Moeller High School 2002-03 Baseball Articles

Baseball all-stars: Division I

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

COACH OF THE YEAR

Bill

FIRST TEAM

Evan Smith

ST..XAVIER

ST. XAVIER

ST. XAVIER

MILFORD

The senior shortstop hit .3 78 with four homers, five triples, 13 doubles and 25 RBI for the state Bombers.

The junior outfielder hit .451 with three homers, three triples, eight doubles, 21 RBI and 12 steals fort e state champion Bombers.

The junior designated hitter batted .373 with three homers, two triples, seven doubles and 25 RBI for the state champion Bombers.

MILFORD

ST. XAVIER

The senior shortstop hit .523 with 10 doubles, four triples, six homers, 46 RBI and 14 steals for the state runner-up Eagles.

The 24th-year coach led the Bombers to their first state baseball title and also recorded his 450th career victory this season.

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

MOELLER

MILFORD The senior out-

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mers, 18 RBI, eight steals A and a .554 h. on-base percentage or t e state runner-up Eagles. He was drafted by the L.A. Dodgers.

The senior outfielder/pitcher was named GCL South player of the year, leading the league with a .451 batting average. As a pitcher he was 2-2 with a 1.52 ERA.

FIRST TEAM

J.T. Imming

Slinger

Aaron Prince

Eric Eckman

. FIRSTTEAM

Noah Lankford

Eric Lawson

Kyle Rapp

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

.

FIRST TEAM

Alan Brech

Tony Wells

HARRISON

HARRISON

The senior pitcher was named FAVC Buckeye player of the year, going 7-0 with an 0.17 ERA. He had 71 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched.

The senior shortstop hit .529, led the \ , . city in hits (54) and tied for the city lead in runs scored (40) and triples (8). He had four homers, 24 RBI and 16 stolen bases.

FIRST TEAM

Keith Weiser

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The senior pitcher went 8-0 with an 0.00 ERA and 94 strikeouts and three walks in 55 innings. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves.

The senior pitcher went 11-0 with a 1.13 ERA for the state runner-up Eagles, with 62 strikeouts in 68 innings. He was 20-0 over the past two years.

FIRST TEAM

Ryan Pfleger MASON The senior pitcher went 8-1 with an 0.91 ERA, with 66 strikeouts in 46 innings.

In his only defeat, he threw a no-hitter but lost 1-0.

Honorable mention 路 FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Justin Boyd

Tony Roberto

HAMIL'ION

ELDER

ANDERSON

The senior pitcher went 7-1 with a 2.03 ERA for the Big Blue, helping lead his team to the regional final.

The senior outfielder led Elder in hitting (.406), including two homers, 17 RBI and five steals for Final Four team.

The sophomore third baseman hit .427 and led the FAVC Buckeye division in doubles (11) runs (5) as Anderson reached the district final.

Nate Fields

Aiken - Frank Bell; Amelia Joel Steinmetz; Anderson - Ben Terry, Sean Munninghoff, Dan Weiss; Colerain - Mike Fehr; Elder - Mark Janszen, lan Carter, Chris Rothwell, Tom Scully; Fairfield -Jeff McGuffey, Craig Sample; Glen Este - Casey Brashear, Ryan Mitchell; Hamilton - Matt Wagers, Brandon Moore, Chad Berndt, Danny Sullivan; Harrison - Matt Bachman, Bobby Dake,.

Matt Houchin; Hughes - Lamont Harris; Kings - Rob Westaway,

Dane Youtz; Lakota East- Kev:in Mueller: Northwest- Josh Knose; Rock; Lakota West - Kyle ChapOak Hills - Billy Abell, Jason man; La Salle- Brad Gettlefinger; Nintrup; Princeton - Adrian Lebanon - Rick Rosell, Trevor Moore; St. Xavier - Patrick Day; Loveland - Corey Partridge; O'Donnell, Nick Williams, Adam Mason - Tom Bottichio, Mike Kroth, Nick Ornella, Brad Meyer, Tedford, Chris Forrest; Middle- A.J. Upton, Matt Hemberger, Matt town - Aaron Kerns; Milford - Stiers, Nick Hollstegge; SycaEvan Armitage, Jacob Chalupa, more- Drew Roberts, Matt MeinSeth DeBra, Mike Barnard, Neil berg; Western Hills- Duane Fultz, Gamble, Troy Testerman; Moeller Carlier Smyth; Wilmington - Zach - Craig Becker, Tony Maccani, Grove; Withrow - Quantez RobAndrew Brackman; Mount ertson, Luke Stayton; Winton Healthy - Brian Criswell, Dan Woods- J.J. Stenger.

Baseball results ~ -

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REGIONAL FINALS Division I (at Miami University) Milford 16, Hamilton 1 WP-Testennan (7 K's); LP-Moyer. Hitting Leaders: M-Rapp 2-3 2B; Gamble 2-5 2R; Lawson 3B, 3R, 3RBI; DeBra 2-3 2R; Annitage 2RBI; Chalupa 2R; Barnard 3B, 2R, 3RBI; Cousino 3-3 3RBI, 2R. H-Wager 2B.

Division Ill (at Wright State University) Columbus Academy 7, Carlisle 4 WP-Drake (12-2); LP-Perdue.

Baseball pairings REGIONAL/STATE TOURNAMENT

DIVISION I AI Thunnan Munson Stadium, Canton Massillon Jackson (26-2) vs. Cuyehoga Falls (24-6), post till Sunday, I p.m.

State Semifinals AI Cooper Stadium, Colo.

St. Xavier 121·9) vs. Perrysburg (23-6), Thurs' day, 10 a.m.

Massillon Jackson-Cuyehoga Falls winner vs.

Milford (29-21, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.

State Final: Saturday, II a.m.

DIVISION II Regional Finals

At Cene Park, stndhers Can. Cent Cath. (30-1) vs. Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (23-6), post. till Sunday, I p.m.

At Gallon Heise Park, Gallon • Sandusky Perkins (24-3) vs. Cols. Hami~on Twp. (24-7), post. till Sunday, 6 p.m.

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At Gant Municipal Stadium, Zanesvilte Steubenville(22-6) vs. Richmond Edison (25-2), post till Sunday, I p.m.

At Xenia St. Pans Graham (23-5) vs. Purcell Marian (19-8), post. till Sunday, I p.m.

State Semifinals At Ohio State Univorsity St. Paris Graham-Cin. Purcell Marian winner vs.

Sandusky Perkins-Cols. Hamilton Twp. winner, Friday 11 a.m.

Can. Cent. Cath.-Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit winner vs. Steubenville-Richmond Edison winner, Friday, 3 p.m.

State Rnal: Saturday, 3 p.m.

DIVISION Ill Regional Semifinal

At Massillon Washington Elyna Ceth. 2, campbell Memonal 2, susp. in eighth inning, will finish Sunday, 5 p.m.

Regional F'mals AI Massillon Washington Youngs. Ursuline (11-15) vs. Elyna Cath.-Campbell Memorial winner, post till Monday, 5 p.m.

At N. Robinsan Col. Crawford St Henry (26-3) vs. Millbury Lake (20-7), post till Monday, 5 p.m.

State Semifinals AI Cooper Stadium, Colo.

St Henry-Millbury lake winner vs. Youngs. Ursuline-TBA winner, Friday, 10 a.m.

Gahanna Cols. Academy (27-4) vs. Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (25-7), Fnday, 1:30 p.m.

State Final: Saturday, 3 p.m.

DIVISION IV Regional F'mals At Elyria Cortland Maplewood (19-4) vs. Sandusky St Mary's (19-8), post till Monday, 5 p.m.

At Beavers F'oeld, Lancaster Benin Hiland (22-7) vs. Newark Cath. (25-5), post till Sunday, 7 p.m.

At Wayne Minster (18-7) vs. St. Bernard-Elmwood Place (21-9), post. till Sunday, 3 p.m.

Slate Semifinals

At Ohio State University Cortland Maplewood-Sandusky St. Mary's winner vs. Minster-St. Bernard-Elmwood Place winner, Thursday, II a.m.

Ber1in Hiland-Newark Catll. winnervs. Montpelier (15-8), Thursday, 3 p.m.

State Final: Saturday, II a.m.

Fast-pitch softball results REGIONAL FINALS Division I (at University olllaytonl

Northwest 3, Hamilton 0 WP-Vonderflaar (10 K's); LP-Halcomb (7 K's).

Hitting leaders: Kump 2RBI, 28 .. (at Ohio State University)

Gahanna Uncoln 1, l.abanon 0 WP-Smith (8 K's); LP-t.ander. Hitting Leaders: lOnskiii2B. Records: G 24-6, L28-4.

Fast-pitch pairings REGIONAL/STATE TOURNAMENTS

DIVISION I

Regional Final

At Amherst Steele Pann,;'~ts.

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Holy Name (23-3) vs. Whitehouse

St. X4, Perrysburg 1 03

Defeflse

propels Bombers into final O'Donnell foils.

Perrysburg bats

By Dave Schutte Enquirer contributor

COLUMBUS- St Xavier senior Patrick O'Donnell's four key defensive plays frustrated Perrysburg on Thursday and the Bombers cruised to a 4-1 victory in the Division I state semifinal at Cooper Stadium to set up an all-Cincinnati baseball final against Milford for the state championship.

St. Xavier (23-9) plays Milford for the championship Saturday (11 a.m.) at Cooper Stadium.

Milford (30-2) beat Cuyahoga Falls 11-3.

"I thought we hit well enough to win, but that third baseman (O'Donnell) was the difference," Perrysburg coach Dave Hall said.

In the fifth inning, O'Donnell made a diving catch off a line drive and threw to second base for the double play. Then, in the sixth, with Perrysburg runners on first and second, O'Donnell took a line drive on a short hop off the bat of Mark Badenhop, threw to first, then took the return throw to tum his second double play of the game.

"All I try to do is keep the ball in front of me," O'Donnell said.

O'Donnell also robbed Perrysburg's Matt Kuhl and Steve Calevro of base hits. He had two hits of his own, including a triple in the three-run second inning. "(O'Donnell) has been doing this all season," said St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger. "After one of his plays, (Perrysburg's) first baseman came out after the inning asking what he had to do to get a hit."

Starting pitcher Nick Omella pitched six innings, allowing one run while giving up six hits.

'The key for me is getting the curve in for a strike," Omella said.

St. Xavier scored one run in the first inning when Prince doubled, then scored on J.T. Imming's single.

O'Donnell led off the threerun second with a triple. Catcher ]6rdan Gula, substituting for Brad Meyer, drove in O'Donnell with a sacrifice after which Prince (triple) and Imming drove in runs.

"I would have liked to score a few more runs, and I was worried after we left so many runners on base in the early innings," Slinger said. . Perrysburg's only run came in the seventh inning when Dusty Baughman led off with a walk and Kuhl and Calevro followed with bloop singles.

