~~:-R;. bottom of the seventh. B£'Wl.-4: C.-o;; !-3: ::!.'. Brackman struck out two of the ~t.m; 28-3, ~/c. 3U c. s:;·~·::·~·J

-4 -2 s~

B:~~::~::·

~B.

lP-

~!";; . '2.2.~1~ =~f.~ ~!...s-:--:.~

-1838

:t:::. ~~~--::::;

B8 SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2004

•

SPORTS

Division I regional baseball

Moeller's No. 2 •·~.~ baffles Bombers r: > Surkamp stellar in 2-0 win

By Tom Groeschen TI1r Cir.cim:ati Enquirer

~~ ~ · - - -

Moeller has the best prep baseball pitcher in Cincinnati. The Crusaders also have probably the second-best pitcher in Cincinnati, which is why Moeller is headed to the Division I Fmal Four this week. : Junior left-bander Eric Surkamp, the No. 2 starter behind ace Andrew Brackman, was magnificent as Moeller beat archrival St Xavier 2-0 in the regional final Saturday. Moeller. was ranked No.1 and St Xavier No.2 in the final Enquirer coaches' poll. The &-foot-4 Surkamp struck out nine and allowed only three hits in ending St. Xavier's bid to repeat as state champion. A packed house of 1,432 watched at Miami University. "After awhile, I was just going on pure adrenaline," a smiling Surkamp said, icing his arm afterward on a hot, sunny afternoon. "You've gotta love it, a big game like this." Moeller (2&-3) advanced to meet Cleveland St. Ignatius (23-6) in the state semifinals at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Canton's Thurman Munson Stadium. Surkamp (7-0) outdueled St Xavier left-bander Sean Quinn (3-2). It was the second time this year Surkamp blanked hard-hitting St Xavier. which had a .360 team

MIKES:MONS for the Enquirer

r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , , "We felt lilte we'd need to score three or four runs to win. We had our chances." Moeller coach Mike Cameron, who said this is his deepest Moeller pitching staff in 36 years as coach, is debating who will pitch Thursday. Does Brackman go, or do you pitch Surkamp and save Brackman for the state final? "We feel we're in a nice situation, with two guys ~ho can throw , like that," Cameron said, smiling. "We've also got Ben Hunter and Dan Remenowsky ready." Saturday, Moeller took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Leadoff man Mark Olexa singled, moved ahead via a sacrifice and fly ball, then scored on a fielding error. The Crusaders made it 2-0 in the sixth inning on Tyler Stovall's RBI single. Surkamp battled at times, with four walks and three hit batsmen. But he also picked off two runners and escaped a bases-loaded jam in MIKE SI:V.ONS fo~ the Er.q~:~er the fifth inning. Moeller's Eric Surkamp struck out nine anj ran his record to 7-0 St. Xavier had a 21-game winthis season with a 2-0 victory over St. xavier Saturday at Miami. ning streak snapped. Moeller, riding a 14-game win rated the top prep prospect in Ohio streak, will make its fifth trip to batting average. "You just have to pitch your by BasEball America. Brackman is state. The Crusaders were state game and hope they don't hurt regarded as a potential high-round champions in 1972, 1989 and ~93 you," Surkamp said. "I struggled choice in next month's amateur and state semifinalists in 2000. here and there, but we got it draft, and many scouts already are ~ 3 2 limier-- 000 000 0 targeting Surkamp for the 2005 SL done." -2 4 1 Moeller--- 100 001 • Teammate Brackman (&-0, draft. "He ;>itched a gem, didn't he?" 0.53 ERA), who beat Harrison in Friday's regional semifinals, is St Xavier coach Bill Slinger said. 1

OXFORD - Everyone agrees

St. Xavier's Adam Kroth (left) and Noah Lankford sit dejectedly in the outfield after losing to Moeller 2-0 Saturday in a regional final at Miami University.

C8 SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004

SPORTS

Division I baseball

Cincinnati's titans meet today By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

OXFORD - Ifs not the state title game, but today's colossal Moeller-St Xavier baseball matchup will have that buzz about it. Either way, it seems a shame that one of Cincinnati's top two baseball powers will have to lose in the 1p.m. Division I regional final at Miami University. Moeller ousted Harrison 9-2 and St. Xavier rallied to beat Centerville 6-4 in their respective regional semifinal games at Miami on Friday, setting up today's anticipated game. "It almost seems like if s too early for us to meet," said St. Xavier second baseman Noah Lankford (2-for-3, two RBI Friday). "I think we're pretty even, talent-wise, so it will come down to who does the little things best" St. Xavier (27-4), the defending state champion, has won 21 consecutive games. Moeller (25-3) has won 13 consecutive games and finished No. 1 in the Enquirer area coaches' poll, with St. Xavier a close second. Today's winner advances to the state Final Four at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Canton's Thurman Munson Stadium, vs. the winner of the Shel-. by region (Northwest). "We11 draw a lot of fans (today), I'm sure," said Moeller second baseman Mark Olexa (2-for-3, four RBI Friday). "It should be just a great game." Moeller and St. Xavier split their two Greater Catholic League South games this season, with Moeller winning 4-0 on April15 and St. Xavier winning 4-3 on May 3.

Moeller, St. Xavier winner will advance to Final Four

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ERNEST COLEMAN

St. Xavier catcller Jordan Gula attempts to tag Centerville's Chad Skidmore in the second inning of a Division I regional semifinal game Friday. Skidmore was safe on the play.

Moeller was ranked No. 2 and St. Xavier No. 7 in the final state coaches' poll ol the regular _season,· but the feEling among Cincinnati fans is that wnoever wins today could win the state title. The baseball-strong Cincinnati area has sent at least one tea..rn to the Division I Final Four smce the state expanded to four divisions in 1991, with five state titles in thl>t span. "We know St. X pretty well, and they know us," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "Ifll come down to who best takes advantage of their opportunitie~.. " Moeller v.ill throw junior lefty

Eric Surkamp (6-0, 0.43 ERA), who struck out 12 in the April15 win over the Bombers. St. Xavier's tentative starter is senior Sean Quinn (3-1, 3.80 ERA). Both teams carried identical.360 team batting averages into Friday's game. St. Xavier has more power, with 24 home runs to Moeller's four this season. "Everyone always underestimates our hitting," Olexa said. "I think our hitting has come around, and we know our pitching will always be strong." St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger said the Bombers welcomed today's

mano-a-mano matchup. 'They got a few more guys on the all-league team than us, so we said, let's play them again," Slinger said. "If they're better than us, then they've got to beat us." · MOnUII9, IWIIIISON 2

- - - · - - · -.. 000 200 .......,._,_,......... 300 240

0 •

-2 ..g

4 8

2 1

WP - Brackman (6·0, 13 1\s). LP - Kramer (7-2). Hittmg leaders: H - Gampbeii3B, Allen 2B. Helsley 2RBI; M -Olexa 2-3. 2B. 4RBI: Stoval12-3. 3B.'2R; Day 2-3, 2B, 2R, 2RBI. Records: H 21-8, M 25-3.

ST. XAVIER 6, CEHTDMW 4 0 -6 10 ~ ..- ....- ... - 011 110 0 ..... 9 5I. hrier _ _ ,, 100 103

0 1

WP- Speed (3-0): SV- Quinn (2). LP- Skidmore (4-2). Hitting leaders: X- Lankford 2-3. 2B, 2RBI: W1lhams 2R: Gula 2-4. 2B: O'Donnell2-4; C- Duffy2-3: Brown 3-3. 2R: Watlons2-2. Reco~ X 27-4, C 23-4.

~- SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2004

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

Division I regional baseball

Moeller's No. 2 baffies Bombers .$.urkamp stellar in 2-0 win

MIKE SIMONS for the Enquirer

;i'jy Tom Groeschen ''''f],e Cincinnati Enquirer ,j

OXFORD - Everyone agrees '1-'Moeller

has the best prep baseball )itcher in Cincinnati. '. 'The ·Crusaders also have prob~ly the second-best pitcher in Cincinnati, which is why Moeller is ;~aded to the Division I Final Four ''this week. ·.v Junior left-hander Eric Stir'bmp, the No. 2 starter behind ace 'Ahdrew Brackman, was magnifi1~nt as Moeller beat archrival 1 ~k Xavier 2-0 in the regional final i~turday. Moeller was ranked -~. 1 and St. Xavier No. 2 in the fi1ial Enquirer coaches' poll. ,u; The 6-foot-4 Surkamp struck out nine and allowed only three hits in uehding St. Xavier's bid to repeat as ~te champion. A packed house of '"-'f.\132 watched at Miami University. "After awhile, I was just going _ill} pure adrenaline," a smiling Surkamp said, icing his ann afterward on a hot, sunny afternoon. "You've gotta love it, a big game like this. • Moeller (26-3) advanced to meet eveland St. Ignatius (23-6) in the te semifinals at 1:30.p.m. Thursd!lY at Canton's Thurman Munson

~Stadium.

·:rr.: Surkamp (7-0) outdueled St. Xa-

·:~er

left-hander Sean Quinn (3-2). Jt was the second time this year 9 ·' ~kamp blanked hard-hitting - ·~.Xavier, which had a .360 team

'--''

::~aseball

r:z$ycamore falls · .;,!n regional final .~t1 <-

Sycamore's deepest postseason '"rlm since 1990 ended with a 9-2 : tJss to Reynoldsburg in a Divit6lon I regional semifinal Saturday. .. "~The Aviators' demise started early when lefty starter Jon Kattle~an attempted to pick off two runners in the first inning, only to have them steal second base by - beating the throw from first. Both runners scored on base hits. Reynoldsburg scored four runs e hits, two errors and a walk second inning. thiilk we were a little tight toSycamore coach Chris pton said. "I think the first g had Jon rattled, and they got a couple of seeing-eye singles. If we played them tomorrow, we might beat them." Sycamore finished 18-12. Reynoldsburg is 22-8.

Kentucky

Highlands 4, Newport 3 Jeff Dektas' single with one out • the bottom of the seventh .re,d Nate H~ an~ won the 36th !lllstrict champ10nship.

flhlton-Verona 2, Scott Co.l Walton-Verona broke a 1-1 tied in the bottom of the seventh to "in the 32nd District title.

MIKE SIMONS for the Enquirer

-Moeller's Eric Surkamp struck out nine and ran his record to 7-0 this season with a 2-0 victory over St. Xavier Saturday at Miami.

batting average. "You just have to pitch your game and hope they don't hurt you," Surkamp said. "I struggled here and there, but we got it done." Teammate Brackman (6-0, 0.53 ERA), who beat Harrison in Friday's regional semifinals, is

High school insider

St. Xavier's Adam Kroth (left) and Noah Lankford sit dejectedly in the outfield after losing to Moeller 2-0 Saturday in a regional final at Miami University .

rated the top prep prospect in 0 hio by Base]Jall America. Brackman is regarded as a potential high-round choice in next month's amateur draft, and many scouts already are targeting · Surkamp for the 2005 draft. "He pitched a gem, didn't he?" St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger said.

"We felt like we'd need to score three or four runs to win. We had our chances.", Moeller coach Mike Cameron, who said this is his deepest Moeller pitching staff in 36 years as coach, is debating·who will pitch Thursday. Does Brackman go, or do you pitch Surkamp and save Brackman for the state final? "We feel we're in a nice situation, with two guys who can throw like that," Cameron said, smiling. "We've also got Ben Hunter and Dan Remenowsky ready." Saturday, Moeller took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Leadoff man Mark Olexa singled, moved ahead via a sacrifice and fly ball, then scored on a fielding error. The Crusaders made it 2-0 in the sixth inning on Tyler Stovall's RBI single. Surkamp battled at times, with four walks and three hit batsmen. But he also picked off two runners and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning. St. Xavier had a 21-game winning streak snapped. Moeller, riding a 14-game win streak, will make its fifth trip to state. The Crusaders were state champions in 1972, 1989 and 1993 and state semifinalists in 2000. St.x..lor---000 000 - - - - 100 001

0 X

-0 -2

3 4

2 1

WP- Surkamp (7-0, 9 Ks). lP- Quinn (3-2). Hitting leaders: X - Nurre 1-2: W1111ams 2-2, 28, 258; M - Olexa 1-3, lR: Oberly 1·3, 2B; Stovalll·2, RBI; Dav~ H Records: X27-5. M 26-3.

Winter ends Rockets' season ~ Carey Hothnan Enquirer contributor

Division II baseball

XENIA- With composure as cool as his name suggests, Bellefontaine pitcher Brad Wmter sent McNicholas' dreams of a state baseball title into hibernation Saturday. . W mter went the longest stint of his career, pitching all nine innings as Bellefontaine edged McNick 5-4 in a Division II regional championship game. Wmter also drove in the game-winning run on a bloop double down the rightfield line with two outs in the top of the ninth. It was eerily reminiscent for McNick of the 2000 regional final,

when the Rockets lost in extra innings to Columbus Watterson on the same type of hit to the same spot on the field. "What was special about this is you have dreams, and kids have the ability to dream," McNick coach Willy .Corbett said. "When you come so close, ifs OK to cry, even for grown men. It means so much when you put so much work into it." The game was emotionally thrilling throughout, thanks to momentum that swung quickly from dugout to dugout. McNick tied the game at 4-4 in

the fifth on Jake Oester's RBI single. Bellefontaine finally broke through with its run in the ninth, which was setup after leadoff batter AndyRichardson escaped an 0.2 count to walk, then stole second base prior to Wmter's double. In the bottom of the inning, McNick's Matt Suellentrop walked with one out but never got beyond first base. Bellefontaine moves on to the state final four for the first time. McNick ends its year at 23-7. llellolontalno .......-.011 0200001 - - - · - · · 200 110 000

-5

7 9

2 2

WP-Wtnter (9.0). LP-Fiynn (2·1). Hilllng readers: B Wallace HR, 2 runs; Winter 26; Walden 2·4, HR;Jacobs 28; M Pangallo 3-5; Oester 3-4, 3RBI. Ret.: B 25-4, M 23·7.

East-West game could uncover few hidden gems John Popovich couldn't pin· The West roster includes one point the year, but he vividly reof Ohio's top defensive backs in calls Dana Stubblefield. Brandon Underwood (Hamilton/ It was the late 1980s, and Ohio State) and defensive lineWCP0-1V anchof Popovich was man Nick Davis (Colerain/Bowlhelping broadcast the annual Cin- ing Green), who was named local cinnati East-West prep football Defensive lineman of the Year all-star game. WCPO occasionally by the Anthony Munoz Foundadid the game in those days, and tion. Popovich was awed by a domiThe West quarterbacks also are college-bound, with Tony nant Taylor High School defensive lineman named Stubblefield. Pike (Reading/Cincinnati) and "I just remember Dana StubCorey Farley (Lockland/Findblefield standing out," lay). Pike will join the UniPopovich said. "You reversity of Ciricinnati promember a player with gram as a "grayshirt," that kind of talent." meaning he will enroll Stubblefield already part-time this fall and then had signed with Kansign a full scholarship for sas, but not everyone football in January 2005. knew it. Several college Tickets for the Eastcoaches called after West game are $5 pre-sale seeing Stubblefield in and game day. Proceeds that East-West game, will go toward 20 individuTom only to learn he was al $500 college scholarGroeschen ships for nominated stucommitted to KU. Stubblefield became an NFL dents around Greater Pro Bowl player for San Francis- Cincinnati. For information visit co and also has played for Wash- hacksports.com. ington and Oakland during his 11FOOlBALL: Eric Bauman has resigned as little Miami head year pro career. football coach. Bauman, 14-36 in The East-West discussion five seasons as head coach, will arose on the eve of the 29th annual game, scheduled for June 10 become an assistant principal at Lakota East. Applicants to reat 7:30 p.m. at Princeton High School. The game is officially the place Bauman should call little Hacks East-West All-Star Football Miami AD Rob Blanton, 513-899Game, sponsored byVerizon 5019. VOLLEYBAU.: Moeller senior Wrreless. Any Stubblefields in this year's Robbie Klein was named state player of the year by the Ohio game? Hard to say, but for now, Boys Scholastic Volleyball it's one last chance to see some Coaches Association, which plays of Cincinnati's top prep seniors. Princeton quarterback/ defen- a spring season. St. Xavier's Jasive back Jarrell Williams (signed son Motz and La Salle's Colin by Kentucky as a DB) and Flynn also were named first-team all-state, and Sycamore's Stan KaPrinceton wideoutJohnny Long (Akron) are among several colniecki was named coach of the year. lege-bound players on the East Sycamore's Chris Grannen team. Williams was O:Pio tri-offensive player of the year in Divi- was named second-team all-state, with Moeller's Mark Wunmers sion I. The East quarterbacks will be and Purcell Marian's Max Holt Matt Heber (Batavia) and Zach named third team. Moeller's Greg Ulland won an Ohio CoachDenton (McNicholas). Heber signed with Cincinnati as a base- es Achievement award. ball pitcher; Denton is headed to E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer. com Eastern Kentncky for football.

