Tag Archive for: Baseball

IHOP: INCREDIBLE HUSTLE OF PANCAKE

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CANFIELD, OH- 3 years ago when South Range raised the State Championship Trophy above their heads, they had dreams of building a dynasty.  Each underclassman and coach had visions of rings dancing in multiples when they laid their heads down at night.  The Raiders knew they had something special, but they also knew how hard they worked to achieve those golden opportunities.

Everything was lining up for the Raider Baseball Team.  The foundation was set, and unexpected pieces were gravitating to The Range that added character and skill to that already strong foundation.  Trey Pancake was a major piece of this puzzle.  Pancake and his family moved to the district in his sophomore season, where the Raiders lofty expectations were dashed quickly in the playoffs. Only to be followed by a year where the OHSAA canceled spring sports completely and robbed South Range of redemption.

Now seniors, Pancake and his teammates look to resurrect a portion of those conversations following a District Championship, but the cast looks different.  Pancake has been a big part of the leadership that has allowed other teammates to step outside their comfort zone for the team’s greater good.

We sat down with the Raider backstop to discuss how he and his teammates have overcome the adversity and expectations en route to growing closer as the year moved on.  Find out the role models of the future Buckeye and what the favorite breakfast is of this champion.

All that and more on South Range Raider Profile, with Trey Pancake!

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JULIANO NAMED 2021 YSN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- Junior Canfield standout, Josh Juliano, has been named the 2021 “Golden Bat” Award Winner.  The award is given to what analysts at Your Sports Network consider the top offensive player among their partner schools.

Juliano’s average and on-base percentage is listed at the top in Ohio according to sources such as MaxPreps.  In 77 plate appearances, Juliano hit .552 with 32 hits, 16 runs batted in, and scored 25 times.  The junior also walked 13 times, while only striking out six times this season while boasting an OBP of .632 for the Cardinals, while nabbing 15 stolen bases along the way.

Canfield Coach Gary Knittle spoke to us regarding Juliano’s big season:

“Josh is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached. Early in the season Coach Havrilla asked him to make an adjustment with his swing. He worked at it and the results followed! He has been the table-setter all season long in the lead-off spot helping us to a 23-0 record! I couldn’t be more proud of this young man! Scary thing is that he returns next year only being a junior!”

Congratulations to Canfield’s Josh Juliano on an outstanding year, and for adding another award to his resume this season.

2021 ALL-YSN BASEBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- For the first time in history, YSN is proud to acknowledge athletic excellence on the baseball diamond for its member schools.  These student-athletes have worked extremely hard this season after a year away from their teammates and in their school colors.  Congratulations to the members of the 2021 All-YSN Softball Team.

*We are attempting to put together an All-Star Game and celebration for the honorees, date, and place is still yet to be determined.  Stay tuned.

2021 YSN Baseball Coach of the Year: Gary Knittle- Canfield

Austintown Fitch- Joe Roth, Jake Lawrence
Beaver Local- Ryan Cunningham
Boardman- Jason Triveri
Brookfield- Hunter Baum
Campbell Memorial- Zach Luciano
Canfield- Landon Biedelchies, Josh Juliano, Ryan Petro
Cardinal Mooney- Ian Francis, Ethan Shaw
Champion- Jack O’Shaughnessy
Chaney- Alberto Peterson
Columbiana- Logan Hoschar
Crestview- Carter Blakeman
East- Ivan Rodriguez
East Liverpool- Evan Tice
East Palestine- Patrick Bender
Edison- Eli Wilson
Girard- Drew DelGarbino
Heartland Christian- Caleb Graft
Hubbard- Evan Jarvis
Jackson-Milton- Mason Robison
Jefferson- Seve Cantini
LaBrae- Jordan McCartney
Lakeview- Nick Delmonica
Leetonia- Mason Mellinger
Liberty- Dwight Parker
Lisbon- Tyler Welsh
Louisville- Charlie Roberts, Connor Morley
Lowellville- Ryan Palumbo
McDonald- Miles Culp
Mineral Ridge- Kyle Bickerstaff
Newton Falls- Josh Honeycutt
Niles- Zach Leonard
Poland- Anthony Perry
Salem- Lane Rhodes
Sebring- Dylan Johnson
South Range- Brandon Mikos, Trey Pancake
Springfield- Mitchell Seymour
Struthers- Alec Gryzb
United- Andrew Winn
Ursuline- Brady Shannon, Jonah Kirchner
Warren JFK- Cam Hollobaugh
Waterloo- Luke Simons
Wellsville- Troy Carter
West Branch- David Cunningham
Western Reserve- Nick Niemi
Mohawk- Cooper Vance

SALEM STEPS UP AND STANDS TALL IN DISTRICT FINAL

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LOUISVILLE, OH- One through Fifteen.  That’s what has put Salem in the situation they were in Wednesday night.  Top to bottom, the 2021 Salem Quakers have accepted that it can be any given player on any given night, and to this point, it has been.  Wednesday was no different where a cast of characters arose to give the Quakers a 4-1 victory, and their first championship in District play since 1999.

