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Regional baseball: Tigers hope to eliminate Athens this time around

JORDAN HOLLAND The Marietta Times Marietta’s Isaac Danford, left, tags Washington Court House’s Ethan Martin during a high school baseball district semifinal game last week at Athens High School’s Rannow Field in The Plains.

All season long, Marietta and Athens have been the top two teams in a stacked Southeast District.

Now, both teams have made it through district tournament play and will meet in a Division II regional semifinal Thursday at Ohio University’s Bob Wren Stadium in Athens. The winner advances to play either Steubenville or Indian Valley Friday at Gant Stadium in Zanesville. While Steubenville is a heavy favorite in that game, the Marietta-Athens matchup is much harder to call.

The Tigers and Bulldogs have 24 and 23 wins this season, respectively, and just three losses apiece. Athens lists 11 seniors on its roster while Marietta features 10. Both clubs are heavily experienced and tournament-tested.

Last season, Athens ousted Marietta, 1-0, in a district championship game, and the Tigers haven’t forgotten.

“We remember clearly last year’s result,” said MHS head coach Jim Thrash. “We’ve worked hard and overcome obstacles to get the chance to let them know what it feels like to lose a hard-fought game like we did. We’ve been working toward this for a year. I think we’ll be mentally ready.”

Athens ace Brendan Sano blanked Marietta in last year’s district game and could get the call today, although Thrash “wouldn’t be surprised” if the Bulldogs go with No. 2 Brody Rodgers. Sano and Rodgers both are big, hard-throwing right-handers who have had plenty of pitching success in their high school careers. Though a healthy Sano is Athens’ clear No. 1, head coach Chris Stewart may try to save him for a potential regional final matchup.

“I’m honestly undecided on who we’ll throw,” Stewart said. “You have to think about the big picture. That’s my opinion anyway. Our goal isn’t just to win a regional semifinal. Our goal is Huntinton Park (for the state tournament.) I’ve done some looking at the other two teams and considered who we might throw against them, but at the same time, we have to give ourselves the best chance to beat Marietta.”

Whoever the ‘Dogs put on the mound, “We’re not going to change our approach,” Thrash said. “Our approach all year long has been to put the ball in play, be good two-strike hitters, make the pitcher throw strikes, and that approach is still going to be there.”

Thrash would not reveal who will be on the mound for Marietta, though it’s a safe bet Brandon Schamp or Trent Dawson will get the nod. Schamp has thrown two no-hitters this season for the Tigers and also started in Marietta’s sectional and district final wins. The senior left-hander is 9-1 with a .88 earned-run average.

Dawson, who last pitched in Marietta’s 3-1 district semi win versus Washington Court House, carries a 7-0 record and a 1.53 ERA. The senior righty went toe to toe with Sano last year, and was superb in a losing effort. His proven effectiveness against Athens’ lineup could be enough to sway Thrash, though it likely will be a low-scoring game regardless of who throws for either team.

“They’ve advanced this far because they typically get good pitching and defense,” Thrash said. “Whoever takes advantage of the few hits they get, that’s going to be crucial in this game. Last year we had chances to score, we just never got the hits we needed.”

Marietta also has Turner Hill, Brandon Neville, Isaac Danford and Derek Duckworth who are capable of putting zeroes on the scoreboard if needed.

“I would say that’s their biggest attribute,” Stewart said. “They have the deepest pitching staff of any team I’ve seen.”

Marietta has hit much better as a unit this season, batting .337 as a team and averaging about seven runs per game. Leadoff batter Hill leads the team with a .452 batting average, 20 stolen bases and 35 runs scored. Three-hole hitter Neville is hitting .369 this season with a team-leading 29 runs-batted-in and four triples. Dawson and Zach Deskins have 21 RBIs apiece while Danford has a team-high six doubles and one home run.

“Their strength is they have very few holes,” Stewart said of the Tigers. “They field very well. They have a lot of team speed. They cover the gaps well in the outfield and they put pressure on defenses every time they put the ball on the ground because everyone in their lineup is busting it down the line.”

The Tigers are competing in their fifth regional tournament in program history, and looking to advance to their first regional final game since 1998.

Athens, on the other hand, made the regional championship a year ago after defeating Waverly in the semifinal. The Bulldogs eventually fell in the final to Steubenville.

Stewart’s squad defeated Warren, 6-1, in a district final last week. Their lineup was as follows: Andy Kostival (center field), Sano (pitcher), Brock Stewart (catcher), Rodgers (designated hitter), Joseph Thomas (shortstop), Cam Kasler (first base), Luke Carpenter (third), Rece Lonas (left) and Nate Trainer (second).

In Marietta’s 9-2 victory over Unioto, the order went: Hill (center), Dawson (second), Neville (third), Deskins (left), Danford (short), Danny Hiser (first), Boyd Bingler (catcher), Matthew Earley (right) and Kail Hill (DH).

The Tigers bested Athens, 4-1, early on in the regular season, well before both teams began hitting their stride.

“It’s definitely fitting these two teams are in this game of this caliber,” Stewart said. “It’s two outstanding ballclubs with a lot of leadership.”

NOTES: Tuesday, Turner Hill and Schamp were named first team all-district selections for Marietta, while Dawson was second team and Neville was honorable mention. Sano (first team), Brock Stewart (first team), Rodgers (second team) and Kostival (honorable mention) all were honored for Athens. Thrash and Chris Stewart were named co-Coaches of the Year.

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