May 28, 1999

Calvert and Kidron to face each other in championship game

By Chris Homan
Sports Writer

In a sense, each Calvert and Kidron Central Christian can take a look at where they were in the state baseball tournament from a year ago and draw some confidence from it.

But what each school must remember is that each made it the same regional tournament 12 months ago at Margaretta High School.

While St. Wendelin handled the Crusaders 6-2, Southington Chalker used a late-inning power surge to bounce Calvert in a 14-7 slugfest.

Now the Senecas (15-9) and Central Christian (15-6) will put their past struggles behind themselves and do battle against each other today at Elyria's George Day Field.

Chalker also makes a return trip to the regional tournament as it will face Gates Mills Gilmor in the second game. One of the state's four Division IV qualifiers will be determined Saturday afternoon in the championship game.

"We're drawing from last year's success; maybe we'll have a little less nerves," Calvert coach Rick Demith said. "But, what you have to remember is the fact they (Kidron CC) were there too. I am sure they're thinking the same thing."

And indeed the Crusaders are.

Although they don't have a final-four football appearance to boost their egos, Central Christian was just an overtime shy of a state boys basketball showing while the girls volleyball and basketball teams each made regional appearances.

"A lot of our success we've had has been built on the success of the school this year and the fact that we made it to regionals last year," KCC coach Bruce Kooker said. "Tradition helps. We also have almost everyone back from last year too, that helps.

"The nice thing about us is the fact that we got off to such a sluggish start and have been able to bounce back from it," he said. "We had some kids start late because of basketball, and then we had some injuries to deal with. All of that took a toll on us for a while, but we have had kids step up."

One person that has picked up the slack in the Crusaders' lineup is third baseman B.J. Gerber, who's rallied to put his batting average over the .300 mark.

Kooker's son, shortstop Zach Kooker, serves as the team's power threat, knocking eight dingers this season while also finding time on the mound as Kidron's No. 2 pitcher.

The "ace" tag lies on the back of Josh Miller. Miller takes a 9-1 record into today's start with a 1.29 ERA. Included on his resume is a district semifinal win over highly-touted Mogadore.

"We're basically using two pitchers right now," Bruce Kooker said. "Each have been doing a good job of keeping the ball in the field, and we've played on some small fields.

It may be tough keeping a Seneca lineup that's hitting .408 as a team inside the park.

Just a week ago Eric Puffenburger, Calvert's No. 9 hitter, went yard twice in a 10-4 win over 6th-ranked Colonel Crawford. That performance was part of a 6-for-8 day for Calvert's bottom three hitters against the Eagles.

"Having the bottom of the lineup full of hitters really takes the pressure off the three and four hitters," Demith said. "I knew our offense wasn't going to be a problem going into the season. What does maybe bother me a little is if they have a pitcher that has three or four good pitches.

"If you throw us all fastballs, you're in trouble. If you throw us all curve balls, you're in trouble," he said. "But, someone with a few different pitches that can mix them up well concerns me. The good thing is though, you have to pitch to everyone in our lineup. You can't just pitch to three or four guys and get away with it."

That's because Dustyn Risner has hit .490 with 18 extra-base hits from the No. 2 slot in the order and Joe Harvey has poked 10 longballs and knocked in 40 from the three hole. Those two are followed in the order by Bart Fisher (eight home runs) and Tim Schumm, who have a combined total of 59 RBI.

"I guess what may concern me is our defense," Demith said. "We've gotten better from the beginning of the year, but we have to be fundamental. We've been practicing with Seneca East the past week or so and it's been nice to have someone like them to work on things against.

"As long as we're focused and ready to play they'll have something to deal with," he said. "It's too late in the season not to be focused."

Risner will take the mound against Kidron Central Christian and brings along with him a 6-1 record. Risner, who battled injuries early in the year, has been Calvert's winning pitcher through the tournament.

"We're starting Dustyn Friday and it really depends on what happens from there," Demith said. "We have a couple other guys that can pitch. I think you have to start with your big horse and see what happens."

Whether you've been there before or not.