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) The Associated Press

Milford's Evan Smith throws a pitch during the Eagles' win over Cuyahoga Falls in the Division I semifinals. Milford faces St. X in the championship game Saturday.

Milford D, Cuyahoga Falls 3

Milford rallies for win in state semifinal game

By Dave Schutte Enquirer contributor

Gamble's single was just the beginning. Eric Lawson drew a walk, followed by a two-RBI single by Seth DeBra. Following a walk to Evan Armitage, Jacob Chalupa drove in two more with a single and Frank Krailler ended the blitz with an RBI single.

"I don't know if we've ever been behind with Evan pitching," Milford coach Tom Kilgore said.

"I didn't say anything to the kids because I think they were ready to play."

Smith admitted that it was an off game.

"I couldn't hit the spots today," Smith said. 'There wasn't any one pitch that I could rely on, but I can't complain because we won and we're in the championship game."

Senior center fielder Kyle Rapp went 3-for-4, including a triple in the first inning and a double in the

COLUMBUS - Senior Neil Gamble has come up with many clutch hits for Milford this season, but none more important than Thursday against Cuyahoga Falls in the Division I state semifinals.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning, Gamble's single triggered a seven-run rally for an 8-2 lead.

The Eagles (30-2) eventually won 11-3 over the Black Tigers at Cooper Stadium.

The victory advances Milford into the state championship game for the second consecutive season.

The Eagles will play St. Xavier Saturday (11 a.m.) at Cooper Stadium.

'They had just changed pitchers and I went up there looking for a fastball on the first pitch and that's what I got," Gamble said. third.

'This is a big field, which was to our advantage," Rapp said.

'There's plenty of room in the gaps, and the triple I hit probably would have only been a double on a high school field."

Milford added one run in the fifth and put away the game in the seventh with Lawson driving in two with a single.

Cuyahoga Falls coach Chris Carden said he was impressed with Milford's offense and its solid defense.

Chalupa, who was the final out in last year's state championship loss to Cleveland St. Ignatius, has waited for another opportunity.

'There was a runner on second with two outs and I hit a line drive toward their shortstop," Chalupa said. "I can still see it. He went up high and made a great catch and we ended up as runner-up.

"We want to win it all this year."

HIGH SCHOOLS Baseball DIVISION I Stale Final

AI Cooper Stadium, Columbus St. Xavier (23-91 vs. Milford (30.21, Saturday, 11 a.m.

DIVISION II Stale f"mal AI Ohio Stale Univenlly can. Cent Cath. (32-1) vs. Pun:ell Marian 122·91 Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

DIVISION Ill Stale Final

AI Cooper Stadium, Columbus St Hen!)' (28-3) vs. Gahanna Cols. Academy (28-4), Saturday, 3 p.m.

DIVISION IV Stale Final AI Ohio Stale University Minster (20-7) vs. Newar1< Cath. (27-5) Saturday, 10 a.m.

Friday's Results Stale Semifinals Division II Can. Cent. Cath. 6, Steubenville 2 Purcel Marian 3, Cols. Hamilton Twp. 2 Hamilton Township 100 001 00- 2 12 Purcell Marian 020 000 01- 3 7 2 WP-Smith (7 ks). LP-Chau. Hitting leaders: HT-Chau HR. PM-Smith 2-4, 2 2B; Suer 2-3, 3B; Spaulding 2B. Records: HT 25-8, PM 22-9.

Division Ill Gahanna Cols. Academy 7, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 4 St Hen!)' 10, Youngs. Ursuline 0 Kentucky

Today Ninth Region Championship (at Simon Kenton)

Boone County vs. Holy Cross, 1 p.m.

Fast-Pitch Softball DIVISION I Stale Final Alllroollside Park, Ashland Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (24-5) vs. Gahanna Uncoln (25-7), Saturday, 3 p.m.

DIVISION II Stale F"mal AI Brookside Pari<, Ashland Spring_ Kenton Ridge (33-1) vs. Mantua Crestwood (31-2), Saturday, 10 a.m.

DIVISION Ill Stale Final AI Brookside Park, Ashland Convoy Crestview (27-1) vs. Sycamore Mohawk (29-1), Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

DIVISION IV Stalef"UIOI

Alllroollside Park, Ashland State Anal: St. Hen!)' (23-9) vs. Gibsonburg (27-3), Saturday, 5:30p.m.

Friday's Results Stale Semifinals Division I Gahanna Uncoln 1, Massillon Perry 0 Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 3, Northwest 0 Anthony Wayne 000 001 2 - 3 9 1 Northwest 000 000 0- 0 3 3 WP-Woods. LP-Vonderhaar. Hitting leaders: AW-Woods3-4, HR. N-Kennedy2-3, Swedersky 1-3.

Records: AW 26-5, N 24-4.

Division IV Gibsonburg 1, Crestline 0 St Hen!)' 4, Sugar Grove Berne Union 0 Kentucky

·Today loth Region Championship

lot Bourbon County)

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Division I baseball: Milford 16, Hamilton 1

Eagles now look_toward state championship run Rout Big Blue in regional final

"We have some unfinished business. "

By Carey Hoffman

MiHord catcher Mike Barnard

Enquirer contributor

on the state tournament

OXFORD - Prom. Graduation.

These high school milestones are not the celebrations of most interest to Milford's baseball team.

The Eagles most want to be celebrating next weekend at the end of the Division I state tournament as the new Ohio champions.

Saturday, they punched their return ticket to Columbus, routing Greater Miami Conference rival Hamilton 16-1 in a Division I regional title game cut to five innings due to the l!).run rule.

Milford (29-2), the top-ranked Division I team, lost in the state final last year. Hamilton, which lost twice to Milford in the regular season this year, came into Saturday's game riding a 19-game winning streak but committed seven errors.

Between Friday's regional semifinals at Miami's McKie Field and

Saturday's championship game, both teams had Friday night engagements. For Milford, it was graduation; for Hamilton, Prom.

"I don't think I would have even gone to Prom, that's just how much this means to us," Milford shortstop Eric Lawson said.

He and his teammates made sure they were in early Friday night. On the field Saturday, they were in early, and often.

Milford's first three batters scored the game's first three runs.

Milford followed its impressive first inning with an equally impressive second inning. lawson delivered a two-out triple to bring in two runs. Awalk and a hit batter then loaded the bases and, already facing a 5-0 deficit, Hamilton coach Dan Bowling and

his infield gathered for a conference on the mound.

As pitcher Kyle Moyer worked on batter Jacob Chalupa, Lawson stunningly stole home.

"We practiced that in the wintertime and all spring, but it's the first time we've used it," Milford coach Tom Kilgore said. "It was a situation where one more run would really help us and deflate them."

Milford'added four more runs in the fourth inning and another six in the fifth. With left-handerTroyTesterman holding Hamilton to four hits, the rout was on.

Third baseman Rory Cousino went 3-for-3 with three RBI to lead Milford offensively. Lawson and catcher Mike Barnard also drove in three rul}s each.

Milford meets the winner of the Massillon Jackson-Cuyahoga Falls game in the state semifinals in Columbus at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Said Barnard: "Ever since the loss in the championship game last year, we've been looking forward to getting back.

"We have some unfinished business."

Division I baseball: St. Xavier 14, Reynoldsburg 12

Lankford drives in winning runs in extra-innings game

By Dave Schutte Enquirer contributor

DUBUN, Ohio - Noah Lankford isn't known as a power hitter, but St. Xavier's junior leadoff batter came through with the long ball for the Bombers Saturday at Coffman Field.

With one out and two on in the eighth inning, Lankford hit the first pitch he saw into right field, giving the Bombers a 14-12 victory over Reynoldsburg in the Columbus Division I regional championship game.

"We were down one and our seventh, eighth and ninth batters were coming up," St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger said. "I didn't know if we could do it."

Nick Williams was hit by a pitch to start the inning but was forced out on a play at second on a ground

ball off the bat of Matt Hemberger.

Patrick O'Donnell drew a walk, setting the stage for Lankford.

"As soon as the ball left the bat, we knew it was a home run," Slinger said.

"It didn't take long for everyone to start celebrating."

When Lankford crossed home plate, the second baseman was mobbed by his teammates. The Bombers, who have won 12 straight, are returning to the Division I state semifinals for the first time since 1994.

St. Xavier was in control from the outset and led 7-0 by the third inning. But Reynoldsburg rallied for six runs ~ff St. X starter A.J. Upton in the fourth.

Brad Meyer and J,T. Imming came through with RBI singles in the three-run fifth inning and Aaron Prince drove in another in the sixth,

enabli,ng the Bombers to take a seemingly safe 11-6lead into the top of the seventh.

Reynoldsburg tied the game atll with five runs in the seventh and scored once off relief pitcher O'Donnell in the eighth to take the lead for the first time at 12-11.

"We came from behind in the seventh inning against Oak Hills, but today they brought in their ace Gulian Perler) in the eighth," Slinger said.

"He pitched seven innings yesterday to beat Upper Arlington."

Six of St. Xavier's runs were unearned as Reynoldsburg committed 10 errors to the Bombers' three.

Reynoldsburg outhit the Bombers 14-12.

St. Xavier advances to the Division I state semifinals against Perrysburg on Thursday (10 a.m.) at Columbus Clipper Stadium.

C2 SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2003

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HIGH SCHOOLS

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Division II baseball

'Cardiac Kids' one win away Purcell Marian's eighth-inning run puts tea1n in final

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Ry Dave Schutte E;:qtdr('r co;Jtn"bf~tor

COLUMBUS - Purcell Marian moved doser to its first state championship in 50 years Friday when pinch runner Matt Barney slid across home plate with the winni:lg run in a 3-2 victory over Hamilton Township.

TI1e vlin in the Division II state basebaJ: ~(;mifinals at BiU Davis Stadium earned the Cavaliers a date today against Canton Central Catholic (32-1) at 1:30 p.m. for the s::ate title, which Purcell Marian b:.st won i~ 1953. \'filh the score tied 2-2. winning pitc!'J.cr James Smith led off 6e bottom of the eighth with a double, the ball hitting high off the fence at the 385 mark. Barney went in to pinch run and advanced to third base on:: a single by Ryan Du[{an, wh~ch was preceded by a walk to Iake Suer.

On a 1-0 pitch, Hamilton Township pitcher Nate Chau put the ball in the dirt and past catcher J.D. Lucas, allowing Barney to score from third as the Purcell Marian bench emptied and players started celebrating.

As in past tournament games, Purcell Marian experienced earlygame jitters.

Hamilton Township took advantage of hvo Cavaliers errors and a vlal.k in the first inning to go ahead 1-0, with Jonathan Parsley scorin[t.

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Purcell Marian's James Smith hits a double Friday to start an e1ghth-inning rally that sent the Cavaliers to a 3-2 win over Hamilton Township and into today's Division II state final.

