By LISA GAYLE GRAYSON | The Post sports writer

Strongsville’s baseball team kept its streak alive when it won its seventh consecutive conference championship.

 The Mustangs earned a share of their sixth straight Northeast Ohio Conference River Division title following their May 8 game with Brunswick.

 Strongsville also won the final Pioneer Conference title in 2007 to extend its league championship run to seven in a row.

 This year, however, is the most crowded it has been for the Mustangs atop the conference standings. Joining Strongsville in first with 7-3 league marks are the state-ranked Blue Devils and Mentor, plus Medina.

 The last time the Mustangs won the River title outright was in 2011 went they went undefeated in the league. It shared the title with Brunswick last spring and in ’08, then with Medina in ’10.

 Although Brunswick won both contests against Strongsville this season, the Mustangs made a case for themselves by sweeping Mentor this spring and splitting games with Medina.

Strongsville 7, Mentor 6: A four-run first inning helped the Mustangs squeeze out a Northeast Ohio Conference win. Alex Sarrouh’s double and two RBI led the way.

BASEBALL: Senior pitcher Austin Previt threw a one-hit complete game and the Mustangs scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to beat Elyria, 4-0, April 23. Ben Szymezakand Josh Sarrouh both had two-run doubles in the eighth.

The victory avenged a 12-0 loss to the Pioneers on the April 22. The Mustangs also dropped games to St. Ignatius (9-3) and Avon (4-2) on April 27.

Strongsville rallies late to edge North Royalton in NOC baseball opener

By Scott Patsko, Sun News, April 10, 2013 12:02 p.m.

STRONGSVILLE: Two big errors put Strongsville in position to get a big hit and complete a late-inning rally against Northeast Ohio Conference River Division rival North Royalton on Tuesday.

Sophomore Dominic Lombardodelivered that hit as the Mustangs scored twice in the sixth-inning for a 4-3 win over the Bears.

The Mustangs improved to 4-3 overall, 1-0 in the NOC. The Bears fall to 2-4, 0-1. Both teams play again Wednesday, at North Royalton.

Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the sixth, the Mustangs got a double from senior Brendan Lange before sophomore Jake Bokar’s grounder to first was misplayed by the Bears. That allowed Lange to score and Bokar to advance to second.

Senior Mike Gaydos, running for Bokar, advanced to third when a pick-off attempt by Bears senior catcher Adam Vasil found its way into the outfield. Lombardo then singled to left to score Gaydos.

Senior pitcher Carlton Reinhart, who relieved starter Austin Previt to start the fifth, allowed a lead-off single in the seventh, but retired the next three batters for the win.

After starting the season 0-2, the Mustangs have won four of their last five.

“After the first weekend of the year, it was a little rough for us, but I think we’re on the right track,” said acting head coach Dan Wiemer, the team’s hitting coach the past couple seasons. “I told them after the game how we played Grove City on Saturday and lost 1-0 but had 10 hits. Their approach is good and they’re making adjustments at the plate.”

Previt allowed two runs and three hits in four innings, striking out three and walking two. He retired nine straight batters before giving way to Reinhart, who gave up an RBI-double by senior Nick Gatins in the fifth to break a 2-2 tie. But Reinhart allowed just one hit the rest of the way.

“Because we had a two-week layoff, we’re still trying to keep a low pitch count,” said Wiemer of the decision to remove Previt.

Seniors Brad Hajdin, Ben Szymezak and Brendan Lange each had two hits for the Mustangs. Junior Ryan Frank led off the fourth with a solo home run to center, tying the game at 2.

The Bears sent seven batters to the plate in the first inning against Previt. Vasil and senior Mike Hudec both had RBI singles as the Bears took a 2-0 lead. The Mustangs got a run back in the bottom half of the first when Hajdin doubled, then scored on Szymezak’s single.

Senior Andrew Rossman started for the Bears and took the loss. He gave up nine hits, four runs (two earned) and struck out four before being replaced by senior Erich Kuchta, who got the final out of the sixth.

“We’ve been struggling as a group offensively. We had some good signs there in the first inning,” said Bears head coach Jim Thamann. “But (Previt) got in a groove after the first inning and started working ahead in the count.”