College commitments The Enquirer will list college commitments from

Hard-fought final goes to Moeller By Debbie Juniewicz Enquirer contributor

WESTERVIllE - It was a battle from start to finish, and Moeller coach Greg Ulland expected nothing less. 'There was no doubt in my mind that it was going to be that kind of match, because Centerville is a great team," Ulland said. 'They are very athletic, and we knew we would have to work our butts off to win." The Crusaders did just that,

State boys' volleyball edging the Elks 22-25, 25-19, 2826, 19-25, 15-12 in the final of the OhioHighSchoolBoysVolleyb~

Association State Tournament at Otterbein College Saturday. Ifs the first state volleyball title for Moeller since 1998. After splitting the first two games, the Crusaders trailed 1824inGame3. Aggressive serving helped Moeller dig out of its hole and

even the contest at 24-24. Senior middle hitter Ryan Trainor slammed in a pair of kills, and junior outside hitter sealed the win with an ace. The Elks forced the Crusaders to a fifth game for the first time this season, but Moeller prevailed to finish the season 27-1. Centerville handed La Salle a 26-24, 25-16, 25-19loss ib,the semifinals earlier in the day. Moeller handled Worthington Kilbourne 25-14, 25-19, 25-10 in the other semifinal.

athletes involved in football and basketball, and Oi'Jision I signings from an other state-sanctionecl spons. All others Will be listed online at Cincinnati. Com. COmmitments reportec.1 in the past week include·

GIRLS' BASKf!IL\LL Brittne~ Undse~

Becker, Campbell County: Cumberland Bray, Campbell COunty: 'Thomas More Kassie Brock, campbell County: Midway Abbe Peters, CHCA: DePaul

BOYS' BASKEI'BAU Robby Brown, Mariemont: Hano...er Jack Aelds, Campbell County: Shenandoah (W.Va.)

BOYS' CROSS COUHIRY COdy Ackerman, Kings: Xav1er Mike Hammersmith, Elder. xavier Mark Miller, Taylor. Xavier Tony Matneus, Kings: Xavier

GIRLS' CROSS COUHIRY Gaitlin Shagena, St Ursula: Xavier FOOTBAU Bill Antle, Purcell Marian OL Otterbein Tyrone Armstrong. Holy Cross RB: Union Arthur Baldwin, Wyoming RB: Howard Dame! Blarr. Norwood DB·RB: Umon Ed Chisley, Purtell Marian Ol: Mount St Joseph Brandon Coad, Moeller OL: Wittenberg Patrick COggins, CHCA DL Mount SL Joseph Chns COllado, CHCA WR: Daotmouth · Anthony COok, Purcell Marian DT: Wittenberg Mike DeNoma, CHCA DB: Ful'fllan

Corey Farley, Lockland QB: Fmdlay Clarke Hall. CHCA OL: Hanover Alex Hunter, CHCA QL; Hanover Ryan Huxtable. CHCA QB: U. of Chicago Javrer Jones, Purcell Manan DB: Wittenberg Mark Menges, Norwood OL-OL: Ohio Domrn1can Kevin Porter, Purcell Marian OT: Wittenberg Marcus Pryor, WyomingTEjLB: Mount St Joseph Pat Thatcher, CHCA DL: Mount St. Joseph Kevm ligtle. Purcell Metr1an DB: Otterbein Mark Reder, CHCA DL Wittenberg Trey Tudor. Wyoming RB: Wittenberg Micah Vance. Wjoming 01,/DL: Georgetown (Ky.) Robbie Wllson, CHCA RB: Mrami U. Kevin Wooten. Wyoming DB: Thomas More

BOYS' SOCCER Scott Allen, Turpm: Dayton

SOFTBAU Rachael Herrmann, CHCA: Michigan

GIRlS' GYMMSTICS Rebecca Bre1thol1e, CHCA, Denver

BOYS' TRACK lason Bittner, CHCA: Miamr U. Michael Erwin, lakota West Morehead State

WRESTliNG Andrew Monk, Lakota West: Ohio Tony Stegeman, Elder. Air Force Elliot Spence, Elder. Ohio Please report commitments to tgroeschen@enquirer.com.

High school postseason I Locals clinch championships

MIKE SIMOf'..S for the Enquirer

Moe! :~r starter Eric Surkamp (with glove) is mobbed by teammates after shutting out defending state champion St. Xavier Saturday.

Moeller derails St. X to make state fmal four 77ze Ci11ri1111ati Enquirer

Some local high school athletes made big strides toward Ohio championships Saturday, while others locked up their state titles. In a big baseball showdown at Oxford, left-bander Eric Surkamp pitched a three-hitter in leading Moeller, the No. 1team in the Enqttirer area coaches' poll, to a 2-0 victory over No. 2 ~t Xavier. Surkamp, a junior, struck out nine as the Crusaders ousted the defending Division I state champions and clinched a spot in the state semifinals. The Milford softball team also advanced to a Division I state semifinal, beating Mason 4-0 behind the three-hit pitching of Lauren Robertson.

At the state boys' tennis championships in Columbus, three of the four titles and seven of the eight final berths were won by area players. In Division I, the Kings duo of Doug Matthews and Matt Allare took home the doubles trophy, defeating John Allare and Ra'ees Ismail. In Division II, Indian Hill's Mike McCarthy won the singles title, topping schoolmate Brian Compton, and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy's Steve Havens and Ryan Shidler won in doubles. Moeller won its first state volleyball title since 1998 by outlasting Centerville in a fiveset final at Westerville. Coverage, 88Âˇ9

The Associated Press

Kings tennis teammates Doug Matthews (left) and Matt Allare are all smiles after clinching the state Civision I doubles championship Saturday.

Sometimes it's not about the money Reds CEO Cart Undner, seen here with Ken Griffey Jr., sent out

450,000 voucherseach good for two free Reds tickets. If all are redeemed, it amounts to $9.9 million worth of free tickets. Enquirer file/ CRAIG RUTILE

ine hundred thousand free tickets. The man gave away 900,000 Reds tickets in the last six weeks. Try getting your mind around that. Carl Lindner has sent 450,000 vouchers to students and teachers in the Tristate, each good for two View Level seats to any game this year except the three against Cleveland, July 2-4. They're $ll seats in the upper deck If all were redeemed, that's $9.9 million worth of tickets. What? Just guessing, but proba-

Paul

Daugherty

bly no one bas ever done this, anywhere, in any sport. Not to this extent. This isn't papering the house. It's covering it in semi-gloss, several hundred coats deep. You can question the motivation if you like. Fans

booed lindner on Opening Day, a despicable (yet entirely explicable) show of short memory. No business is more what-have-you-donefor-me-lately than sports. Until the Reds' recent successe , lots of fanly abuse toward Uncle Carl found my e-mail inbox at the E11qttirer. Lindner won't speak publicly of such things. Given his endless philantluÂˇopy rivaled only by his sensitivity to public perception - you have to feel lindner was wounded by iL Family members have wondered why Lindner keeps his approxiSee DAUGHERTY, Page 812

Community I Prep I Youth

~CREATION

PORTS

George Schutte Community Sports Editor 248-7130, ext 227

Local tennis players dominate state meet By George Schutte Sports Editor ' It took him four years, but Indian Hill senior Mike McCarthy finally captured an elusive individual state tennis title. After two straight years finishing as runner-up, McCarthy bested teammate Brian Compton in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2. The Championship match marked the third straight week that Compton and McCarthy had squared off in the finals and the second straight year they had faced each other in the state final: Last year Compton came away with the state title with a 6-0, 6-3 win. Mike's younger brother Andrew had his eyes set on the doubles title with partnerWade Ward, a state qualifier and fourth place finisher in doubles last year, but CHCA's doubles team of Steven Havens and Ryan Shidler had other ideas, upsetting the top-ranked Indian Hill team 6-2, 1-6, 7-

Moeller advances to state semifinals

portion of the state meet, : Indian Hill repeated as champions in the state team 路 tournament on Sunday. The win was secured by the doubles team ofJon Zilch $ and David Rothzeid, partners,; for the regular season before ~ coach Chris Hemingway shuffled the lineup to prepare for the tournament. For the tournament : Andrew McCarthy moved from the number two singles slot to first doubles with Wade Ward, Brian Compton moved from third to second singles and Zilch moved from second doubles to third singles. The team tournament title marks the second straight for the Braves and fifth in the last . eight years, easily making the senior dominated lineup one of the most successful classes in state history. gschutle@communitypress.com

GEORGE SCHUTIE/STAFF

CHCA's Steven Havens returns a volley while doubles partner Ryan Shidler sets up for a return.

6 (7 -4) for the crown. Indian Hill's other team of Britt Jamison and David Rothzeid bowed out in the first round to brothers Chris

"(Eric) Surkamp just got himself out of jams the whole game:'

and Kyle Jones of Canton Central Catholic 6-1, 6-l. In all, seven of the top eight slots in the tennis tournament made the trip back I-

248-7570

Ursuline runners move on to state By Dave Schutte

MIKE CAMERON Contributor

Jessica Davlin found it hard to smile although the Ursuline junior had just captured the shutout, Eric struck out nine Division I 800 meter regional Bombers, walked two and championship Saturday at gave up three hits. Dayton's Welcome Stadium. Davlin stayed close to the "Surkamp just got himself out of jams the whole game," seven-girl pack during the first continued Cameron. "He let 500 meters. When Hall decidrunners on base in four dif- ed to attempt a breakaway By Lonna Kingsbury ferent innings making it very coming on to the final turn, Contributor interesting, b_ut he pulled Davlin went wide and moved into second place. Before a crowd of 1,500 himself out." And Cameron goes on to At the top of the stretch, cheering fans at Miami University, Moeller scored a win mention Varsity Assistants Davlin was several meters off of 2-0 against league rival St. Bob Sherlock and Tim Held- the pace but put on a late ...""t.... et_..'Mtg_w.ie;--.to beat Hall on the lean Xavier. With good pittli1ng, they pull the team togett timely hitting and a pretty and much of the credit goes at the wire. She ran the race in solid defense, Moeller fought to these guys. hrud from start to finish. Mark Olexa agrees. "It was "It was a great game," said 路 awesome beating St. X. Head Coach, Mike Cameron. Everybody was great. But the Eric Surkamp (Jr.) pitched coaches, they worked all year the entire game. long getting us ready for It was one interesting today. Everybody just worked game. Mark Olexa (Sr.) led off together for today." with a single. Jason Cisper "It was an ttnbelievable (Soph.) sacrificed the 2nd game," adds Surkamp. It batter. Olexa went to third. doesn't get any better than By tagging up on a long fly beating St. X especially in the ball, Olexa scored on the playoffs. You know we're a error. But the insurance run team. We're together, fighting didn't come until the bottom hard together, and today we of the 6th came up with a win. David Oberly (Sr.) hit a It is especially memorable double down the left field for Moeller since Moeller and line. Paul Seiter (Sr.) running X are tied for the Greater for Oberly, advanced to third Catholic League this year. on a wildpitch, then scored "It was especially someon a single by Tyler Stovall thing to beat X since we were (Sr.). split for GHL. And it was a Surkamp, back on the total team effort, no one permound got St. Xavier one- son won - we all did it two-three in the top of the together," continued," added 7th giving Moeller the fifth Tyler Stovall. Hopefully we Regional Championship in can keep going and bring school history. home the championship. Eric Surkamp went the Cameron agrees. Everyentire game. His 4th shutout one's contributed, every step of the season, made it of the way. Moeller's 13th in 26 games. eastsports@communitypress.com Along with his three-hit HEAD COACH

71, with Centerville's Justin Kronauge taking the Division I singles title. Following their strong performance in the individual

a personal best 2:14.56 with Hall coming in at 2:14.63. Both runners qualified to the Division I state track and field meet which will be held for the first time at Ohio State's Jesse Owens Field on Friday and Saturday where this duo will battle it out for the gold medal. Davlin was just as excited about running for the Lions 4x800 meter relay team of Katie Hickey, Theresa Ross and Sarah Be&l that also qualified to state with a second place finish (9:30.59) behind Mason on Thursday. This same foursome played

an integral role for Ursuline's cross country team that finished a school best fifth at the Division I state meet in 路 November. Hickey is the only . senior on the relay team. Davlin come into the race with the fourth fastest regional time behind defending state champion Maggie Infeld ' (2:12.23) from Cleveland Heights Beaumont), Jessica (2: 13. 72) from , Moore Youngstown Boardman and . Ariane Sloan (2: 14.20) from : Reynoldsburg. The race is schedule on Sat- .路 urday at 2:35 p.m. eastsports@communitypress.com ;. f;:

L ___

- - - ____ j

SPORTS

I .

. The Associated Press

Moeller's Mitch Kuczek (bottom) steals third base as Cteveland St. Ignatius' Jeremy Farrell tries to tag him. Kuczek had three RBI for the Crusaders, who play in the state final Saturday.

Moeller: Crusaders aim for school's 4th baseball title From Page 81

First baseman David Oberly got it going with a two-run double in the third inning. Outfielder Mitch Kuczek added an RBI single to. make it 3-0 iri the same inning. In the fifth inning, Moeller's Jason Cisper scored on a wild pitch and Kuczek added a two-run single to make it IH. Moeller has hit only four home .- runs all season, but once again simply got the bat on the ball. The Crusaders, hitting .354 as a team, banged out nine hits (one double) and stole five bases in keeping the pressure on St. Ignatius. The Wildcats also made three errors. "We lost our first tournament game last year, and that gave us fuel for this season," Kuczek said. "We're real patient at the plate, and we make them work for their outs." St. Ignatius coach Brian Morgan sensed trouble once Moeller h~>n

a ::wll~>an_ Rrarkman n~>v-

''I don't know if

I've seen Andrew pitch better. " MoeUer coach Mike Cameron on ace pitcher Andrew Brackman

er allowed more than two runs in a game all seas.on. "He was everything he was billedÂˇ to be," Morgan said of Brackman. "When you can throw as hard as he does and then get your breaking ball over for strikes, that's tough. He was dominant." Brackman, going off a scouting report prepared by Moeller assistant coach Scott Humes, consistently was ahead in the count He allowed only one walk and three base runners. "Normally when I face teams I haven't faced before, they can't pick up my third pitch," Brackman said, referring to his knucklecurve. MnPllPr nnw farP!': MPntnr an-

other Cleveland-area team. Mentor advanced when Bill Mustard drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the lOth inning to beat Reynoldsburg 2-1 Thursday in the other semifinal. Mentor is seeking its first state title, while Moeller is seeking to add to the champions}:tips it won in 1972, '89 and '93 - all under 36thy~ar coach Cameron. Moeller also reached the Final Four in 2000. Moeller will throw junior leftbander EricSurkamp on Saturday. Surkamp is 7-0 with an 0.33 ERA, and is considered starter 1-A alongside ace Braekman. "It's always special," Cameron said of the finals appearance. 'This is new for all these kids and most of our coaches. It's been fun to watch." Moeller 003 030 0 -jj 9 0 Clev. SL Ignatius 001 000 0 -1 2 3 WP - 6raclunan (7-0, 11 Ks). lP - Hoyer (7-1). Hitting leaders: M- Cisper 2-2, 2R; Satterwhite 1-3; Oberly 2-4, 26, 2R61; Kuczek 2-4, 3R61; 6elza 1-3; Day 1-4; CSI- Feltes 26. Recort!s: M 27-3, CSI25-7.

