Baseball State Tournament Set

I'll make my predictions later, but here is the set-up for the state baseball tournament:

Thursday, June 5
Division II Semifinals - Cooper Stadium, Columbus
10:00 a.m.
Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (25-3) vs. Springfield Kenton Ridge (23-6)
1:00 p.m.
Canal Winchester (21-12) vs. Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (22-4)
Division I Semifinals - Cooper Stadium, Columbus
4:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (24-6) vs. Cleveland St. Ignatius (27-4)
7:00 p.m.
Lakewood St. Edward (22-6-1) vs. West Chester Lakota West (26-1)
Friday, June 6
Division III Semifinals - Cooper Stadium, Columbus
10:00 a.m.
Hamilton Badin (25-6) vs. Wheelersburg (29-1)
1:00 p.m.
Canton Central Catholic (28-3) vs. Coldwater (27-4)
Division IV Semifinals - Cooper Stadium, Columbus
4:00 p.m.
Hamler Patrick Henry (25-2) vs. Fort Loramie (21-11)
7:00 p.m.
Berlin Hiland (27-3) vs. Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (25-4)

More softball results

Grove City comes back to defeat Lebanon 3-1
Mason returns to state after a 3-0 win over Lakota East
Dover dominates Thornville Sheridan 5-1
Bloomdale Elmwood advances to state over Colonel Crawford 4-2
West Liberty-Salem defeats North Union 4-1

LaGrange Keystone ousted

The #1 team in D2 is out! Clyde shocked the perennial powerhouse Keystone today 4-3!!

Mercer County schools split results

North Lewisburg Triad advances to state once again after a 5-0 win over Rockford Parkway.
Celina, the other Mercer County rep, survives in a 1-0 win over Springfield Kenton Ridge.

More to come...

First D4 state softball semi set

Convoy Crestview advances with a 2-0 win over Antwerp. They will be making their 7th trip to the state tournament since 2000 and their fourth in a row. They will face Danville, who will making their first trip to the state tournament. They defeated the "other" Crestview, 2-0 in their regional final.

More to come...

ZSportsLive.com to broadcast Convoy Crestview vs. Antwerp game

Check out www.zsportslive.com tomorrow around noon for a broadcast of the #1 ranked Convoy Crestview Lady Knights taking on Antwerp for a right to go to state. Crestview has taken Antwerp out in regionals twice before in the past three years, can they make it a third time in four years. The Lady Knights will face one of the best pitchers in DIV in Schlatter.

Windham and JFK

Got this email from our friend Susan, who has been sending us info on Warren JFK, who will play tournament Cinderella Windham tomorrow for the right to go to the state softball tournament.

Good Morning! Looks like we got us a game!
Windham's wild win Tribune Chronicle
http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/506036.html?nav=5024

And here's a TV profile of the JFK Eagle second baseman.
Student Athlete of the Week-Jackie Kolovich - from 33 News - We Believe in This Valley
http://www.wytv.com/sports/19369184.html

Yes, once again Convoy Crestview is in regional finals: http://www.limaohio.com/sports/crestview_23614___article.html/title_game.html

Coldwater's baseball team is back in regional finals for the first time since 2004:
http://www.limaohio.com/sports/advances_23613___article.html/regional_coldwater.html

Delphos St. John's eliminated by Patrick Henry:
http://www.limaohio.com/sports/defense_23610___article.html/eliminates_henry.html

Walsh Jesuit rocks Lima Shawnee's baseball team in regionals:
http://www.limaohio.com/sports/comes_23615___article.html/run_shawnee.html

Lebanon softball team gets revenge against Gahanna Lincoln from 2003 regional loss:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/high-schools/2008/05/29/ddn052908splebanon.html

Quick report on Vandalia Butler baseball, Greenville softball and Valley View track:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/high-schools/2008/05/29/ddn053008spprepsb1.html

West Liberty-Salem softball continues dream season with win over Cincinnati Madeira:
http://www.peakofohio.com/content/view/5520/1/

