While the Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) baseball team often continues to dominate headlines in Cincinnati this spring, Elder is also stating a strong case this postseason. 
Alex Bolia, Elder
File photo by Michael Noyes
On Saturday, Elder won its first Division I district title since 2007 with a 12-2 win over Sidney in five innings. The Panthers (25-4) have won nine consecutive games since a 4-3 loss at Moeller on May 3. The two teams are in different regional brackets, but could potentially meet in the state final four in Columbus in June.
Elder coach Mark Thompson told the Community Press that his squad definitely wants to see Moeller again.
Moeller (27-1) is ranked No. 17 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings presented by Milk. The Crusaders defeated Fairmont 8-5 in the district final Saturday and play in a Division I regional semifinal at 2 p.m. Thursday at the University of Cincinnati.
Elder next plays on Thursday at Dublin Coffman High School near Columbus against Upper Arlington at 5 p.m. The Panthers have received solid pitching and offense this spring. Pitcher Brian Korte was 7-0 with 69 strikeouts and a 1.67 ERA heading into Saturday’s game. Korte pitched well against Lakota East in the district final, according to the Community Press.
"Just a bulldog mentality," Thompson told the publication. "He went right after guys."
Senior Tim O’Conner (an Indiana football signee) was hitting .447 overall with a team-leading nine doubles, three home runs and 43 RBI as of this past weekend. Selby Chidemo was hitting .439 with six doubles, 19 RBI and a team-leading 23 stolen bases.
2. Rain causes scheduling changes: A rainy week around the Cincinnati area last week caused several postponed baseball and softball postseason games. Several games were moved or will resume today (Monday) after starting this past weekend. Three interesting Division I softball matchups include Glen Este vs. Lakota East, Fairfield vs. Lebanon and Mount Notre Dame vs. Lakota West. The winners advance to the regional tournament this week. Mason already advanced to the regional round by winning its district final this past weekend.
3. Mueck wins district title: Lakota East sophomore Zach Mueck won the Division I boys tennis district final on Saturday with a 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-4 win over Sycamore’s Adam Reinhart, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "That was the kind of match we both wanted," Mueck told the publication. "It was exciting to play. We both played some of our best tennis." Mueck improved to 27-2 this spring, according to the publication. In Division II, Cincinnati Country Day senior Joey Fritz won the district title at Centerville. Fritz, who has signed with Amherst College, is the defending Division II state singles champion. The state tournament starts Friday morning at the Ohio State University’s Stickney Tennis Center in Columbus.
4. Colerain names girls basketball coach: Colerain (Cincinnati) named Dan Wallace its new girls basketball coach last week, pending Board of Education approval in June. He replaces former Colerain coach Christi Mack, who stepped down after last season to spend more time with her family. (Christi is the wife of Xavier University men’s basketball coach Chris Mack). Wallace was an assistant coach at McAuley the past two seasons and has served in coaching roles in various AAU programs. Colerain had more than 20 applicants for the position. "Dan is an outstanding game coach who is recognized for his ability to make successful game-time adjustments on the go," Colerain athletic director Dan Bolden said. "The enthusiasm and dedication to the game of basketball he displayed was contagious."
5. Lakota West lineman adds significant offers: West Chester Lakota West junior offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (6-5, 285) was offered by Alabama, Florida and Michigan last week, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Kelly also has offers from schools that include Tennessee, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Florida State, Arizona, Louisville, Boston College and other high-profile programs. Kelly plans to take some unofficial visits this summer and hasn’t set a timeline for a college decision. Kelly also committed to play in the 2011 Under Armour All-America Game last week. That all-star game will be played in January 2011.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Sara Pearson, Lakota East softball: The junior had 12 strikeouts as the Thunderhawks defeated Little Miami 6-1 in a Division I sectional final, according to the Enquirer. Pearson earned her 14th win of the season, according to the publication. She has more than 185 strikeouts this season.
Christin Miller, Mason softball: The senior had 13 strikeouts as the Comets defeated Ursuline 4-0 in a Division I sectional final, according to the Enquirer. Miller improved to 14-2 after the game.
Jaisa Fox, Fairfield: The senior pitcher had 14 strikeouts as the Indians defeated Milford 1-0 in a Division I sectional final, according to the Enquirer. Fox earned her 13th shutout of the season and the 40th of her career.
Looking ahead
Glen Este (Cincinnati) vs. Lakota East (Liberty Township) softball, 5 p.m. today: These two teams play in a Division I district final at Mason. The game was postponed from this past weekend. Glen Este pitcher Kelley Benhase is 17-2 with 205 strikeouts and 11 shutouts. Lakota East pitcher Sara Pearson is 11-4 with 188 strikeouts and five shutouts.
Kings (Kings Mill) vs. Greenville softball, 5 p.m. Wednesday: These two teams play in a Division II regional semifinal at Clayton Northmont. Kings defeated Hamilton Ross 5-0 this past weekend. Ross was the reigning Division II state champion. Kings was led by senior pitcher Lauren Collier in the game. Collier has 21 wins and 261 strikeouts this season. Greenville is a traditional softball power and won the state title in 2007.
State boys tennis tournament, Friday and Saturday: The annual boys state tennis tournament starts Friday morning in Columbus. Cincinnati is always well-represented in this tournament and should have plenty of influence again. The state team tournament is Sunday at Ohio State. St. Xavier could be going for its fifth consecutive Division I state team tournament title.
Recruiting news
Walnut Hills junior tight end Benson Browne (6-6, 236) was recently offered by Central Michigan. Browne also has offers from Louisville, Minnesota and Miami (Ohio). … Sycamore junior defensive back Darius Hillary (5-10, 180) recently added offers from Minnesota and Marshall. Hillary also has offers from Stanford, Boston College, Illinois, Indiana and others. … Princeton senior guard/forward Darrien Wilkins signed to play basketball at Sinclair Community College in Dayton. He averaged 13.4 points and 7.6 for the Vikings last winter.
Random thoughts
The Archbishop Moeller baseball team was ranked No. 1 in the season’s final Division I state baseball poll. Moeller is the reigning 2009 Division I state champion. … St. Clairsville East Richland Christian School, Granville Christian Academy, Cincinnati Oyler and Cincinnati Riverview East Academy will be the newest member schools in the Ohio High School Athletic Association starting with next school year. … The Mid-State League may explore expansion, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The publication, which cited the Logan Daily News, said Logan and Chillicothe have shown interest in joining the league.