Tne Cavaliers quicldy erased the deficit and took a 2-1lead in the second inning. Suer led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Andrew Spaulding followed with a double and scored on Rich Pierson's single.

Smith took a no-hitter and 2-1 lead into the sixth inning, when he made a mistake in the form of a high fastball that Chau sent deep over the left center fidd fence at the 360-foot mark.

"Jay's most effective when he spots the ball and keeps it low,"

catcher Suer said. "He got that pitch up .... I was worried about Jay losing his composure. When I went to the mound after the home run, he assured me he was all right" Smith proved it with his double in the eighth inning to start the winning rally.

"All I wanted to do in the eighth was hit the ball hard," he said. "I thought the ball was over the fence, but it didn't quite make it.

"I've told Coach all y('ar if you give me three runs, we1l viin."

Cavaliers coach Dan Roberts

said he had faith in his team.

"After they tied the game, I told the kids not to worry because we can score," Roberts said. 'Tve tagged this group the 'Cardiac Kids,' because this was the third extra-inning game we've won in the tournament."

Purcell Marian faces a tough challenge today. Canton Central Catholic brings a 17-gamc winning Rtrcak into the final.

The team's only previous arr pearance was a runner-up fini:;h in 1997.

Baseball: St. Xavier, Milford· meet in final today From PageCl

:.;,:i]ford defeated St. X twice last ~·ear · · once in the regular season, a"ld once in a regional semifinal.

Tl.tc Bombers blew a 4-0 lead and [ost to Milford 5-4 in nine innings.

Sfmior shortstop Aaron Prince said the sting still lingers.

"The tl1ing is, we're playing baskally the same team as we did Ia:;! r~a.r when we were up 1~0. We :u:ow we can stay v.-ith tlwm," Prin~cc said.

St. X. ·which !ast year graduated

its entire outfield and pitching staff, retooled its roster and pulled through a midseason slump - including six straight losses - to win its l~st 1:1 games. :viiliord has won sPven in a row.

Player for player, Molony doesn't see big cracks in either kam's gamP. AJ. l:pton, a senior right-handed pitcher with a 3.58 ERA and 1-1 record, will start for St. Xavier. Southpaw Troy Tcst~~r­ nmn (8-2, 2.10 EIV\) will start for

Lanldord (.451), Prince (.378) and Nick Williams (.357).

11IC Bombers' biggest setback is the loss of veteran catcher Brad Meyer, who had emergency surg-ery Tuesday and \vill be unable to play today. Junior Jordan Gula will start in his place.

Caravans from both schools, which are 23 miles apart. will converge in Columbus. Since Ohio schools are rcdistrict<·d by cnrollmPnt every year, Ohio High School Athletic Assodati.on staff member ~vElford.

St. X"s h!ttin,f! is entrenched in Jim Wharton said having: an all-Cin-

cinnati state baseball championship isn't unusual.

"There aren't nearly any Dhoision I teams in the northwest, which overloads Cincinnati and Cleveland," "Wharton said. "'111c state is broken into four squares to get the ~e number of teams in each division."

If ::\1ilford wins today, it will be the Eagles' first team state championship since a 1989 golf title.

A St. Xwin would give the Bombers a third state title this year, in addition to swimming and volleyball.

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A hearing won't be held until next week at the earliest, meaning the Cubs outfielder was eligible to play in this weekend's highly anticipated series with the Yankees.

Sosa started in right field Friday and was greeted with a standing ovation.

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St. Xavier confident against Milford Underdog Bombers, Eagles vie for first baseball crown

By Shannon Russell 1;u, Ci::ci;J::ati E:Jq~Jirer

Thirty minutes before 3t. Xavier's Friday morning ~aseball practice, junior seclnd baseman Noah Lankford >Vas cool, calm and collected.

Lankford, whose Bombers Jlay Milford in today's Divi;;ion I state baseball champi· mship, lounged in the St. X iugout and tallied baseball Nith his teammates.

"We are absolutely the unierdogs, based purely on exJectations and rankings. I hink we like that," Lankford

said. "We've been underdogs all season long -why should state be any different?"

But this isn't your normal state championship. The final, played in Columbus at 11 a.m., is historically big for two reasons: It's the first Division I baseball championship between two Cincinnati teams, and it will be the first baseball title for either 1\llilford or St. Xavier.

Milford (30.2) is making its second straight state title bid after losing 11-10 to Cleveland St. Ignatius in the 2002 championship. The Eagles,

the No. 3 Division I team in the Enquirer's preseason BASEBALL coaches poll and finished the Division I regular season second to Final: St. xavier (23-9) vs. Milford (30-2) Moeller in the Greater CathoWhen: 11 a.m. today, Cooper Stadium, Columb-..s lic League-Soutl1 (9-3).

Division II Head coach and math Anal: Canton Central Catholic (32-1) vs. Purcell Marian (22-9) teacher Bill Slinger was gradWhen: 1:30 p.m. today, Bill Davis Stadium, Columbus ing final exams and missed most of Friday's practice, but • Friday's coverage, C2 assistant Joe Molony said TRACK AND FIELD Milford will be tough to beat.

Girts and boys, Divisions I, II and Ill "We don't see any weakWhen: Beginning at 9 a.m. today, Welcome Stadium, Dayton nesses in Milford. From • Friday's coverage, C4 pitching to hitting to defense, SOFTBALL they're strong in every area;" Northwest falls 3-0 to Whitehouse Anthony Wayne in the Divi· Molony said. "And, as a pitchsion I semifinals, C2 ing coach, I can say that all their hitters are tough outs."

The Bombers haven't highly touted since last year, coaches poll.

St. Xavier has had a quiet played Milford this season. are No. 5 in USA Today's Super 25 poll and No. 1 in the fi- season in comparison. The See BASEBALL, Page C2 nal Ohio Associated Press Bombers (23-9) were ranked

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Purcell Marian's Dave Sheeran and Matt Barney (•.'1ith !":and in air) celebrate after Barney scored the winning run in the bottom ofthe eighth inn'r\g agai"'st Ham::ton Township in a Division II state semifinal. The tearr piays for the title at 1:30 p.m. today.

High schools I St. X, Purcell state base ball champs

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t~-"~--~~ St. Xavier pitcher Patrick O'Donnell (center) is mobbed by teammates after his team defeated Milford Saturday in Columbus.

GCL is the heart of it all --~ j

Bombers, Cavaliers punctuate dominant year for conference

li, By Shannon Russell 1

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GCL title runs

times finished amon[t a sport's top three teams.

Before this year, the 1987Alook at the Greater Catholic 88 Princeton (football) and Elderfootball. Moeller bas- League's team championships ketball St Xavier baseball. (and near misses) for the Woodward (basketball) The Greater Catholic 2002-03 school year: teams were Cincinnati's only League hasn't just dominated Football same-ye.ar Division I title-winthis year - it has made Ohio ncrs.

Division 1: Elder In March, tl1c GCL became history. After St Xavier's Sat· Division II: Chaminadethe state's first lt•ague to ,.,in urday 4-3 defeat of Milford in Julienne Division I football and basketthe Division I baseball final, Cross counby league officials said the GCL ball titles in one year.

Division 1: La Salle, runnerbecame the first Ohio league St. Xavier has brought home the most state titles to sweep DI state titles in all up; St. xavier, third among GCL schools this y~ar. three major boys sports in one Soccer school year. winning baseball, swimmin17, Division 1: St. Xavier, state and volleyball titles (thour,·h "I'm elated with the suc- semifinalist volleyball is not sanctioned by cess we've had at the state lev· Basketball theOHSM). el in all sports this year," 22Division 1: Moeller year GCL commissioner Paul Twelve-year athletic direcDivision II: Alter, runner-up Schildmeyer said. "Being the tor Pete Boylan said it's the Swimming first time since 1994 that St. best league in the state of St. xavier Ohio ... I love it" Xavier has won a trio of singlePurcell Marian added to year titles.

Baseball "This year was somewhat the GCL's title haul Saturday, Division 1: St. Xavier of a pleasant surprise," Boylan winning the Division IT baseDivision II: Purcell Marian ball championship 1-0 over said. "There's so much luck - involved with winning state Canton Central Catholic.

The GCL is split into North (St Xavier, Moeller, Elder, championships."

(Chaminade-}ulienne, Alter, La Salle) divisions. This year, Roger Bacon, McNicholas, GCL schools won six state Badin, Purcell) and South championships and four Coverage, C13 71:c Cir.cir.r.ati E::quinr

Track yields six local Division I state champions The A~~ociattd Press

Purcell Marian's David Fairbanks makes an over-the-shoulder catch at the warning track during Saturday's 1-0 victory over Canton Central Catholic in Columbus.

Greater Cincinnati had six winners at the Ohio state track meet Saturday at Welcome Stadium in Dayton.

Among girls, Mercy's Shanna Dickenson won the

discus, and Mason teammates LeAuna Sistrunk (100 hurdles) and Angela Bizzarri (3,20:>) brought home championships.

On the boys side, Elder's

Tun Roa won the pole vault, and Middletown netted a pair of titles by Marc Johnson (laO dash) andJeffSee (1,600).

Coverage, C13

COMING FRIDAY: In Friday's Enquirer, look for our special two-page salute to this year's Ohio high school champions.

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ideal, U.S. Swimicials are planning a $1 million bonus rld record. iday nigbfs um~ice work. A 42delay because it tin. te Pistons. Pretty nning off Rick Car·r two successful just to bring in noTY Brown.

te French Open. rds: Martin Verkoooooooo?

te Big East. The : schools filed suit Miami and Boston for plotting to d hann the league. s fine, until Miami, Syracuse leave, 1 the Big East plunter conferences. ~e Milbury. The rk Islanders generger has :fired seven in 7lh seasons, inhimselftwice.

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4. Arbl'o Gatti

Series: Ali won 2-1.

Comment: An easy choice. The first fight at Madison Square Garden in 1971 is considered one of the biggest sporting events ever; the third bout in the Philippines four years later, fought with the temperature over 100 degrees, is considered one of the best fights ever. Ali summed it up best in 1975: "Without him I couldn't be who I am, and without me he couldn't be who he is. We've been a pretty good team."

vs. Micky Ward

2. Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta Series: Robinson won 5-1.

Comment: These guys pulled off a double trilogy between 1942-52, and for that they deserve to be ranked behind only Ali-Frazier. For boxing fans, this has always served as the ultimate clash in fighting styles: Robinson, the pound-forpound best boxer of all time, vs. LaMotta, the pound-for-pound toughest guy of all time. Sugar Ray won every one but the second meeting in '43, but he was never able to knock out LaMotta. No one ever did. "I fought Sugar so many times," LaMotta said, "that I'm lucky 1 didn't get diabetes." LaMotta's life was immortalized in the film Raging Bull.

