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Regional baseball preview: outlooks for Hiland, Hillsdale and Waynedale

alex tichenor, the daily record
·4 min read
Waynedale's Trey Barkman
Waynedale's Trey Barkman

Previewing each local bracket as Hiland, Hillsdale and Waynedale prepare for regional action:

Massillon Regional (Division III)

Games: Hawken vs. South Range, Thursday, 2 p.m.; Waynedale vs. Youngstown Ursuline, Thursday, 5 p.m.; Massillon Regional Championship Game, Friday, 5 p.m. (all games at Massillon Washington High School)

Outlook: Waynedale's ability to pitch two de facto aces gives them a huge advantage in postseason play. Whether its Trey Barkman or Otto Solorzano on the mound, the Golden Bears like their chances to keep their opponent to a few runs at most. They both showed their talent in district play, tossing complete games to lead Waynedale to this point. The Golden Bears lineup is also loaded top to bottom, with everyone capable of carrying the offense on the right day.

Ursuline does it by committee both hitting and pitching, with balanced numbers across the board outside of their ace. Andrew Kirila is Ursuline's clear No. 1, going 7-1 with a 1.67 earned run average this season. It's a strong possibility he's on the mound Thursday against the Golden Bears. Hawken doesn't have overpowering pitching but has three guys it's comfortable throwing in big spots in Devin Anthony, Lucas Brandt and Eli Thompson. Dominic Brancel (.388, 4 HRs, 20 RBIs) is the guy to watch in their lineup. Meanwhile, South Range's first-team All-Ohio duo of Trey Pancake and Brandon Mikos graduated in 2021, but Billy Skripac, whose fastball touches the upper 80s, gives the Raiders a true ace who can carry them in any game.

Lancaster Regional (Div. IV)

Games: Hiland vs. Whiteoak, Thursday, 2 p.m.; Newark Catholic vs. Lucasville Valley, Thursday, 5 p.m.; Lancaster Regional Championship Game, Friday, 6 p.m. (all games at Beavers Field, Lancaster)

Outlook: After an up-and-down regular season, Hiland is back to regionals, with an eye on making it to its sixth state tournament in program history. Izaak Yoder has been the Hawks' ace this year, but Nolan Yoder came through in a big way during district play as Hiland allowed just one run over two games. Jeff Todaro is the big bat in the middle of Hiland's lineup, but the Hawks don't have many weak spots.

Whiteoak, located about an hour outside Cincinnati, has recent postseason success, making a state trip in 2018. None of those players are still at the school, but the Wildcats have the playoff pedigree needed to win at this time of year. Valley is the No. 1-ranked team in Div. IV, but isn't necessarily overpowering. The Indians have been tested in each of their playoff games, but keep finding ways to win, led by ace George Arnett and top hitter Chase Morrow. Newark Catholic has plenty of tradition — nine state titles-worth to be exact — but hasn't been to the state tournament since 2016. It's hoping to change that this year after playing a tough regular season schedule and rolling through most of the playoffs.

Hillsdale High School's Nick Kandel (6) delivers a pitch in the second inning against Mogadore High School during their OHSAA Division IV district semifinal baseball game at Medina High School on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Hillsdale won the game 4-3. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM
Hillsdale High School's Nick Kandel (6) delivers a pitch in the second inning against Mogadore High School during their OHSAA Division IV district semifinal baseball game at Medina High School on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Hillsdale won the game 4-3. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

Gates Mills Regional (Div. IV)

Games: Calvert vs. Bristol, Thursday, 2 p.m.; Hillsdale vs. Warren JFK, 5 p.m.; Gates Mills Regional Championship Game, Friday, 5 p.m. (all games at Gilmour Academy)

Outlook: Hillsdale's program has been on the cusp of winning big, and the Falcons have their eyes on a state berth this year. Nick Kandel leads a loaded Falcons group that has plenty of pitching and hitting. Kandel is the ace, and one of the Falcons' top hitters, but Hillsdale has multiple pitching options they can go to if their starters are having an off day. Jack Fickes and Ethan Goodwin have been especially dangerous as hitters this year for Hillsdale.

Warren JFK can really hit the ball, with three players — Jake Hettrick, Aidan Rossi and Gavin Schrum — all batting better than .400. JFK freshman Freddy Bolchalk has really come along late in the season, tossing a shutout in the Eagles' district semi win over David Anderson. Meanwhile, Calvert and Bristol both enter regional play hovering around .500. However, they're both playing well at the right time and one of them will be playing for a regional championship.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Baseball: Previewing regional tournaments for all three local teams