Day sets 36-hole mark, then hangs on at Players
Sports
C6 — Sunday, May 15, 2016
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Dorksen (From Page C1) Schlabach will square off head-to-head this time. “I’m really excited for our team to be in this position,” said Waynedale coach Justin McDowell, whose Bears are ranked No. 6 in the latest Div. III Ohio Baseball Coaches Association Poll and own a 15-game winning streak. “We have a very good, experienced team, but so does Chippewa. “It will be a great matchup. We’re very happy to have accomplished one of our main goals — winning our first WCAL title since 1999 — but I know our players really want to also make a tournament run.” Schlabach will pitch in college for Mercyhurst, while Nick Strausbaugh (.351, 29 RBI) plans to officially commit to The College of Wooster later this week, McDowell said. Aaron Spidell (.424, 22 RBI, 16 SB) is also headed to Wooster. Also among Waynedale’s batting leaders this season are Shayne Weaver (.417), Evan Reidenbach (.407) and Jarrett Wonsick (.365). Chippewa’s offense has been paced by Jerry Bennett (.380), Trent Harrell (.377) and Zach Bailey (.345, Heidelberg commit). Third-year starting catcher Luke Brown is close behind at .329. First-year Chippewa coach Ben Hymes knew he had a lot of talent after taking over a defending WCAL champion team with eight starters back, but he’s also been impressed with the Chipps’ work ethic. “These guys play really hard and work hard to get better,” Hymes said. “There’s a lot of talent and experience on our team. “They feel like they’re a lot better baseball team right now than last year. With the way the last season ended (district semifinal loss against Dalton), they’ve been waiting a whole year to get back to try their hand at it again.” Hymes is really looking forward to seeing how things play out Monday. “It will be nice to get on a neutral field because we both won at home,” Hymes said. “It’ll be two outstanding teams playing. We’ll see what happens.” In other matchups, it will be Wooster vs. Uniontown Lake in a Div. I Canton District semifinal on Wednesday at 5 p.m.; West Holmes vs. New Philadelphia in a Div. II East District semifinal on Monday at 5; Top-ranked Hiland vs. Martins Ferry in a Div. III East District semifinal at Muskingum University on Monday at 5; Dalton vs. Lake Center Christian in a Div. IV Medina District semifinal on Wednesday at 2, followed by Hillsdale vs. Cuyahoga Heights at approximately 5. The Hawks’ Eric Mullet is 7-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched. He has a 0.00 ERA over 86 1-3 inning pitched dating back to his sophomore season, but has given up an unearned run. Also helping their teams to the districts with ERAs at 1.40 or below are Dalton’s Bryce Husted (5-3, 0.35), Rittman’s Manny Garza (3-4, 0.75), Wooster’s Curtis Williamson
(5-1, 0.92) and Devin Johnson (5-0, 1.40) and Rittman’s Kaleb Bauman (4-0, 1.34). n Here’s a quick peak at what to watch in softball: Northwestern vs. Tuslaw in a Div. III Norwayne District semifinal on Wednesday at 2, followed by Manchester vs. Waynedale at approximately 5; Hillsdale vs. Willoughby Cornerstone Christian in a Div. IV Copley District semifinal on Thursday at 4, followed by Dalton vs. Mogadore at approximately 5:30. The Falcons (19-3) edged out the Huskies (22-2) for the WCAL title and both teams are led by outstanding pitchers. Northwestern freshman Hannah Fricke is 17-2 with a 0.24 ERA and an incredible 277 strikeouts in 125 innings. We haven’t seen a local pitcher dominate like that since the pitching distance was moved from 40-feet back to 43-0 in 2011 to get more offense involved. Hillsdale sophomore Sydney Long is 12-3 with a 0.97 ERA and 141 Ks in 101 1-3 innings pitched. BIRKBECK LEARNS PATIENCE AS SENIOR — Like it or not, baseball and softball are the only major sports in which the opponent can completely take out the other team’s best offensive player. They can simply walk them. After Orrville senior catcher Liz Birkbeck blasted 16 home runs as a junior (tied for third in OHSAA history), teams have taken the bat Birkbeck out of her hands at a frustratingly high rate. Since there’s nothing that can be done about walks, Birkbeck has come to grips with it and made the most of limited chances to have another phenomenal season. The Youngstown State recruit will still wind up with the area batting title and home run crown. She’s hitting .644 (38 for 59) with nine homers with two OCC makeup games left to play this week. She’s also walked 27 times, helping her compile a .750 on-base percentage. OCC coaches know Birkbeck best and have been especially careful, walking her 21 times in 12 games so far. Ashland gave her an intentional free pass with the bases loaded. Birkbeck has come close to walking as many times as her number of official at-bats in OCC play, where she’s 23 for 29 for an incredible .793 batting average, six home runs and 20 RBI. Orrville coach Jessica Bolinger hopes the league coaches will vote her as the repeat OCC Player of the Year despite the limited number of at-bats. “I hope they’ll remember the respect they gave Liz when they were walking her all the time when it comes time to vote,” said Bolinger, whose Riders are 11-11 (5-7). “There’s no doubt she should win the award. “She’s worked very hard and is having a great season. It was hard at first for her to deal