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list of the 10 best of all time.

Series: Gatti won 2-1.

Comment: Pure old-school here. No title belts. No rap-song ring entrances.

No singing careers on the side. Just hitting and being hit. The first encounter in May 2002, won by Ward on split decision, was so good that each man got a $1 million raise to fight again six months later. The rematch, won by Gatti on unanimous decision, was not as thrilling but was exciting enough to be ranked behind only two others as 2002's fight of the year.

The combined punch statistics from their first 20 rounds together illustrate the brilliance: 1,07 4 total punches landed, 2,747 thrown. Gatti landed an amazing 60 percent of his power punches (hooks, upper-cuts, crosses - basically, shots capable of knocking you out) in the first fight but somehow still lost. In the famous ninth round, the two combined to land 102 power shots in three minutes.

5. Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe Series: Bowe won 2-1.

Comment: Holyfield always will be more famous as the guy who had his ear

Holyfleld-Bowe II always will be remembered 1 Miller, who landed ringside in the seventh ro

Muhammad All on his epic three-bout series him I couldn't be who I am, and without me bitten off by Mike Tyson.

But before that, he was part of a memorable, and sometimes bizarre, trio of heavyweight title fights against Riddick Bowe from 1992-95. The bigger Bowe won the first meeting as the challenger, battering a courageous Holyfield and winning the decision in entertaining fashion.

Given no chance to win the rematch,

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No. 3 really is the tops! f course, great trilogies do occasionally sprout up outside of the ring. We here at Top of the Second pay tribute to other great 3s in history.

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Tale of the Tape: Arturo Gatti v: One is dead tired today after a fight Saturday r just dead. Who's the real heavyweight? The bo the tape.

NICKNAMI Edge JG

'Thunder"

RECORD

Famous Trios

Edge

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The Warriors' Run TMC (Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin); Georgia Tech's Lethal Weapon Ill (Kenny Anderson, Dennis r---=-...., Scott, Brian Oliver); the Cubs' (Joe) Tinker to Associated Press file I (Johnny) Evers to (Frank) Chance; the Reds' Nasty Joe Montana deserves to be on any great No. 3s list for his stint Boys (Randy Myers, Rob at Notre Dame.

Dibble, Norm Cha~ton); Ryan the Redskins' Posse (Art French Open (1984-86); The Karate Kid Monk, Gary Clark, Ricky (I, II; Ill); Alydar vs. Affirmed Triple Sanders); Arkansas' Triplets (Sidney Moncrief, Ron Crown races (1978); Ivan Lendl vs. John Brewer, Marvin Delph); the Astros' Killer McEnroe in Grand Slam finals (1984-85 U.S. Open, 1984 French Open).

B's (Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Derek Bell); golfs Big Three (Jack Nicklaus, No. 3s Arnold Palmer, Gary Player); the ProBabe Ruth, Dale Earnhardt, Alex stars cartoon (Wayne Gretzky, Bo JackRodriguez, Harmon Killebrew, Dale Murson, Michael Jordan); the Mavericks' phy, Allen Iverson, Dennis Johnson, Jan Three J's (Jim Jackson, Jason Kidd, JaStenerud, Bronko Nagurski. mal Mashburn).

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Minneapolis Lakers (1952-54); Chicago Bulls (1991-93, 1996-98), Los Angeles Lakers (2000-02); Oakland A's (1972-74); New York Yankees (19982000); Toronto Maple Leafs (1947-49, 1962-64). Other teams have won three straight titles, then gone on to add to the total. For example: the Boston Celtics' "eight-peat" of the 1950s and '60s.

Trilogies

Edge JG

New Jersey-based Italian-Canadian.

CLAIM TO Fl Edge

Has participated in the 'Fight of the Year" three times: 1997-98, 2002.

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Left hook.

TURNED PI

No.3 Seeds

Michigan (1989 NCAA Basketball Larry Bird's final money ball (1986 3Tournament); Indiana (1981 NCAA).

Point Shootout); Larry Johnson's fourpoint play (1999 Eastern Conference fiGame3s nals); Bryce Drew's leaning game-winKnicks 111 Lakers 108, OT (1970 ner (1998 NCAA Tournament, first NBA Rnals). Game 3s tend to be blowround); Tony Delk's back-breaker in a four-point play (1996 NCAA final); Reg- outs. The drama is reserved for Games 6 and 7. It's better that way. gie Miller capping his eight-points-ineight-seconds performance (1995 PlayTriple Crown winners offs); Maryland's Drew Nicholas (2003 NCAA first round). (ballplayers and horses}

Three-peats

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Ernst

Channel

Edge

'Irish" Micky Ward, against whom he had three great fights.

Paul Hines (1878), Hugh Duffy (1894), Nap Lajoie (1901), Ty Cobb (1909), Heinie Zimmerman (1912), Sir Barton (1919), Rogers Hornsby (1922, 1925), Gallant Fox (1930), Jimmy Foxx (1933), Chuck Klein (1933), Lou Gehrig (1934), Omaha (1935), Joe Medwick (1937), War Admiral (1937), Whi~away (1941), Ted Williams (1942, 1947), Count Aeet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Mickey Mantle (1956), Frank Robinson (1966), Ca~ Yastrzem:ki (1~-~7J.:..se.c;:tariat (1973), Seattle

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Earned a third-round TKO over Jose Gonzalez in 1991.

MENTOR Edge

His trainer, Buddy McGirt, the best in boxing right now.

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Trading punches with bigger opponents.

Push

SHOW-BOAT Edge JG

Usually too busy punching.

BENDING THE I Adds up to 18 pounds of body weight after weigh-ins. before fi~ts.

Edge JG

A fittillgs-ending as Cavaliers win ·-*"·-,·~"'" Purcell Marian takes DII title

By Dave Schutte Enquirer contributor

COLUMBUS -A bases-loaded walk Saturday ended a 50-year wait for Purcell Marian, as the Cavaliers beat Canton Central Catholic 1-0 in the Division II baseball final for their first state title since 1953.

The ending at Bill Davis Stadium was a fitting one for the "Cardiac Kids," who gained the state final only after scoring the winning run against Hamilton Township in the bottom of the eighth inning in Friday's semifinals.

This time, it wasn't a double that sparked the celebration, but rather Dave Sheeran's eagle eye.

With the bases loaded and the game scoreless in the bottom of the seventh inning, Sheeran battled Canton Central Catholic pitcher Zach Wmkhart to a 3-1 count.

"All I wanted to do was get a good pitch and make contact," Sheeran said. "I also didn't want to swing at any bad pitches."

HP clicln 't.

Wmkhart's 3-1 offerinJ was high and outside, allowing pinch runner Ryan Williams to come home with Purcell Marian's first title since 1953's Class A crown.

The walk was, perhaps, the best the Cavaliers could have hoped for from Wmkhart, a &-foot-1, 190pound junior, who brought an 8-0 record and 1.24 ERA into the game.

Winkhart allowed just one hit Saturday- Jake Suer's double in the final inning. But Purcell Marian pitcher Ryan Dugan, a junior, was equal to the task at hand, allowing only two hits and pitching out of a bases loaded, one-out jam in the sixth inning.

"It was a pitchers' duel from the beginning, and I knew I had to step up," Dugan said.

For Purcell Marian coach Dan Roberts, one-run games became practically a way of life during this postseason. The trend spurred him to designate his team .as the "Cardiac Kids," but words were a little harder to come by Saturday.

"I can't explain the feeling," Roberts said. "But I'm happy for these kids who grew very close throughout the season."

Doug Miller. Canton Central

The Associated Press/ JAY LaPRETE

Purcell Marian's Andrew Spaulding makes a play at second base Saturday during the Cavaliers' 1-0 win in the Dll state final.

Catholic's coach, was disappointed but gracious after the game.

"It was a great high school game, and give them credit. They got it done," he said.

And for those playing their last games in a Cavaliers uniform, Saturday had a perfect ending.

'The seniors wanted to clo somf'-

thing special before graduating," said senior center fielder David Fairbanks, who made two great catches. "It's a great feeling."

The Cavaliers finish at 23-9. Cantoh Central Catholic ends at 32-2.

WP-Ougan. LP-Winkhart. Hitting Leaders: PM-Suer 26 CC-Affotter 1-3, U!ley 1-4. Records: PM 23-9, CCC 32-2.

Attendance: 1,000 (estimated).

~-8-o·~

Bombers play it cool in taking state crown Milford one run shy of championship 2nd straight year

By Colleen Kane The Cincim1ati E11q11irer

COWMBUS - Since February, the St Xavier baseball team

has yelled "state champs" when breaking out of a huddle. When Bombers relief pitcher Patrick O'Donnell watched from the mound as Milford's final out was caught Saturday at Cooper Stadium, those two words were all he could think about "He popped it up, and I started jumping, and it just went 'State champs!' through my mind. It just kept going ... 'State champs, state champs, state champs!' " O'Donnell said. "And then I got mobbed, and I don't know what happened from there."

From there, St. Xavier was presented with the school's first state baseball championship trophy for its 4-3 win over top-ranked Milford in the Division I final. It was also 24year head coach Bill Slinger's first title.

"You can wiii 300, 400, 500 games, so many district or league titles, but you always want that state title," Slinger said. ''We did more talking about state titles than any team I've been with."

The Bombers (24-9) said they weren't nervous despite facing a Milford team {30-3) that was ranked nationally.· ''We came into the game thinking all the pressure was on them because of the rankings and the hype they were getting," junior first baseman Adam Kroth said. "So we came into the game very relaxed." ·Kroth's steadiness paid off.

St. XaVier was down 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior shortstop Aaron Prince doubled to left center, and designated hitter J.T. Imming reached on a walk by pitcher Troy Testerman.

After a Milford error loaded the bases, Kroth watched Milford relief pitcher Nick Connor's full-count pitch go inside for a ball.

"I didn't want to chase anything stupid," Kroth said. "I really wasn't

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The Associated Press/TERRY GILLIAM

St. Xavier's Aaron Prince (4) moves in to tag Milford's Evan Armitage in a rundown in the third inning Saturday. The Bombers beat the Eagles 4-3 to win the Division I state baseball championship.

surprised - the kid was throwing balls, and with the crowd going crazy like'they were, I knew he wasn't going to be able to throw a strike."

Prince advanced to tie the game at 2. Nick Williams' sacrifice fly and Matt Hemberger's single scored the final two runs of the inning to put St. XaVier ahead.

Then O'Donnell stepped. in for the save, a pressure situ11tion with

which he was already familiar. He had given up several of the Eagles' runs in last year's regional semifinal loss to Milford.

"I've matured a lot as a player. I wasn't trying to blow it by these guys today. I was trying to hit my spots and work ~Y off-speed," O'Donnell said. .

