10 Players to Watch in Friday’s Division I Semifinals from Strongsville & Jackson

Baseball fans are in for a treat when Massillon Jackson and Strongsville take the field for their respective games at 4 pm and 7 pm Friday.

These are two well-coached teams and both rosters are deep with players who fill their roles beautifully.

If you’re just a baseball fan with no rooting interest, or perhaps you’re a fan of Jackson or Strongsville and don’t know much about the other team, here are some names you’re going to want to keep an eye on if you stay for both games.

There are plenty of deserving candidates, but we narrowed it down to ten guys who have jumped out each time we’ve seen them.

NOTE: All stats entering play June 2

Massillon Jackson vs. Lakota West 4 pm

Dillon Dingler, Senior, C

.443 batting average

12 doubles, 11 stolen bases, 27 RBI, 35 runs

Cannon for an arm, excellent defensive catcher

No. 2 hitter

Second Team All-Ohio

Ohio State Commit

Kyle Nicolas, Senior, RHP, IF

7-0, 0.43 ERA, 71 K in 49 IP

Clean up hitter, .368 average, 21 RBI

First Team All-Ohio, Division I Northeast Ohio Pitcher of the Year

Ball State commit

Yianni Skeriotis, Sophomore, RHP

8-0, 1.71 ERA

Started district semi and regional final

Allowed one earned run in six innings in regional final

Cade Mottice, Senior, 3B

.389 batting average

25 runs, 13 RBI, 9 doubles, 7 SB

Second Team All-District

Leadoff man

Malone Commit

Jake Mottice, Senior, CF

.388 batting average

31 runs, 20 RBI, 14 SB

5-for-5 with two walks in last seven plate appearances

No. 3 hitter

Malone Commit

Strongsville vs. Olentangy Orange 7 pm

Jack Frank, Sophomore, OF

.407 batting average

5 HR, 28 RBI, 24 runs, 7 SB, 10 doubles

First Team All-District

Michigan State Commit

Parker Shannon, Senior, C

.419 batting average

10 doubles, 26 RBI, 27 runs, 2 HR, 8 SB

Second Team All-District

Mercyhurst commit

Jaret Beechy, Senior, LHP

6-2, 1.07 ERA, 36 K

Worked six innings in regional final

Northeast Ohio All-District Honorable Mention

Seton Hill Commit

Matt Brosky, Junior, RHP

5-3, 2.22 ERA, 64 K

Pitched complete game in regional semi, 7 K

Ohio University Commit

Noah Trizzino, Senior, 1B

Clean up hitter

3 RBI, run scored in two regional games

4 hits, 5 RBI in last three games

These are just a few of the names to watch for Friday and (hopefully) Saturday in Columbus. Both of these rosters are loaded with talent from top to bottom, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if any of the guys we didn’t list turn out to be the heroes of the night.

Best of luck to the Mustangs and the Bears!