Salem fired up the offense in the first inning and put a pair of runs on the board when a dropped third strike with the bases loaded gave Lane Rhodes a chance to score.  Nick Coletta would follow that with a walk to push home another tally.  The Quaker runs would be scarce until the bottom of the sixth when Corey Riesen would send a shot into the right-centerfield gap to score Lance Bailey.  Hunter Carlisle would pinch-hit, and drive in Riesen on a single to make it 4-1.

Lane Rhodes was credited with the victory for Salem. Rhodes went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out six, and walking zero.  The Youngstown State recruit was stellar and set the tone with his energy and execution.

Elliott Tyminski took the loss for Chardon Hilltoppers. Tyminski surrendered two runs on one hit over two-thirds of an inning, striking out one.

Rhodes led Salem with two hits in three at-bats.

 

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.”

GAME PICTURES: HERE

KENNEDY TAKES DOWN BLUE DEVILS

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STRUTHERS, OH- Cam Hollobaugh was bad news for opposing pitchers on Tuesday, driving in five on three hits to lead Warren JFK past Lisbon 14-1 on Tuesday. Hollobaugh drove in runs on a triple in the first, a single in the third, and a double in the fourth.

The Eagles got things moving in the first inning, when Hollobaugh tripled on a 3-1 count, scoring two runs, and giving JFK a 2-0 lead.

Jaden Rishel pitched JFK to victory. The righty lasted four and two-thirds innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out seven.

Tyler Graham took the loss for Lisbon. Graham allowed eight hits and nine runs over one inning, walking zero.

Kennedy totaled 14 hits. Hollobaugh, Gavin Shrum, Alex DeSalvo, and Michael Mauro each racked up multiple hits for JFK. Shrum and Hollobaugh each managed three hits to lead the team.

The Eagles will now set their sights on Heartland Christian on Thursday in the District Final.  The game is set for 5pm as of now, stay up to date on schedule changes at ysnlive.com/live.

 

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.”

 

HEARTLAND DENIES DEVILS

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NEW WATERFORD, OH- Heartland Christian took a big victory in a contest against McDonald, 6-1 on Wednesday night.

Heartland got things moving in the first inning when they scored three runs when Devin Sirota doubled.

All-YSN Team selectionCaleb Graft took the win for Heartland. Graft allowed two hits and one run over seven innings, striking out 12.

Nolan Agler took the loss for McDonald. The pitcher went two and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on three hits and striking out one.

Graft also showed it off offensively, as he had a four-bagger in the fifth inning.

Joel Morgan, Sirota, Aaron Gault, Graft, and Steven Baker each managed one hit to lead Heartland Christian.  The Lions were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Gault made the most plays with 12.

Miles Culp had a hit for the Blue Devils.

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.”

SIR FRANCIS

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals are currently 13-7 overall and the 7 seed in the OHSAA Division 3 state baseball playoffs in the Struthers district and they will be preparing to take on the Columbiana Clippers in the sectional round game on Wednesday, May 19th, at Firestone Park in Columbiana. The Cardinals have been enjoying a solid season that has been successful because of the leadership that they get day in and day out from catcher, Ian Francis!

Francis is currently having a great senior campaign as he is hitting .420 (21/50) in eighteen games, with five doubles, two triples, a homer, and 18 RBIs. Not only is Ian’s average very solid, his OBP (on base percentage) is currently at .567 and he is slugging .660. Ian has been such a valuable piece to the Cardinal Mooney baseball program throughout his career, that he has shown just how to play ball the Mooney way and because of that, even when the COVID pandemic occurred, his teammates all knew to look for him for leadership and guidance to see how to go about navigating such a difficult time.

