Tag Archive for: SOUTH RANGE

SOUTH RANGE BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH JIM HANEK

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CANFIELD, OH- South Range’s baseball team has long been a force to reckon with in high school sports, and Coach Jim Hanek is a significant reason why. With the 2024 season well underway, Coach Hanek shared his thoughts on what constitutes a successful season, the development of young talents, and his coaching philosophy on the first episode of SOUTH RANGE BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER with DJ Yokley.

For Coach Hanek, the team’s recent trip to Myrtle Beach wasn’t merely about wins and losses, though they returned with an impressive 4-1 record. He elaborated, “Wins and losses, yes. I mean, it’s… Those are important, but… the team building, the camaraderie that you get from a trip like that… it just really brings the team closer together.” The importance of team cohesion can often be undervalued, but for teams aiming for the top, it’s clear that Hanek considers it essential.

Fostering a winning culture isn’t just about celebrating victories on the field—it’s also about appreciating the lighter moments. Coach Hanek described the team’s traditional Rios night vividly, recounting moments of lighthearted competition: “There were a few kids that… tried to out eat each other. It didn’t end very well late in the evening,” he chuckled, noting even he had to pass up dessert to focus on the “main course” of the night.

When asked about cultivating standout players like senior Tyler Wardle, Coach Hanek’s pride was evident. “He’s worked hard. I mean, he continues to work hard… and I think he’s a, he’s strong in his faith, you know? And I admire him for the fact… I think that strong faith base he has… that calms him,” he shared, stressing the significance of personal development alongside athletic prowess. For Hanek, inspiring athletes to be well rounded, responsible adults is a key aspect of his coaching duties.

Coach Hanek is also known for his analytical approach to the game, digging deep into data to make informed decisions. Yet he acknowledges the role of intuition. “A lot of… in-game decisions… you just kind of see how the game’s evolving… it’s a mix,” Hanek explained. There’s a dance between following the statistics and trusting one’s instincts that Hanek seems to have mastered over his coaching tenure.

Reflecting on the pressures of winning state championships, Coach Hanek offered perspective: “I think if you’re judged solely on that and you’re looking at that as the ultimate goal and nothing else matters, I think you’re missing a lot.” He emphasized the journey over the destination, the growth of players over wins, and the broader impact a coach can have on young lives.

As South Range’s baseball season progresses, the community will be watching Coach Jim Hanek, not just for his strategic play-calling but for the way he continues to mold a group of young athletes into a tight-knit team poised for success both on and off the diamond. His depth of experience, blended with his thoughtful approach to coaching, makes each game a learning opportunity for his players and a master class for everyone watching. Keep an eye on the Raiders this season as they implement the lessons from Myrtle Beach under the steady guidance of a coach who truly understands the heart of baseball.

 

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RAIDERS GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD

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STRUTHERS OH- South Range didn’t face any problems in dispatching Struthers on Tuesday at Cene Park, 15-1.

South Range got on the board in the top of the second inning after Gaven Nagy singled, scoring three runs, an error scored one run, and Luke Gehring lined out, scoring one run. They exploded and scored six runs on six hits in the top of the third inning. Tyler Wardle singled, scoring one run, Jake Shumate singled, scoring one run, Julian Tranovich singled, scoring one run, Andrew Brian singled, scoring one run, and an error scored two runs.

Shumate earned the win for the Raiders. The righty allowed three hits and one run (zero earned) over three innings, striking out four and walking two. Gehring tossed two innings of no-run ball for the Raiders in relief. The righty surrendered zero hits, striking out four and walking one.

South Range collected 15 hits in the game. Tyson Tarajack, Nagy, and Logan Baxter each collected two hits. Ethan Viano, Shumate, Wardle, Tarajack, Nagy, Lincoln Cleevely, Brian, and Tranovich each drove in one run. Tarajack stole two bases. The team ran wild on the base paths, accumulating five stolen bases for the game.

South Range was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Will Gehring made the most plays with nine.

RAIDERS NE8 DOMINANCE CONTINUES

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STRUTHERS OH- Giada Pauline drove in four runs on three hits to lead South Range  past Struthers 22-2 on Tuesday. Pauline singled in the fourth scoring two, hit a sacrifice fly in the second scoring one, and singled in the third scoring one.