Gatins had a pair of hits, an RBI and scored a run for the Bears, who have lost four of their last five. Except for a season-opening 5-0 win, every game has been decided by one or two runs for the Bears.

“The defense has been there. Pitching has definitely been good enough to keep us in games,” said Thamann. “It comes down to the little things you need to take care of.

“If we make a couple of those plays and work our way through there, it’s a different scenario. Those plays came back to haunt us in the end.”

Wednesday’s starters will be senior Joey Sadowski for the Bears and sophomore Alex Barnes for the Mustangs.

Strongsville comes from behind to beat Parma

Robert Rozboril, Sun News, April 04, 2013 10:48 p.m.

Parma got to a good start when they took on Strongsville April 3 but came up short in the end.

The Mustangs won 5-3 at Veterans Memorial Park after being down by three after the first inning.

His team already up by one in the first inning, Mark Sefcik picked up a couple of RBIs on a two-run single to put Parma up 3-0.

The Redman could not hold off the potent offense of the Mustangs though.

Strongsville chipped away at the lead with a run in the second and two more in the third to tie it up.

By the bottom of the seventh, the Mustangs were on top 5-3, which is how it would stay.

Tom Krockey knocked in two of Strongsville’s five runs on the day.Austin Previt scored a run and knocked another for the Mustangs.

Josh Zeck pitched six innings for Parma, giving up three hits and only one earned run.

It was the second win in as many days for Strongsville which shut out Normandy 10-0 the day before.

Strongsville Coach Dan Weimer said his team is playing catch up in a sense because of limited practice time. In fact, the team did not even get to practice outdoors until six days before they played Parma.

“We started a little bit behind before but today we got lucky to win. We didn’t play our best game,” Weimer said. “We’re walking way too many guys and I think giving hitters too much credit,” said Strongsville Coach Dan Weimer. “It’s still a work in progress. We’re still trying to mix and match arms and find out where we’re at.”

Strongsville improved to 2-0 on the season while the loss evened Parma’s record at 1-1.

The Redmen committed five errors against Strongsville, which Head Coach Ryan Dillon said was a big part of his team’s downfall.

“Strongsville’s a hard team to beat and you can’t give them anything. You can’t make any mistakes against a good team like that,” Dillon said. “We gave them a little bit and they took advantage of it.”

Despite being disappointed his team was not able to hold on for a “W” against the Mustangs, he said he was fairly happy with the way team played despite suffering the same setback due to the weather inhibiting outdoor practice time.

“We played well. We jumped ahead 3-0 and put the pressure on them,” Dillon said. “There’s still a lot more that we can improve but the more we play, the better we’ll be.”

Parma beat Keystone April 2 by a count of 6-3 on the strength of 6 1/3 innings pitched by Justin Pfieffer who sat down six on strikes.

On offense, Tyler Deutsch hit a double and singled in a pair of runs. Nate Tracy had two hits on the day with a double and single. Kevin Tippy got the final 2 outs to earn a save.

Strongsville baseball team looking to overcome obstacles as season begins

By Scott Patsko, Sun News, April 04, 2013 4:20 p.m.

STRONGSVILLE A teacher’s strike and poor Ohio weather put the Strongsville baseball team in a tough spot heading into its March 30 season opener.

In fact, it wasn’t until 4 p.m. March 29 that the Mustangs knew for sure they’d be traveling to Cincinnati the next day to face defending state champ Archbishop Moeller and St. Xavier.

Although the Mustangs lost both games, the trip gave them the opportunity to finally escape a gymnasium.

“We were excited to get outside,” said acting head coach Grant Rose. “That was our first time touching a ball in the elements.”

The Mustangs lost numerous key players from last season’s Northeast Ohio Conference River Division championship team, which earned a No. 1 district seed before being upset in the district semifinals. They finished 17-3 overall.

They are also without head coach Josh Sorge, who would be starting his 10th season at Strongsville if not for the teacher’s strike. Rose has been with the program for three years and was assistant head coach last season.

“It’s difficult and an unbelievable amount of work,” said Rose of taking the reins. “We’re fortunate to have worked with (coaches Sorge, Doug Cicerchi and Jason Frederick, who are on strike).

“I enjoy working with the boys in the program. We have an unbelievably motivated and intelligent group of kids.”