E-mail ti!roeschen@en'auirer. com

Jer!Y@enquirer.com .Phone: (513) 768-8381

Brackman's tune stays same Moeller pitcher dominates in Division· I semifinal By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer.

CANTON - Andrew Brackman has pitched .some phenomenal basebhll games in his Moeller career, but none better than Thursday. Brackman, a &-foot-10 senior right-hander, threw · a two-hitter and struck out 11 as Moeller beat Cleveland St. Ignatius &-1 in the Division I state semifinals at Thurman Munson Stadium. The Cru-

sadei:s (27-3), ranked No. 2 in the final coaches' state poll, will face No. 3 Mentor (30-3) in the· state finals here Satur: day at 3:30 p.m. Brackman (7-0) closed his senior year with an 0.60 ERA He could pitch Saturday if needed, but it's unlikely Moeller will use him. Brackman was virtually unhittable Thursday, as St. Ignatius made solid contact only a few times and flailed at his combination of fastballs,

ked prospect in St. Ignatius right-hander Brian Hoyer (7.1). Hoyer was knocked out of the game in the fifth inning, when Moeller scored three times for a &-llead. "Big games are easy for me," Btackman said afterward; cool and nonchalant as always. "My teammates get the hits and I just do my job. theirrh~." Brackman, ranked the Once we get some runs, it state's No.1 prep prospect by makes it easier." Baseball America magazine, overmatched the No. 5-ranSee MORLER, Page BS

curves and knuckle-curve pitches. - Braclohan was clocked as high as 94 mph on his fastball. "I don't know if I've seen Aridrew pitch better," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "He was throwing fastballs in curveball situations and vice versa, and he really upset

Moeller pitcher Andrew Brackman delivered another stellar performance for the CrusadE~rs Thursday in the Division I state semifinals. He allowed three base runners and struck out. 11 in a 6~1 win.