Other Baseball Results:
Springfield Kenton Ridge over Cincinnati McNicholas
Columbus St. Francis DeSales over Batavia
Fort Loramie over Franklin Monroe
Lakota West over Newark
Newark Catholic over Racine Southern
Delphos Jefferson over Sidney Lehman
Steubenville over Circleville
Heath over Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Hamilton Badin over Middletown Bishop Fenwick
Canal Winchester over Cambridge
Frankfort Adena over Sardinia Eastern Brown
New Middletown Springfield over Buckeye Central
West Branch over Poland Seminary
Berlin Hiland over Reedsville Eastern
Canton Catholic Central over Youngstown Ursuline

More Softball Results:
Holland Springfield over TSUA
Grove City over Hilliard Darby
Clyde over Pemberville Eastwood
Dover over Granville
Bloomdale Elmwood over Archbold
Hebron Lakewood over Zane Trace
Danville over Symmes Valley

Windham's unexpected run continues

This from Ryan, who emailed us:



Just wanted to send a quick compliment on your site as well as a score from tonight's Division IV Kent Regional Semifinal softball contest.
Windham (11-14) trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but rallied to keep their incredible post-season streak alive.
The winning run came on a Jessica Harmotta looper over the shortstop that sent Josie Eckman all the way around from second base.
Incredible pitching performance from both Kayte Tutor of Windham and Melissa Costantini of Steubenville.
The Bombers will face Warren JFK on Saturday for the Regional Championship.
Keep up the great work on the site!
Ryan

Mercer County teams roll

Got word Rockford Parkway advanced of Newton 5-0 and Celina rolled over Western Brown 10-0 in 5 innings.

Convoy Crestview explodes to survive scare

The #1 ranked Lady Knights, looking for their seventh trip to state since 2000 and fourth in a row, had to explode in the top of the 7th for four runs, mostly on errors by New Reigel, to advance 6-3. At the game now, more to come later. Email your scores for other regionals in baseball and softball to captainbrinn@gmail.com or post them in the comments on here!

Captain's Roundup II

Here are some more links to game articles. Thanks to our friend from Warren JFK for the links they provided!



Links to stories about the Dalton upset by Warren JFK:

http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/505964.html?nav=5024



http://vindy.com/news/2008/may/29/pico-twirls-eagles-past-dalton-1-0/



Video Preview of the Convoy Crestview/New Reigel game from TV44:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid992398979/bclid1032340849/bctid1578008702



Video Preview of the Celina/Western Brown game from TV44:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid992398979/bclid1032340849/bctid1578017223



A preview of a Division I baseball regional underway now in Columbus from the Dispatch:

http://dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/05/29/hs_baseball29.ART_ART_05-29-08_C6_TCABF7V.html?sid=101



LaGrange Keystone dominance continues, sinks Canal Winchester in softball regional:

http://dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/05/29/hs_softball_canal29.ART_ART_05-29-08_C6_TCABF8V.html?sid=101



A good preview/feature of Walsh Jesuit's baseball team, which will face Lima Shawnee in regionals:

http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports/1211963645112130.xml&coll=2



Hudson fell apart in 10th inning against Hoover:

http://www.cleveland.com/hssoftball/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1212050041154220.xml&coll=2

Division 1 Toledo Power's Collide

'Blue Devils Set to Defeather the Lady Arrows'

Holland Springfield and Toledo St Ursula Academy will both take the field at 5pm today at Clyde High School. Both teams have wanted to play each other all season long due to close proximity and the quality of play both have to offer. However, inclimate weather kept the two sidelined. Now instead of a scrimmage, these two Toledo area programs will be taking flight against one another today in regional semi-final action. Both teams possess great pitchers and a quality offensive line up. For Springfield, they are led by super soph Ashley Michalak standing at 15-5, 1.29 ERA with 132 strikeouts in 124 innings of work. The Blue Devils' offense has shot 10 homeruns this year against superior competition, and have 3 great players batting over .400 on the season. For St Ursula Academy, they have Alyssa Schultz. Enough said. This senior standout pitcher can flat out throw--Throw hard, change up, rise ball, off speed. The complete package she is. She comes into today's contest at 16-4 with a 0.35 ERA sitting down 208 batters in 115 innings. She also sits pretty with a .400 slugging percentage and has amassed a team leading 24 RBIs. While some remember former great Haley Wiemer (now starring for the BGSU falcons on the mound) for the Arrows, Alyssa Schultz is making her statement into one of St Ursula's best players.This should be a great contest today in Clyde. The Blue Devils taking on the Arrows! Having seen Schultz throw and St Ursula's timely hitting ability...I'm going with Frank Zalewski's Arrows to advance to the regional final game.