Due to the obstacles the team has faced early this season, the Mustangs are still trying to evaluate a lot of positions.

Hitting coach Dan Wiemer said the team will be relying on the pitching and hitting of senior Austin Previt, who will be the team’s No. 1 starter and hit in the middle of the order. Senior Carlton Reinhart will be the team’s No. 2 starter.

Senior Ben Szymezak will move over from second base to short stop this season, and senior Brad Wiemken will bat lead off and play center field.

“We threw eight different pitchers over two games (March 30) and rotated 25 total players between the two games,” said Rose. “We have to get a handle on what we have.

“We learned quite a bit and we know what we need to work on.”

The Mustangs beat Normandy 10-0 April 2. They travel to Springboro and Grove City on April 6.

Dear Strongsville Baseball Players,

On Tuesday March 19, all players will resume baseball practice from 2:35-4:30 at the high school.  Since Strongsville teachers cannot be present until the strike is resolved, the volunteer coaches will run and supervise the program in their absence.  As always, I trust that you will continue to prepare yourself for the 2013 season in a professional and respectable fashion.

Like most of you, I am uncertain as to when this strike will end.  However, I must reiterate my message to you that we discussed prior to the strike – this cannot divide us nor can it become an excuse.  We cannot control what is happening with the strike.  We can only control how we prepare for a season that we’ve anticipated for quite some time.

This is a time when teamwork, chemistry, and conviction in our program must become more galvanized.  I realize that we cannot make up for two weeks’ worth of lost practices in a few days.  It will take a few weeks to get us back to where we need to be.  It will certainly be a process.

Coach Rose, Coach Bokar, Coach Wiemer, Coach Spatz, and Coach Giampietro will run practices until the strike is resolved.  They will have answers to your questions as well as a revised practice schedule (if there is one directed by our AD Paul Moses).  In addition, we will be in constant communication with our volunteer coaches about tryouts, practices, games, etc.

Coach Frederick, Coach Cicerchi, and I are anxiously awaiting a prompt return to our players and program.

See you guys soon,

Coach Sorge

Week of March 1-10, 2013

Class of 2006

Anthony Gallas – Cleveland Indians

Spring Training

Follow Anthony at Indians Baseball Insider (some content requires a membership fee)      http://www.indiansbaseballinsider.com/

John Hamilton – Class of 2009

Class of 2009

John Hamilton – Charlotte

3/2 – Johnny threw seven scoreless innings against Youngstown State in a 3-1 win.  Hamilton allowed only four hits through seven innings while striking out five and walking one.  Hamilton improves to 1-1 on the year.  Charlotte faces College World Series team Kent State this weekend.

3/9 – Johnny Hamilton continues to throw well for Charlotte.  Unfortunately, Hamilton’s effort was not enough.  John tossed seven strong innings in a tough 2-1 loss to visiting Kent State.  Hamilton allowed two earned runs, five hits, two walks, and struck out five.  Hamilton falls to 1-2 on the year.

Follow Johnny at http://www.charlotte49ers.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23200&SPID=44796&SPSID=363421

Kody Krizman – Wright State

Follow Kody at

3/1 – Went 0-1 in a pinch hit appearance loss to UCLA

3/3 – Went 0-2 in pinch appearances against UCLA

http://www.wsuraiders.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27000&SPID=92412&SPSID=630822

Kellen Pagel – Umass

Did not play this weekend

Follow Kellen at

http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-basebl/umas-m-basebl-body.html

Ryan Bores – Texas Rangers

Spring Training

Follow Ryan at http://www.lonestarball.com/texas_rangers_prospects_and_minor_league_news

Kris Hall – Oakland A’s

Spring Training

Follow Kris at http://athleticsfarm.com/

Class of 2010

Jeff Hajdin – Harvard

3/1 – Went 0-3 in a 2-1 win against Bucknell

3/2 – went 1-4 in a 3-0 loss to Virginia

3/2 – went 1-3 in a 11-5 loss to Virginia

3/3 –  went 1-4 in a 7-4 loss to Bucknell

3/8 – went 0-2 in a loss against Ohio State

3/10 – went 0-2 in a loss to Ball State

Follow Jeff at http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/bsb/index

