Struthers District
Favorite #1 Kent Roosevelt
Contenders #2 Howland, #3 Boardman, #4 Walsh Jesuit, #5 Austintown-Fitch, #6 Stow
Sleeper #7 Ellet
This is a fairly even district, but #1 Kent Roosevelt (14-9) had the most impressive regular season. After starting the year 1-3, losing three out of four games to Aurora and Tallmadge, the Rough Riders went on a roll for much of the rest of the season.
Roosevelt got their hardest four regular season games out of the way early and were right near the top of the competitive Suburban League American Division all season. Freshman Zac Common took the league by storm, going 5-1 on the season and any time he pitches, the Rough Riders are going to be tough to beat in this tournament.
#3 Boardman was one of only two teams to beat Solon this season and they’ll be a team to watch in this district.
#4 Walsh Jesuit (10-7) played arguably the toughest schedule of anyone in the district and a potential district semifinal against Roosevelt should be a great game.
#6 Stow (9-10) got out to a rough start to the season, but the Suburban League National Division doesn’t give any days off in its schedule. Stow also played a tough non-conference schedule, but the defending district champs could not get going in the early weeks of the 2017 campaign. After starting the season 1-6, the Bulldogs started to get in a groove in the final few weeks of the season, winning eight of their last 12 – with most of those games coming against solid competition.
This is a team that is one year removed from shocking Massillon Jackson in the regional semifinals and although Stow is a six seed, in this district, they’re every bit as much a contender as the 1-5 teams. The potential second round match vs. #3 Boardman has all the makings for a great game.
A team that should not be overlooked is #7 Ellet. It’s true the Akron City Series isn’t one of the stronger conferences in the area, but Ellet has the arms, the offense and the fielding to make a deep run in this tournament.
The Orangemen play a good brand of baseball and aren’t going to beat themselves on many occasions. This is a seven seed with a chance at doing some big things in this tournament.
Some intriguing matchups to watch for in this district include the potential Walsh Jesuit-Roosevelt game, the Ellet-Howland game, a Stow-Boardman showdown, and a possible Suburban League match between Stow and Roosevelt in the district final.
In a district as balanced as this, there are quite a few scenarios that can play out and the two days at Cene Park should feature some exciting baseball with all three games looking like coin tosses.
Players to Watch
Zac Common Roosevelt
Dean Gray Roosevelt
Brendan Regan Walsh Jesuit
Jace Burke Walsh Jesuit
Eric Schilling Stow
Jordan Jolly Stow
Garrett Haverstick Ellet
Matt Cody Ellet
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