with (all the walks), but she’s done a good job making the most of her chances to hit.” It’s been a guessing game each at-bat whether or not teams will pitch to her, said Birkbeck, who’s tied for sixth in OHSAA history for career home runs with 36. “It was definitely difficult dealing with that, especially early in the season,” she said. “I didn’t deal with it as well until the coaches really helped me to realize that it was out of respect and to treat it as such. I really have to thank my Orrville coaches for my development as a player. “I just had to focus on really finding the first good pitch and trying to drive it. I couldn’t wait to get one or AP photo two strikes. Once I learned Jason Day hits from the 17th tee during the third round of that, I ended up getting into a The Players Championship golf tournament on Saturday in groove.” Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Birkbeck hits No. 2 in the batting order and said that McKinley Smith (.462) and Taylor Rufener (.351) have done a good job of making teams pay behind her in the lineup for many of the walks. COLLEGE COMMITMENTS — A trio of area high the tournament, and I’m OK By DOUG FERGUSON school athletes committed this with that. AP Golf Writer week during ceremonies at “I won’t stop until it’s done, PONTE VEDRA BEACH, and I can rest after that.” their schools to continue their Fla. — Jason Day saw The Play- It wasn’t unplayable for everyacademic and athletic careers ers Championship at its easiest one. at the collegiate level. and toughest, all in the span of Ken Duke in the round of a Waynedale’s Mike Wilson nine hours Saturday on what felt lifetime made six birdies over his will wrestle at Div. III Musklike two golf courses. ingum. He was 47-13 at 132 last seven holes for a 65, which He set a record when it felt like was more than 10 shots better pounds this past season and a shootout. advanced to the Div. III disthan the average score. He was He was even stronger when tied for second with Hideki Mattrict level. the TPC Sawgrass turned into a suyama, who made seven birdTriway’s Rachel Dawson is battle for survival. also headed to Muskingum, ies in his round of 67. Joining And when a long, wild and them at 10-under 206 was Alex where she’ll continue her socutterly exhausting day was final- Cejka, who shot a 72 that felt cer career. ly over, the world’s No. 1 player much lower. Hiland’s Lindsey Yoder could take solace that he still “I don’t know what they did to signed a scholarship to play for Hesston College (Kansas), had a four-shot lead. the golf course overnight, but it “I want to say this was the was playing like a U.S. Open,” a member of the NJCAA (National Junior College Ath- toughest day I’ve ever had to Cejka said. “It was just lightningplay in my life,” Day said after fast greens.” letic Association). Yoder was gutting out a 1-over 73 going Sixth of the 76 players who named Tri-County Player of into the final round. “I want to made the cut had a double bogey the Year, first-team GASSCA win this tournament so bad. I or worse. (Greater Akron Scholastic really do. ... But right now, I’m There were 149 three-putts — Soccer Coaches Association) and was the Hawks’ Defensive just trying to focus on trying or worse — in the third round. to play well tomorrow. I mean, Sergio Garcia took six putts MVP PARTING SHOTS — Good that’s all you could do is just try from just off the sixth green. to survive.” luck to Kevin Lower, who Paul Casey took five putts from The difference between morn- about 8 feet on the 15th hole. stepped down as the Tuslaw boys basketball coach recently. ing and afternoon was more like There was rare a lag putt. The night and day. He guided the Mustangs to putts wouldn’t stop rolling. Day finished his storm-delayed “A 10-foot putt felt like it was a 25-1 record this winter, but second round with a 66 to set 60 feet away,” Day said. decided to take some time off the 36-hole record at 15-under There was still the traditional from coaching, said athletic 199, and it appeared he would trouble at the Stadium Course. director Dave Burkett. take aim at more records. And Russell Knox hit three shots in The Mustangs will accept then it all changed. The PGA the water on the island-green applications for the post until Tour rolled the greens one more 17th and made a 9 that ruined this Tuesday. time. The wind picked up. The his round (he shot 80) and his n Mark your calendars for air dried out. The sun baked out chances. Kevin Chappell had to the 10th annual Dix Comthe course. munications Baseball All-Star play his second shot with his feet Suddenly, the greens were like on the planks framing the water Game on