The Associated Press

Division I baseball

Surkamp eager to lead. Moeller Gets the start' in championship game

~~~~~ By Tom Groeschen

The Cincinnati Enquirer

They have struck out only 103 times · in 834 at-bats this season, an average of 3.4 Ks per game. · 'We try to-be patient and use our heads, goip.g to the opposite field and'just trying to hit the ball," said Moeller outfielder Mitch Kuczek, who was 2-for-4 with three RBI Thursday. Moeller head coach Mike Cameron gives credit to varsity assistants Bob Sherlock and Tun Held. 'Those guys work with the hitters and really do a lot of the coaching now," Cameron said. Cameron, in his 37th year at . Moeller, has won three state titles (1972, '89 and '93) and made another Fmal Four appearance (2000). He has coached the likes of Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin, is already in Cincinnati's prestigious Buddy LaRosa High School Hall of Fame, ·and seemingly has few worlds left to conquer. But the state tournament always is special. "We've been here five times in all my years, so you know how hard it is to get here," Cameron said. "You learn to appreciate it each time." Mentor is a Cleveland-area team seeking its first state title. The Cardinals are expected to pitch 6-foot-1 senior right-hander Thorn Abbott, whoisll-Owithan0.90ERA.Abbott threw 3% innings of relief to win Thursday's 10-inning, 2-1 semifinal win over Reynoldsburg. Moeller carries a 15-game winning streak to the finals. ·

. CANTON - Moeller pitcher Eric Surkamp can't wait to take the . baseball for the state championship game here today. Moeller (27-3), ranked No.2 in the final Ohio Division I coaches' state poll, will face No. 3 Mentor (30-3) in the final at 3:30 p.m. at Thurman Munson Stadium. "I've dreamed of this since I was little," said Surkamp, a junior leftbander. "I grew up going to Moeller 1 . football games. Now I think there's nothing better than Moeller baseball." The 6-foot-4 Surkamp (7-0, 0.33 ERA) has followed the lead of Moeller ace Andrew Brackman, who · pitched Moeller iii.to the final with a 6-1 win over Cleveland St Ignatius Thursday. Brackman (7-0, 0.60), the state's No.1-ranked player by Baseball America, could throw an inning or two in an emergency to-· day, but t:}lat is not expected. Surkamp has been just as dominant this season. In 42 innings, he has allowed 24 hits, with 74 strikeouts and 21 walks. He has allowed only two earned runs all season. · "I'm excited," Surkamp said. "I'll just try to do my job." Moeller's hitters also will try to do their part, having worn down another team Thursday in St. Ignatius with timely hitting. The Crusaders have hit only four· home runs this season but carry a .351 team batting average with no holes in the lineup. E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer. com

:Moeller advances to state semifinals . "j:z../t> ~

out of jams the whole game," continued Cameron. "He let Before a crowd of 1,500 runners on base in four difcheering fans at Miami Uni- ferent innings making it very versity, Moeller scored a win interesting, but he pulled of 2-0 against league rival St. himself out." .. XaVier. With good · pitching, And Camero~ goes on to timely hitting and a pretty mention Varsity Assistants solid defense,· Moeller fought . Bob Sherlock and Tim Held hard from start to finish. · . they pull the team together "It was a great game," said and much of the credit goes · Head Coach, Mike Cameron. to these guys. . . Eric Surkamp (Jr) pitched, Mark Olexa agrees. "It was · .the entire game. · awesome beating St. X. It was. one interesting· Everybody was great. But the game. Mark Olexa (Sr) led off coaches, they work~d all year , with a single. Jason Cisper long getting us reaay for (Sop h) sacrificed the 2nd today. Everyl;>ody just worked batter. Olexa went to third. together for today." . By tagging up on a long fly "It was .an unbelievable . ball, Olexa, scored qn the game," adds Surkamp. · It error. But the insurance run doesnt get any better than didn't come until the bottom beating St. X especially in the of the 6th playoffs. You kriow we're a· : David Oberly (Sr) hit a team. We're together, fighting double down the left field hard together, and today we line. Paul Seiter (Sr} running came up with a win: · for Oberly, advanced to third It is especially memorable on wildpitch, theh scored fat: Moeller since Moeller and on a single by Tyler Stovall X are tied for the Greater · (Sr). Catholic Leaglie this year. "It was especially someSurkamp, back on the mound got St. XaVier one- thing to beat X since we were two-three in the top of the . split for GHL. And it was a 7th giVing Moeller the fifth total team effort, no one perRegional Championship in son won- we all did it togeth· er," continued," added Tyler school history. Eric Surkamp went the ,Stovall. Hopefully we can entire game. His 4th shutout keep going and bring home of the season, made it the championship. Moeller's 13th in 26 games. Cameron agrees. EveryAlpng with his three-hit one's contributed, every step shutout, Eric struck out nine ofthe way. Bombers, walked two and eastsports@cormlunitypress.com. gave up three hits. . ·., "Surkamp just got himself By Lonna' Kingsbury

Contributor

College basketball insider. BS

THE CINCINNATJ ENQUIRER .

COMING MONDAY: Coverage from the last

'PORTS

day of the Memorial Tournament.

Editor: Michael Perry, mperry@enquirer.com Phone: (513) 768-8381

.~.

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2004

Âˇ~-~.

Top of the First

Well-armed Crusaders win state Âˇ. '

Surkamp, Brackman shut down Mentor 6-2 By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

CURRENT HOME RUNS:

rr~mrn

CANTON- Moeller pitchers EricSurkamp andAndr~ Brackman were unbeatable all season. Saturday, they overpowered Mentor 6-2 in the Ohio Division I baseball championship game. Surkamp (8-0), a 6-foot-4 ju-

ning. Brackman, a 6-foot-10 senior right-hander, saved it The Mason girls tied Clevewith mrelief innings then was land Collinwood for the Division mobbed by happy teammates I state track titli Saturday, 815 in the postgame charge to the mound. "I wanted to finish it," a nior left-hander, threw a no- grinning Brackman said, surhitter for 5~ innings and al- rounded by 1V cameras and lowed two hits before yielding to Brackman in the sixth in- See MOELLER, Page 815

Mason wins state

Moeller's Andrew Brackman (no hat) is greeted by teammates after he closed out the Crusaders' 6-2 victory over Mentor Saturday. Courtesy of The Plain Deater

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2004 815

Higb school insider

Another great baseball season

Courtesy ofThe Plain Dealer

Moeller's Brian Day (right) slides safely into second ahead of the

tag of Mentor's Denver Wolf in the fifth inning.

Moeller: State title

is school's fourth From Page 81

four hitters he faced, including the last batter. reporters aftetward. "I wanted to · Surkamp, who struck out seven be out there when everybody ran and walked five, admittedly was a bit nervous early before settling out to the mound." The state title is Moeller's down. fourth, along with championships "I was just trying to get outs," in 1972, 1989 and 1993. A crowd of Surkamp said. ~And when I go off 1,838 watched on a relatively cool and they see a 6-10 guy coming in (60 degrees) afternoon at Thur- there throwing smoke, you know man Munson Memorial Stadium, you're in good shape." with the lights illuminated. Mentor coach Len Taylor acBrackman, rated the state's knowledged as much. No.1 player by Baseball America, "Both their pitchers are very beat Cleveland St. Ignatius 6-1 in good," Taylor said. "I saw the one the semifinals Thursday. He threw (Brackman) on Thursday and said 101 pitches, but on Friday's off day oh, I'm glad we don't have to face he told Moeller coaches he was him. Unfortunately, he came ready if needed Saturday. back." · "We thought Thursday that AnCameron, Moeller's 59-year-old drew was done for the season," coach, owns all of Moeller's state Moeller coach Mike Cameron titles in 36years as head coach. He said. 'Then he told us Friday, 'I has coached superstars such as think I'm good for an inning if you Ken Griffey Jr., Barry larkin and need me.' We decided if we need· now Brackman, and said he.can't ed a closer, he's it." wait to try again next year. · Moeller fell behind 1-0 in the "It means a great deal to me to firstinningwhenSurkamp,caught ·win it, but I'm probably happiest off guard, allowed Mentor's Bill for the players, coaches and parMustard to steal home. But then ents because this is the first time the Crusaders erupted for six runs for most of them," Cameron said. in the second inning, Jed by a two- "Ifs always special." . It is the 38th big-school title for. run homer by catcher Tyler Stovall that traveled an estimated 400 Cincinnati-area teams in 77 years feet over the left-center power al- of Ohio tournament play. Yet, ley. Moeller (2004) and St. Xavier It was only Moeller's fifth home (2003) are the first Cincinnati run all season, but Stovall's third. teams to win consecutive Ohio "Not in my wildest dreams did I big-school championships in nearthink I'd hit one out," Stovall said. ly two decades. The last time it "I've never hit one that hard. I was happened was when Hamilton just looking to drive it in the gap." (1983), Elder (1984), Fairfield Moeller's Mike Belza and Steve (1985) and Western HiJls (1986) Davis followed Vfith singles, and won four straight It also is the second straight both scored when Mark Olexa's grounder was booted and then year that local teams have swept thrown away by Mentor's short· Division I state titles in the "big stop. That made it 4-1, and 0 lexa three" boys' sports offootball, baslater scored on a wild pitch to ketball and baseball. make it 5-1. In the 2002-03 school year, E)Cameron Satterwhite's RBI der (football), Moeller (basketdouble made it 6-1 and chased ball) and St. Xavier (baseball) won Mentor starter Mike Brancazio. titles. Elder repeated as football Mentor mounted a rally against champion for the 2003-04 season, Surkamp in the sixth, with an RBI with Hamilton (basketball) and single making it 6-2. With Mentor Moeller (baseball) completing having runners at second and this year's title run. third and two outs, in came Brack- MoeOeroso 000 0 -6 s 2 man. He struckoutthenexthitter, · Mentor too 001 07 - 2 then retired Mentor in order in the Bran~~ ~~~)~PH~g 1e~J;~~ M:c~~7.~ r3; 1 5 bottom of the seventh. ~;::'7.~~o~·:i~~·;,~~~:~; : :,/~~jRH:;~~;: Brackman struck out two of the Moe 28-3, Men 30-4. Aaendance- 1,838.

Cincinnati prep baseball has produced the likes of Pete Rose, Ken Griffey ]r., Barry larkin and Dave Parker. Not to mention Claude Osteen, Tufty Rhodes, Buddy Bell, Ron Oester, Pat Tabler, lance Johnson, Jeff Russell, Rich Dotson, Zach Day, and on and on. Not to mention Elder's 11 state championships, Reading's six and Western Hill!l' five. The seemingly endless list of great local stars and teams came to mind as Moeller won the Division I state championship Satti.rdaygiving the area its 61st state baseball title - including all divisions- in 77 years of Ohio tournament play. Cincinnati is fiercely proud of its baseball heritage, with the staggering number of state championships among many Tom points of pride. Groeschen While the area's well of big-league caliber talent has dwindled in recent years, a new superstar such as Moeller pitcher Andrew Brackman- rated' the state's No.1 player by Baseball America - has brought the scouts back in force. St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger, who coached the 2003 Division I state title team, was asked why Cincinnati baseball remains so strong. It vias pointed out to Slinger that Cincinnati teams, for instance, have kept Dayton-area teams out of the Division I Final Four for nearly 15 years now. 'There are just lots more better teams in Cincinnati," Slinger said. "We've got to get up for every single game we play. There are no easy ones." The area's Knothole and summer league programs have lost some players in recent years to other sports, with the age of onesport specialization making it a different ballgame now. Moeller coach Mike Cameron said that whereas he once had 90 players come out for his freshman team, the number is closer to 55 now. But still, Cincinnati continues to crank out state championships. In the past 15 years, the area has never gone more than two seasons without a state title. last year, St. Xavier (Division ·I) and Purcell Marian (Division II) became the first Cincinnati teams to sweep Ohio's top two divisions since Oak Hills (Class AM) and Reading (Class AA) did it in 1980. This year, Moeller was the only team to make it to state, but CHCA (Division III) and Cincinnati Country Day (Division IV) finished No. 1 in the final state coaches' polls of the regular sea· son. Baseball may not have the same hold on the public as it once did, but it remains important to · the Cincinnati prep coaches, players and fans who love the game. Kudos to local teams on another

HIGH SCHOOLS All-Ohio Baseball Teams COLUMBUS, Ohio -Here are the 2004 All-Ohio High School Baseball Teams as voted by the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association:

DIVISION I rntTeam P-Joey McDaniel, Dublin Scioto; Andrew Brackman, Moeller. C-Sean Boley, Celina; 1BSean Jackson, Olmsted Falls. 2B-Greg Fettes, St. Ignatius. 3B-John Elche~. Tiffin Columbian. SS-Scott Boley, Celina. OF-BrettSevage, Perry; Whitney Moore, Spnngfield NoM; Shawn Elswick, Madison Comprhensive. DH-Doug Henkel, Fremont Ross.

Player of the year: Andrew Brackman, Moeller.

Coach of the year: len Taylor, Mentor. Second Team P-Danny Barker, NoMmont; Tyler Pritchard, Lebanon. G-Ene Fryer, Reynoldsburg. 1B-Kyle Dyar,

Newark. 2B-Kevin Leininger, Tal. St. John's. 3B-Matt Beal, Elyna. 55-Chns Haycox, Spnngfield NoM. OFRyan Ba~lon, Cuyahoga Falls; Zak Hurley, Spring. boro; Antone DeJesus, Amherst Steele. DH-Austin Folley, Sylvania Southview.

llononlble Mention Conner Graham, Tal. St. John's; Tom Farmer, Berea; Alan Monison, GlenOak; Billy Froelich, Westlake; Slew WiNiams, ._._West; Dustin Taulbee, Elyria; Anthony Ramos, Admiral King; Weston Reinholt, Tiffin Columbian; Mark Brown, Centerville; Ryan Noe, Lebanon; Robbie KelleJ, Springboro.

DIVISION II rntTeam P-Jason Leaver, Springfield Shawnee; Josh Berrera, Sheridan. C-Jason Selhorot, Ottawa-Giandort. 1B-Chns Carpenter, Spnngfield Shawnee. 2B-Ryan Tevepaugh, Kenston. 3B-Troy Brown, Washington CH. SS-Brad Winter, Bellefontaine. DF-Chns Hoffer, Hebron Lakewood; Chns Niro, Walsh Jesuit J. B. Shuck, Galion; DH-Joe Spano, Tippecanoe. Player of the year: Chns Hoffer, Hebron lake-

wood.

Coach of the year: Don Thorp, Hebron Lakewood.

Second Team. P-Jon Niese, Defiance; Andrew Shislia, lake Catholic. C-Ryan Steele, Hebron Lakewood. 1B-Zach Winkhart, Canton Central Goth. 2B-AndrewToccaceli, Perkins. 38-Tony Mazza, Vermilion. 55-Jarod Humphries, Jackson. OF-Dan McGeorge, Tippecanoe; Jim Daily, Indian Creek; Frank Tumey, Ganfield. DH-Tom Snyder, Harrison Central.

llononlble Mention

Scott Pumpple, Roger Bacon; K~e Homer, Canton South; Andy Kluge, Ravenna; Darren Greene, Benedictine; Alex Schmid, canton Gantral Cath.; Heath Hinkle, louisville: Josh Melendez, Chagnn Falls.

DIVISION Ill rRstleam P-Jared Patterson, Coshocton; Steve Wenning, Coldwater. C-Jam George, Zane Trace. 1B-Mike Ryan, Perry (lake); 2B-Kyle Rhoad, Elmwood; 3B-Kevin lee, J. F. K.; 55-Corey Manfull, United Local. OF-Matt Roberts, Bucyrus; Jake New, Perry (lake); Stave Squires, Highland. DH-Evan Bertke, St. Henry. Player of the year: Jam George, Zane Trace, Coach of the Year: Chns Smith, Bucyrus.

Second Team P-Brandon Turner, Valley; Ben Hoyet-, Cinci. Hills Christian Academy. C-Jeremy Goldizen, Perry (lake).1B-Zac Richard, Versailles. 2B-Matt Wyss, Bu-

. cyrus. 3B-Joe Wheeler, Valley. SS-T~er Rudman, Bishqp Ready. OF-Paul Hannahs, Newcomerstown; Adam Blachuta, Elmwood; Anthony King, West Uberty. DH-Dusty Ahrens, Coldwater.

llononlble Mention Bnan Kelley, Gilmour Academy; Mike Ellis, J.F.K.; Drew Robb, Paint Valley; Keny Wilkinson, Clinton Massie; Joe Manis, Westfall; DuStin Speaks, Columbus Academy; Jay Roth, Indian Valley; Josh Yeager, River; AI Tyson, Elmwood.

DIVISION IV rii'StTeam P-David Hall, Carey; Nick Missler, Uncolnview. CJustin Barflorst, Ft. loramie.1B-Jarod Wehn, Ottoville. 28-Scott Sherman, Minster. 38-Zac Thomas, Toronto. SS-Ciay Tingsley, Edon. OF-Bnan Uchey, Ayersville; Craig Schnipke, Ottoville; Michael Schwechheimer, Crestfine. DH-WesSharp, Sycamore Mohawk. Player of the year: David Hall, Carey. Co-Coaches of the year: Jim Leininger, Ayersville; Will Nickols, Tnad.

Second Team P-Cory Leubke, Marion Local; Travis Danner, Sycamore Mohawk. C-Kent. Nigllswander, Ft. loramie. 1B-Robert Miller, Hiland. 2B-DavidVitko, Colimbiana. 3B-Karl Ferber, New London. SS-Tim Cordinnier, Minster. OF-Kody Thomas, Strasburg-Franklin; Seth Hill, Edon; Tyson Depinet New Riegel. DH-Bruce Fouts, Tnmble Local.

llononlble Mention Justin Lukes, New london; Tony Pawlowicz, Montpelier; Cooper Smith, Bethel; Josh Bowman, Crestline;

Jimmy Gardner, Cincimali Country Day; Kurt Smith, Cincimati Country Day; Travis Owens, Crestview.

High school postseason I Locals clinch championships 5- 3o~CY-+

MIKE SIMONS for the Enquirer

Moe!iar starter Eric Surkamp (with glove) is mobbed by teammates after shutting out defending state champion St. Xavier Saturday.

Moeller derails St. X to make state rmal four The Cincillllali E11quirer

Some local high school athletes made big strides toward Ohio championships Saturday, while others locked up their state titles. In a big baseball showdown at Oxford, left-bander Eric Surkamp pitched a three-hitter in leading Moeller, the No.1 team in the Enquirer area coaches' poll. to a 2-0 victory over No.2 St Xavier. Surkarnp, a junior, struck out nine as the Crusaders ousted the defending Division I state champions and clinched a spot in the state semifinals. The Milford softball team also advanced to a Division I state semifinal, beating Mason 4-0 behind the three-hit

At the state boys' tennis championships in Columbus, three of the four titles and seven of the eight final berths were won by area players. In Division I, the Kings duo of Doug Matthews and Matt Allare took horne the doubles trophy, defeating John Allare and Ra'ees Ismail. In Division IT, Indian Hill's Mike McCarthy won the singles title, topping schoolmate Brian Compton, and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy's Steve Havens and Ryan Shidler won in doubles. Moeller won its first state volleyball title since 1998 by outlasting Centerville in a fiveset final at Westerville.

The Associated Press

Kings tennis teammates Doug Matthews (~ft) and Matt Allare are all smiles :=~ftt!>r

l'lin,hin(f tnt!>

d:=~tt!>

ni,Jic:inn I rinoonlt!>c:

l"n::~mninnc:hin ~"'to

orri,,l

SATURDAY. MAY 29, 2004 C

HE'l;INCINNAllCNQOlRER

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

BUICK'

There are tough shots, and then there was the one I had on the 16th hole at Poipu Bay Resort In Hawaii during the 1997 Grand Slam of Golf.

Wrth three holes to play, I was trailing Ernie Els by three shots and desperately needed a b•rdie to have even an outside chance of catching him. When I saw my approach to 16 drop into ttle right greenslde bunker, I knew a birdie would be unlikely, bUt not Impossible. • But when I got close enough to observe my lie, I saw a shot that was close to Impossible. The ball had buried into the thick. wet sand. Worse, ~ was on a severe downslope. To get the ball out of the bunker would be very difficu~. and if I did there was no way ~ was going to hold the green. A thick clump of bushes beyond the green was beckoning to my ball. I was a dead man.

Or was I? A steep, grassy embankment was just beyond the bunker. If I could somehow make the ball fly directly into the embankment, the ball might release forward and get on the green. It was a 1D0-1 shot, but I had to try ~.

·e been infatuated with the • 1e of golf since my pop first put a club in my hands when l was a

toddler. I was an only child, and the dub and ball became my playmates. That feeling of solitude and self-reliance enhatlced the game's

attraction for me and endures

today.

The dieM about the game beina

•

VOII :=~oain~ thA

nnlf rn• treo

ie ,..,.,);",

I addressed the ball as though I Wf!Ke ready to chop wood. I didn't swing the club back so much as lift it straight in the air, ttlen brought it down into the sand as though I were swinging an ax. I swung as hard as I could, closing my eyes, and hoped for the best. When I found the courage to peek, I saw an amazing sight. The ball had shot straight forward and slammed into the embankment. It jumped Into the air a good 3 feet and continued forward. stopping 2 feet from the hole, I knocked the putt In for one of the best pars of my life.

of the clubface so I can hit the ball high and soft, and It also increases the amount of "bounce" on the sole of the clubhead.

- I Weaken My Grip: The last thing I want cin a sand shot is for the clubface to rotate to a closed position through impact. To discourage that, I weaken my left-hand grip at address, so the back of my left hand faces the target

- I Position the Ball Forward: I like it Just oppos~e my left heel. Playing the ball forward promotes a higher trajectory, and also encourages me to slide the clubhead easily through the sand.