More here:

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/SPORTS06/562279931

Ashland Crestview, a surprise but then again not so much

Lorain and Ashland County may be Ohio's best
Coming from Ashland/Lorain Counties, most know there will be plenty of summer and fall harvest markets, but most also will tell you that softball may be the most important entity in this rich culture. While Akron used to be known as Ohio's first softball hot bed, Lorain County would make a big time argument stating their claim today. Take a look at this. D1 Elyria advances to regional finals last nightD2 Lagrange Keystone advances to regional finals last nightD3 Wellington advances to regional finals last nightCommon theme? All are Lorain County schools. Pretty darn impressive considering just how good these three schools are. Throw into the mix Columbia Station who dethroned state title contender Hillsdale as well in districts. Lagrange Keystone's success speaks for itself and has passed the test of time. Elyria has turned themselves into one of the best programs in D1. Combined, they have given us 16 state final four appearances. Hold for a moment and look slightly southwest towards Ashland County. They have made their claim as well as Ohio's best softball county. Ashland County offers us Ashland Crestview, Ashland, Jeromesville Hillsdale, Loudonville just to name a few combining for 20 state final four appearances. I repeat, 20 final four appearances. Something in the water? Rather, something in the culture. Travel ball starts early here. Backyard hitting and pitching certainly starts in the womb, and they have the social support for their softball programs. Once you gain momentum, it's hard to stop. I think the greater Akron area has proven this to be true. Ashland Crestview's win over Portsmouth Clay last night in the D4 regional semi-final game was dramatic in 11 innings. On second thought, maybe it's par for the course and not such a surprise afterall. Crestview will now take on the winner of Symmes Valley and Danville. If Crestview has history and tradition on it's side, then Ashland County has yet another apperance in the final four!

Here's more on Ashland Crestview:
Ashland Crestview Continues Surprise Season with 11th Inning Heroics
http://www.times-gazette.com/news/article/3864942

Captain's Roundup

Triad's softball team upsets Ansonia in regional semis. Here's the story from the Springfield News-Sun:
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/high-schools/2008/05/28/sns052908sptriadsb.html

Tipp City Tippecanoe was ousted by Springfield Kenton Ridge.
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/high-schools/2008/05/28/sns052908spkrsb.html

Other Softball Scores (Story links to come tomorrow!):
D1:
Hoover over Hudson
Elyria over North Royalton
Lebanon over Gahanna Lincoln
Mason over Fairfield
D2:
Sheridan over Edison
D3:
Wellington over Pymatunig Valley
Colonel Crawford over Sugarcreek Garaway
Wheelersburg over Portsmouth West
North Union over Batavia
D4:
JFK over Dalton
Antwerp over Patrick Henry
Ashland Crestview over Portsmouth Clay
Triad over Ansonia

Warren JFK dethrones Dalton

Of course the big story in Division 4 softball tonight is the demise of two-time defending state champion Dalton. Warren JFK was the thief of Dalton's dreams of the three-peat in an eight-inning battle, which JFK won 1-0. Our good friend from Warren JFK has this report from the scene:

"Hate to screw up your predictions - and love to screw up your predictions. JFK won it over Dalton 1-0 in the 8th inning. Arney struck out 14 of 35 batters, allowed 8 hits, walked one. Pico struck out 12 of 27 batters, allowed 2 hits, walked one. Seven different batters from JFK got hits and another a fielder's choice. Will send you the article from the Tribune when it's available. Go Eagles!.....Sorry. Arney walked one and hit one. My bad!"

We will loook forward to the link from the story. More to come...

The Captain's D4 Baseball Regional Outlook

My predictions for the Division 4 baseball tournament now that the regionals are set!