He walked his first batter and at~ lowed one single. Milford scored .

one run, but a fielder's choice at second base and a fly ball to left field ended the game and set off St. Xavier's celebration · - one O'Donnell and Kroth could explain only as "indescribable.".

WP-Hollstegge; LP-Connor.

Hitting Leaders: St.X-Pnnce 2·3, IR; Hembe~ger 2·2, !RBI; Mil-Lawson 2·3, IR, !RBI; Kralller 1·3, 1 RBI. Records: St X24·9; Mi130.3.

E-mail ckane@e_nquirer.com

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· sA'ruRoAv,-MAY ·31~-2oo~cli

HIGH sCHOOLS

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER .

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_· Baseball: Division f regionals ·

Baseball: Division I regionals ·

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"You don't give a team siX outs.ui an inning and e:icpect to Win;" Shade said. "We made a «ostly error; thex . _ ·.

DUBUN, Ohio - St:XaVier is hadacoupleofbloopsmgles;andwJ . . ...._ . · . , . .. · for the day and knocked m four one victory fromi qualifying to the didn't cover on a stolen base. · ·R~~(wagers) w~s~~guywewor: i 1, state final four for the first time since "I told the kids we were ~pable of · _· . . · ried about coming in to.day," El 1994. . · · scoring eight runs, but we ran out of 1 An eight-run first inning· carried gas." . · .· .. ·1 B{Colleen Kane · der coach Mark_Th9mpson said, ._the Bombernto a 13-3, five-inning vic· Noah Lankford led• off the bottoin The cincinnati Enquirer "The !'nomentum. . definit~ly . · . · changed at that point, and we just tory over Groveport Madison in the · of the first With a singie, and Aaron ·columbus regional semifinals at Coff- ·Prince followed with an RBI double! ·oXFORD,- _Hainilton senior · couldn't get it b(lck We ·made a.. · man High. · , ·. . · · · Brad Meyer drew a base on balls that shortstop Matt' Wagers. couldn't few bad pitches, gotit up· in the . It was the Bombers' lith consec- was followed by a failed sacrifice bunt .tell he was about to' change the strike zone, and theyn1ade us pay . game's outlook when his bat con: for it.".. ' .. . . . ' utive Victory. , . .. '· · by J.T. lmniing. . · .. .. , nected·witli the ball'in-the thfrd Hamilton got production from· . . . ..

- . The Cincinnati Enquirer/TONY JO~ES · Senior AJ. Upton will pitch today .· . Matt Stiers drove in a: run with a iilning against Elder. on Friday; several other batterS, Senior. left Hamlltonpltch'er Justin Boyd's throw to first basema'n Nate Mahon (1 p.in.) against' Reynoldsburg, with · single and Adam Kroth made it 3-0!

But the ball sailed over the left· fielder]onCainp hit tw~rrunho- isn't in time to tag out Elder's DrewMetz: .. · · · ., the winner ·advancing" to' the state with an RBI double.- Nick Williams field wall at Miami's McKie ~eld, mer in the fifth inning,, and the · , . · . · · . . s.e~als Thursday (10 a.m.) against . and Matt Hemberger singled, setting· driving home Wagers and two Big Blue mustered a fout-hit, game wiimi.ng streak into today's hopirig to win. Now they're ex- the Shelby regional champion at Co- the stage for O'Do.nnell's blast: Hamilton players for a 3~2 four-run sixth inning to' finish the game, due in part to. Wagers'. pecting to win." · ·. . lumbus Cooper :stadium. . · . . "We've sc:;ored three orfom: runs in' lead:· · Panthers. Hamilton finished the move to ·.leadoff hitter and a · · . Milfbrd 8, Vandalia· Butler ·., The Bombers sent 13 hitters to the 'the first inning this season; but never "I ;thought I had popped out," . game with eight hits 'againststart· strengthened defense, Hamilton 1- No. 1 Milford exploded with a . plate_ in the.fii-st inning..Patrick "Bub-: ··eight," St. X coach Bill Sliriger said. ' ,St. Xavier closed·· the game with, Wagers said. "I' guess· the wind · er Ianl Carter and reliever'·Mark ·· coach Dan Bowling said. Bowling fivti-run fifth inning for an 8-1 re- ba" O'Donnell capped the big inning ~elped_me out a little bit.I didn't Jan.szen·. . . · . ·:·will try to make his fifth state final giohal semifinal win over·Butler. with a two-run, 350-foot home run off .five runs ill the fifth inning. . · . . _, . Ohio High School Athletic Associthink it was going to go that far, The Panthers (16:-12)_ had two four, while Wagers wants to Th~ Eagle~ (28-2) outhif Butler ,relief pitcher David ~olopy. ~·! knew that (Colopy) had-come in · atioil rules stipulate that when a team·, . · tpird-inning runs and seven hits inake his second trip after going 12-5-to advanc~. · " . . · but I'm glad it did. , · Milford's Evan $mith pitch~da from left field and wasn't'warmed up,"· take~ a 10-run lead. any time after five: ' "... It relaxed us and got us go-· off pitcher Justin Boyd but ran in- as a SOJ>homore. ing." . . to'threedoubleplaysfrom,anen· First they'll have to·· get complete game, allowing one· O'Donnell said. "Iwentuplookingfor innings, the game is over. · · . .. through toi>-rariked , Milford, earned run, striking out five and a fastball and I hit the first pitch pretty 'Taking a· big lead is sometimes: . ·Halriiltori went on to beat Elder . ergized Hamilton defense.

9-2 to· advance to the Qivisiori 1,· . · '."Thattends.to deflate ateam," which .beat Hamilton twice this walking none. Coach Toni Kil- well over the fence. Last year I strug• .. good and sometimes bad," said· Mer·.

Region 4 baseball final. The Big Thompson said. "They got a lead seasort. ". . . gore said Smith's perlormance al- gled hitting, but I-worked hard to im- er,'who'went 2-for-4 with ahome-rune · . . . •. ' . : and two runs scored. "A team caiae; . Bluewillface Milford at1 p.m. to- and wouldn't let us· back in' it.

"I think we're a much different ·-.lowed the restofthepitchitig staff ,Prove."

Groveport coach Craig: Sliade said · lax after taking the lead, and. lose rooday at McKie Field for a trip to the : . "Jbat was pretty much the ball· ·team. I think Milford knows that," to test before to days game.· .. , the first ini:ling.was his team's dowh- mentum, but today we.' remained fo;; state final four. . . game." · Bowling said. "I fdld the team, be' ' · fall. .. · · cused· and got it done:" · .- · Wager's homerun was his sec-.

Hamilton (25-6) ·rides a 1~ fore, (the Hamilton players) were E-mail ckane@enquirer.com

Loft~: Big· Blue

By, Dave Schutte· '

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MAJOR LEAGUE REPORT ON THIS DATE: In 1964, the Mets and Giants played the longest doubleheader in majorleague history- 9 hours, 52 minutes- with the help of a 23-inning game in the nightcap.

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

$

Who's hot?

Who's not?

Hank Blalock The Ranger had his 19th multi-hit game of the season Thursday, his seventh with at least three hits. ·

Dodgers starters They came to Coors Reid 10-0 with a 1.62 ERA in 11 games, then had a 14.72 ERA in the series.

1

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National League

Maddux .beats. buddy Glavine The Associated Press

NEW YORK- Greg Maddux hung on for his 277th career victory while former teammate Tom Glavine gave up a career-high four home runs in their first-ever matchup.

Gary Sheffield, Chipper Jones, Julio Franco and Mark DeRosa hit solo homers in Atlanta's third straight win.

The much-anticipated meeting between the Cy Young Award winners fizzled from the start. Glavine was tagged for a solo homer by Sheffield in the first, and Maddux allowed five hits in the bottom half of the inning.

"It was kind of fun," Maddux said. "But I try to never make it personal. I wasn't facing him, I was facing the Mets. The only time I was facing Glav was when he had a bat in his hands or I had a bat in mine."

Maddux (4-5) was pulled after five innings and 83 pitches, givfuguptworunsandsevenhits. Glavine (5-5) losttohisold team for the second time ina week, leaving after allowing five runs and nine hits in seven innings and remaining stuck on 247wins.

"It was a little bit odd," Glavine said. "We were teammates a long time. I watched him pitch a lot."

Maddux and Glavine pitched together on the Braves from 1993 until last season. They began this game with 523 combined victories, the most for a pair of opposing starters since Aug. 16, 1992, when Nolan Ryan (319) faced Frank Tanana (?.~m _:~rrorilin" to

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The Associated

Pittsburgh'S Kenny Lofton watches his third-inning home run Friday to extend his hitting streak to 26 games. woetgado ph Van p KJine p

Totals

Brewers 5, Dodgers 3

Milwaukee EYoung2b PodsedniK cf ·Sexson lb Jenkins If BCial1<rt Helms 3b OSik c Claytonss Bsheets p VanderWal ph Cruz pr Estrellap DeJean p

Totals

AB

R H Bl BB SO Avg. 2 3 I 0 0 .254 I 2 I 0 I .287 4 1 I 2 0 0 260 4 0 0 0 0 2 .263 400000.263 4 0 0 0 0 2 .233 3 0 0 0 0 2 .194 3 0 0 0 0 I .190 2 o o o o I .067 I 0 I 0 0 0 .276 0 1 0 0 0 0 .154 000000 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 5 7 4 0 9 4

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P'lllsburgh 021 003 001 -7 12 0 St. Louis 000 300 000 -3 8 0 LOB-Pittsburgh 8, St Louis 5. 28-BGiles (8).

ARamlrez (13), CWIJscn (6), Pujols 2 (16), TMartlnez (12), Matheny (9). HR-lofton (6), off Stephenson; Simon (5), off Stephenson. RBis-lofton (19), BGiles (20), Simon 2 (32), CWilson 2 (10), Reboulet (6), TMartinez (16), Matlleny (20), Stephenson (1).

SB-ARamlrez (1). S-Reboulet GIOP-CWilscn, EPerez.

DP-Pittsburgl1 I (Reboulet JWilson and KYoung); St. Louis 1 (Rolen, Cairo and TMartlnez).

P'lttsburgh IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Suppan W, 5-5 5 7 3 .3 0 2 73 4.03 STorres H. 3 I ~ 0 0 0 .0 1 15 3.99 Belmel H, 4 II 0 0 0 0 0 1 2.35 Boehringer H, 8 I I 0 0 I 0 16 9.31 MiWilllams I 0 0 0 0 0 6 6.33 SL Louis IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Stephenson l, 3-4 7 9 6 6 3 2 113 4.54 Van I I 0 0 0 0 8 9.00 Kline I 2 I 1 1 I 20 4.35 186-<lff Kline (ARamlrez) 1. off Stephenson (Kendall) I. HB~:br_Sio~s_(~airo). WP-KIIne.

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Moeller grad named Player of the Year • 2003 Archbishop Moeller ·High ·School gradu;lte ·Eric Eckman. was named .baseball Playt<r of the Year by the Greater Catholic Lt!ague, south division.