Easy Does It Remember one thing: The standard bunker shot is about technique, not strength. I don't apply any more effort than I would on a 40-yard shot from the fairway,

· I Downsize My Swing: I don't need a long swing with lots of body action, as there is no need for extra distance. I keep my grip pressure light, maintain an easy rhythm and swing my hands back to about shoulder height.

• I Cock My Wrlsta Fully: The clubhead speed I generate comes mainly from my hands and arms. I break my wrists early on the backswing and cock them all the way. This is a very "handsy" shot, w~h very l~le movement in my hips and legs. - I'm a Right-Hand Man: The swing

on the greenside bunker shot is dominated by the right hand, Through impact, the action is very similar to throwing a ball. I A- A.....__, --..A.,. _, ___ ___ ,- -- !t"

When I want to hit the ball high and make it stop quickly, I'll hit maybe an inch behind the ball, sometimes less. I very rarely try to pick the ball cleanly without taking any sand at all, as the ball can very easily get away from me and fly too far.

I Always Accelerate If there's one mistake common among poor bunker players, ~·s decelerating through impact. It probably stems from hitting at the ball Instead of through ~. To be consistent from sand, the clubhead must be galning speed when it enters the sand instead of slowing down. This Is true even on short bunker shots. 1try to Imagine that the club is traveling its fastest at a point 6 inches beyond the ball.

Some Explosive n1ougbts I believe the principles of good sand play are ~ much the same for everyone. If you want to hit the ball higher, you must either open the clubface or position the ball farther forward in your stance to increase your launch angle. There's no other sound way to obtain more height on the shot There are other principles that have more to do with strategy and club selection than with physics and swing mechanics. Every amateur should obey the following rules: - From fairway bunkers, forget about using any club longer than a 4-iron unless the sand is moist and packed, with the ball perched in a perfect lie. And take at least one club more than you would from grass at the same distance.

- The longer the shot, the lighter you should hold the club. That increases your ability to generate speed, and speed is necessary on every shot from sand.

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2004 87·

SPORTS

v: Pick best player availabl~ . .g criteria for drafting to stats, college players .

first round aren't anywhere near "We're going to take the best "But we're not excluding anyone.'' the majors. Ty Howington (1999) player available," Reynolds said. : Picking the same player twice and Chris Gruler (2002) are com- 'That's not to say it won't be a worked out pretty well with Barry . pitcher. But we don't feel we have Larkin. ing back from surgery. Jeremy to ·take one." Sowers (2001) never signed. Sowers, a left-bander, is 9-5 The other prize of the 2004 That will be the case throughwith a 2.75 ERA for Vandy this draft looks to be Richie Gardner, out the draft- no position will be year. He has allowed 93 hits in another college pitcher. Gardner,' emphasized. 111~ innings. He has struck out 'The philosophy is simply to a sixth-round pick, is 5-2 with a 107 and walked only 21. 2.28 ERA at Single-A Potomac in take the best player available at Baseball America projects Sowhis first year of pro ball. the time the seventh pick comes ers going No.6 to Cleveland. It The Reds pick seventh in the up in every round," O'Brien said. has the Reds taking Matt Bush,·a draft, which is June 7. Whoever You also can expect a mixture .high school shortstop from El Cathey take is going to get a bonus of college and high school players. jon, Calif. "We're not limiting ourselves to EASY EDWIN: Third baseman of between $2 million and $3 million. That's a huge investment for a particular age of player," O'Brien Edwin Encarnacion went 3-for-4 · a team that doesn't pay any of the said. "We're going to consider with two d_oubles for Double-A pitchers in its starting rotation. high school, college and four-year· Chattanooga on Friday to raise his school players." more than $2.75 million. average to .324. "Overall, the draft is pretty WHAT ABOUT SOWERS? Sowers, Encarnacion, obtained in the strong," Reynolds said. "It's deep- who is finishing his junior year at Rob Bell trade in 2001, has a .414 est in pitching and right-handed Vanderbilt, probably will fall on-base percentage. pitching in particular." around where the Reds pick. If Encarnacion can get more That doesn't, however, mean "I'm not going to talk specifical- · consistent in the field- he had 40 the Reds will take a pitcher. ly_ about Sower!),'' Reynolds said. errors in 125 games last year - he

Radiant Research is conducting a .clinical research study for .an investigational medication for daily pain associated with diabetic neuropathy pain.

If your current pain

medication is not controlling your pain or the side effects are too difficult to tolerate, you may qualify to participate. Qualified · participants will receive all study-related exams, investigational medication and reimbursement up to $560 for time and travel.

The Associated Press

Unlike recent prep stars, Ryan Wagner, picked out of college,~ worked out well as a draft pick-:~

could be the third baseman of the future. He has eight errors in the 31 games this year. He's hitting that well in Dou- v ble-A at 21 years old.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com

Friday, June 4@ 7:10 Satu~day, June 5@ 7:10 Sunday, June 6@ 1:15 Kick off the month of June by catching a Reds/Expos game at Great Amertcan Ball Park

Tuesday, June 15@ 7:10 Wednesday, June 16@ 7:10 Thursday, June 17 @ 12:35 The Reds take on Alfonso Soriano and the Rangers in their first interfeague series of the season'

Friday, June 25@ 7:10 Saturday, June 26@ 7:10 Sunday, June 27@ 1:15 Watch the Reds fight the Pirates in a National League Central ba.ttle.

Tuesday, June 29@ 7:10 Wednesday, June 30@ 7:10 Thursday, July 1 @ 12:35 Cheer on the Reds when Mike Piazza and the Mets come to town for the only time this season.

-...1'----··

~® l{llSllAKCH

i. OH

/ '" '& ~ .

.-·

_,.

-·

'.·

••

)

·,'

·--'

Cfi ,;

t,>.-:

i ...... . :

OT.

•'

•••

---•-••••':

WAS

NOW

$299 . $129 $799 $299 $349 $1799

$218 $87 $450 $224 $295 $1488

SPRING

The. Cincinnati Enquirer/ERNEST COLEMAN

Moeller pitcher Andrew Brackman finished the baseball season 7-0 with a 0.60 ERA. His fastball has been clocked at 94 mph.

St. Xavier's Adam Kroth (left) and Noah Lankford sit dejectedly in the outfield after losing to Moeller 2-0 , Saturday in a regional final at Miami University. MIKE SIMONS for the Enquirer

m--u-C";:l,..

·rom Groeschen !:,~:.:3~ ~Cincinnati Enquirer '

'/.

,_. OXFORD - Everyone agrees ,._foeller has the best prep baseball P!Pcher in Cincinnati. · ~3 ~e Crusaders also have probaBlY the second-best pitcher in Cincinnati, which is why. Moeller is 1feyded to the Division I Final Four \Hi's week. · . . S'Jlfunior left-hander .Eric Surltrunp, the No. 2 starter behind ace Mtirew Brackman, was magnifi~l:!iit as Moeller beat archrival ~Pxavier 2-0 in the regional final ~furday. Moeller was · ranked Ntr. 1 and St Xavier No. 2 in the.fi.na'f Enquirer coaches; poll. · 0 :lthe 6-foot-4 Surkamp struck out nine and allowed only three hits in ~ffing St. Xavier's bid to repeat as ~1e champion. A packed house. of ~432 watched at Miami University. "After awhile, I was just going .on pure adrenaline," a smiling Surkamp said, icing his arm afterward on a hot, sunny afternoon. "You've gotta love it, a big game like this." Moeller (26-3) advancedto meet @JJvelan~ St. Ignatius (23-6) in the state semifinals at 1:30 p.m. Thurs. d~ at Canton's Thurman Munson 1

Sfuilium.

·'--!'Surkamp (7.0) outdueled St Xa· ·\Tier left-hander Sean Quinn (3-2). T• ·vas the second time this year ·amp blanked · hard-hitting . !li.er, which had a .360 team

MIKE SIMONS for the Enquirer

Moeller's Eric Surkamp struck out nine and ran·hisrecord to 7-0· this season with a 2-0 victory over St. Xavier Saturday at Miami.

"We felt like we'd need to score three or four runs to win. We had our chances." Moeller coach Mike Cameron, who said this is his deepest Moeller pitching staff in 36 years as coach, is debating wh<;> will pitch Thursday. Does Brackman go, or do you pitch Surkamp and. save BracKman for the state final? "We .feel we're in a nice situation, with two guys who can throw like that," Cameron said, smiling. "We've also got Ben Hunter and Dan Remenowsky ready." Saturday, Moeller took a 1-:0 lead · in the first inning. Leadoff man Mark Olexa singled, moved ahead . via a sacrifice arid fly ball, then scored on a: fielding error. The Crusaders made it 2-0 in the sixth inning on Tyler Stovall's RBI single .. Surkamp battled at times, with four walks and three hit batsmen. But he also picked off two runners ·' and escaped a bases·loaded jam in the fifth inning. · St Xavier had a 21-game winning streak snapped. Moeller, ridirig a 14-game win streak, will make its fifth trip to · state. The Crusaders were state champions in 1972, 1989 and 1993 and state .semifinalists in 2000.

batting average. ·rated the top prep prospect in Ohio "You just have to pitch your by Baseball America. Brackman is game and hope they don't hurt regarded as a potential higb-round you," Surkamp said. '1 struggl~d choice in next month's amateur here and there, but we got it draft, and many scouts already are done." . targeting Surkamp for.the 2005 ~----_-_·_·-·~~ ~ ~ ! ~ · Teammate Brackman (6-0, draft. WP- Sur1<amp (7-0,9 KS). LP- Quinn (3·2). HIWng leaders: . . "He PI'tched a gem,. didn't ·he.?" · XOberly - Nurre 1·2: Williams 2·2, 28, 2SB; M - Olexa 1·3, 1R; 0.53 ERA) , wh . o beat Hamson m 1·3, 2s: swv.u1-2. RBI: oav1s 1·1. Records: x21-s. Friday's r~gional semifinals, is St Xavier coach Bill Slinger said. M 26-3. \ .

Courtesy of The Plain Dealer

Moeller's Brian Day (right) sli'i tag of Mentor's Denver We

'to second ahead of the . ir· · inning. :..

M:oeller: State title

is school's ·fourth From Page 81 ·

reporters afterward. "I wanted to be out there when everybody ran out to the mound." The state title is Moeller's fourth, along with championships in 1972, 1989 and 1993. A crowd of 1,838 watched on a relatively cool (60 degrees) afternoon ~t Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium, with the lights illuminated. Brackman, rated the state's No. 1 player by Baseball America, beat Cleveland St. Ignatius 6-1 in the semifinals Thursday. He threw 101 pitches, but on Friday's off day he told Moeller coaches he was ready if needed Saturday. ~We thought Thursday that Andrew was done for the season," Moeller coach Mike' Cameron said. 'Then he told us Friday, 'I think I'm good for an inning if you need me.' We decided if we needed a closer, he's it." · M9eller fell behind 1-0 in the firstinningwhenSurkamp,caught off guard, allowed Mentor's Bill Mustard to steal home. But then the Crusaders erupted for six runs in the second inning, led by a twolim homer by catcher Tyler Stovall that traveled an estimated 400 feet over the left-center power alley. It was only Moeller's fifth home run all season, but Stovall's third. "Not in my wildest dreams did I think I'd hit.one out," Stovall said. ."I've never hit one that hard. I was just looking to drive it in the gap." Moeller's Mike Belza and Steve Davis followed with singles, and b.oth scored when Mark Olexa's grounder was booted and then thrown away by Mentor's shortstop. That made it 4-1, and Olexa later scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-1. ' Cameron Satterwhite's RBI double made it 6-1 and chased Mentor starter Mike Brancazio. Mentor mounted a rally against Surkamp in the sixth, with an RBI single making it 6-2. With Mentor having runners at second and third and two outs, in came Brackman. He struck out the next hitter, then retired Mentor in order in the · bottom Of the Seventh. Brackman struck out two of the

four hitters he faced, including the . last batter. Surkamp, who struck out seven ' and walked five, admittedly was a bit nervous early before ~ttling down. ' ' "I was just trying to get outs," Surkamp said. "And when I gq off and they see a 6-10 guy coming in there throwing smoke, you know you're in good shape." Mentor coach Len Taylor acknowledged as much. "Both. their pitchers are very good," Taylor said. ''I saw the one (Brackman) on Thursday and said · oh, I'm glad we don't have to face him. Unfortunately, he came back." Cameron, Moeller's 59-year-old coach, owns all of Moeller's state titles in36 years as head coach. He has coached superstars such as Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin and ·now Brackman, and said he can't wait to try again next year. "It means a great deal to me to win it, but I'm probably happiest for the players, coaches and parents because this is the first time for most of them," Cameron said. "It's always special." It is the 38th big-s~ool title for Cincinnati-area teams in 77 years of Ohio tournament play. Yet, Moeller (2004) and St. Xavier (2003) are the first Cincinnati teams to win consecutive Ohio big-school championsJ.Jps in nearly two decades. The last time. it happened was when Hamilton (1983), Elder (1984), Fairfield (1985) and Western Hills (1986) won four straight. It also is the second straight year that local teams have swept @i.vision I state titles in the "big three" boys' sports of football, basketball and baseball. In the 2002-03 school year, Elder (football), Moeller· (basketball) and St. Xavier (baseball) won titles. Elder repeated as football champion for the 2003-04 season, with Hamilton (basketball) -and Moeller (baseball) completing this year's title run. Moelleroso 000 0 -6 s 2

Me":; ~~ur11a: (8 -0~ 1

~~. Bra~kman ~>-

LP _ 7 Ks); Brancazlo (5-2). Hitting leaders; t.'oe - Cisper 1-3; Satterwhite 1-4, 2B, RBI; 1-1; S:D¥all2-4, HR, 2RBI; Bella 1-4; Day 1-3; 0~"' 1-3; ~~" - Mustard 2R. Records: Moe 28-3. Men ~0.14 A.tteo<t= -1,838.

Obecy

Q;)

-E ... - ...... ca s ....=-ca >< - c .c 1ft :E en .... s ca ca 'b >< £0 -

E c.. ...c ca Q)

'00 ~

•1'""4

...c: r:n

•1'""4

...c: 0

= ~

r:n

Q;)

c.!:;)

Q;)

•1'""4

...c:

... : '

I ~ ~

aJ ........ ...... aJ

TiiE CINCIN

=:R====

SPORTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2004 85

Moeller's top gun goes against St. Ignatius . I By Tom Groeschen

Thf Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller likes its chances today when Andrew Brackman, the team's ace, faces Cleveland St Ignatius in a Division I state semifinal baseball game in Canton at ·, 1:30p.m. Brackman, a 6-foot-10 right-hander, is 6-0 with an 0.53 ERA He is rated Ohio's No.1 prep player by Baseball America magazine, but Moeller will see a pretty good arm itself in St. Ignatius right-hander Brian Hoyer. The 6-foot-5 Hoyer (7-0, 2.10 ERA) is rated No. 5 in i Ohio by Baseball America. , "St. Ignatius is predominantly a right-handed hitting team, but I'm not a big righty-lefty guy," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "I feel if you've got the better pitcher, you've got the better pitcher." Cameron had debated whether to save Brackman for a possible ap-

Higb school baseball .

pearance in Saturday's state finals. Should Moeller win today, junior left-bander Eric Surkamp (7-0, 0:33 ERA) will start the championship game. ''The kids are expecting Andrew to walk out there first, since that's the way we've been doing it in the tournament," Cameron said. "We feel we're in a nice situation either way." Moeller (26-3) was ranked No.2 and St Ignatius (24-6) was No. 5 in the final coaches' state poll of the regular season. Today's other semifinal pits No.3 Mentor (28-2) vs. unranked Reynoldsburg (22-8) at 10 a.m. at Canton's Thurman Munson Stadium. The Brackman-Hoyer matchup is a pairing of multi-sport stars. Brackman has signed with North Carolina State for both basketball

walks. "I just want to win," Brackman said. "We have two more wins to get, and that's all I care about" Moeller also can hit, batting .354 as a team. Junior outfielder Cameron Satterwhite (.400 batting average) was voted Greater Catholic League South player of the year. Other top Moeller bats include sophomore outfielder Jason Cisper (.482), senior first baseman David Oberly (.407), senior designated hitter Mike Belza (.386), senior shortstop Mark Olexa (.379), senioroutfielder Mitch Kuczek (.370) and senior catcher Tyler Stovall (.324). The Crusaders carry a 14-game The Cincinnati EnQuirer/ERNEST COLEMAN win streak. This is Moeller's fifth state tourMoeller pitcher Andrew Brackman, ranked the No. 1 prep player in nament appearance in Cameron's Ohio by Baseball America, will start today against St. Ignatius. 37 years of coaching, with state tiand baseball, while Hoyer signed Brackman has pitched 40 in- tles in 1972, '89 and '93 and a F'mal as a football quarterback with nings this year and has allowed on- Four appearance in 2000. Michigan State. ly 19 hits, with 70 strikeouts and 12 St Ignatius is making its seventh

Final Four appearance, winning its only state title in 2002. Hoyer, third baseman Jeremy Farrell (.480 batting average) and shortstop Jeff Deighton started on the 2002 title team. The Division I championship game Saturday has been moved back from its original 10 a.m. start time. Should Moeller win today, it will play in the state finals Saturday at either 1:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m, depending on two other outcomes. Because of conflicts with graduation with Mentor (Division I) and Perry (Division III), who also are in their respective semifinals, the Division III finals have been changed from 1:30 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. If Mentor wins its semifinal game vs. Reynoldsburg today, the Division I championship game will be .at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. If Reynoldsburg beats Mentor today, the Division I title game will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

JLI!I!I......

; : : : , ~

; l

j 1

11 the powers that oe at the unw Htgn ::,cnoo! Athletic Association were smart, and we have no doubt to believe otherwise, they would right now be planning ahead. They should call the company that supplies state championship trophies and order a supply of trophies with the name "Moeller High School." They will get used. The Kenwood school won its fourth state baseball championship earlier this month. That came one week after the volleyball team won its third state championship since 1997, and 14 months after Moeller won its second state basketball championship in four years. Moeller fans certainly should qualify for frequent driver miles, for all the trips they make following their teams across Ohio. Moeller, like many Catholic schools, has an advantage of size and talent pool. The reasons for the school's athletic success, however, go beyond those factors. The school makes a commitment to athletics. That's obvious. athletic Moeller's department Web site lists 17 different / sports, including ski- - - - /l ing and boxing. Moeller has tradition. That may be most evident in baseball. While the school wa~ wining its fourth state championship, one of its alumni was closing in on a hallowed Major League record. Ken Griffey Jr. hit three home runs, raising his career total to 498, the same weekend the Crusaders were winning state. Griffey is one of three Moeller alums in the big leagues. Barry Larkin and David Bell are the others. The school has also sent Bell's father, Buddy, Larkin's brother, Steven, and former pitcher Bill Long, among others, to the Majors. Most importantly, we feeL is that Moeller models stability. Baseball coach Mike Cameron is in his 37th year - 36 as head coach. Basketball coach Carl Kremer has been on the job 14 years. The school has had four football coaches - Gerry Faust, Ted Bacigalupo, Steve Klonne and Bob Crable - in 44 years. Athletic Director Barry Borman has more than 20 years in athletic administration. Moeller coaches are teachers - both on the field and off. They live the Moeller mission; they pass it on to the next generation of Crusader champions. Congratulations to the Moeller Crusaders, 2004 Ohio Division I baseball champions: Chris Ash Mike Belza, Andrew Brackman, Jason Cisper, Steve Davis, Brian Day, John DeTemple, Charlie Fischer, Brian Harmeyer, Ben Hunter, Ryan Johnston, Chris Kessen, Mitch Kuczek, Kevin McMullen, Rob Mueller, Brandon Naber, David Oberly, Mark Olexa, Dan Remenowsky, Cameron Satterwhite, Paul Seiter, Tyler Stovall, Eric Surkamp and Nick Tino, and coaches Mike Cameron Tim Held and Bob Sherlock. If this keeps up, the OHSAA may have to change its official colors to blue and gold .

----

----~

High school postseason I Locals clinch championships

to make state final four 'ne Cinct'nnati Enquirer

At the state boys' tennis Some local high school ath- championships in Columbus, letes made big strides toward three of the four titles and sevO:bjo championships Satur- en of the eight final berths day, while others locked up were won by area players. their state titles. In DiVIsion I, the Kings duo ln a big baseball showdown of Doug Matthews and Matt at Oxford, left-bander Eric Allare took home the doubles Surkamp pitched a three-hit- trophy, defuating John Allare ter in leading Moeller the and Ra'ees Ismail. In Division II, Indian Hill's No.1 team in the E1UJ.ui;er area coaches' poll, to a 2-0 victo- Mike McCarthy won the sinry over No.2 St. Xavier. Sur- gles title, topping schoohnate ~p. a junior, struck out Brian Comptnn, and Cincinrune as the Crusaders ousted nati Hills Cnristian Acadethe defending Division I state my's Steve Havens and Ryan champions and clinched a Shidler Won .r.. doubles. spot in the state semifinals. Moeller won its .first state The Milford softball team volley~all title since 1998 by also advanced to a Division I outlasting Centerville in a fivestate semifinal, beating Ma- set final at Westerville.

