Friday, June 01, 2001
CCD streaks into state baseball semis
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Brett Smith (center) will pitch for CCD today. Other CCD pitchers are
Noah Allen, Roman Duty, Ted Appleton and Asif Shah.
(Brandi Stafford photo)
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Celebrations have been far and few between for Windham athletes and supporters the past 40 years.
Since 1961 when the baseball team became the first from the school to advance to the state semifinals, only the boys basketball team qualified (1976 and '82) for the state final four.
As Cincinnati Country Day's opponent today (1:30 p.m.) at Cooper Stadium in Columbus, Windham's baseball team will be out to win the school's first championship trophy.
“I'm confident but also realistic,” Windham coach Jerry Kiser said. “It would be a mistake taking anything away from Country Day, but we'll be fine. The kids are very confident they can win it.”
On a 10-game winning team, Windham (16-6) is a member of the Portage County League, a conference loaded with Division II and III teams.
Davidjohn McClurg, a junior right-hander with a 4-3 record and 2.11 earned run average, will take the mound for the Bombers. Sophomore James Lade (9-0) also is available.
“James is a great athlete but Davidjohn is tournament tested and our ace,” Kiser said. “He's not overpowering but has good control and seldom walks a batter.”
Instead, Lade (.449 batting average) will be in center field and lead off. Cedric Turner (.470) plays second and bats second followed by third baseman Jarred Miller (.385) and Stephen Boxler (.405).
At 6-foot-6, 240-pounds, first baseman Rick Biebranz (.400) hits in the fifth spot followed by catcher Zach Burns (.380), DH Brian Stanley (.302) and McClurg (.290, 20 RBI).
“Our hottest hitter is Tony Marstiller, who plays left field,” Kiser said. “He's batting over .750 in the tournament but doesn't want to move up in the lineup. He says he's more comfortable batting ninth.”
Kiser attended CCD's regional title game.
“I talked to a lot of people at the game and understand they're not a good defensive team,” Kiser said. “We run a lot, and it didn't appear that their catcher (Joel Ellison) has a strong arm.”
Kiser conceded his team has had trouble against overpowering pitchers and is aware fastball specialist Brett Smith will be on the mound for the Indians.
CCD (27-3) brings 21-game winning streak into the semifinals. The Indians only losses were to Division I powers Moeller (5-1), Loveland (2-1) and Anderson (6-0).
“We beefed up the schedule this year to get ready for the tournament,” Tim Dunn said. “It's paid off because it gave the kids confidence that they can play with anybody.”
A potent offensive team, CCD has scored 184 runs in the winning streak, while the pitchers have allowed only 44 — 10 against Botkins in the regional semifinals.
The Indians offense is led by Smith who hits .565 with a Cincinnati-area best 10 home runs and 49 RBI. Shortstop Noah Allen hits .456.
Leadoff batter Roman Duty, who has compiled a .700 on-base percentage, .390 batting average and has 36 stolen bases, is another major contributor
Asif Shah, the No.4 batter, also has come through with a .450 average followed by Ellison at .398 and a team best 13 doubles and Matt Cohen (.390).
“My brother (Nate) played on the 1993 state champion team,” Allen said. “He told me there's nothing like winning it. And I'd like to have the same feeling.”
Allen pointed to the team's chemistry as another factor in the success, stressing that the players are friends off the field.
“We're much closer as a team and everyone has confidence in their teammates,” Allen said. “Most of us are seniors and it's our last chance.”
The winner of the CCD-Windham game will play for the championship on Saturday against the winner of the Toledo Ottawa Hills (20-8)-Lancaster Fisher Catholic (24-7) semifinal game.
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