He also was named to the first team of the. ~eague's All-Star team.

Other Moeller students named to the first . team were Craig .Becker, Andrew Bracl,anan arid Tony Maccani. . . . · Maccani also· was nained ,cap. . .tam.

Named to the second ieam were · Cameron .·

Satterwhite,. Tyler. s·toyall ap.d Walt Sweeney.

.. Andrew Bradley, ·, David Oberly and Eric Surk_amp. all received honorabl~ . . . mentions. . .

Moeller coach Mike Cameron was named Coach of the Year. · .

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Ha~ard, Ill traveled to the Call to Holiness at Moelle High School with six friends from St. josep College. Because of his two previous exper . ences at th~ Youth 2000 gatherings, TroVI bridge says he plans to enroll in the seminar ' following graduation.

Jeremy Tl'owbrldge, 19, from

Horos BY MARK BOWEN

Dominican Father Benedict Croell blesses rosaries that students hold up. /

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Man of Moe 'BY loNNA KINGSBURY CONTRIBUTOR SL!BURBAN@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

Moeller High School's Tony Maccani is a four-year baseball player and two-year varsity starter, making _all league both years.

More than that, Maccani won the Man of Moeller Award, the highest honor awarded for Crusader baseball. · According to head coach Mike Cameron, "Tony is a great · · for· kids. He's~ always to put himself second for good 0~ ~e team."

Maccani played in the EastWest All-Star series and in the Team Ohio Sunbelt Classic.

Off the field he has served iJ.S · a four-year student council member, a pastoral ministry board member, student moderator of Big Brothers and as a Habitat for Humanity worker.

"Baseball has influenced my life · in many important ways," . Maccani said. "Fulfilling a leadership role on the baseball team at Moeller has taught me some very important ·things· ·about teamwork and the importance of ip.endshi.ps.'" . . . • "Since beginning tee ball, my ·coaches Lynn Ganible and my ·

on at dad, have instilled in me an importance of having a positive attitude on the field, especially while catching. . "They talked to me about how much of an influence I can have on a pitCh, out, inning, game or a season. I transferred that positive outlook to life and found that a little bit of encouragement and optimism could be the inspiration to send them on their way. .

"Whether they succeed or fail, having the faith that someone "will still be on your. side in the end will relieve them and allo:W th(mi to do· their best.

"That someone for my career and student at

Moeller was Coach Cameron. He helped me ~ith everything and' provided for all of my needs.'

Having a friend l~ke him and the' other coaches and pJayers on Moeller's baseball team gives me · the strength to know that whatev-' er I decided to ·do was what was' best for the team."

Maccani has received both an • athletic and academic scholarship to the University of Akron. ' "His work ethic has brought' him where he is today," Cameron· said.. "We are really going to' miss hint · , "'rony · lias · made himself: through a lot of hard work into a: Division I player." .

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CHCA's route to.the distribt .title game set for 1.0 a:m. May i4 . 'against . either ' l\1adison' t or Fenwick :at Wayne High Sdio~I began May 14. "' ; I Senior ·ace·'Sean Urquhart. pitc~ed _the J~agles p_ast ·-p,e~r :.

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-r. ~ d f th T ·1 I th tl Ib b II t t::ui r.:p; .,~~.iJ ~ :)~l t•~ff' ,r•l.l !J!lG :'-oift Readingn,in• t_het:·section~l sc,o1r~ ,_or . e, .•. ro,,ta~ns.•,·,l· ~sec.. o~a.• ~se .a 1 • ouma~~'!: · ~, r•champiortsliiP May116tand1post- ·ill ) • :. t '.a. fl. ;: --1 ; ... ' . :-.,n. ,_,J ~..l!.J .J .. t.LL. :-.~_. c.!t •• tr!J A4lll•J•f11 fJT }m£ :!'!lJv;f ~- &ri ;.~m

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- ··A• • " - ··-...... "-~-· -... ~-. •• al.semtfinals.. . .1 . '&1.:...:-'· ., . . ,• ·:eu a.7- 3·wm.· "-~·' l " .. ,, \ - " ' · _, l ·~·"p· ,.h . '''A··J:(.d·.•t .... . "B · ,• :B IH',.. ·~'t · ~- di th •j : 1tc er n rew . raciUuan 1 : :t ~ I oyer.... ~-rre •. ,......~~-~w~~ 1 kept 1Moellet: 1iii'·theJgame 'arid.

1 ~ ·t ~·,·a.f_ohm,tp &~~g~ts..~,hi~l- ~registered sixt strikeot.ts,r.tbut' , .. reg1s enng etg Su.l.l\.eou .w e L d · D' k ~ t k ·· · t·. ·. •..• ,... ·.·~-•>l';.t~:· ,. an on,. 1c erson .strpc 1out ·tmprovmg 0 6 - 1. r· I ·,.., l ~ ... ,.,h...... d' ·;;IJ .........:i .. 1I- 'h' . 'hi ., · Th E li ;<:~ ak e1g tan ru 0'!\'<JU on y t re~ ts 1 ·· · -~'•'k} :1 • . . e ag~s~st:r:.11.9 •. t:llf1rd .. - forGienEste. . · .dn~!f · ·•• mg a.4-0Jead m the .first mrung .• · · -~ · ~ ~ 1.\: '..J ....... t·-~·•1 .t. ~d ~~ding tiuh..s .i,~:the1~ec!ln~, ·fifth . ~nd·, ·sevt:pth ~' innipgs.

P Barnhart sparked!•the attack for ,..the second\ consecutiv~;r game going,3-for-4 with.tliree~RBJ .• I .

Sycamore, however, was not as fortunate. The Aviators could not overcome Anderson, falling 7-2 May 14 to end the season. ; Anderson' pitcher Dan Weiss , ,threw-a ·two-rut· gaffie,-:strik:ing out eight of .Sycamoie·s· last 10 l batters. ' · " . ; . : I · Moeller, Higli ; Schrioi; bksb~ .·brul arid success usu'aily seem to• go hand and hand,'but Glen Esie .threw a -proverbial wrench in! those works. .· 1 · The Crusaders finished 1tJ!e season 19-6, but the secondseeded squad fell victim to an 20 upset at the hands of Glen Esie May 14 in the_Division ~sec~on?f

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SUBURBAN@COMMlJNITYPRESS.COM ·t surpass .the ."all-lime .1"sthooi '·expected· to ch;illenge for the top rotation. ., . . .. . ·... ( · , .·; •. T. • . ·"' . , rec?rdi'for'·~Is, hits runs ''spot..iri?league:... ·. · · Eckinan 1ed·Moeller with 33;

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~· :'3~se!>a1l :!e~s ar~ _I<?o~ng. scored.. , ·.::~·. •. · Moeller····. . , · · hits and-23 RBis:while b~tting• ·for s~ong. spnn~s,- ~d1?g the · ''W~ should be pre~ strong : ,. .

• . . ov~r AOO Iastfyear. Bradley hitj stron~ arms of~ol).<! pitching .. · . defensively and offensively, but Year after Y~ -the Moe~er over .300 and will fillDH duties.

Madeira .. . we lost a-lot of players to gradu-. bas.eball team reloads 'despite . when he's nod>itching. . .' · M d. · " ' ation," 'said head coach Jack lo~mg sever~ key play~rs tp . Senior·catcher Tony· Maccnie a eua was · . . . . · d · .. Thi · th d t .. · . ·· A year . ago ·-deu.w ..c."'···· ,graual}on . . sseason. etren adds an explosive punch.to·the .. g •,,on· a won.

JOur--.,Kuzrucz.ci. . ., ~ ..· ,. ''We·are:Just.·gomgto ·• .·• · · ·~ .· tin c · • • ~ • embarkin ney ·~ ,. /: -~ 1 · ; 1 · .. ·• try to ••ge~· ~ett.er ·as t}lel.seasop.r..!on ~es~ -~ . _1 · • • • .lineup, ba~gr over .400, while · makings . ·~ for ·• a·t.successful ·t • .·•. : . ·• ,• · . : "We have 'high· expectations · ·· · •": d. ·b · · ·crrug ·· '. , The' goes on.,. • ··• · · •.f J • ••• • • •. ,. shortstop-Lil.lr . aseman . · · M d · b . 'th'th for this year after·gomg 19-8 last B . k · al · · ' season were m place - ·expen, .,. . , a _eip~ ge.~ a oost w~ e 1 .. , ~ • . . , . • . - _, - .... , ee. er ~o.retprns. . .. · ;:enced' seiuorshwho ·were pe~er~ 1 r.eturyt. o~ 1~!~-y~ar·~ top ~I(cher, s~~m, srud~2-y:.ar: h~d.coa~h ... :The seniortl~den. '.te.am also:_ mined to give·thei.f all. The resul( :Kev.IA Gilli_gan;:who p~~t~~ an~- -.~e. C_amrron.. ~tching ~1.1 mc.Iudes seco~d baseman .W~t · was a 23-7. overall record and a' 1. ·record ·m 2002. Gilligan IS .· definitely be a plu~ lln:d· we have Sweeney and1 ou(fielder· Phil 1 tfip,to tl!~·~inal_:.:~i:n"·. · · _.. · ;_j ~~xp_e'St~d t_<[:'t9ss~:·~e :naj_?n~.-~r··s~_~eral power hitters ~ack ·as ._Sch~e~er. -- ·; · ..· .. .

•. . i'Ipe legacY. lingers, bueoniy ~ -~g~ ~this .~eru; 9J-ILM:ftel!a Is, .. 'Ne!l. . . . Ju~ors. up fr~m tl!-e reserve 'few'o(this year's play~rs were a·· c_onceme~ w~th the lack of'expe-·· · ~es~ kids are use~ to the . t~am mcl11de Mitch Ko~c~ez,, part of the experience. ~· nenced pitching depth. tr~d.!-tiop.... \ Dave Oberly; Mark Olexa and · t; ~e.ruors_'~,Ph,il;· pe\t#~gJr and:(,(~~~ ~eis,~l ft:~.(swi!c~T~·, tMoel!~!f r:etum~ two pitchefS Tjler Stovall..·: . .

Jorge Ramuez ·will try to lead .mg to third base from.shortstop ·from last season m seruor Eric Moeller plays Dublin Scioto the y~uthful.t~~ b~ck,..to.p_os~~·, 'this year.,.•. ,.. ~!).~ ,J~nipf ._A.ndiew at home today (.April2)before 1 , .• ~<·,;,E~~~ season ·success. They, team1_with ~ .\. , Madell:a doe.s. ngt have long 't<'h )Bradley.. They. comb~ed for 12 facing Akron Jesuit and, Todelo junio-r Brad Darter to supply gain experience. as they will face - of Moeller's victories· last sea- Central Catholic in tourrtament M?de)Ia:wi~:a_s~lid 9ut:fi.~l~. 1 -~ Gin£.llio~ti.Hills ¥ag~.e.fa_vo!l~el s~m, e~cp going 6-1. ·. · · · · ' action this weekend..

