Ohio City - Yes, we're getting down to that time every Varsity Baseball Program in Ohio points to - the annual OHSAA Postseason Tournament.
Coach Brad Ganor's Wildcats are gearing up for their final full week of the regular season, a week that also includes the first step in OHSAA Sectional/District Play.
After Monday's (tomorrow's) 5 PM regular season matchup with the red-hot Trinity Trojans on the Trojans' Danko Field, the Wildcats, seeded No. 1 at the OHSAA Division I Strongsville District, will face the winner of Monday's Sectional Semifinal between the Rhodes Rams and the Garfield Heights Bulldogs. Tuesday's 5 PM Sectional Final will take place on Baldwin Wallace University's atmosphere-rich Fisher Field.
Rhodes and Garfield Heights are seeded eighth and ninth, respectively. Congratulations to the Rhodes Robotics team on recently winning the 2018 state championship in the Vex robotics competition. Yes, The Pride of Old Brooklyn.
This corner has wonderful memories from covering and reporting on many James Ford Rhodes and Garfield Heights athletic events for The Plain Dealer.
Here is a corner's view of another week on the area's diamonds with the now 12-7 Varsity Wildcats.
MONDAY versus Trinity, 5 PM on Danko Field, which is located at St. Monica, 13633 Rockside Road in Garfield Heights.
The Trojans, seeded No. 1 at the OHSAA Division IV Fairport Harbor District, went 8-0 in the North Coast League White Division this spring. It marked their third consecutive North Coast League Baseball Championship.
Heading into this past weekend, Trinity had won 10 consecutive games. The offense combined for 42 runs in three games last week.
Among the Trojans who are swinging the bats with authority include seniors Danny Strenk, John Oleksik, Jack DiPronio and Kevin McSweeney, and sophomore John Costello.
Trinity's pitching staff featured two impressive performances last week, an 11-strikeout, complete-game effort from senior Jake Visha and a six-strikeout, complete game via the arm of senior Collin SanFilippo. Trinty's stats were courtesy of the Trojans' impressive baseball website that features the reporting of Tony SanFilippo. Like Rhodes and Garfield Heights, this seasoned reporter's pens and notepads made many Plain Dealer appearances at Trinity.
After TUESDAY'S Sectional Final on Fisher Field, Coach Ganor's Men of the Diamonds will host the Rebels from Willoughby South on Wednesday at the grand facility that sits off Eastland Road on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University. It will be another 5 pm first pitch in Berea.
The South Rebels stood 12-9 after a doubleheader sweep of Aurora on Saturday and are the third seed behind Mayfield (No.1) and Mentor at the OHSAA Division I Euclid Sectional/District.
Following a little breather on Thursday, Saint Ignatius will host the tradition-rich baseball program from Canton Central Catholic Friday at 5 PM in Classic Park. Located in Eastlake, Classic Park is the home of the Lake County Captains.
Coach Ganor's Saint Ignatius teams had some memorable regular season meetings with the Crusaders, when they were under the direction of Hall of Fame Coach Doug Miller. Doug guided Canton Central Catholic Baseball for 34 years.
The Crusaders, who are seeded No. 1 for the OHSAA Division III Struthers District, have a resume that includes 13 District Championships, six Regional Titles and three Doug Miller-coached State Championships (2005, 2008 and 2011).
Currently 15-7, Canton Central Catholic went through a two-day, roller-coaster of emotions this past week, losing to defending Division I State Champion Massillon Jackson, 16-4, and then defeating Lake Ridge Academy, 6-1. Lake Ridge Academy entered the game as the fourth-ranked team in the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association's Division IV State Poll.
Jackson is the top seed for the OHSAA Division I Canton District.
Saint Ignatius' take on all comers week will wrap up on Saturday, with the traditional high noon Seniors Day at Baldwin Wallace University's Fisher Field.
The 'Cats will be matching pitches with the Archbishop Hoban Knights, who are seeded sixth at the OHSAA Division I Barberton District.
Archbishop Hoban is coming off a doubleheader loss at both ends courtesy of Archbishop Moeller. No shame in that, as in Ohio it's usually death, taxes and Moeller baseball. Moeller recently won its 28th Cincinnati Greater Catholic League South Division Championship.
Have a wonderful week, and I am sure we will see you at the baseball diamonds. In the words of the late, great Plain Dealer Stark County sports columnist and Canton radio legend Hymie Williams, "Goodbye until the next time, which will be the best time."