CAMBRIDGE — While the regular season on the local baseball diamonds may have lacked the consistent firepower of years past, the crack of the bat now carries a different weight. Sunday’s OHSSA baseball tournament drawings officially wiped the slate clean, offering every area squad the ultimate “second chance” in a postseason where records are buried and everyone starts over at 0-0.
With the notable exception of the Barnesville Shamrocks, who have already flexed their postseason muscles by advancing to a pair of conference title games this month.
Shamrocks claim Top seed in Division V
Standing alone at the summit of the area field, the Shamrocks (16-6) reeled in the lone No. 1 seed in the region, claiming the top spot in Division V, Region 19. Barnesville enters the fray battle-tested after reaching the mountain top in the Buckeye 8 Conference, dismantling Indian Creek 10-1 to claim the crown. While they fell just short of a double−dip after dropping an 8-0 decision to a strong Wheeling Central Catholic squad in the OVAC 3A final.
That experience of playing for high stakes in a pair of championship environments should provide a significant edge when the “win or go home” pressure ramps up in the OHSSA postseason.
Bobcats, Warriors reel in No. 4 seeds
The best of the rest of the local contingent includes a pair of programs that secured respect from their peers with No. 4 seeds in their respective brackets. The Cambridge Bobcats (12-6) enter the Division IV, Region 15 bracket as perhaps the hottest team in the area with a six game winning streak. That success has been anchored by a pitching staff surrendering a meager 1.2 runs per game during the late-season surge.
In Division VI, Region 23, the Buckeye Trail Warriors (9-6) have earned their No. 4 seed by proving they can win the “grind-it-out” games that define May baseball, The Warriors’ resume is highlighted by high-pressure performances, including a signature 1-0 IVC shutout over Malvern and a gritty 3-1 victory over Caldwell.
Area teams are listed by division, district and region with their seeds with first and/or second round opponents:
DIVISION IV – REGION 15, EAST 1
(#7) Meadowbrook(#10) John Glenn
DIVISION IV – REGION 15, EAST 2
(#4) Cambridge
DIVISION VI – REGION 23, EAST 1
(#4) Buckeye Trail(#6) Caldwell(#7) Shenandoah
DIVISION V – REGION 19, EAST 1
(#1) Barnesville
Second Round: Tuesday, May 26, 5:00 pm – (#10) Coshocton/ (#8) Union Local winner at (#1) Barnesville
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Top-seeded Barnesville leads local OHSSA baseball tournament field
Reporting by Kevin Sutton, Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian / The Daily Jeffersonian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