Craig Szymczak – Fairmont State

Craig went 2-3 in a split DH against California (Pa)

Follow Craig at http://www.fightingfalcons.com/baseball/

Tyler Schultz – Washington & Jefferson

Follow Tyler at http://www.washjeff.edu/athletics/mens-sports/baseball

Opens season on March 9

Class of 2011

Nate Langhals – University of Toledo

3/2 – went 0-4 in a 5-4 win against Central Florida University

3/3 – went 0-3 with 2 runs in a 9-8 loss to Central Florida

3/8 – went 0-3 in a 4-3 loss to Florida Atlantic

3/9 – went 1-4 with a run and RBI in a loss to Florida Atlantic

Follow Nate at

http://www.utrockets.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=18000&SPID=10718&SPSID=89701

Anthony Morino – Mount Union

Follow Anthony at http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/bsb/index

Opens season March 10

Justin Jakubik – Mount Union

Follow Justin at http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/bsb/index

Opens season on March 10

Sam Clarke – Mount Union

Follow Sam at http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/bsb/index

Opens season on March 10

Austin Legate – Owens College

3/2 – went 0-3 in a 5-2 loss to Olney Comm. College

Follow Austin at http://owensexpress.com/sports/bsb/index

Opens season March 2

Class of 2012

Austin Pritchard – University of Cincinnati

Follow Austin at http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-basebl/cinn-m-basebl-body.html

DNP

Forrest Perron – University of Cincinnati

Follow Forrest at http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-basebl/cinn-m-basebl-body.html

Kyle Toma – Mercyhurst College

Follow Kyle at http://hurstathletics.com/index.aspx?tab=baseball&path=baseball

Brennan Singleton – Notre Dame College

Follow Brennan at http://www.notredamefalcons.com/index.aspx?tab=baseball&path=baseball

Dan Kasian – Ohio Wesleyan

Follow Dan at http://www.battlingbishops.com/index.aspx?path=baseball&&tab=0

Opens season March 2

Aaron Caputo – Ohio Wesleyan

Follow Aaron at http://www.battlingbishops.com/index.aspx?path=baseball&&tab=0

Opens season March 2

Brian Genco – Thiel College

Follow Brian at http://www.thielathletics.com/index.aspx?path=baseball

Opens season March 3

Kory Hall – Cuyahoga Community College

Follow Kory at http://www.tri-c.edu/studentlife/athletics/baseball/Pages/Default.aspx

Opens season March 3

Tim Rogers, The Plain Dealer, March 05, 2013 3:11 p.m.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - Strongsville school officials have suspended athletics and extra-curricular activities during the teacher’s strike but have no power to stop informal practices by student athletes at off-site facilities.

Strongsville baseball coach Josh Sorge is not conducting practice this week after school officials suspended athletics and extra-curricular activities during the teacher’s strike. – (Phil Long, Special to The Plain Dealer)

“We have suspended all athletic events and school-related extra-curricular activities for this week,” said assistant superintendent Cameron Ryba. “We have no announcement about what could happen beyond this week. If the strike lasts longer than this week we will make anotherstatement next week.”

The winter sports season has come to an end at the school, with its boys and girls basketball and hockey teams having been eliminated from the postseason and the wrestling, swimming and gymnastics seasons concluded.

Baseball and softball teams across the state were permitted to begin practice on Feb. 25, per Ohio High School Athletic Association rules. Operations were suspended Monday when the strike began, baseball coach Josh Sorge said.

Practice for the boys tennis and track and field teams cannot begin until Monday, accoording to OHSAA regulations.

“We are not sanctioning any school events involving athletics, but if our kids want to get together informally, as kids like to do, we cannot stop them,” said Ryba.

Sorge, who teaches English and journalism at the high school, said he had heard some members of his team were holding informal practice sessions on their own at an off-school site. He said he has not attended the practices and neither have pitching coach Jason Frederick or junior varsity coach Doug Cicerchi. Both men are Strongsville teachers.

Baseball, softball and track teams are permitted to begin competition on March 30. Tennis matches can begin April 1.

The baseball team is supposed to open its season on March 30 with a doubleheader in Cincinnati against Moeller and St. Xavier. Sorge said the trip has not yet been canceled.

