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 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.
MUSTANG ALUMNI WATCH
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