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s~;m,': \said. 3~-year head co.ach; Mike· Cameron.. "Pitching will defuii.tely be' a plus· and we have several power hitt~r~ back as'well:,, ''These kids are used to the tra;: dition:' *· ··.:. · ·, ·i ~ "! ' ·;, · Moeller returils two pitchers~ from 'I~~. seM?n' m"senior ~c.

Eckman.· and·: junior· Andrew Bradley. They combined for.12 of ' . . t· . . • ~ Moeller's victm;i.es last season~· ~ch goipg 6-i~ · · · · ':·Seniors ·Andrew' Thiege t and Chris' Borman atso ·retilln to~ the rotation ' i ~ 1_ ' Eckirian Jed Moeller wiih hits and 23 ·RlUs ~while batting

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over .300 and will fill DH'duties· w~t::nhe'~ ,no~ pi~c~g. : · . ·. . ,S~!l!cif, ca~h~,!'•.Tony, ~a~nie adds.1 an explosive punch to· the lineup:· b~ttiDg 'over .400,. while shortst~p-third '}?aseman 'Craig ' Becker also returns. · · · · · ··. i The; semor-l~den teaffiiat'so includ~''second ·baseman :Walt .,

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THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

HiGH SCHOOlS

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Milford Eagles return many from. state runner-up

By Dave Schutte Enquirer contributor

The Cincinnati Enquirer/TONY JONES Hamilton's Katie Halcomb has led the Big Blue to successive state tournaments.

Softball preview

Hamilton, Ross voted top teams .

· Halcomb key for Big Blue

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Preseason polls Division I School

1. Ha;nilton (13)

By Dave Schutte 2. SY!:<lfiiOr~L · Enquirer contributor ..3 . LM . a ~..Ao. . .ut. al·.·e.·Y·W · ..~st Coaches voting in the Enquir- 4 er's Divisions 1and II-IV preseason 5. Colerain (1)

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What a difference a year makes for Milford.

Overlooked in the Enquirer's 200.2 preseason area coaches poll, the Eagles finished as Division I state runner-up. But this season, Milford is the area's team .to beat, based on the return of 15 lettermen and seven starters.

Milford received 18 of the 23 first-place votes in the poll and is followed by Moeller, St. Xavier, Hamilton and Hamson.

Hamilton's Dan Bowling, who has 20 years of coaching experience, gave some advice to Tom Kilgore, Milford's sixth-year coach.

"Milford has all those seniors and they dese!Ve the No. 1 ranking," Bowling said. "But it's tough coaching a team of mostly seniors.

They have other things on their minds, like graduation and where they're going to school next year.

For me, it's easier coaching a team with a blend of sophomores, juniors and seniors."

But Kilgore Is excited about the ranking and the season.

"I don't think the No.1 ranking is a surprise," Kilgore said. "And with the tradition of some of the schools, it's a big thing for us.

"I agree with Dan. Last year I felt we had a chance because we had a group of hungry juniors who feared nothing: People talk about the importance of seniors, but there's reason to be concerned."

1. MILFORD: The Eagles' staff is loaded with veterans, including Evan Smith, a 6-foot-6, 185-

Enquir~r file photo

Milford, which reached the state Division I title game last year, starts this season as the area's top-rated team.

Next week The Enquirer's 2003 boys and girls track previews will be published next week, as will the first installments of our 200203 winter sports all-star teams. be ranked with great expectations." .student Sports Magazine ranked the Eagles sixth, and Baseball America picked them 24th.

ford and A.J. Upton.

"We'll be all right because Bubba, Sean, Adam, Noah and A.J. all pitched last year and did very well," Slinger said.

4. HAMILTON: Although the Big Blue lost standout pitcher Lance Trester to graduation, coach Dan Bowling is confident the pitching staff will carry the team.

"I feel good about the pitching because we have more depth," Bowling said. "Defense hurt us last season, but we should be better."

The pitching corps includes Jon

Preseason Poll

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"The pitching and defense need to be solid, because we'll scratch Division 1 and ..claw for runs," Thompson School Poll points said.

1. Milford ( 18) 208 7. ANDERSON: Although 2. MOeller (2) · · 165 standout pitcher Jensen Lewis 3. St. Xavier (1) 149 graduated, the Redskins will be 4, Barrlilt()n {2) 147 .· competitive with 12 returning let5. Harrison 14i · termen from last year's 24-6 team 6. Elder 119 that reached the Division I state 7. Anderson 85 semifinals. g, Lakota West 66 Infielder Nate Fields (.407 bat9: Faiifield ···· · · 39 ting average) anchors a solid of9;1vlasori 3!) tense. · · ········ ···· · · 8. LAKOTA WEST: Furman-

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1.44 ERA) and Eric Eckman (6·1. Kyle Moyer (4-1). Matt Wagers Kings 9, Glen Este 9, Talawanman (.346 batting average), who Hamilton, the state runner-up 9. Mason · · · ·· 34 Kilgore also will rely on Kyle 2.31) gives coach Mike Cameron a (.418 batting average) and Nate da 9, Lakota East 5, La Salle 2. has committed to UC, will be last year, Is the choice in Division I. L,ei:Jarion 3d Rapp, Josh Stephan, Jacob Chalu- solid foundation.

Mahon (.416) lead the offense.

Note: First-place votes in paren- counted on to lead the team.

The Big Blue return Katie Halcomb, others: Milford 19 , Mount Notre pa, Josh Caupp, Marcus MithoefOffensively for Moeller, out"(Positions). one through nine theses.

9. FAIRFIELD: The Indians a senior pitcher who holds the er, Seth DeBra and Greg lissot. fielder Andrew Bradley (.318 bat- all swing the bat well," Bowling must replace five graduated startteam's career strikeout record.

Dame 18 • Oak Hills 14• St. UrShortstop Eric Lawson (.353 ting average) and catcher Tony said.. .

Ross Brown (catcher), lim Bybee ers. As a result, second-year · Also rich in tradition and pitch- sula 9• Ursuline 7• Anderson 4• batting average), Rapp (.421), Maccani (.400) lead the charge.

5. HARRISON: Coach Dave (infield), Matt Bachman (outfeld), coach Rod Huboard will rely on ing, the Ross Rams emerged as Mercy 3• Amelia 2.

Mike Barnard (.330), Evan Arm it3. ST. XAVIER: Despite losing Bader's team includes 10 return- David Campbell (outfield) and Ke- fourth-year starter Jason MorningNo. 1 in the Divisions II-IV poll with Note: First-place votes in parenage (.363) and Neil Gamble his entire outfield and pitcher Jim ing letterwinners. Anchored by vin Vaught (utility). star to provide leadership for the veterans Angie Ramirez (18-6 re- theses. (.336) will help provide the of- Ryan to graduation, coach Bill stopper Alan Brech (8-2, 1.19 6. ELDER: The Panthers Indians. cord) and Jennifer Quade on the fense.

Slinger has another strong team. ERA), the Wildcats will rely on a should fare well despite the loss of 9. MASON: Pitching will be key mound.

Divisions II-IV · "We return seven pitchers, and Shortstop Aaron Prince and solid pitching staff. The offense seven starters. Coach Mark for the Comets. Chris Forrest, Ben ~We're optimistic, but there are School Poll points this may be the key," Kilgore-said. catcher Brad Meyer are expected should fare well behind Bobby Thompson looks to pitchers Jan Gilbert, Justin Barker, Frank Kuso many teams that are right there l.Hoss (7) 70 . "We definitely discuss the rankings to lead the offense, along with Pat- Dake (.400 batting average) and Carter and Tom Scully, along with dlac and Jimmy Rapp lead the with us," Hamilton coach Steve 2. Badin(1);.

58 from time to time, and it's a great rick "Bubba" O'Donnell, Sean Tony Wells (.462). catcher Eric Hamberg and out- staff, and catcher Mike Tedford will Heckman sale~ ·we~·expecrsuc=- -3 .l.:ittle Mfami'~ ~ -4Tc. -~harrortorttre=[:imgram:'"l'l:IT.rttrer·'""Qmnn, -Acia'm Krom;·Noatn:artlv---· dtner5exp-e-ct-e-cnome'p 'Upcrrrfleld!!'r MarWJanszen~uneaa: - ···~ ·--·calnhepitcnes.~· -- ··.~~~~.·- · cess, but that doesn't always mean 4:s~il1ef-Tat~' ... · ·· ·•· ·)38 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... it will happen."

5. Batavia ·· · · 35 Here's a look at the Division I Oth T . ' 33 Edg d top-10 teams: ers: urpm , ewoo 1. HAMILTON: If it took just 31, ~aylor 28, Ro~er Bacon 27, pitching to win, the Big Blue would McNicholas 27: Kmgs, 26, ~eer go unchallenged this season when Park 12, Wyommg 11, Readmg Halcomb is on the mound.

8, Georgetown 7.

But Hamilton has more than Note: First-place votes in parensier are the mainstays of the staff, Ryan Dugan.

Kasvin (shortstop), Jimmy Gardner pitching: good defense and the po- theses. along with several underclassmen.

Offensively, Smith, Spaulding, (catcher), David Tapke (outfield), tential for a better offense.

Offensively, seniors Brad KetDavid Fairbanks, Mike Heck, Dus- Matt Marshall (outfield) and Brad DMsioils II·IV "When Katie's pitching, good Poll tin Woods, Rich Pierson and Matt Keiser (outfield) to step up. terer (.483 batting average), Rick School points Barney will shoulder the burden. things happen," Heckman said. Castner is closing in on 200 wins Pate and Mike Mayer are the play8. BATAVIA: The Bulldogs, 1. Badin (7) 126 "We had trouble scoring runs last (198-107). ers who must perform well.

5. TAYLOR: Pitcher Josh Baird, with a solid pitching staff and an The team Is built around fourthf19 the Cincinnati Hills League's 2002 explosive offense, might be the year, but we will be better on of2. McNICHOLAS: From pitch- 2. lvlqNichoias(3}

By Dave Schutte 109 player of the year, is key for coach most underrated team in the poll. fense and stronger on defense with year starters Morgan Tritschler ing to hitting to defense to depth, 3,New Richmond(1) Enquirer contributor (catcher), Ashley Keith (pitcher), 4. Purcell Marian (1) 96 Chris Hannum. Starters Rob Anthe entire infield back." the Rockets are solid.

Matt Heber (6-0, .060 ERA) an75 dress, Mike Clayton and Chris chors the pitching staff. Mike Cook Third-year starters Autumn Mar- Amber Groeting (third base) and Rick Kunkel's.Badin Rams were Two three-year starters, seniors 5. Taylor (1) shall (shortstop) Ashley .Fields Meg!ln Donoghue (second base).