Patrick Henry v. Delphos St. John's (Patrick Henry wins)
Toledo Christian v. Van Buren (Toledo Christian wins)

Patrick Henry v. Toledo Christian (Patrick Henry to state)

Fort Loramie v. Franklin Monroe (Fort Loramie wins)
Delphos Jefferson v. Lehman Catholic (Lehman Catholic wins)

Fort Loramie v. Lehman Catholic (Fort Loramie to state)

Reedsville Eastern v. Berlin Hiland (Reedsville Eastern wins)
Racine Southern v. Newark Catholic (Newark Catholic wins)

Reedsville Eastern v. Newark Catholic (Newark Catholic to state)

Buckeye Central v. New Middletown Springfield (Springfield wins)
Gilmour Academy v. Ashland Mapleton (Gilmour Academy wins)

Springfield v. Gilmour Academy (Gilmour Academy to state)

STATE TOURNAMENT:
Patrick Henry v. Fort Loramie (Patrick Henry wins)
Newark Catholic v. Gilmour Academy(Newark Catholic wins)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP:
Patrick Henry vs. Newark Catholic (Newark Catholic wins another baseball championship)

The Captain's Spotlight

First name Brittany, last name Dauterman. Most foes in NW Ohio are very familiar with Bloomdale Elmwood's ace hurler. One word---DOMINANT.The standout pitcher for the Royals has been bolstering her resume for the past 3 years as one of NW Ohio's best. This season is no different. Dauterman (20-0) has guided the Royals to a fantastic 26-1 overall season, as well as an appearance in the D3 Ashland Regional to be played this week. Elmwood's only loss came this season to the hands of Archbold, ironically the same team Elmwood will face this week at Brookside Park. During that game with the Blue Streaks, Dauterman did not pitch which puts this quarrel in a completely different context. I'm not quite sure if Archbold has faced a pitcher quite like Dauterman to date. Thus far, Dauterman has manufactured a 2.2 strikeout average per inning. 309 strikeouts in just 135 innings of work. She had 17K's in their district final win over Lake. Her earned run average is a miniscule 0.53 for the season. Dauterman's still has revenge on the mind dating back to 2006 when they lost in extra innings to Genoa who eventually went on to the D3 State Final Four. If pitching wasn't enough, she also has one of the biggest bats for the Bloomdale squad. She was responsible for all 3 RBIs against Lake in the District Final as well. She is the total package, and one that deserves the Captain's Spotlight!

More on Dauterman:

Elmwood's Dauterman Continues Rampage

http://www.sent-trib.com/index.php option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=30&Itemid=106&limit=5&limitstart=10

The Captain's Outlook on D4 Softball Regionals

Now, the final 16 teams are set for play in the OHSAA D4 Regional which will be played this week at the 4 different venues.

My picks:
Kent Region:#4 Dalton over #6 Warren JFK, but could be closer than some believe!
Steubenville over Windham
#4 Dalton over Steubenville, you just can't bet against Dalton
Findlay Region:#9 Antwerp over Patrick Henry, tight one...2-1
#1 Convoy Crestview over New Riegel...spoiler to be???
#1 Convoy Crestview over #9 Antwerp
Pickerington Region: Ashland Crestview over Clay...pitcher's duel here!
#13 Danville over Symmes Valley
Ashland Crestview over #13 Danville
Huber Heights Region:#3 Ansonia over #11 Triad
#5 Rockford Parkway over Newton
#5 Rockford Parkway over #3 Ansonia
D4 State Final Four
#1 Convoy Crestview over Ashland Crestview
#4 Dalton over #5 Rockford Parkway
Rematch from 2006 State Title game and 2007 Semi-final game: Convoy Crestview vs Dalton-----Can't pick a winner. The past two times I've been wrong. I guess Dalton takes it...Akron-bound Arney will keep the batters from Crestview off balance just enough to get the victory.

Coach of the Year in D4: Floyd Jenkins, Ansonia
D4 Player of the Year: Melissa Eickholt, Convoy Crestview
Other First Team All-State Selections in my opinion (this is just a short list): Melissa Eickholt, Convoy Crestview/Andrea Arney, Dalton /Brynn Schlatter, Antwerp /Pico, Warren JFK /Lydia Etzler, Convoy Crestview /Emily Bowling, Symmes Valley /Chelsie Brooks, North Lewisburg Triad /Alyssa See, Ashland Crestview
Surprise Team of the Year: Ashland Crestview
Upset of the Year:Steubenville Catholic defeats Strasburg Franklin in Districts!
Most Consistent Team of the Year: Convoy Crestview
Biggest Impact Freshman:Emily Crowell, Rockford Parkway

Softball Headlines

Here are some good articles highlighting some softball teams from around the state:

Ashland Crestview seizing opportunity to advance to Regionals
http://www.times-gazette.com/news/article/3844942

Symmes Valley Roars into Regionals
http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2008/05/25/sports/sports01.txt

Can Anyone Derail Dalton?
http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/3845021

JFK wins district title

Received an email with these updates on some DIV teams.