son

4-{)

behind the three-hit

pitching of Lauren Robertson~

., Coverage, BB-9 \

Moeller stifles Lakota West's offense By Todd Bonds The Cincinnati Enquirer

with back-to-hack strikeouts by · Brackman. "He's usually not in trouble. But he's got the stuff that kids can't hit," Moeller catcher Tyler Stovall said of Brackman. "We didn't put enough pressure on their defense," Lakota West coach Bill Dreisbach said. On offense, the Crusaders were led by sophomore Jason Cisper, who went 4-for-4 with a double and three runs. David Oberly and Mitch Kuczek, both seniors, each had two RBI for Moeller. Junior left-hander Eric Surkamp pitched the final two innings for Moeller. Surkamp nearly had the same type of outing as Brackman, struggling with control issues and hits early in the inning, then settling down to record the crucial outs. Surkamp allowed three hits and struck out four Firebirds, including the side in the sixth inning.

West.·-·······

2 0

-7

-e

10 8

2 0

WP- Brackman (5-0, 9 Ks); LP- Williams (3-4). Leaders: MCisper 4-4, 2B, 3R; Oberly 2-4, 2RBI; Kuczek 2RBI. LWMinzz12-3. Records: M 23-3, LW 16-14. Next: Moeller plays Harrison 2 p.m. Friday at Miami University.

Harrison 6, Fairfield 2

Division I district title game at Wright State. In the second inning, Harrison · continued to play "station-to-station" baseball. Matt Hinssen led off with a double, wentto third on a sacrifice bunt by Chad Norton and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jon Back. Harrison advanced to play Moeller at 2 p.m. Friday at Miami University. The last time Harrison made it to the regionals was 1993, when· the Wildcats lost to eventual state champion Moeller. "We don't usually make it this far," Harrison coach Dave Bader said. "We're looking forward to the opportunity. We'll see what happens."

210 002 1 1 8 1 The Wildcats loaded the bases Harrison·····-·-······ Fairfield ....~··-···· 001 000 1 -2 7 3 with no outs in the first inning and WP- Kramer (7-1, 7 Ks); LP- Gore (7-2, 7 Ks). Leaders: HBack 2-4; Hinssen 2B. F- Gore 2B; Sneed 3B; K. Wo~e 2-4. took advantage to take a 2-0 lead Records: H21-7. F15-ll. Next: Hamson plays MoellerFrtday on the way to victory in the second at 2 p.m. at Miami University.

Harrison meets Moeller, 11 years later 1993 are still fresh. Harrison built a 6-1 first-inning lead over Moeller but lost 12-9 in a Harrison coach Dave Bad- regional semifinal game. er waited 11 years for the Moeller went on to win the Wildcats' baseball program to state title. get back to the regional tour"We got up, and they kept nament. · battling back," Bader said. Once again, Moeller is in "That was the last time we got this far." · the way. Harrison (21-7), ranked Harrison has 13 seniors, inNo. 5 in the final Enquirer Di- cluding pitchers Brad Kramer vision I area coaches' poll, fac- (7-1, 1.43 ERA) and Matt H<?ues No. 1 Moeller (24-3) in are- chin (6-1, 1.98). The top hitters gional semifiilal game at. are Jon Back (.470), David Miami University at 2 p.m. to- Campbell (.465) and Houchin day. The nightcap (5 p.m.) (.450). features defending state "We expected togethere," champion St. Xavier (2M) vs. Bader said. "When this group Centerville (23-3). were freshmen, I basically ' For Bader, memories of told them they were going to

By Tom Groes'chen

The

Cin~innati Enquirer

take us to the promised land." Moeller, which beat Harrison 13-5 in a regular-season game early this season, probably will throw ace Andrew Brackman(~, 0.25 ERA) today. Eric Surkamp (6-0, 0.40 ERA) also is ready. "I don't put a whole lot of stock in the fact we beat Harrison earlier this year," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "Baseball can change so much from day to day." An all-Cincinnati regional final looms Saturday, should St. Xavier beat Centerville. The Cincinnati area has sent at least one team to the Division I state Final Four since 1991, when Ohio baseball

switched from three classes to four divisions. . Also today, Cincinnati Country Day (19-5) plays North Lewisburg Triad (24-5) at 2 p.m. in a Division IV re. gional semifinal at Huber Heights Wayne. Country Day was No. 1 in the ·final state coaches' poll. The Indians have won two Division IV state titles (1993, 2001) under coach Tllll Dunn. 'Also in regional baseball action today: Sycamore (Division I), McNicholas (Division m, New Richmond (Division II) and Fenwick (Divisionim. Today's winners will advance to their regional finals at 1 p.m. Saturday.

High school baseball! Moeller follows its star

Brackman pitches 3-hit, lOK. shutout Crusaders, seeded No. 2, oust Kings 9-0 By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Andrew Brackman admittedly didn't have his best stuff, but his "B" game is still better than any other pitcher in Ohio. Brackman, Moeller's 6foot-10 senior right-hander, allowed only three hits and struck out 10 in blanking Kings 9-0 in the Division I, Section I upper bracket final Friday at Midland Field, Amelia. Brackman is rated the top prep pitcher in Ohio by Baseball America and rivals. com, and he drew about a dozen professional scouts Friday. Radar glins showed Brackman between 87 and 92 mph with his fastball, and Kings also had tr.ouble with Brackman's curve and knuckle-curve. Or so it seemed. "I didn't really have it today," Brackman said. "I was getting behind in the count, and I felt a little tired." Brackman (4-0) missed the first few weeks of the season with shoulder tendinitis. Since returning, he has an ERA of 0.25, with 48 strikeouts in 28 innings. He has walked nine and allowed only 10 hits. "I don't feellOO percent yet, but it's getting there," Brackman said. Brackman, also an allstate basketball player, has signed with North Carolina State for both basketball and baseball. He said he would like to play minorleague baseball and also college basketball, and he's a potential high-round pick in baseball's amateur draft next month. Friday, No. 2 seed Moeller essentially ended No.7

j / / Âˇ -:'

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ERNEST COLEMAN

Moeller senior pitcher Andrew Brackman, also an all-state basketball player, has signed \A/ith Nnrth

f'~rnlin~

C::.t:;r.t.:;:. fnr hnth

h:::~e:lt-.c.th~ll

:;r,nrl h:;r,e:.c.h:;r,ll n.c.vt c.c:;r,cnn

. Moeller: Brackman tosses 3-hit shutout against Kings· From Page Cl Kings' upset hopes by grabbing a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Cameron Satterwhite got it started with an RBI single, Mitch Kuczek made it 3-0 with a two-run triple, and Tyler Stovall hit a tworun homer to make it 5-0. Kings' Dane Youtz tripled off Brackman to start the second inning, but Youtz was erased at the plate via an infield grounder. Youtz, the city's fifth-leading hit-

ter (.509) this season, later worked Brackman for his only walk. . "I'll be honest - he's got nasty stuff," Youtz said. "But I think some of us got it too much in our heads that it was Moeller we were playing. I think we let that name affect us." Moeller plays Lakota West in the district playoffs next Saturday at Wright State University. Moeller coach Mike Cameron said Brackman's shutout was the team's lOth this season, breaking

"I'll be honest- he's got nasty stuff"

Brackman allowed three runners to reach third base Friday, but he worked out of it each time. "Andrew was behind on some Kit1s' On Youtz hitters today, but he struggled on Andrew Brac:kmcr~ through it," Cameron said. "Pitch· ers will have those days, but to his credit, he made the big pitches a 33-year-old school record. Junior left-hander Eric Sur- when he needed them." kamp leads the staff with three Klnp ...................... 000 000 0 -0 3 0 shutouts, with Brackman, Ben Moeller ..........••..••••• 510 111 x -9 14 1 (4-0, 10 Ks). LP-8rowmng (5-2). H1nmg Hunter, Steve Davis and Dan Re- WP-8rackman leaders·. K-Youtz 38, Tomic 28; M-Oiexa 2-3, 28, 2R; menowsky all having complete- Sanerwhite 3-3, 3R, 2R81; Oberty 2-4; Kuczek 2·4, 38, 2R81; Stova112-3, HR, 3R81. Records: K 16·9, M 21-3. game and combined shutouts.

C4 SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2004

A LOOK AHEAD TO SPRING SPORTS

Division I baseba~i

St. X an uneasy No. 1 Defendi11g state champion expects challenge from Moeller By Alex Blumer

Preseason poll

Enquirl!' contributor

Wifr. 13 returning seniors and a

No. 46 national ranking in Student Sports magazine, St. Xavier seems certain to repeat as Division I state basebaJ champion this season. The trouble with that is the Bomlr ers might not even be the best team in their own conference. While the Bombers have the most total votes in the Enquirer Division I preseason coaches' poll, it was Moeller, their Greater Catholic League South rival, that garnered more t:1an half of the first-place votes. The Crusaders have so much pitching that even Moeller head coach Mike Cameron admits he probably never has had this depth in his 37 years at the school. 'They're a great team," said St. X head coach Bill Slinger, "but we think we're a pretty good team too." But Moeller doesn't expect St. X to roll cver because of preseason accolades. 'They're the state champs until someone takes it away from them," Cameron said. Both teams know that no matter who cones out on top, their two meeting~ this season should be memorable ones. 'The last couple of years have just been some great high school contests (between us)," Slinger said. "It's going to be exciting." Here's a look at the top 10 teams: 1. St. Xavier: A strong batting order should be the Bombers' strength. Returning are Enquirer All-Stars J.T. Imming, who has committed to the University of Dayton, and Noah Lankford (.426), along with fellow seniors Matt Stiers (.386), Adam Kroth (.365), Nick Williams (.352), and Bubba O'DonneJ. Although it lost its top three starters from a year ago, St. Xhas a number af capable pitchers Slinger feels can step in. Leading the group will be seniors Steve Marcott (4-1, 2.31 ERA: and Sean Quinn. Hardthrowing righties Taylor Barnes and Sean Speed look to be ready to make the jump to the varsity level, while junior Tom Nurre also should contribute. Senior left-hander Frank Bergh adds to the rotation. 2. Moeller: Andrew Brackman {6-1, 1.19) headlines what should be the best {itching staff in the area. The N.C. State-bound senior struck out 63 haters in just 47 innings. He11 be joined by right-hander Ben Hunter, who will play for Furman next year. Cameron is imnr~>.,=il

u.ith th1>

iii>VI>lnnm~>nt

Division I

J I

Team

(Fl:'St-t:'.--1::1~) Po!nb

1. St. Xavier (12)

276 262 173 136 133 6. tâ&#x20AC;˘1i~ford (2) 101 7. Anderson 79 8. Fail'f[t:!d 12 9. Mason 54 10. Lakota West 52 Others: Oak Hills 35, Colerain 31, Lakota East 26, Sycamore 27, LaSatte 16, Middletown 7, Lebanon 11, Glen Este 8, Loveland 12, Princeton 5, Western Hills 1.

2. Moel!er (16) I ' 3. Hamilton 4. Elder 5. Harrison

J '

''\] t;:,' -!'f

the bright spots on a team that graduated its entire outfield and the middle of its batting order. 5. Harrison: Pitching depth should help the Wildcats overcome i' the graduation of all-area pitcher , Alan Brech, as they return four of 1J: their five pitchers. Their staff, __ L Âˇ . which posted a 1. 75 combined ERA The Cincinnati Enquirer/GLENN HARTONG last season, includes 6-foot-4 leftSt. Xavier senior Frank Bergh is a member of the defending state hander Brad Kramer (5-1, 0.96 champion Bombers' rotation. ERA) and Matt Houchin (3-1, 1.30 ERA). 6. Milford: The Eagles will be St. Xavier Infielder looking to bounce back from a Noah Lankford heartbreaking loss to St. X.. in last year's state final. They'll have to do connects on a home run during so without 12 graduated seniors, nine of whom are playing collea scrimmage Thursday. Lank- giately this spring. Milford does still have Evan Arford hit .426 mitage (.455, 31 RBO, who was last season. honorable mention all-state and will play at Miami next season. 7. Anderson: All-area infielder Nate Fields (.390, 6 HRs, 20 steals) and OF Ben Terry (.506) should provide some offensive punch for head coach Shea Wardwell. The Redskins also will count on pitchers Sean Munninghoff (committed to Cincinnati) and Alex Lewis (Co"\ lumbia). The Cincinnati Enquirer/ 8. Fairfield: The Indians, disGLENN HARTONG trictrunners-up a year ago, will rely on their experienced outfield, seniors Dan Remenowsky and on said. which features three-year starters Brandon Naber. Naber and junior 3. Hamilton: Veteran head Jeff McGuffey (.380) and leadoff Eric Surkamp, who was honorable coach Dan Bowling's group will be man Trent Hanna. mention All-GCL last season, give looking for the school's 14th 9. Mason: The Comets were the Crusaders a couple of lefties to straight 20-win season. Keeping hit hard by graduation, losing 12 seround out their staff. that streak alive hinges on whether niors from a team that won the Fort Though the focus is on the pitch- the Big Blue can replace pitchers Ancient Valley Conference Bucking, there is an offensive founda- who combined for 17 of the 25 wins eye last spring. Coach Ken Gray tion. Catcher Tyler Stovall (.391, last season. hopes hard work and team chemsigned with Central Michigan), Seniors Alex Grantz (.358), Ty istry keep them competitive. shortstop Mark Olexa (.326, Ohio Smallwood and junior Kyle Brock 10. Lakota West: Versatile seUniversity) and outfielder Camer- should play key roles. nior Ryan Shaw and junior catcher on Satterwhite (.324) are the top of4. Elder: The Panthers return Josh Colliver anchor a team that fensive threats. Enquirer All-Star pitcher Ian Cart- will be searching for timely hitting "It's a source of pride; (our hit- er (6-2, 1.00 ERA) and shortstop and consistent pitching, according t~>rs) want to do their nart." Carner- Drew Metz (.290). Thev look to be to head coach Bill Dreisbach.

Moeller baseball player puts team first By George Schutte Sports Editor

Quietly helping the coaches and teammates during practice, diminutive Moeller senior Paul Seiter doesn't ask for any recognition. Last season, he almost didn't make the team. "Last year he didn't make the 路 team," Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "But we told him if he wanted to be a manager and part of the team and he could still practice and pinch run." During practices last year he would help the coaches set up and pitch batting practice every other day. This year he is recovering from a torn labrum in his shoulder, an injury he sustained last year while diving back to first against Kettering Alter. "I was diving back to first base and somehow my right arm was by itself and it popped out of the socket," Seiter said. "I kept playing summer and fall ball and finally went to the doctor when I was throwing and it was really loose, almost ready to come out of the socket." Following surgery over the winter, Seiter still managed GEORGE SCHUTIE/STAFF to be a constant at all of Moeller senior second baseman Paul Seiter helps with batting practice Moeller's voluntary路 winter in Moeller's student activity center.

sessions. "He would come in during the winter weight lifting and observe and help other kids," Cameron said. "We can't make the weight lifting mandatory and Paul had a better attendance than some kids who were healthy." In the spring, despite not being to throw, he would take batting and fielding practice, often rolling the ball back in. "He's one of the finest kids to come through here in my nine years and we've had some quality individuals over the years," assistant coach Bob Sherlock said. "He 路decided to come out again and keeps working, we just couldn't ignore him. He wouldn't go away." At practice Seiter is usually one of the first to arrive and the last to leave, often staying as much as an hour extra for more batting practice. "He just wants to contribute and to him it doesn't make a difference if it's helping the kids with their batting practice or encouraging them," Cameron said. "It's just unbelievable what he does for the team without questioning or complaining. I know as. a coaching staff

this year, we felt he had to be part of the team." Knowing his chances of playing this year are slim because he is still recovering from surgery, Seiter remains 路 upbeat. Depending on how the shoulder has healed, he should be able to resume playing in the middle of May. "Just being part of the team is important for me," Seiter said. "You always have that inner feeling to be on the field and playing. I just love playing baseball and the camaraderie we have as a team." When Seiter graduates in May he will pursue a degree in sports management at Otterbein University while trying to walk onto the baseball team. "They're a Division III school so they can't guarantee me a scholarship," Seiter said. Regardless of whether he gets to step on the field and play in his senior year, Seiter's impact goes beyond his physical contributions to the team. "He's just one of those kids who are the reason you wanted to coach," Cameron said. gschutte@communitypress.com

248-7570

ISP:)RTS I

Wednesday. Apr 2'. 2004

Moeller baseball player puts team first By George Schutte Sports Ed,tor

Quietly helping the coaches and teammates during practice, diminutive Moeller senior Paul Seiter doesn't ask for any recognition. Last season. he almost didn't make the team. "Last vear he didn't make the team:" Moeller coach Mike Cameron said. "But we told him if he wanted to be a manager and part of the team and he could still practice and pinch run." During practices last year he would help the coaches set ·up and pitch batting practice every other da): This year he is recovering from a tom labrum GEO'<GE SCY'JTIE/ST;cin his shoulder, an injury he Moel!er senior secondbaseman Paul Seiter helps with batting pra:tic:! sustained last year while div- in Moeller's student activity center. ing back to first against KetteringAlter. "He just playing in the middle of May. "I was diving "He would come in during the wants to ''Just being part of the team back to tirst base winter we~ht lifting and contribute b irupurti.ll:..t for me," Seiter and somehow my to him said. "You always have that observe and help other kids. and right arm was by it doesn't inner feeling to be on the field itself and it We can't make the weight make a dif- and playing. I just love playins popped out of the lifting mandatol) and Paul had ference if baseball and the camaraderi~ Seiter socket,'' it's helping we have as a team." said. "I kept play- a better attendance than some the kids \Vhen Seiter graduates h ing summer .and kids who were hea~hy:' with their May he will pursue a degree h fall ball and ftnalbatting MDRL.ER COACH MIKE practice or sports management at Otterly went to the bein University while trying t:> doctor when I CAPJIE~~~ encourag- walk onto the baseball team. ing them," was throwing and "They're a Division I:I it was really loose, almost Cameron said. "It's just unb~ school so they can't guarantee ready to come out of the sock- Jie\able what he does for the scholarship," Seiter saic. me a et." team without questioning or Regardless of whether he Following surgery over the complaining. I know as a winter, Seiter still managed to coc:.ching staff this year, we felt gets to step on the field and be a constant at all of Moeller's he had to be part of the team." play in his senior year, Se:ter's voluntary winter sessions. {r:owing his chances of impact goes beyond his physplaying this year are slim ical contributions to the team. "He would come in during "He's just one of those kiQs the winter weight lifting and because he is still recovering observe and help other kids," from surgery, Seiter remah1s who are the reason you \\:"an:Cameron said. "We can't make up:Jeat. Depending on how ed to coach," Cameron said. gschutte@communitypress.c::m the weight lifting mandatory thE ~boulder has healed, he 24E-75~0 and Paul had a better atten- should be able to resume dance than some kids who were healthy.'' In the spring, despite not being to throw, he would take batting and fielding practice, often rolling the ball back in. "He's one of the finest kids to come through here in my Everything nine years and we've had 1touch turns to some quality individuals over the years," assistant coach www.SusieSells.com Goedde Bob Sherlock said. "He decided to come out again and R&'MilC:Unlimited each Jtftce •ndependen!ly owned ana operated keeps working, we just couldn't ignore him. He wouldn't go away." At practice Seiter is usually one of the first to arrive and the last to leave, often staying Celebrating 25 years ... and still the one as much as an hour extra for more batting practice.

Building. Buying or Selling?

SOLD!

766·0622

Blue Ash Golf Course

U W

O) o(:5 CL o cn m

~(1) ~Wb In I

~cona~~ o

4 LLm

cz i-I

c(1

~'~ °

a) a E N E U

yy Qi'~ Gi i-%. 1-"+ G7 3 V) dcb

~ 2

(Uti

b,; OO

a)=

U:~oY

Ow 3 ~Q ro u y j O pp'y 9, cn O C +'7 •-" cz pp b 0bo pp ~ ~ - Q) 0 c W)~o v ay ay •y .O cd c~d~ m E3~.~ O ~0 O: u u 00 cn-0

d w ~~

3 0 'A

cz 04 E °

}

E+

°b°-

'"(CIC4.doh

on v

blo

O.+

d o'er

CTJ to ~~ a~C

...

a-0w OA

) r%

U c0 .

2i K $

0co

a cd 'y, Cd Ek

O .O O 4 Co (L)O C ~~x~c~m~~c~

(AU

CI$_

003'o°n'~o"d cz O ~ o