64 Moerlein also retLlm. votad the local favorita for the Nate Condon and Evan Dreyer, an- 6. Turpin and Jim Schubert are the offensive (right field) and Jessica Woods Castner is impressed with outfield58 . 6. TURPIN: Transfers Ryan threatS. 2003 Divisions II-IV baseball sea- char a six-man staff that includes 7. Cincinnati C:oul'lirY Day · (first base), along with juniors ers Laura Crouse and Tiffany Tum8. Batavia{!} · . 57 Burlas (Mason) an;d Ryan Schaefer son. · junior standout Tim Murphy.

9. ROSS: The pitching combiDawnjene DeLong (second base) er.

Loaded with talented pitchers, Veteran catcher Dan Hayden 9.Ross 39 (Deer Park) join a Spartans team nation of senior Matt Meyers and 9. MASON: The outcome for and Bridget Henry.(third base) will Badin received seven first-place handles the pitchers, and sopho- 10. Norwood 30 loaded with pitchtng depth. sophomore Darin Sizemore Is a the Comets could be determined provide leadership. votes and 126 points to edge more shortstop Jake Oester, son of Coach Rob Lubanski will rely on strength for the Rams.

2. SYCAMORE: After struggling by pitchers Erin Gilbert and Kristy . McNicholas (119) and New Rich- former Reds infielder and coach Others: Summit Gauntly Day 20, the pitching taler\tS of Paul Kuhr, Coach Jay Lytle also looks to Madeira 13, Woodward 10, Greenlast season, the Aviators made a Rauc:h, replacements for all-state mond (109) for the No.1 spot in Ron Oester,joinssecond baseman Kevin Heasley, Miltt Berman, Da- third-year starters Warren Nelsfln run late and reached the state pitcl1er Stephanie Piontek and Sathe Enquirer's Divisions II-IV ar- Joe Feldkamp to bolster asolid de- field McClain 9, Clinton Massie 8, vid Pinney and Josh Rinaldi. Steve (catcher) and Jeff Wilson (first Roger Bacon 7, Edgewood 1; Hills- Browning (.348 batting average) rah Meyer. semifinals. ea coaches poll. fensiVe infield. base), along with Mark Heineman 10. LEBANON: Coming off a Coach Deb Klemt returns six . ''You've gotto be kidding," KunSpeedy junior Ryan Hicks an- .boro 7, Wyoming 6, Western and Tyler Sanderson (.428) are the (second base) and Dustin Owens standout players from that team, 24-1 season, the team will ride the kel said when informed ofthe rank- chars a strong defensive outfield. Brown 5, Seven Hills 4, Cincinnati top offensive play-ers. outfield), for leadership. including pitchers Aimee Woodrum arm of junior pitcher Jesse Lander ing. "Welostalotofkids,anditwill · Bob Gruber is the team's best Hills Christian Academy 2.

7. CINCINNATI COUNTRY Freshman shortstop Shea Harry and Katie Conner and outfielder Er- (13-0, 0.15 ERA). take time to fill the gaps. But we power hitter, and Jeff Haynes also Note: Rrst-place votes in parenthe- DAY: Pitching is the strength of an could prove to be one of the area's coach Jeff Bergman is counting in Mullen. appreciate tile recognition and is a proven offensive player.

Indians team that also is expected surprise players. ses.

3. LAKOTA WEST: Although on Leah Tuffs (.405 batting averwe'll use it as an incentive to make 3. NEW RICHMOND: Alto light up the scoreboard.

10. NORWOOD: Offense will six players from last year's 19-9 age), Crystal Nickum (.353), Katrethem play better." though the Uons lost three .400- and Brian Erdman (shortstop) also Fourth-year starter Asif Shah be the strength ofthe Indians, who team graduated, the Firebirds field na Engle (.295) and freshman Here's a look at the top 10 plus hitters,' coach Brian Benzing- are key players. and talented sophomore Kurt have Robby McQueen (.350 bata strong offensive and defensive standout Tara Amburgy. er's team has a solid lineup.

4. PURCELL MARIAN: The Smith form a tough pitching com- ting average), Scott Amos (.328) teams: 1. BADIN: Pitching will be one David Duncan anchors an expe- Cavaliers return seven starters, in- bination. squad. Coach Keith Castner's and Matt Marksbury (.460), but pitchers are Dani Flege, Stacy Link, of the Rams' strengths. Chase rienced pitching staff. Kyle Royse cluding pitchers James Smith, AnCoach lim Dunn looks for Ste- the lack of experienced pitchers is KeirMcEachem and Andrea 1. ROSS: The Rams' trademark Lampl, Ry Bowling and Jeremy Fra- (catcher), Chris Kilgore (outfield) drew Spaulding, Jake Suer and phen Daly (second base), Mark a concern.

McGlothin. the past 10 years has been strong Shortstop Lauren Hey leads a pitching and this season is no expotent offense, along with Lisa Taff, ceptlon, with Angie Ramirez (18-6, Jess Dobson and Sarah Walsh.

1.20 ERA) and Jennifer Quade (3-1, 4. McAULIEY: Veteran pitcher 1.85 ERA) oack.

Amanda Pick and infielder Jackie Offensively, Ross will be potent Masur are the key players for the with Kelly Proffitt (.300 batting Mohawks. average), Shannon Abbott (.321), ers David Rothzeici and Wade Ward team is favored to make it nilie.

5. COLERAIN: Replacing pitch- Lindsey Stoffer (.341) and Jessica

By Dave Schutte while junior's Jon Zilch and J. D. DilThe .Knights return talented seer Jessica Suttles (23-5 last sea- Connaughton (.398).

Enquirer contributor oone will battle tc:Jented freshman niors Chris Meyer and Dan Blatson) is a tough task for coach Tom 2. BADIN: Veteran pitcher KaThe so-called problem facing Ish Ramadas for the second dou- man, sophomores Raess Ismail, Bolden. Atrio of juniors, Ashley Pol- tie Rains, a first-team Girls Greater Bob Caress and Chris Hemingway bles team.

Doug Matthews, John Allare and lard, Tara Suttles and Emily Weso- Cinclhn.ati League selection last is one most boys tennis coaches Based on the retum of five start- transfer lim Hershner. lowski, is expected to step in. The year, will lead the team, along with would like to have. ers, St. Xavier is; the most \ille\y "'Ne have six 1umlamentally offense wru be tliggered by Justine offensive standout Natalie Nichting Both Caress, Princeton's tennis team to chaileng:e Princeton and strong players," Contardi said.

Mahler (.436 batting average). (outfield), Kym Rehrer (third base) coach, and Indian Hill's HemingIndian Hill, along; with Kings and "We'll be strong if we put together 6. FAIRFIElD: The key for the and Beth Stitzel (catcher). way are blessed with nationally Sycamore. doubles teams that can win."

Indians is how senior pitcher Laura 3. LimE MIAMI: Pitching Is ranked players, and they stand 1-2 Lance Koetter anchors a young St. Xalso is loaded with returnMcAbee fills the shoes of graduat- the strength for coach Mike Frith's in the Enquirer preseason poll. ing state qualifiers, including Divi- but solid Sycamore team that will ed Stephanie Broccolo. tear.n, which features Lauren Cook The toughest part might be picking sion I state doubiOJs champion Neil improve as the season progresses.

Coach Brenda Stieger is confi- (0.9;4 ERA, 233 K's in 149 innings). the starting lineups without creatSehgal, who is brattling Evan We- Walnut Hills will feature Eric Thomdent designated hitter Megan VinOffensively, Little Miami is belerforthe No. 1singles position. as (third at state in Division I sining internal rivalries. cent, shortstop Ashley Ryan, Kris- strong with· Lindsey Grambley The Cincinnati Enquirer/ERNEST COLEMAN · "So far, the challenge matches gles) and Jason Stuckey.

"I talked with the kids, and they ten Pollack (third base/pitcher) (.320 batting average), Jenny CarArea individuals to watch are want to have four or five challenge Princeton players (from left to right) Tony Teufel, Wil Lof- · have been close," veteran St. X and Katie Yiznitsky (catcher) will mack (.312) and Lauren Cook Michael Beatty (CHCA), Brad Gromatches to determine who plays gren and Matt Metully are ready for the new season. coach Russ King said. deliver on offense. (.432).

The Bombers also will feature leski (Springboro), Craig Burton one, two and three singles," Caress 7. NORTHWEST: Pitching will 4. BETHEL·TATE: The return of said. and Mike Hertlein back, another create tension," Hemingway said. returning starter Vivek Ramaswa- (Seven Hills),Jimmy Brannon (Oak be one of the team's strengths, with junior pitcher Taryn Beck. (229 "We're selling the team concept reason the Vikings are the choice "Everyone seems to forget that Bri- my at No. 3 singles with senior Je- Hills) and Grant D'Augustine (Turjunior Stephanie Vonderhaar (11-5, strikeouts) and junior catcher Laci an lost only one match playlngsin- remy Maatman, junior Corey Ingle pin). to get ready for the season." as the No. 1 team in the poll.

133 Ks) and Sam Swedersky (4-1, Thompson, along with a strong de"I pick Princeton to win the city The Vikings could have several Hemingway has solid players, gies last year. He decided to play and freshmen Aaron Hutcherson, 1.59 ERA) sharingthe duties. fense, should make 'coach Dottie different lineups with returning as well. Division II state singles doubles with his brother in the Kris Mehan and Andrew Gaffney in and (Division I) state team chamThe Knights also should be a po- Kirker's Tigers tough to handle. starters Wil Lofgren andTonyTeufel runner up Mike McCarthy will battle tournament." contention for a starting spot on pionship," 'Hemingway said. tent offensive team, with catcher 5. BATAVIA: If the Bulldogs battling Lakota West transfer Matt · with Division II state doubles District qualifier Britt Jamison is the twa doubles teams.

"We're'pretty good, but I give them Tracy Kump, Valerie Cross, Nikki play solid defense behind pitcher Metully (runner-up Division I state champion Brian Compton for the expected to start at No. 3 singles. • Kings has won eight consecu- the edge. B9b (Caress) knows Kennedy, Mandy Phillips and trans- Amanda Pattison, it could be a redoubles) for the No. 1spot.

Adding to Indian Hill's depth is tive Fort Ancient Valley Conference what he's talking about and is a No. 1 singles spot. fer April Sullivan in the lineup. warding season for coach Tara Princeton also has John Keyser "The first couple weeks, it could the return of state doubles qualiti- titles, and coach Steve Contardi's good coach."

8. LAKOTA EAST: Coach Steve Lang's team.

io:

Pitching puts Badin atop preseason poll

· Coach Kunkel surprised but honored

DIV

ISIONS II IV •

Boys tennis preview

Too much is

Preseason Poll