Here's a link to the story about Warren JFK advancing:
http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/505737.html?nav=5024

Here's a link to a story about how Windham, all of 10-13 on the season, is heading to regionals:
http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/505738.html?nav=5024

Akron's Firestone Stadium=credibility for high school softball

So Ashland has been a fine place to have the state softball tournament. A very quaint feel and they have upgraded since I was first there for a state tourney in 2000. I also understand they are doing even more upgrades and renovations to keep the tourney there in the future so this year's tourney will be in Akron at Firestone Stadium. Seems to me, this stadium give high school softball the credibility it deserves and is the type of venue a state tourney should be played at. No offense to Ashland's ballpark, but softball's increased popularity demands a high-quality venue much like the state baseball tourney is played within at a couple sites in Cbus.

Two-time defending champ Dalton escapes

This from The Daily Record about Dalton's scare against Bedford St. Peter Chanel in districts. With Strasburg-Franklin's upset the other night, it seems that no team is safe in DIV. Guess it's all about survival.

http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/3837672

Some Warren JFK news

Thanks to a fan of Warren JFK's for shooting me an email and complimenting the new blog. Yes, it is tough and time consuming to find out everything that goes on, but if you send emails or post comments, I will try to get that info up ASAP. Here is a link they provided about JFK's win over Sebring McKinley. Don't know how their game went today with East Canton or if they even played. Let me know. Thanks again for the link.

http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/505705.html?nav=5024

Just rambling off some softball scores

Didn't have much time to do a full score report from tonight's softball tourney games. You can view most of them on everyone's favorite, JJHuddle www.jjhuddle.com.

So, some scores that stood out for me.

Division 4 power and state title contender Strasburg-Franklin is out! Done in by Steubenville Catholic Central 2-1 in district finals. Here's a story about the game:
http://www.timesreporter.com/sports/x101656101/Strasburg-falls-2-1-in-district-softball-finals

#1 Convoy Crestview made some mistakes, but still a homerun by all-state Melissa Eickholt proved to be enough as the Knights won their fourth consecutive district title and 8th in 10 years over Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 4-2. Here's a story about their game:
http://www.limaohio.com/sports/home_23304___article.html/knights_propels.html

Rockford Parkway, the only team to defeat Crestview this season rolled over Allen East to claim their district title and trip to regionals. Here's their story:
http://www.limaohio.com/sports/panthers_23303___article.html/regional_tournament.html

Greenville won their third consecutive district title in a barnburner, as they outlasted Hamilton 1-0. Here is a link to more on the game:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/high-schools/2008/05/23/ddn052308spgreenville.html

Hilliard Darby won in a controversial finish in their district final against Westerville South tonight. Check out the story:
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/05/22/hs_softball22.ART_ART_05-22-08_C3_V2A97E9.html?sid=101

Others:
Crestview will face New Reigel, who defeated Hopewell-Loudon 7-5
North Union escaped against Bishop Ready 3-2 in 11 innings
Danville over Berne Union 9-0
Lakewood over Bloom-Carroll 3-0 in 8 innings

You got more? Post them in the comments under this post along with your thoughts!