~~~~ O Q~E 0 W N O +~".+ cz 3

.4 O O i"a

0 cd.~•-~ *J U s4

cE w

-y ~ +

cti m

on-0

blD

dyr

LID `y

°xp ~v~

°aoc

GJ cd c bA 7••~ .'4

'-' O

O O O ctl — —

U) N

b ~' 0 .C. ro O N •~ - '-' N O cn c0 '~ C" O , O 4) s'"' •0 «S ... O cC G.7 cC o O y O 'c "' ~ v 47 ... ~••, , ~, m•

Cd (D

d w' od c. cam c!

+~ +~ ++ c bA'Cf ~" .*', ~-+ >. O q ~•. N4 O GJ N '~ CO U 't7 ,~ O o ~ N ~ cV ' ~ 3oz d N ,~ ro p ro ~ .~ ~ ~bA•~ a~i G' ❑ ~ w ~." p w O, r0. Q)( cn +.., CO O ~, C U cC .--~ O M +~ U O +~ , .~ +, +~ rn O co O ~ (n O bA•• 'O O= ++ W v S. a ~: cn ?4 > cC .Q. co

COy

U a ~ m SL 'C .~ a y' ~ s y o o

ca.c c ` — N

US d 0 a~ N c~ w ¢ ai — m O aJ ~ bA O. O Z.2 ,"4 bA•«+ O T3 b0 m w O s, w. cn ••, w ~.• OA ~~,,, y. •~ O a'~.+ "" rO s:.O r~ 3.. cC y O' ' 3 V ~' V r, +-' cn o pp — O ,~ ~+ N +•• ..•~ p O r ++ u cS O °, ~1. ~, .., p'~ RS O cC ~ cn O G '~ N Ov > x O O .~ y .., O -.~ b L]. 'C b ,~ O • cn cn 'G cC ~.., U ~~ ~ ai O ~" ~~ 0 ~ ~ 3~ ~ '" ~ ° p O. O 3 O a-CO .n `~ O °' U a~ u 0 W R O d .~ ca . 0 ` ° ++ r",. +, ~ cd 5.cn 0 n w ?. 2 r.

—Q,

-(D "O~ p O C t'G p O CO

-c ~ 25

-2

o o~

3 a m Ea

O U) ~o(~

Lo L N

cn %' O O U

o +

cp > N

~ ~ a~i x O a E m .J O U

O O-

L"d too, cd V O O 3 C" ccd O 'C3 0 ~ 04 O O O y't

~ a ~" .O

-C

O) U •C

C N 38

Lij

Mco o CF pp p ~ U p O C 00 c6 E C~"O O 01. C N p`O X 4 id N t M

._ ca

0 C} O " G „-. 0. O CO^'•~ U 'y O •., 'O h 3.b cy 0 ~, 0 O cd 0

"D cco

8 c g

O ~ 0 v~ O Cj U w~„ ❑ w,

G,'

~^^~,

O •.. p er

ID (D ca_ 3

a) CL

_ -0c,-0 00

t) cn?0

cdcd cz

+~. py

£E

CLco

E C C

.co

t4 SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2004

A lOOK AHEAD TO SPRING SPORTS

Division I baseball

Defending state champion expects challenge from Moeller\ By Alex Blumer

Preseason poll

Enquirer'contributor.

Division I

.(first-place votes i.,. parentbesesJ

With 13retuming seniors arid a No. 46 national ranking in Student Sports magazine, St. Xavier seems certain to repeat as Division I state baseball champion this season. The trouble with that is the Bornbersrirightnoteven be the besttearn in their own conference. While the Bombers have the most total votes in the Enquirer Di· vision I preseason coaches' poll, it was Moeller, their Greater Catholic League South rival, that garnered · more than half of the :first-place votes. The Crusaders have so much pitching that even Moeller head coach Mike Cameron admits he probably never has had this depth in his 37 years at the school. ''They're a great team," said St. X head coach Bill Slinger, "but we think we're a pretty good team too." But Moeller doesn't expect St. X to roll over because of preseason accolades. ''They're the state champs until The Cincinnati Enquirer/GLENN HARTONG someone takes it away from therri," · · Cameron said. St. Xavier senior Frank Bergh is a member of the defending state Both teams know that no matter champion Bombers' rotation. · who comes ~JUt on top, their two meetings this season should be memorable ones. St. Xavier infielder ''The last couple of years have Noah Lankford just.been some great high school connects on a contests ,(between us)," Slinger home run. during said. "It's going to be exciting." a scrimmage Here's a look atthe top 10 teams: Thursday. Lank· 1. St. Xavl.er: A strong batting ford hit .426 order should be the Bombers' last season. strength. Returning are Enquirer All-Stars J.T. Imming, who has committed .to the University of Dayton, and Noah Lankford (.426), along with fellow seniors Matt Stiers (.386), Adam Kroth (.365), . Nick Williams (.352), and Bubba

the bright spots 'on a team that graduated its entire outfield and the middle of its batting order.·· 5. Harrison:. Pitching depth . should help the Wildcats overcome the graduation of all-area pitcher Alan Brech, as they return four of their five pitchers. Their staff, which posted a 1.75 combined ERA last season, includes 6-foot-4 lefthander Brad Kramer (5-l, 0.96 ERA) and Matt Houchin (3-1, 1.30 ERA). · 6. Milford: The Eagles will be looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 'loss to St. X. in last year's state final. They'll have.to do so without 12 graduated seniors, nine of whom· are playing collegiately this spring. Milford does still have Ar· mitage (.455, 31 RBI), who was honorable mention all-state and will play at Miami next season; 7. Anderson: All-area infielder . Nate Fields (.390, 6 HRs, 20 steals) and OF Ben Terry (.506) should provide some offensive punch for head coach Shea Wardwell. The

n.lLUVIAl;;U it lost its top three starters from a year ago, St. X has a number of capable pitchers Slinger · feels can step in. Leading the group will be seniors Steve Marcott (4-1, 2.31 ERA) and Sean Quinn. Hard· throwing righties Taylor Barnes and Sean Speed look to be ready to make the jump to the varsity level, while junior Tom Nurre also should contribute. Senior left·hander Frank Bergh adds to the rotation. · , · . 2. Moeller: Andrew Brackman (6-1, 1.19) headlines what should be the best pitching staff in the area. 'I be N.C. State-bound senior struck out 63 batters in just 47 innings. . He'll bejoined by right-hander Ben Hunter, who will play for Fur· man next' year. Cameron is impressed with the development of

ers Seari Munninghoff (committed to Cincinnati) and Alex Le'IYis (Co· 'lurnbia). 8. Fairfield: The Indians, district runners-up a year ago, will rely on their experienced outfield, which features three-year starters Jeff McGuffey (.380) and leadoff man Trent Hanna. 9. Mason: The ,cornets were hit hard by graduatibn, losing 12 seniors from a team that won the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buck· eye last spring. Coach Ken Gray hopes hard work and team chemistry keep them competitive. 10. Lakota West: Versatile senior RYan Shaw and junior catcher Josh Colliver anchor a team that will be searching for timely hitting and consistent pitching, according to head coach Bill Dreisbach.

·· ·The Cincinnati Enquirer; GLENN HARTONG

seniors Dan Remenowsky and Brandon Naber. Naber and junior Etic Surkarnp, who was honorable mention .All-GCL last season, give the Crusaders a couple of lefties to round out their staff. Though the focus is on the pjtching, there is an offensive foundalion. Catcher Tyler Stovall (.391, signed with Central Michigan), shortstop Mark Olexa (.326, Ohio University) and outfielder Carneron Satterwhite (.324) are the top of· fensive threats. "It's a source of pride; (our hitters) want to do their part," Carner-

on said. 3. Hamilton: Veteran head coach Dan Bowling's group will be looking for the school's 14th straight 20-win season. Keeping that streak alive hinges on whether the Big Blue can replace pitchers whocombinedfor17ofthe25wins last season, . . Seniors Alex. Grantz (.358), Ty Smallwood and junior Kyle Brock should play key roles. 4. Elder: The Panthers return Enquirer All-Star pitcher Ian Cart· er (6-2, 1.00 ERA) and shortstop Dtew Metz (.290). They look to be

Divisions II·IV

(first-place votes in parenth-.J

~("z~~~~~~~5i;B;21~):'t·

Take this to heart, all aspiring state champions: Last season's eventual winner, Purcell Marian, finished third in its conference. But that happened to be the Greater Catholic League North, horne .of three of the four top teams in this spring's Divisions IT-IV Enquirer preseason coaches' poll. "When I told our team that our · goal this year was to win the GCL North, James Smith says, 'That's what you said last year, Coach,'" Purcell coach Dan Roberts said. "I said, 'Jay, ifyou can dowhatyou did last year, ·Til take (finishing third)."' · Purcell might.not have to worry about finishing · third this year, though, with seven seniors and five starters back from a team that won .:fiveofitseightplayoffgarnesinthe last at-bat. That group includes Division IT Player of the Year: Smith (.470, 11-3 as a pitcher), catcher jal(e Suer (.36.2), shortstop Andrew Spauld·

104 )1,02 79

5;WY?min~J1)

§:~:~9!ii~:,_g_Qy.Q_Wt:.P:~Y.~if.~)"_\P: ~;~~-:::.:F f":,):\:,::$~i ·c

7, Ross

~;~_M~~~i(a(~~~,;; " '"'' ··

Marian By Alex Blumer

. , ._. ,_(,g~

3. New Richmond (1) fi..Mcfl)icllo!as (1)·· ... ,,,.,

Purcell

Enquirer contributor

Evan

Preseason poll

Success to follow ·State champs return 7 seniors

Others: Oak Hills 35, Colerain 31, La· kota East 26, Sycamore 27, LaSall~ · 16, Middletown 7, Lebanon 11. Glen Este 8, Loveland 12, Princeton 5, Western Hills 1.

The Cincinnati Enquirer/MEGGAN BOOKER

James Smith, last year's Division II Player, of the Year, was 11-3 as a pitcher for state champion Purcell Marian.

ing and center fielder Dustin Woods (.466). Juniorpitcher Zach Snyder could join the rotation after pitching on junior varsity last season,while RYan Doran is settling in at second base. Here'salookatthetoplOtearns: 1. Purcell Marian: Despite all its talent, running the gatintlet of GCL play won't be a breeze, although it might not be such a bad thing. . ''We didn't have any easy games last year," Roberts said. ''That has . to rnalce you a better club." 2. Badin: TI1e Rams have won the GCLNorth the last 12 years~ To keep that streak going, coach Rick Kunkel's group will have to rely on designated hitter Brian Burton, SS Drew Maus and C Brian Dirhiemer .until .the young pitching staff comes around. 3. New Richmond: Junior P David Duncan (11·2, 0.44 ERA, 119 Ks) will need to dominate once again this season for a Lions team that graduated six starters. Coach Brian Benzingefis counting on the

leadership of seniors Chris Kilgore, Kyle Royse and Dusty Curfman. 4. McNicholas: Coach WillY .Corbett's squad could surprise with an excellent pitching trio ofUC signee ]alee Geglein, Tim Murphy and Kyle Meeker. The Rockets also should be strong up the middle With juniors Greg Feldkamp, Jake Oester, Bobby Pangallo and sopho· more Drew Schmidt. 5. Wyoming: The Cowboys return eight starters, including col' lege commitments Joey Rodgers (Furman,· .440 BA, 4 HR) and Eric Baker (Army). Coach Doc Wieland plans to use a running game to offset inexperienced pitching.

6 .. Cincinnati Country Day: Junior Kurt Smith, one of the best two-way players in the area (.545 BA, 4 HR, 28SB; 1.30 ERA, 84 Kas a pitcher) should make coach Tim Dunn's Indians a dangerous team once again. CCD got three firstplace votes after a season in which it was ranked No.1 in Division IV before losing in the district final. 7. Ross: How well the Rams ad-

··'J;)l\$S:

9. Roger Bacon· 49 ~;Q';li:tf1IP'lnr. ;·"'+> ,;',;.:;.,, . ': ,i:1:$z Others: CHCA/Taylor 35, Edgewood 34, Batavia 32, Western Brown 31, Reading 25, Norwood/Indian Hill 20, Kings 9, Mariemont 7.

·just to a shuffling of the defense will determine their success. Justin Hogue (.373) and SheaHarry (.351) should provide the hitting, while Ben Luebberst and Darren Sizern,ore could be quality pitchers for coach Jay Lytle. 8. Madeira: Coach Jack Kuz. niczci's squad suffers· from inexperience, with half the team sophomores or younger. The Mustangs hope hard work will help a thin pitching staff. 9. Roger Bacon: The Spartans return a solid starting lineup that in· eludes outfielderTyler Bien (.438, 5 HR), third baseman Kyle Chouteau (.434), and C Scott Purnpple. Rook· ie head coach' Brennan RYan must find pitching after losing the entire staff to graduation. 10. Turpin: Ryan Burlas and Steve Browning will be the top hit· ters for a.Spartans club that contin· ues to work on its pitching and defense. Coach Rob Lubanski has left-handed pitcher Kevin Heasley at the top of his rotation for the third straight year. _

~--~~cy~,·--------~·------~,~~------------~--~~~;--~~----------

.,~f

USA TODAY· THURSDAY. JUNE 10, 2004 · 15C

. (42-2)

·USA TODAY

Previous: 8. Result: Beat Lehman (Bronx) 11-4 and 6-3 in best-of-three PSAL semifinal series. Beat john Adams (Ozone Park) 21-8 in quarterfinals, Walton (Bronx) 8-2 in second round and Forest Hills 20-0. in first round.