The Raiders opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. They first got on the board when Jayli Wilt singled, scoring two runs. They added to their early lead in the top of the second inning when Pauline hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, Gretchen Bartels singled, scoring two runs, and Solena DeJesus lined out, scoring one run. The Raiders added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Pauline singled, and Anna Aey lined out, each scoring one run.

South Range Varsity Raiders scored seven runs on six hits in the top of the fourth inning. Addison Wardle singled, scoring one run, Katie Dance drew a walk, scoring one run, Pauline singled, scoring two runs, Aey grounded out, scoring one run, Kiera Winner singled, scoring one run, and Heidi Bartels doubled, scoring one run.

South Range scored six runs on four hits in the top of the fifth inning. Aey drew a walk, scoring one run, iLilah Angus hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored, Winner singled, scoring two runs, DeJesus singled, scoring one run, and Wardle drew a walk, scoring one run.

Wilt earned the win for the Raiders. The right-handed pitcher surrendered two hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out eight and walking none. DeJesus appeared in relief for South Range.

South Range piled up 19 hits in the game. DeJesus, Pauline, and Wilt each collected three hits. Bartels and Winner each collected multiple hits. The Raiders had patience at the plate, collecting 10 walks for the game. Bartels and Riley DeCiancio led the team with two free passes each. Keira Brogan stole two bases. The team ran wild on the base paths, accumulating seven stolen bases for the game.

RAIDERS WRAP THINGS UP BLANKING HERALDS

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC- South Range let the fireworks fly in their final contest at the beach on Friday in n a dominant display of offense and pitching excellence, the Raiders cruised to a commanding 10-0 victory over St. Johns on Friday at Grant Park, thanks in large part to the stellar performance of Tyson Tarajack.

Tarajack was the catalyst for the Raiders’ success, driving in an impressive four runs on two hits throughout the game. His standout moment came in the second inning when he blasted a towering home run to right field, bringing in three runs and setting the tone for the rest of the game. In the fourth inning, Tarajack continued his offensive onslaught with a clutch RBI single, further extending the Raiders’ lead.

On the mound, Logan Baxter delivered a masterful performance, striking out 11 batters while keeping the St. Johns offense at bay. Baxter’s dominance was evident as he surrendered just six hits and no runs over five innings, showcasing his command and control on the mound.

South Range wasted no time asserting their dominance, piling on runs early in the game. Dylan Smesko started the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the second inning, followed by RBI hits from Gaven Nagy and Tarajack. The Raiders’ explosive offense proved too much for St. Johns to handle, as they struggled to contain South Range’s relentless attack.

Despite a valiant effort from St. Johs’s starting pitcher, Ryan Williams, the Raiders’ potent lineup proved to be too much to handle. Williams endured a tough outing, giving up six runs on three hits over two innings, ultimately taking the loss..

Offensively, the Raiders were firing on all cylinders, amassing 10 hits throughout the game. Tyler Wardle, Tarajack, and Nagy led the charge with two hits each, while Wardle also displayed patience at the plate, drawing two walks to keep the pressure on the St. Johns pitching staff.

Defensively, South Range was impeccable, committing no errors in the field, with Will Gehring leading the charge with 11 chances. Their sure-handedness and defensive prowess played a crucial role in preserving Baxter’s shutout performance on the mound.

For the Heralds, Ezra Campbell and Ryan Willians each had two hits in the contest, which accounted for four of the six total hits for St. John.

With this commanding victory under their belts, the South Range Raiders will look to carry their momentum into their next matchup as they prepare to take on Struthers on Monday. The Heralds will finish the day with Harbor Creek before taking on West Canada on Saturday.

 

 

SOUTH RANGE FINISHES TRIP WITH EMPHASIS

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC- In a commanding display of pitching prowess, Jayli Wilt delivered an exceptional performance in the circle, propelling the South Range Raiders to an impressive 11-0 victory over the Spring Mills Varsity Cardinals on Friday.

Wilt showcased her dominance on the mound, recording a remarkable 13 strikeouts while surrendering just one hit and no runs over five innings of play. Her precision pitching kept the Spring Mills batters guessing and provided a solid foundation for the Raiders’ triumph.

South Range wasted no time asserting their dominance, unleashing a potent offensive onslaught that saw them tally seven runs in the second inning alone. Contributions came from across the lineup, with Keira Brogan, Giada Pauline, Jayli Wilt, and Solena DeJesus all delivering key hits to ignite the Raiders’ offense.