Captain's Roundup

In the roundup I will be sharing with you a collection of links of high school sports stories from around the state of Ohio. Here's what's up:



The Lima News reports on Lima Bath's loss to Celina. Is the Bath dynasty crumbling?



http://www.limaohio.com/sports/advantage_23184___article.html/bath_celina.html



Hudson's defense of the Division I state softball title continues. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports.



http://www.cleveland.com/hssoftball/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1211358670125410.xml&coll=2



#2 Cincinnati Elder's baseball team is out in sectionals. This from The Cincinnati Enquirer.



http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080521/SPT0301/805210359/



Toledo St. Ursula advanced yesterday as the top seed in their softball bracket. The Toledo Blade highlights the game.



http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/SPORTS06/805200396



Findlay High School's successful boys' tennis team conquered Bowling Green. The story in The Findlay Courier.



http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2008/May/21/ar_sports_052108_story5.asp?d=052108_story5,2008,May,21&c=s

The Columbus Dispatch's blog focuses on girls' lacrosse and Central Ohio's regional matchups.

http://blog.dispatch.com/springsports/2008/05/girls_lax_regional_finals.shtml

Calling all Ohio H.S. sports fans

If you have something you want to share on Captain Brinn's Ohio Varsity Blog as a contributor, email captainbrinn@gmail.com. I am looking for people throughout the state who love Ohio High School Sports! You can highlight athletes, teams, share opinions on tournaments, specific sports, the OHSAA, college recruiting, rich athletic traditions, or you can rant and/or rave about something. It's all welcome here in the Captain's blog. Just email me with your idea or your content and I will get it posted on the blog for further discussion. And, if you don't want to be known, you can use an alias. Hope to hear from you!

