Sunday, April 15, 2001
Loveland thriving in Division I
Tigers are 11-2 after jump from Division II
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The transition from Division II to Division I has proved to be a good move for the Loveland baseball team.
After the Tigers' 5-4 victory over Plain City Jonathan Alder Saturday at Midland Field, Loveland is 11-2 and one of the most potent offensive teams in the Cincinnati area, with a .337 team batting average and 124 runs scored.
Along the way, the Tigers have defeated such Division I powers as Moeller, Mason, Anderson and Amelia.
“Beating Moeller was huge, because no one thought we could compete with them,” senior catcher David Clutter said. “We also climbed all over McNicholas (10-0 win). I think we're up to the challenge in Division I.”
Loveland's only two losses were to Lebanon and Roger Bacon.
“We started the season not playing or hitting well,” Clutter said. “The seniors held a meeting after we lost to Lebanon (April5) to work a few things out.”
In Saturday's win, Loveland rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
“We've beefed up the schedule and added a lot of Division I teams,” coach Dave Evans said. “I didn't know how we would play at this level.”
The Tigers have eight seniors, all of whom have contributed.
Pitchers Mike Deatherage (1-0, three saves), Mike Patterson (2-0), Ryan Douglas (3-0), Phil Deis (1-1) and Adam Wilkinson (2-0) have combined for nine victories.
“We have capable enough pitching with good depth, which is important,” Evans said.
“Last year we lost Mike (Patterson) in the middle of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. He didn't start throwing until Nov.1 and is our No.2 (starter) and has done a great job.”
The pitching staff, anchored by Douglas, has allowed only 39 earned runs in 88 innings.
Seven players are hitting .350 or better: Nick Kowatsch (.362), Eric Crouse (.353), Clutter (.350), Patterson (.485), Blake Porter (.368), Matt Pope (.429) and Ryan Minton (.375).
Evans is cautious about the sectional tournament that begins the first week in May, knowing the Tigers must play at an even higher level.
“When you go against Elder or Moeller in the tournament, you'll see their No.1 pitcher,” Evans said. “We've never seen pitchers like this before, and we'll have to be ready to play.”
In 22-plus years under Evans, Loveland is 411-171 and has never had a losing season.
The Tigers won three consecutive Division II sectional and district championships and have totaled more than 20 victories each season during that span.
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Loveland thriving in Division I
