High school baseball: (4) Chardon vs (11) Niles McKinley district final preview capsule
May 24—(4) Chardon vs (11) Niles McKinley
What: Division II district final
When: 4 p.m., May 25
Where: Struthers, 16 Bob Cene Way, Struthers
Records: Chardon 19-9, Niles McKinley 17-8
Chardon's path: Def. Howland 5-3, Def. Field 15-6
Niles McKinley's path: Def. Hubbard 5-2, Def. Geneva 5-3, Def. Canfield 4-3
On deck: Winner advances to play (5) Chagrin Falls or (15) Cloverleaf in a Division II regional semifinal June 2.
For the record: It was a fast start for Chardon that propelled it ahead of Field in a district semifinal, as the Hilltoppers raced out to a 7-0 lead. They tacked on five more runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach for the Falcons. Christian Hall and Nolan Kirsh led the way for Chardon with four RBI, and Heath Fetchik added three of his own. With those bats going strong, Chardon wasn't affected by its top second and third best batting averages accounting for just one hit in Jake Barker and Stone Fawcett. They would like to see their bats be just as active as they seek to take a step further than last season's run to the district final as well. ... Kirsh will be the one to toe the rubber for the Hilltoppers, as he looks to be the one to guide the Hilltoppers to the promised land. This season saw Kirsh post four victories with a 2.20 ERA and 40 strikeouts. ... Chardon will need Kirsh in top form to deal with a lineup that includes two players batting over .400 in Kolton Christopher (.500) and Anthony Fisher (.462). Three other Niles bats come in averaging over .300 as well. Pitching wise, Fisher or Sam Perrone will most likely take the bump. Fisher has posted a 1.88 ERA this season while Perrone has recorded a 2.48. Niles finished the regular season on a nine-game win streak, and have won 12 of their last 13 including the playoffs. However, if the Hilltoppers bats remain hot, this could turn into a barnburner of a district final.
Hercik's pick: Chardon