Francis has been able to showcase his baseball talents and leadership qualities for Cardinal Mooney all season long and because of that ability to lead by example on and off the diamond, colleges have been chomping at the bit to recruit him and add them to their programs. Throughout the entire recruiting process, Ian has been able to take a step back, enjoy it all, and has committed to Youngstown State University where he will continue to catch for the Penguins!

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, was able to sit down and catch up with Ian this week to discuss his baseball career, what he expects from the Cardinals on Wednesday against a tough Clippers squad, what his thoughts are about playing ball at the next level at YSU, a rapid-fire question session to see what makes Ian the player he is today, and so much more!

Take some time to check out this exclusive player profile with Cardinal Mooney baseball senior star catcher, Ian Francis!

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WEST BRANCH BATTLES TO WIN OVER CLIPPERS

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COLUMBIANA, OH- After a week of rain, Columbiana (14-6) and West Branch (15-7) battled chilly weather and spotty sunshine en route to a 5-2 West Branch victory Saturday afternoon.  In a game that was originally scheduled for a Noon start, was pushed back to a 4 PM start, both teams were happy to get a game in after multiple cancellations throughout the week.

West Branch got on the board early scoring two runs in the first inning without collecting a hit.  Riley McElwain accomplished the rare feat of striking out four Warrior batters in an inning but unfortunately for Columbiana, the first K reached base and eventually came around to score due to some heads-up Warrior baserunning.

West Branch would tack on single runs in the 2nd, 5th, and 7th innings to build a five-run leading heading into the bottom half on the final frame.  Columbiana, however, did not go quietly and mounted a comeback in the 7th.  McElwain led off the inning with his second double of the day, moved to third on a wild pitch, and would score on a second wild pitch to give Columbiana its first run.  Logan Hoschar would then walk followed by a Bayden Pipoly single.  Joe Wilczak was then hit by a pitch to load the bases.  After a strikeout and a sacrifice fly by Zachary Pleska, Tyler Andersen would walk to load the bases again with Seth Spooner coming to the plate as the go-ahead run.  West Branch was up to the task, however, as the Warrior pitcher was able to get Spooner to fly out to deep right field to end the threat.

Columbiana pitchers were strong all day.  McElwain (5-2) got the start and pitched three strong innings.  He would strike out five while allowing three runs (1 earned) and only one hit.  Pleska followed with two innings allowing one run on two hits striking out four.  Spooner finished off the final two frames striking out six and allowing one unearned run.  Columbiana pitchers would strike out 15 Warriors on the day combined.

For West Branch, Deshields, Holodnak, Martin, and Conrad split time on the bump.  The quartet combined for eight strikeouts and walked a trio while only surrendering four hits to Clipper hitters.

Columbiana will next be in action Monday afternoon as the Clippers welcome the United Eagles to town.  A win for Columbiana would guarantee at least a share of the EOAC crown.

 

*Contributed by Ryan Wolf

RISHEL SHINES IN PITCHERS DUEL WITH CRESTVIEW

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NEW WATERFORD, OH- Jaden Rishel looked like a pitcher that was well above his years on Saturday afternoon.  The Freshmen tossed 6 and 2/3 innings of shutout baseball before Cam Hollobaugh came in for the one pitch save, as JFK defeated the Crestview Rebels 2-0.

The pitching was strong on both sides. Rishel struck out eight, while Campbell sat down two.

Sam Campbell took the loss for Crestview. The bulldog surrendered two runs on four hits over seven innings, striking out two.

Offensively, Alex DeSalvo went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead JFK in hits. The Eagles were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Caleb Hadley had the most chances in the field with ten, and impressed behind the dish with his efforts.

Campbell led Crestview with two hits in four at-bats.

 

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.”

 

 

ROTH FANS 11; FALCONS FLY OVER LAKESIDE

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AUSTINTOWN, OH- There’s only one issue for Joe Roth nowadays; what position does he want to be known for?  Roth continued his dominant season on the mound on Friday with 11 strikeouts of Lakeside en route to an 8-2 victory.

It was a typical Northeastern Ohio weather day, where the climate would change in the blink of an eye, but Falcon bats were able to stay hot in the midst of a big week for the team.  Fitch would again strike for double-digits in the hit column led by multi-hit performances from Derrick Franken, Brandon Popio, and  Mikey Sciortino.  Popio would propel Fitch with his game-high 2 RBI night.

As for Roth, he went 6 strong innings, scattering 5 hits that led to 2 runs for Lakeside.  Jake Lawrence showed up in relief for an innings, fanning 2 out of the three batters he faced.