High school baseball

8· Chaparral, Scottsdale, Ariz. final ranking Will appear )une24 AnalysisbyCltrisLawlor (31-2) More Changes: For the second consecPrevious: 9. Result Won its fifth Class utive ranking, change rules. Six new 4A state championship. Season complete. teams, featuring three state and two sec- . 9. Moody, Corpus Clu'isti, Texas tiona! champions, join. No. 11 Nova (Da- (40-1) vie, Fla.)jumped·lO spots after winning Previous: 10. Result Swept Reagan the Class SA state title. Ohio schools (San Aotonio)4-1 and 15-7 in Class SA, ReNo. 21 Moeller (Cindnnati) and No. 23 gion IV best-of-three championship seWa!sh jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls) enter after ries, extending its win streal<to20 games . . capturu1g state crowns. No. 15 Wilcox Sophomore reliever Danny Grande threw (Santa Clara) and No. 19 Mission Bay (San five innings, improving to 4-0. Plays KingDiego) won California sectional ititles. wood on Friday in state semifinals. Seven teams are still playing leading up to 10. Germantown Academy, Fort the final rankings Uune 24). Washington, Pa. (32-2) Pitcher of tbe weelc Andrew BrackPrevious: 11. Result Won Pennsylvaman of .No. 21 Moeller (Cincinnati)· nia State Independent Schools state showed dominance in the Ohio Division I championship, beating Perkiomen school state tournament. The 6-10 Brackman, 8-0. joe Matteo threw a two-hitter with who signed with North Carolina State for 13 strikeouts. Season complete. basketball and baseball, threw a: two- 11 N D · Fl (30 ?) hitter witl1 II strikeouts in a 6-1 win vs. • ova, aVIe, a. .., Previous: 21. Result: Won Class SA, St. Ignatius (Cleveland) in the semis. He state championship, beating then-No. 14 also recorded a scoreless final four outs for his first save of the season during a 6_2 Wolfson Uacksonville) 6-3. Preseason Dandy Dozen OF Warren McFadden . btle game win vs. Mentot: He was flllmer- (SSS, 11 HR. 50 RBI) doubled in two runs, up for Ohio's Mt Baslcetballlastseason. l'layer.of the weelc RF-P Chris Niro and Pablo Lopez improved to 12-1 with a (6-3, 190 pounds) went 5-for,7 with four 0.80 ERA. Season complete. REi in two Division II state tournament 12. Cypress Bay, Weston, Fla. games and picked up a victory as No. 23 (30-2) Walsh jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) won Previous: Not ranked. Result: Won the Division II state championship. In the Class 6A state championship, beating Misemifinals, Niro (5-2, 2.08 ERA), a Miami amii<illian2-l.MitchHouck(4-1)threwa ' (Ohio) recruit, recorded his third consec- no-hittEr. Season complete. utive postseason victory in a B win vs. 13. St. Amant, La: {31-9) Bellefontaine.' For the season, he batted Previous: 16. Result: Won Class SA · .421 with four home runs, 33 runs, 26 RBI, state championship. Season complete. 16 extra-base hits and slugged .747.; 14. Edwardsville, DJ. {35-3) Must-see game: Friday, No.7 Monroe Previous: 17. Result:. Beat Sacred (Bronx) vs. George Washington (Manhat- HeartcGrif!in (Springfield) 4-1 in Class AA tan) in the New York Public School Ath- sauget supersectional. RHP jon Goebel letic League Class A city championship, (ll-1) threw a complete-game four-hittEr, 7 p.m. Et at Shea Stadium. Sopho:more striking out eight, and Bryan Riegert had lliPDannY Almonte (9-1, 1.57 ERA); who · a two-run double. Plays Friday vs. SL has84 strikeouts in 54 innings, is expect- Charles East in state quarterfinals. ed to pitch for Monroe, which lost ip last 15. Wilcox, Santa Clara, Calif. year~ final. GW beat defending champion Totteiwille (Staten Island) 5-4 in the deci- (30-4) sive game of a best-of-three semifinal sePrevious: Not ranked. Result: Won ries. CIF~Central Coast Section Division I National record: RHP joe Label<' (6-1. . championship, beating Palo Alto 5-4 as 190) of Ridgewood (Norridge, Ill.) estab- Alan Smith smacked a two-run triple. lished a national record fur strikeouts Closed season winning its final22 games. with 40 in a24-inning game played over Ps Donald Brandt and jeff Gordon comtwo days, over a week apart. Arizona binedfora24-0record.Seasoncomplete. State-bound Labek, who threw the final 16.Spring, Texas(36-8) 21 innings in a 2-lloss to Evergreen Park, Previous: 24. Result: Beat Rockwall struck out 18 in the first 12 innings on the 8-0 and 3-0 to win the Oass SA, Region II first day before darlmess halted the game. championship best-of-tl1ree series. Accordh1g to the 2004 National High 17. Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul School Record Book, the previous' mark {21-1) of 37 strikeouts for an extra-inning game Previous: 22 .. Result: Beat Woodbury is by Billy Brimm of Asher(Oida.)during a 16-6 in Class 3A, Section 3 playoffs. Also 17-inning ·contest in 1971. The seven- beat South St. Paul8-7 and Park (Cottage inning record is 24 by Brett jennings of Grove) in double-elimination sectional. Lingleville(Thxas)in 1986. . Played Wednesday in sectional vs. winAdenbart update: RHP Nick Adenhart nerWoodbury-Park matchup. of Williamsport (Md.), sidelined in' May 18. VIlla Park, Calif. {26-3) after suffering an arm injury, was selected Previous: 2. Result: Lost to Santiago bytheAnaheimAngelsinthe14thround (C ) 14 · CIF-S h s · of the first-year player draft on Monday. arona I - m out ern ecUon, Adenhart,: who signed with the urliver- Division II playoffs. Season complete. sity of North Carolina, was considered , 19. Mission Bay, San Diego (27-7) firstcround pick until he injured a: ligaPrevious: Not ranked. Result Won ment in his right elbow. · : CIF-San Diego Section, Division Ill chamExtra bases: No.2 Columbus (Ga.)',won pionship, beating St. Augustine (San Dieits eighth state title, sweeping Northgare go) 13-4. Henry Sanchez and Zach Sand (Newnan) 11-0 and 9-1 in the Class 4A each drove m four runs, and RHP JYlatt -state ffiampioHship serifr.ln·Game;+,j"-_Jl'!"'-19~A)..J:brew_~dJil!er. - - - nior lain Sebastian improved Ill 13-b, al- With SIX strikeouts and went 4-for-5 WIUJ lowing three baserunners and striking fourruns scored. Season con:piete. out four. In Game 2, Georgia Thcb-bound 20. Wolfson, Jacksonville (26-5) Brad Rulon(! 0-l)fanned nine .... No. 12 Previous: 14. Result: Lost to No.11 Cypress Bay (Weston, Fla.) won a state Nova (Davie) 6-3 in Oass SA state final. championship in only the school's second Beat Seminole (Sanford) 6-2 in semifinals. year of existence, in a 2~1 win. vs. Miami Season complete. Killian 2-1 ..... Archbishop Carroll (Rad- 21. Moeller, Cincinnati {28-3) nor, Pa:) won itsthird Philadelphia ~a thoPrevious: Notianked. ReSUlt: Won Di' li~ League,char1)pi~nship,_ b~~tg1g )\reb-. .vision I state championship, beating M~n b!shop Ryan (Philadelphia) 7-3 m the final. tor 6-2. jumor lliP Andrew Surkamp nn- · Winthrop-bound Brandon Gribbin al- proved to 8-0. c Tyler Stovall slugged a lowed three hits to pick up the victory. two-run home run. Season complete. . . . C 1\'ler Weber of Goddard (Kan.), 22 DeMatha Hyattsville Md No. 8 in t~ Midwest Region, hit a walk- (22-4) ' _' · olf homer !n a 5-4 VIctory vs. Lawrl'nce Previous: 23. Result Won its third l·ree State m the Class 6A state final! .. . consecutive Washington catholic Athletic RHP Mark' Rogers of Mount Ararat prop- Conference tournament title. Season sham, Mame), who was the fifth o~eraH complete pick in Monday's first-year player draft by 23 '1 h J · C h the Milwaukee Brewers, threw a two• Wa .s eSUlt, uya oga hitter with.l6 strikeouts in a 4-1 victory FaDs, !Jhio (29-5) . vs. Brewetm the Eastern Class Astate fiPrevmus: Not ranked. Result: Won DIna! before ,3,000 .... Pepperdine-bound vision II. state championship, b~ating RHP jason. Dominguez of No.1 Chats- Steubenville 12-0. jumor RHP Chrrs .Gaworth (Calif.) finished his career with a com threw a complete-game two-hitter school-record 35 wins, including 23:in a and Western Kentucky-bound Scott row in his: final two seasons. Thammate Monzel had two hits and five RBI. Season jake Norton, a left-bander, went 11-Q this complete. season ... '. junior DH Chris Garcia of 24. Norwich (Conn.) Free AcadNo. 25 Xaverian (Brooklyn, N.Y.) eilters emy(23-1) Thursday~' CHSAA, Class A final batting Previous: 25. Result: Beat Amity 4-0 .632 With a school-record 19 homers and in Class LL state semifinals as Andrew ca55 RBI. rignan (9-0) threw a one-hittEr. Also had 1. Chatsworth, Calif. (35-0) its 32-game win streak halted, losing to Previous: 1. Result: Won its second Fitch(Groton)7-3. .consecutive CIF-Los Angeles City Section 25. Xaverian, Brooklyn, N.Y. champions!Jjp, beating San Pedrn 7-1. RHP {23-6) )~on Domm(ll!eZ (13-0) threw a •fivePrevious: Not ranked. Result: Adc ~tiEr, and )!l'illie Cabrera had a two;run vanced to .New York Catholic High smgle, helpmg extend WID streal< to a Schools Athletic Association Class A inc state-reco~ 50 games. Season compl~te. I:Ersectional final, beating Moore Catholic 2. Col~bus, Ga. (35·2) ! . ' (Staten Island) 17-11. Also beat St. RayPreVIous: 6.. Result: Swep~ Northgate mond (Bronx) 12-10 and Monsignor Far(Newnan) 11-0 and 9-1 to Win th.e ,best- rell (Staten Island) 12-8 in double-elijlliof-three Class AAAA state champiOnship nation IDurnament. DH Chris Garcia was series. In t~e two games, the teams! top 4-for-4 with seven RBI and a three-run four batters in the lineup - Ric BiSpop,. home run vs. Moore. Cody Belt, Doug Hardman and Zack 1\larDropped out: No. 12 Montgomery tm- were~ combmed 12 of27with~o (San Diego) lost to Torrey Pines 2-0 and HRsandruneRBLSeasoncomplete. I 5-3 in CIF-San Diego. Section Division I 3. Owasso, Okla. (34-3) . . , ; playoiTs; No. 13 Rancho Ber;.,rdo (San Previous: 3. Result Won its second Diego) lost to Fallbrook 9-4 and 7-6 in CIFconsecutive Class 6A state championship. San Diego Section, Division I playoffs; Season complete. · . No. 15 jesuit (Thmpa) lost to Pensacola 4. Riverside, Greer, S.C. (31-2) {Fla.) Catholic 3-1 ~ Class 3A st?te semiPrevious: 4. Result: Won its second finals; No. 18 Crespi (Enema, Cab[) lost to consecutive Class AAA state champion- Katella (Anaheim •. Calif.) 3-0 in CIF-Southship. Season complete. ern Section, DIVISion Ill final; No. 19 West 5.LaCUeva,Albuquerque(28-0) Otta~ (Holland, Mich.) lost to jenis.on Previous: 5. Result won its secpnd 10-0, and No. 20 Rockhurst (Kansas Oty, consecutive Class SA state championship. Mo.) lost to VIanney(St. Lows)9-6m Class season romp1ete. 4 state final. • About tbe rankings:USA TODAY's Su6. Farragut, Knoxville,. Tenn. per 25 baseballrankings are compiled.by (46·2). . . , Lawlor, who consults with a national net• PreVIous: 7. Result Won Its second work .of high school sportswriters anaco?secud?e Class AAA state champion- lysts, pro scouts and coaches. Amo,;g the shtp, beatmg Halls 3-1. Vanderbilt-bound criteria considered are a school's strength 1\Y(e Waldrop (14-0) threw a three-h!tter of schedule, the quality of competition in and had an RBI triple. Season complet~. its state or league and' the quality of its 7. james Monroe, Bronx, N.Y. players. '

Regional rankings '

East

1,James Monroe, Bronx, N.Y. (42-2) .

Midwest

2. Germantown Academy, Fort Washing-

1. Owasso, Ok!a.(34-3) 2. Edwardsville, 111.(35-3) 3. Cretin-Derham Hall, St Paul (21-1) 4. Moeller, Cincinnati (28-3) .

7. Xaverian,Westwood, Mass. (18-4)

(29-5) 6. Creighton Prep, omaha (26-9) 7. jenison, Mich. (29-1 ) 8. Goddard, Kan.(23-2) 9. St Rita, Chicago (34-6) 10. Pioneer, Ann Arbor, Mich. (32-4)

ton,Pa.(32-2) 3.DeMatha,;Hyattsvllle, Md.(22-4) .• : 4. Norwich(Conn.) Free Academy (23-1) 5. Xaverian, Brooklyn, N.Y. (23-6) ·' 6. Mount St']oseph, Baltimore (28-6) 8. Columbia, East Greenbush, N.Y. (26-2) 9. St. joseph Regional, Montvale,.

(28-5) . 1o. Hempfield, landisville, Pa. (24-4) I . , South , 1. Columbus; Ga. (35-2) 2. Riverside, Greer, S.C. (31-2) 3. Farragut, Knoxville, Tenn. (46-2) 4. Moody, Corpus Christi, Texas (40-1) 5. Nova, Davie, Fla.(30-3) 6. Cypress Bay, Weston. Fla.(30-2) 7.StAmant, La. (31-9J 8.Spting, 1\exas(36-8 9. Wpltson, jacksonville (26-5) 10.laGrange, Texas (31-1)

~-J.

5.. Walsh jesuit, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

w~st

1. Chatsworth, Calif. (35-Q)

2.lacueva,Albuquerque(28-Q) . 3. Chaparral, Scottsdale, Ariz. (31-2) 4. Wilcox, Santa Clara, Calif. (30-4) 5. VIlla Pari<, Calif.(26-3) 6. Mission Bay, San Diego (27-7) 7. Reno High, Nev. (36-5) 8.la Costa Canyon, Carlsbad, Calif.(25-9) 9. Hamilton, Chaodler, Ariz. (30-8) 10. Fallbrook, Calif.(30-5) Records through Tuesday

season Cincinnati prep baseball has producdd tfie likes of Pete Rose, Ken 'Griffey Jr., Barry larkb.l and Dave ·Parker. · Not to inention Claude Osteen, 'Tuffy Rhodes, BuddyBeU, Ron Oester, Pat Tabler,Lance Johnson, iJeff Russell, Rich Dotson, · Zac~Day, and on and on. . . . Nl>t to mention Elder's 11 state cha'r)lpionships, Reading's six and Western Hills' five. The seemingly endless list of ·~ great local stars and teams came .~ to mind as Moeller won the Divi- ·· sion I state championship Satur· day~Ving the area: its 61st state bas'eball title - including all divi- sioD.s - in 77 yeal:s of Ohio · toUI11ament play. Cincinnati is fiercely proudof · its baseball heritage, with the staggering num• ber of state . chaJ?pionships among many pohlts of pride. While the area's well of big-league " ~aliper talent has dwindled in re-_ : · cent years, a new superstar s1,1ch ; as IVIoeller pitcher Andrew Brack-~. ma'n- rated the state's No.1 play- .. er by Baseball America -has brqjlght the s<;euts back in force. ·" . St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger, ·; . wh'~ coached the 2003 Division I " state title team, was asked why "· Cinbinnati baseball remains so ~; strqng. It was pointed out to Sling:'' , er t11at Cincinnati teams, for in• stari.ce, have kept Dayton-area i teams out of the Division I Final ,, Four for nearly 15 years now.· :1bere are just lots more better" · teams in Cincinnati," Slinger said.. . "Weve got to get up for every. sin-; gle game we play. There are no " ·easy-fines;~··---·- ,-''"•<•=' c;~c..,._,

The area's Knothole and sum-·'" · . mer league programs have lost 1 ' some players in recent years to other sports, with the age of one- ,:; sport specialization making it a dif-· .J!lrentballgame nQ.w. Moeller_~ coach MikeCameron said that · - · whheas he once had 90 players corne out for his freshman tei:u:n, th~ number is closer to 55 now. •But still; Cincinnati continues toerapk ouf state championships. In',~ thepast15 years, the- area has nev' I . . . . er gone more than two seasons •.' · Without a state title. " Last year, St Xavier (DiVision I) · . . and Purcell Marian (Division m .• · · became·the first Cincinnati teams i to:sweep Ohio's top two divisions : sillce Oak Hills (Class AAA) and .2 Reading (Class AA) did it in 1980. ·; · This year, Moeller was the only' 1 team to make itto state, but , :~ : CHCA (DiVision III) and.Cincin- -·· ' nai:i Country' Day (Division IV) fin• iShed No.1 in the final state coaches' polls of the regular season. Baseball may not have the Sl!me hold on the public as it once .. did, but it remains important to ·· the Cincinnati prep coaches, players andfanswho love the game; .; Kudos to local teams on another ;; . _gr~t s~~t()n" __ , -----~ .•-<- _,, ::__ __ - : ;FOOTBALL: Cliff.Hem has · ,, sb,!pped down as head coach at . : Cincinnati Hills Christian Acade- .· my to assume a fulltin1e role as · CHCA athletic director. Hem '. spent seven years With the football team,with CHCA making Division,. V playoff appearances in 2002 and 2003. The new head football coach :will be longtime CHCA assistant ~e Gims.llill ChuckStudley, 75, : the former Cincinnati Bengals as- · , si~t coach, ~as jo!ne_d the varsi. ty'staff at Turpm. He Will work ; With the defense under new coor- ·~: : dinator Dave Kathmari, who , · ci>mes over from the McNicholas · : staf[ Studley was an Indian Hill ·~ a.~sistant tlie past two years. J_

••