Wednesday, June 1 at Ashland University’s Dong- putting on glass. on the 18th hole. Having made Day four-putted from 18 feet two eagles, he closed with a doues Field. The annual Dix Communica- for a double bogey. He made ble bogey to fall six shots back another double bogey two holes after a 70 that felt a lot better. tions Softball All-Star Game later. But right when it looked Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson will be played Thursday, June like he would fall victim to the and defending champion Rickie 10 at The College of Wooster. fierce conditions, the 28-year- Fowler all missed the cut when We’re pleased to be able to old Australian played the final the storm-delayed second round continue these games, which 10 holes with three birdies and was completed Saturday morngive area seniors one last seven pars to reach 14-under 202 ing. If there was a consolation, it chance to shine representing and keep his big lead. their schools. The rosters will was not having to take on SawMore than excited about a grass and its scariest. be made up of players from chance to win the PGA Tour’s Day had his moments. the combined 23 schools that premier event, he is worried His first blunder was a fourmake up The Daily Record about facing similar conditions putt double bogey on the sixth and Ashland Times-Gazette Sunday. coverage areas. hole, which started with an “That would just ruin every- 18-foot birdie putt that he nearly thing,” he said. “That won’t make made. It could have been worse. Aaron Dorksen’s weekly look at local, state and nation- it fun for ... we were out there His 5-foot putt for double bogey for nearly six hours today try- nearly spun out of the cup. He al sports appears on Sundays in The Daily Record. Dorksen ing to play 18 holes. They made answered with a wedge to 2 feet the course pretty much nearly for birdie, but then had more can be reached at 330-287unplayable. If they do make it trouble off the green at the par-3 1621 or adorksen@the-dailylike that, then I’m just going to eighth. This time, he had to make record.com. Follow him on have to grind my hardest to win a 6-foot putt for double bogey. Twitter at @adorksenTDR.
Day sets 36-hole mark, then hangs on at Players
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C6 — Sunday, May 15, 2016
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Dorksen (From Page C1) Schlabach will square off head-to-head this time. “I’m really excited for our team to be in this position,” said Waynedale coach Justin McDowell, whose Bears are ranked No. 6 in the latest Div. III Ohio Baseball Coaches Association Poll and own a 15-game winning streak. “We have a very good, experienced team, but so does Chippewa. “It will be a great matchup. We’re very happy to have accomplished one of our main goals — winning our first WCAL title since 1999 — but I know our players really want to also make a tournament run.” Schlabach will pitch in college for Mercyhurst, while Nick Strausbaugh (.351, 29 RBI) plans to officially commit to The College of Wooster later this week, McDowell said. Aaron Spidell (.424, 22 RBI, 16 SB) is also headed to Wooster. Also among Waynedale’s batting leaders this season are Shayne Weaver (.417), Evan Reidenbach (.407) and Jarrett Wonsick (.365). Chippewa’s offense has been paced by Jerry Bennett (.380), Trent Harrell (.377) and Zach Bailey (.345, Heidelberg commit). Third-year starting catcher Luke Brown is close behind at .329. First-year Chippewa coach Ben Hymes knew he had a lot of talent after taking over a defending WCAL champion team with eight starters back, but he’s also been impressed with the Chipps’ work ethic. “These guys play really hard and work hard to get better,” Hymes said. “There’s a lot of talent and experience on our team. “They feel like they’re a lot better baseball team right now than last year. With the way the last season ended (district semifinal loss against Dalton), they’ve been waiting a whole year to get back to try their hand at it again.” Hymes is really looking forward to seeing how things play out Monday. “It will be nice to get on a neutral field because we both won at home,” Hymes said. “It’ll be two outstanding teams playing. We’ll see what happens.” In other matchups, it will be Wooster vs. Uniontown Lake in a Div. I Canton District semifinal on Wednesday at 5 p.m.; West Holmes vs. New Philadelphia in a Div. II East District semifinal on Monday at 5; Top-ranked Hiland vs. Martins Ferry in a Div. III East District semifinal at Muskingum University on Monday at 5; Dalton vs. Lake Center Christian in a Div. IV Medina District semifinal on Wednesday at 2, followed by Hillsdale vs. Cuyahoga Heights at approximately 5. The Hawks’ Eric Mullet is 7-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched. He has a 0.00 ERA over 86 1-3 inning pitched dating back to his sophomore season, but has given up an unearned run. Also helping their teams to the districts with ERAs at 1.40 or below are Dalton’s Bryce Husted (5-3, 0.35), Rittman’s Manny Garza (3-4, 0.75), Wooster’s Curtis Williamson