The Raiders got off to a strong start in the first inning, with Pauline and Heidi Bartels each driving in a run to set the tone for the game.

Spring Mills struggled to contain the Raiders’ relentless attack, with pitcher Taryn Close bearing the brunt of the onslaught. Close endured a tough outing, allowing nine runs on nine hits over one and one-third innings, ultimately taking the loss for the Cardinals.

Offensively, the South Range Raiders showcased their depth and firepower, amassing an impressive 13 hits throughout the game. Anna Aey led the charge with a stellar 3-for-4 performance at the plate, while DeJesus, Pauline, and Wilt each contributed two RBIs to bolster the Raiders’ lead. Brogan also made her presence felt with two hits in three at-bats and showcased her speed on the basepaths with two stolen bases.

Defensively, the Raiders were flawless, committing no errors in the field, with Bartels leading the way with nine chances.

With this commanding victory under their belts, the Raiders are poised to carry their momentum into their next matchup as they prepare to take on Struthers on Tuesday. 

RAIDERS STAY THE COURSE IN VICTORY OVER ABBEVILLE

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC-In a nail-biting showdown on Thursday night, both South Range Varsity Raiders and Abbeville Varsity Panthers showcased their pitching prowess, but it was the Raiders who emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win.

Konnor Brogan took the mound for the South Range Raiders and delivered an exceptional performance, recording an impressive 21 outs throughout the game. Despite facing tough opposition, Brogan remained composed under pressure, stifling the Panthers’ offense with his precise pitching.

The game remained deadlocked until the top of the seventh inning when Tyler Wardle came through in the clutch, smashing a crucial single that drove in the game-winning run for the Raiders, breaking the scoreless tie.

Brogan’s stellar pitching earned him the win for the South Range as he held the Panthers to just four hits and zero runs over seven innings, while striking out seven batters and issuing five walks. On the opposing side, Thomas Booth suffered the loss for the Abbeville Varsity Panthers, surrendering one run on six hits over two innings.

Hunter Overholt kicked off the game on the mound for the Panthers, delivering an impressive performance with 10 strikeouts over five innings, but ultimately falling short as the Raiders capitalized on their opportunities late in the game.

Offensively, the Raiders managed to amass nine hits, with Jake Shumate and Andrew Brian leading the charge with two hits each. Wardle’s game-winning RBI proved to be the decisive moment in the game, highlighting the Raiders’ ability to capitalize on key scoring opportunities.

Defensively, the Raiders were flawless, committing no errors in the field, with Will Gehring showcasing his defensive prowess with the most chances at eight.

South Range will wrap up their trip to the south and welcome St Johns on Friday at 1:30 on YSN.

RANGE SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER AT RIPKEN

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC- In a double-header showdown on Tuesday, the South RangeRaiders split their games, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit.

In the first game, Tyson Tarajack led the charge on the mound for the Raiders, securing the win with an impressive performance. The right-handed pitcher held Floyd Central to just two hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out seven batters while walking two. Grant Jenkins suffered the loss for Floyd Central, allowing two runs (none earned) on three hits in one-third of an inning. Jace Martin started the game for Floyd Central, yielding eight hits and 10 runs (five earned) over three and two-thirds innings.

The Raiders’ offense came alive, amassing a total of 15 hits in the game. Gehring and Brian were standout performers, each collecting three hits. Gehring, batting eighth, led the charge with four runs batted in, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Wardle and Nagy also contributed with multiple hits. Wardle and Tranovich showcased their speed on the bases, stealing multiple bases to help the Raiders secure six stolen bases overall. Defensively, the Raiders were flawless, committing zero errors, with Gehring making the most plays with eight.

However, in the second game against Wilson, the Raiders couldn’t maintain their momentum, falling short with an 8-0 defeat. Wilson took an early lead in the first inning, capitalizing on hits by Clark Kenny, Hayden Mims, Ben Reynolds, and Jones Deschamps to put runs on the board.

Despite a valiant effort on the mound by Shaun Updegraff and Jake Shumate, the Raiders couldn’t contain Wilson’s offense. Updegraff took the loss, surrendering four runs on seven hits over three innings, while Shumate pitched four innings in relief, conceding three hits and four runs.