Boys tennis coach Paul Martins, a retired Parma teacher, has suspended preseason conditioning. He said he did not know what is planned for formal practice until he talks with school administrators.

Martins said he has served as a substitute teacher at Strongsville but has not been called during the strike.

“I would not cross the picket line anyhow,” he said.

Other spring coaches could not be reached.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:trogers@plaind.com

Week of Feb 18 – 24, 2013

Class of 2006

Anthony Gallas – Cleveland Indians

Spring Training

Class 2006 Anthony Gallas

Follow Anthony at Indians Baseball Insider (some content requires a membership fee)http://www.indiansbaseballinsider.com/

Class of 2009

 John Hamilton – Charlotte

2/19 Hamilton took the tough loss after throwing a career-long 6.2 innings in his first start of the 2013 campaign against #10 North Carolina State University.  Johnny allowed five hits, one earned run, struck out five, and walked one.  Charlotte’s next game be at Wake Forest on Tuesday Feb 26.

Follow Johnny at http://www.charlotte49ers.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23200&SPID=44796&SPSID=363421

Kody Krizman – Wright State

2/24 – Kody went 0-1 in a 7-0 loss to Clemson University

Follow Kody at http://www.wsuraiders.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27000&SPID=92412&SPSID=630822

Kellen Pagel – Umass

Umass opens season March 2

Follow Kellen at

http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-basebl/umas-m-basebl-body.html

Ryan Bores – Texas Rangers

Spring Training

Follow Ryan at http://www.lonestarball.com/texas_rangers_prospects_and_minor_league_news

Kris Hall – Oakland A’s

Spring Training

Follow Kris at http://athleticsfarm.com/

Class of 2010

Jeff Hajdin – Harvard

Follow Jeff at http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/bsb/index

Season begins March 1

Craig Szymczak – Fairmont State

Fairmont is off until March 1

Follow Craig at http://www.fightingfalcons.com/baseball/

Tyler Schultz – Washington & Jefferson

Follow Tyler at http://www.washjeff.edu/athletics/mens-sports/baseball

Opens season on March 9

Class of 2011

Nate Langhals – University of Toledo

2/22 went 0-4 in a 15-0 loss to Virginia

2/23 went 1-3 in a 5-0 loss to Virginia

2/24 went 1-2 with a walk in a loss to Virginia

Follow Nate at http://www.utrockets.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=18000&SPID=10718&SPSID=89701

Anthony Morino – Mount Union

Follow Anthony at http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/bsb/index

Opens season March 10

Justin Jakubik – Mount Union

Follow Justin at http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/bsb/index

Opens season on March 10

Sam Clarke – Mount Union

Follow Sam at http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/bsb/index

Opens season on March 10

Austin Legate – Owens College

Follow Austin at http://owensexpress.com/sports/bsb/index

Opens season March 2

Class of 2012

Austin Pritchard – University of Cincinnati

Follow Austin at http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-basebl/cinn-m-basebl-body.html

Did not play this weekend

Forrest Perron – University of Cincinnati

2/23 Went 1-3 with a walk in a 5-1 loss to Furman.

2/24 Went 0-4 with a walk in a 7-6 win against Western carolina

Follow Forrest at http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-basebl/cinn-m-basebl-body.html

Kyle Toma – Mercyhurst College

Kyle saw his first collegiate action throwing one inning, allowing two earned runs on four hits, while striking out one in a loss to Stonehill

Follow Kyle at http://hurstathletics.com/index.aspx?tab=baseball&path=baseball

Brennan Singleton – Notre Dame College

Follow Brennan at http://www.notredamefalcons.com/index.aspx?tab=baseball&path=baseball

Dan Kasian – Ohio Wesleyan

Follow Dan at http://www.battlingbishops.com/index.aspx?path=baseball&&tab=0

Opens season March 2

Aaron Caputo – Ohio Wesleyan

Follow Aaron at http://www.battlingbishops.com/index.aspx?path=baseball&&tab=0

Opens season March 2

Brian Genco – Thiel College

Follow Brian at http://www.thielathletics.com/index.aspx?path=baseball

Opens season March 3

Kory Hall – Cuyahoga Community College

Follow Kory at http://www.tri-c.edu/studentlife/athletics/baseball/Pages/Default.aspx

Opens season March 3