(5-1, 0.92) and Devin Johnson (5-0, 1.40) and Rittman’s Kaleb Bauman (4-0, 1.34). n Here’s a quick peak at what to watch in softball: Northwestern vs. Tuslaw in a Div. III Norwayne District semifinal on Wednesday at 2, followed by Manchester vs. Waynedale at approximately 5; Hillsdale vs. Willoughby Cornerstone Christian in a Div. IV Copley District semifinal on Thursday at 4, followed by Dalton vs. Mogadore at approximately 5:30. The Falcons (19-3) edged out the Huskies (22-2) for the WCAL title and both teams are led by outstanding pitchers. Northwestern freshman Hannah Fricke is 17-2 with a 0.24 ERA and an incredible 277 strikeouts in 125 innings. We haven’t seen a local pitcher dominate like that since the pitching distance was moved from 40-feet back to 43-0 in 2011 to get more offense involved. Hillsdale sophomore Sydney Long is 12-3 with a 0.97 ERA and 141 Ks in 101 1-3 innings pitched. BIRKBECK LEARNS PATIENCE AS SENIOR — Like it or not, baseball and softball are the only major sports in which the opponent can completely take out the other team’s best offensive player. They can simply walk them. After Orrville senior catcher Liz Birkbeck blasted 16 home runs as a junior (tied for third in OHSAA history), teams have taken the bat Birkbeck out of her hands at a frustratingly high rate. Since there’s nothing that can be done about walks, Birkbeck has come to grips with it and made the most of limited chances to have another phenomenal season. The Youngstown State recruit will still wind up with the area batting title and home run crown. She’s hitting .644 (38 for 59) with nine homers with two OCC makeup games left to play this week. She’s also walked 27 times, helping her compile a .750 on-base percentage. OCC coaches know Birkbeck best and have been especially careful, walking her 21 times in 12 games so far. Ashland gave her an intentional free pass with the bases loaded. Birkbeck has come close to walking as many times as her number of official at-bats in OCC play, where she’s 23 for 29 for an incredible .793 batting average, six home runs and 20 RBI. Orrville coach Jessica Bolinger hopes the league coaches will vote her as the repeat OCC Player of the Year despite the limited number of at-bats. “I hope they’ll remember the respect they gave Liz when they were walking her all the time when it comes time to vote,” said Bolinger, whose Riders are 11-11 (5-7). “There’s no doubt she should win the award. “She’s worked very hard and is having a great season. It was hard at first for her to deal
with (all the walks), but she’s done a good job making the most of her chances to hit.” It’s been a guessing game each at-bat whether or not teams will pitch to her, said Birkbeck, who’s tied for sixth in OHSAA history for career home runs with 36. “It was definitely difficult dealing with that, especially early in the season,” she said. “I didn’t deal with it as well until the coaches really helped me to realize that it was out of respect and to treat it as such. I really have to thank my Orrville coaches for my development as a player. “I just had to focus on really finding the first good pitch and trying to drive it. I couldn’t wait to get one or AP photo two strikes. Once I learned Jason Day hits from the 17th tee during the third round of that, I ended up getting into a The Players Championship golf tournament on Saturday in groove.” Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Birkbeck hits No. 2 in the batting order and said that McKinley Smith (.462) and Taylor Rufener (.351) have done a good job of making teams pay behind her in the lineup for many of the walks. COLLEGE COMMITMENTS — A trio of area high the tournament, and I’m OK By DOUG FERGUSON school athletes committed this with that. AP Golf Writer week during ceremonies at “I won’t stop until it’s done, PONTE VEDRA BEACH, and I can rest after that.” their schools to continue their Fla. — Jason Day saw The Play- It wasn’t unplayable for everyacademic and athletic careers ers Championship at its easiest one. at the collegiate level. and toughest, all in the span of Ken Duke in the round of a Waynedale’s Mike Wilson nine hours Saturday on what felt lifetime made six birdies over his will wrestle at Div. III Musklike two golf courses. ingum. He was 47-13 at 132 last seven holes for a 65, which He set a record when it felt like was more than 10 shots better pounds this past season and a shootout. advanced to the Div. III disthan the average score. He was He was even stronger when tied for second with Hideki Mattrict level. the TPC Sawgrass turned into a suyama, who made seven birdTriway’s Rachel Dawson is battle for survival. also headed to Muskingum, ies in his round of 67. Joining And when a long, wild and them at 10-under 206 was Alex where she’ll continue her socutterly exhausting day was final- Cejka, who shot a 72 that felt cer career. ly over, the world’s No. 1 player much lower. Hiland’s Lindsey Yoder could take solace that he still “I don’t know what they did to signed a scholarship to play for Hesston College (Kansas), had a four-shot lead. the golf course overnight, but it “I want to say this was the was playing like a U.S. Open,” a member of the NJCAA (National Junior College Ath- toughest day I’ve ever had to Cejka said. “It was just lightningplay in my life,” Day said after fast greens.” letic Association). Yoder was gutting out a 1-over 73 going Sixth of the 76 players who named Tri-County Player of into the final round. “I want to made the cut had a double bogey the Year, first-team GASSCA win this tournament so bad. I or worse. (Greater Akron Scholastic really do. ... But right now, I’m There were 149 three-putts — Soccer Coaches Association) and was the Hawks’ Defensive just trying to focus on trying or worse — in the third round. to play well tomorrow. I mean, Sergio Garcia took six putts MVP PARTING SHOTS — Good that’s all you could do is just try from just off the sixth green. to survive.” luck to Kevin Lower, who Paul Casey took five putts from The difference between morn- about 8 feet on the 15th hole. stepped down as the Tuslaw boys basketball coach recently. ing and afternoon was more like There was rare a lag putt. The night and day. He guided the Mustangs to putts wouldn’t stop rolling. Day finished his storm-delayed “A 10-foot putt felt like it was a 25-1 record this winter, but second round with a 66 to set 60 feet away,” Day said. decided to take some time off the 36-hole record at 15-under There was still the traditional from coaching, said athletic 199, and it appeared he would trouble at the Stadium Course. director Dave Burkett. take aim at more records. And Russell Knox hit three shots in The Mustangs will accept then it all changed. The PGA the water on the island-green applications for the post until Tour rolled the greens one more 17th and made a 9 that ruined this Tuesday. time. The wind picked up. The his round (he shot 80) and his n Mark your calendars for air dried out. The sun baked out chances. Kevin Chappell had to the 10th annual Dix Comthe course. munications Baseball All-Star play his second shot with his feet Suddenly, the greens were like on the planks framing the water Game on Wednesday, June 1 at Ashland University’s Dong- putting on glass. on the 18th hole. Having made Day four-putted from 18 feet two eagles, he closed with a doues Field. The annual Dix Communica- for a double bogey. He made ble bogey to fall six shots back another double bogey two holes after a 70 that felt a lot better. tions Softball All-Star Game later. But right when it looked Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson will be played Thursday, June like he would fall victim to the and defending champion Rickie 10 at The College of Wooster. fierce conditions, the 28-year- Fowler all missed the cut when We’re pleased to be able to old Australian played the final the storm-delayed second round continue these games, which 10 holes with three birdies and was completed Saturday morngive area seniors one last seven pars to reach 14-under 202 ing. If there was a consolation, it chance to shine representing and keep his big lead. their schools. The rosters will was not having to take on SawMore than excited about a grass and its scariest. be made up of players from chance to win the PGA Tour’s Day had his moments. the combined 23 schools that premier event, he is worried His first blunder was a fourmake up The Daily Record about facing similar conditions putt double bogey on the sixth and Ashland Times-Gazette Sunday. coverage areas. hole, which started with an “That would just ruin every- 18-foot birdie putt that he nearly thing,” he said. “That won’t make made. It could have been worse. Aaron Dorksen’s weekly look at local, state and nation- it fun for ... we were out there His 5-foot putt for double bogey for nearly six hours today try- nearly spun out of the cup. He al sports appears on Sundays in The Daily Record. Dorksen ing to play 18 holes. They made answered with a wedge to 2 feet the course pretty much nearly for birdie, but then had more can be reached at 330-287unplayable. If they do make it trouble off the green at the par-3 1621 or adorksen@the-dailylike that, then I’m just going to eighth. This time, he had to make record.com. Follow him on have to grind my hardest to win a 6-foot putt for double bogey. Twitter at @adorksenTDR.
Day sets 36-hole mark, then hangs on at Players
Reserve your advertising space today!
The Daily Record
BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY
Deadline to advertise is May 31st Publishes in The Daily Record on June 28th
This directory will include business cards from you - the area’s professionals. 22,000 inserted into the DR and delivered to prime locations throughout the area.
Cost: $80 INCLUDES FULL COLOR
PUBLICATION DATE:
June 30, 2016 DEADLINE:
June 10, 2016
Call Amanda to advertise! 330-264-1125 ext. 2221
WO-10465066
WO-10460763
Call Your Daily Record Representative to Participate!
330-264-1125
