May 26, 2000

Skippers take on Calvert today

By Dave Feltner
Sports Editor

Fariport Harbor Harding baseball coach Todd Karako says people in Northeast Ohio are excited. Seems they just can't wait for the Skippers to hook up with Southington in the regional finals.

Harding and Southington play in the same league; they spilt two games this year and have 26-3 and 21-5 records, respectively. They are in opposite brackets in the Division IV regional at Elyria, potentially setting up &emdash; what would be for them &emdash; a dream matchup.

Karako, though, thinks all that hype is nonsense.

"People around here are talking about Chalker and Fairport in the finals, but they must not know too much about Calvert," Karako said. "My sister is from that area, and I know there's some very good baseball teams over there. We've got a scouting report on Calvert, and it looks like they can hit pretty well. And besides, at this point you can throw out the records. Everybody's a district champion now."

The Skippers will take on Calvert at 2 p.m. today in a regional semifinal at Elyria's Ely Stadium.

And while fans in the Southington and Fairport Harbor areas have their idea of what will unfold, the Senecas have an agenda of their own as well.

What has been a marvelous run by a senior class at Calvert will come to an end some time in the next two weekends.

This group of athletes has won a regional football title (1998), made the regional finals in football (1999) and basketball (2000) and has won three consecutive district baseball championships.

The only thing missing for this team is a trip to a state tournament.

"The only team that we've gotten to the state tourney was the football team that went to the state semifinals," Calvert coach Rick Demith said. His team is making its third consecutive regional appearance. "We've gotten to the elite eight, but we haven't pushed it to the edge of reaching the final four. And that's nothing against these kids. Win or lose, this has been a great group of athletes.

"I don't want to think about losing, but if we do I can't look back. These kids have given me way too much joy the last four years," he said. "They've done everything I've ever asked of them. Now it's time to start to play for some rewards for them."

The Senecas have been all about dramatics in the tournament. In the district semis they rallied from a 5-0 deficit to eliminate Sandusky St. Mary's. In the finals they stunned No. 9 Crestline by erasing a 6-0 deficit to post a 12-7 victory.

The next hurdle will be a tough one, no doubt.

The Skippers are steeped in baseball tradition, and the 2000 version may be one of the best.

Since the school reinstated baseball in 1981, Harding has never had a losing a record. They've won nine district championships and have one state tournament appearance (1993).

This year's Skippers, ranked No. 2, are well-balanced.

Pitchers John Zinnicker (4-1, 4.25 ERA), Jacob Hadden (5-1, 2.60 ERA) and Brett Hughes (5-0, 2.85 ERA) are all capable of carrying the team. Zinnicker and Hadden pitched complete games in the district, allowing just one combined run. Zinnicker is a lefty.

According to Karako, Hadden is a breaking ball pitcher who hits his spots well. Zinnicker has a live fastball with movement and Hughes throws the hardest.

Karako also says the Skippers are "solid one through nine" in hitting, but that's understating it.

Shortstop Mike Ward has driven in 47 runs and is hitting .547. Karako says he's one of the best hitters he's seen.

It doesn't stop there. Zinnicker (.479, 10 HRs, 45 RBIs), left fielder Josh Javins (.461), third baseman Kenny Rogers (.400), second baseman Mike Ondo (.416) and Hughes (over .400) make up a lineup that averages 10 runs per game.

The Skippers, who have lost to Painesville Harvey, Painseville Riverside and Southington, have just two seniors who play regularly.

The Senecas, however, are a team dominated by seniors.

The No. 1 pitcher is senior Dustyn Risner. Risner has a 5-3 record with a 4.17 ERA. In 42 innings he has struck out 53 batters and walked 20.

The Calvert (15-8) lineup features plenty of power with Bart Fisher (.435, 9, 30) and Joe Harvey (.356, 4, 18) and lots of speed at the top of the order with Eric Lee (.342, 25 stolen bases).

Risner (.303), Jon Raitz (.352), Tim Brodman (.286), Robbie Ritzler (.333) and Eric Puffenberger (.220) make up a lineup that is hitting .314 as a team.

"These kids are ready," Demith said. "I've never seen them more ready for a game than this one. Our team unity has never been better than it is now. There's no more bickering in the dugout. Now, if somebody makes an error, we just pat him on the back and pick him up.

"If we are going to lose a game it's going to be because the other team is better," he said. "We're beyond the point of losing games because we've played poorly. We're playing as a team, and everybody believes in themselves. If we go out, play 100 percent, and if Dustyn pitches well and we make the plays defensively, we'll win this game."