Offensively, Brennen Klasovsky led the Raiders with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Defensively, the Raiders remained solid, committing no errors, with Will Gehring making key plays with five chances.

Wilson’s offense proved too formidable, tallying 10 hits in the game, with Mims leading the charge with two RBIs. Kenny, Deschamps, and Mims each collected two hits, while Kenny also stole two bases.

Despite the setback, the Raiders remain determined as they look ahead to their next challenge against Abbeville Varsity Panthers on Thursday.

RAIDERS NAB FIRST WIN AT THE BEACH

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC- In a tightly contested matchup, the South Range Raiders edged out Kendall with a narrow 1-0 victory on Monday, thanks to an early offensive spark. The Raiders seized the lead in the second inning when Tyson Tarajack blasted a solo home run to left field, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Pitching was on full display from both sides, with the Raiders’ hurlers recording a total of 11 strikeouts, while Kendall’s pitchers managed an impressive 13 strikeouts.

Julian Tranovich took the mound first for the Raiders, delivering a stellar performance. The right-handed pitcher tossed a complete game, surrendering just three hits and keeping Kendall off the scoreboard for the duration of the contest.

Nick Cole started on the mound for Kendall, pitching admirably with four hits allowed and only one run conceded over six innings, tallying an impressive 13 strikeouts.

Tarajack provided the offensive highlight for the Raiders, driving in the lone run of the game. Meanwhile, leadoff hitter Tyler Wardle led the charge with a solid two hits in three at-bats.

For Kendall, Colby Hughes, Vinny Dangelo, and Sam Conte each contributed with one hit apiece, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Raiders’ pitching and defensive prowess.

Looking ahead, the South Range Varsity Raiders are set to face Floyd Central in their next matchup on Tuesday, aiming to carry the momentum from their hard-fought victory.

RAIDERS CLING ON TO THEIR EARLY LEAD

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MYRTLE BEACH SC- An early lead helped South Range defeat Kendall 1-0 on Monday. The Raiders opened the scoring in the second inning when Tyson Tarajack hit a solo home run to left field. Both teams were strong on the hill. South Range pitchers struck out 11, while Kendall sat down 13.

Julian Tranovich led things off on the bump for the Raiders. The right-handed pitcher allowed three hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out 11 and walking none. Nick Cole stepped on the mound first for Kendall. The starting pitcher allowed four hits and one run over six innings, striking out 13 and walking none.

Tarajack led South Range with one run batted in. They went 1-for-2 on the day. Leadoff hitter Tyler Wardle led with two hits in three at bats. Colby Hughes, Vinny Dangelo, and Sam Conte each collected one hit for Kendall. Kendall was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Jim Swift made the most plays with 13.

RANGE ROLLS IN FIRST GAME IN GRAND STRAND

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC- In a commanding performance, the South Range Raiders outplayed the University Hawks with a resounding 12-0 victory on Monday. Anna Aey showcased her talent at the plate, delivering three hits in four at-bats. Her standout performance included a double in the second inning, followed by singles in the first and fifth innings.

The Raiders wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Gretchen Bartels igniting the scoreboard in the first inning, driving in two runs with a timely single. Building on their early lead, South Range struck again in the second inning, as Solena DeJesus and Keira Brogan contributed to the offensive onslaught, setting the stage for Aey’s double and Jayli Wilt’s run-scoring fielder’s choice.

In the circle, Wilt dazzled, earning the win for the Raiders. The right-handed pitcher held the Hawks to just one hit over five innings, fanning nine batters while issuing only three walks. Maddie Campbell took the loss for the Hawks, enduring a challenging outing, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits in two innings of work.

Fueling South Range’s offensive juggernaut were DeJesus and Wilt, each delivering multiple hits. The Raiders displayed discipline at the plate, drawing five walks throughout the game, with Addison Wardle and Heidi Bartels leading the charge with two each. In the field, the Raiders were flawless, committing zero errors, with Bartels showcasing defensive prowess with seven notable plays.

Campbell provided a lone bright spot for the Hawks, securing a hit in two at-bats. However, it wasn’t enough to thwart the Raiders’ dominance on the diamond.

The Lady Raiders (3-0)will be back in action tomorrow at noon against South Florence, the game will once again be broadcast on YSN.