Captain Brinn's Division 4 Tournament Preview and Regional Capsule Breakdowns

With tournament action getting under way, Captain Brinn wanted to provide all of his avid readers with a tournament preview for not only Northwest Ohio, but also the remaining 3 regionals. Sit back and enjoy! As many already know, the State Final Four has temporarily moved from the cozy confines of Brookside Park in Ashland, to the more professional and glitzed Firestone Stadium in Akron, home of the Racers. While this move was met with controversy, it is only temporary until the Ashland crew complete their remodeling. Taking a look at the Northeast regional, there are a few teams who stand out to me.
First and foremost, Dalton is back on the scene for the third straight year. After capturing the past two state titles, Dalton hopes to be one of Ohio's select few by garnering a third straight. Head skipper Jessica Miller is only in her sixth year at the helm of the Lady Bulldogs, but has already found herself sitting in the driver's seat for one of Northeast Ohio's best softball programs. Dalton returns standout pitcher Andrea Arnery, who played the role of the spoiler and what some argued the MVP of Dalton's huge defeat of state power Convoy Crestview in the state semi-final just one year ago. Her instrumental relief of first team All-Ohio pitcher and now standout player for Kent St, Jessi Carmichael, was astounding and was definitely a catalyst in defending their state title. Dalton has taken many jabs to the face and sustained many chinks in the armor losing to great competition in prestigious tourneys such as the Wendy's Classic and the Loudonville Champion's Challenge. However, when it comes time to playing D4 teams in the crunch, you can never count against Dalton. They are eerily similar to Ohio's past champions in Gibsonburg who won three straight titles in '01, '02, and '03. Warren JFK, currently ranked #6 in my poll, dropped down to D4 from D3 this season. They have showed they are very capable of defeating some of the top D4 teams in the state. They battled Poland Seminary and lost 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th inning, but also defeated then ranked #9 D3 power Youngstown Ursuline 3-2 this season under standout pitcher Rachel Pico. They would have to meet undefeated and #14 McDonald in their District Final showdown if both teams advance. The winner of this district would have the opportunity of taking out #4 Dalton in regional semi's at Kent St University. In the bottom half of this region, your top teams are looking to be Kirtland, Southington Chalker, and of course perennial power Strasburg Franklin. I look for #2 Strasburg Franklin to advance to regionals to play either Chalker or Kirtland. Strasburg has been consistent and steady all season long, minus a few hiccups against D1 state ranked Marysville and to Pickerington and the fiery Licking Valley squad. My picks: Dalton vs Warren JFK and Kirtland vs Strasburg Franklin.
Moving on to the SE/Central Regional, this regional is very difficult to ascertain as there are multiple teams who are good but are not outstanding. The top half breaks down with what appears to be the Portsmouth Clay invitational! I don't see any of those teams knocking off the Panthers. They have played some higher division competition and lost, but they have a one loss record to date against all D4 competition. There may not be a lot to do in Portsmouth, but most of Ohio knows they can play softball. Clay was a huge power in the 1980s making numerous trips to the state final four, while capturing three state titles, '83, '81, and '80. If they make it out, they will most likely take battle with New Washington Buckeye Central or Ashland Crestview. Buckeye Central has pulled the biggest upset thus far in the D4 tourney with the 4-0 drubbing over steadfast #8 Crestline, our '04 state champ. Crestline was young this season, but overall had a successful year. Whomever comes out will take on Clay, which will not be an easy task. In the bottom half, I see #13 Danville making it out and advancing to regionals to battle Willow Wood Symmes Valley. My picks: Portsmouth Clay vs New Washington Buckeye Central and Willow Wood vs Danville.
Venturing over to the Southwest Regional, we see a few familiar faces in #11 North Lewisburg Triad and #5 Rockford Parkway. Triad has been to the D4 Final Four the past two seasons only to come up short both times. They return a boat load of players as well, but have had many bumps in the road against large school competition, especially at the Wendy's Classic. Against D4 competition, they are a huge threat! They play in a great league with D3 state ranked West Liberty Salem as well as previously ranked South Charleston Southeastern and Mechanicsburg. Triad is not to be taken easy. Ansonia proved they were not the only softball school in Darke County this year, no offense to Greenville's mentor Jerrod Newland. Ansonia has just rolled through the competition this season and have their eyes set on the Final Four. They may not have the experience as others, but they do have some great pitching and hitting. I expect them to advance to play Triad in Regional Semi's, in what could be the best D4 game of the year! The bottom half of the regional sports Rockford Parkway, the only team this season to have defeated the #1 Convoy Crestview Knights. Parkway is lead by a freshman pitcher Emily Crowell, who also manufactures a good bat for only being a young frosh. They will most likely take on Allen East. I look for Pleasant Hill Newton to battle Cincy Reading to advance to play Parkway in the Regional semi's. My picks: Triad vs Ansonia and Parkway vs Pleasant Hill Newton.
Finally, moving up I-75 to the Northwest regional which pits some very familiar faces to the state softball landscape. North Baltimore will take on Patrick Henry to advance to regionals. I look for North Baltimore to pull through, although Patrick Henry proved they can compete with the best after defeating top 10 ranked Continental just a few short weeks ago. Findlay regional constant #9 Antwerp should throttle Hilltop to advance as well. Antwerp is lead by senior hurler Brynn Schlatter who has made her way to the top of the Antwerp softball record charts. She has made a huge impact upon the Archer program over her 4 year tenure. She would like nothing more than a coveted marquee matchup against Convoy Crestview. Antwerp is looking to make their 4th straight trip to regionals. In the bottom half, we see #1 Convoy Crestview taking on Riverdale and New Reigel vs Hopewell Loudon. Interesting that we have two state basketball final four teams here in Crestview and New Riegel who got their season off to a late start due to their long tourney runs! Crestview is vying for their 7th Final Four appearance in only 9 years, and their 4 straight! No one has been more consistent over the past decade than Convoy Crestview in all of D4. Crestview showcases All-Ohio players Eickholt and Etzler, and soph ace hurler Chelsey Lare. The Knights have usually been known for their dominant pitchers (Keri Perkins, Jamie Perkins and Anna Kay Myers), but this season they are taking pride in their offensive game as they have amassed nearly 20 homeruns. My picks: Antwerp vs North Baltimore and Convoy Crestview vs New Riegel.
Let the games begin!

The CB Final DIV Softball Poll

My final division IV rankings for the 2008 season:

1.)Convoy Crestview
2.)Strasburg Franklin
3.)Ansonia
4.)Dalton
5.)Rockford Parkway
6.)Warren JFK
7.)Sycamore Mohawk
8.)Crestline
9.)Antwerp
10.)Continental
11.)North Lewisburg Triad
12.)Portsmouth Clay
13.)Danville
14.)McDonald
15.)Defiance Ayersville

Teams on the Move:Rockford Parkway and Antwerp

Welcome, Ohio high school sports lovers!

After many years on one of the most popular Ohio sports forums, JJ Huddle, I figured it was about time to lead a discussion all my own. So, Captain Brinn is setting up shop here in my Ohio Varsity Blog! I want my blog to be a discussion of all-things Ohio High School Sports. Feel free to leave comments or email me at captainbrinn@gmail.com to get things rolling.