GATES MILLS — The Walsh Jesuit baseball team knows the most dangerous opponent is one with nothing to lose.
The Warriors knocked off Highland 2-0 on June 3 to advance to a Division II, Region 5 final. Their opponent is a Shaker Heights team that knocked off previously unbeaten Lakewood 4-2.
But don’t think for a second the Warriors (14-12) are looking ahead to Canal Park and a state semifinal before they face the Raiders.
Walsh shortstop and Michigan commit Matthew Mansbery knows his 4-for-4, two-run game against the Hornets (18-6) means nothing when the Warriors face Shaker Heights at 2 p.m. June 4.
Ditto for Tennessee pledge Shawn Sullivan (3-1), who struck out 11 and threw a two-hitter to help Walsh advance.
“They’re dangerous but at the same time we also have nothing to lose,” Sullivan said. “It’s going to be that same competitive feel, so we’re not worried.”
Shaker Heights as been the Cinderella story of the playoffs
Shaker Heights got Walsh’s attention when it tied the score in the bottom of the third and then scored in the fourth and sixth to hand the Rangers (27-1) their one and only loss when it mattered most.
The Warriors are well aware they’ve been to a state semifinal two out of the last three seasons and have a chance to make it three of four.
They also know the Raiders haven’t been to a state final four in 50 years, and that the only two times Shaker Heights went to the state semifinals (1969, 1976) the Raiders walked out with state titles.
What does all of it mean for a Walsh team looking for its 11th state appearance?
“With teams like this, I guess you could call them ‘underdogs,'” Mansbery said with air quotes. “We come out here every single day and feel like we’re playing against ourselves. We feel like we’ve been this close to a perfect, flawless game. We haven’t had it yet. … We’re not worrying about who is across the field no matter how good or how bad they are. We respect them all.”
Walsh Jesuit won’t look to Akron before taking care of Shaker Heights
That respect comes with confidence, with Mansbery (.423, six doubles, four triples, 19 stolen bases), Carlos Smith (.368, six doubles, 10 stolen bases) and Rylan Batley (.307, six doubles, three home runs) leading the way.
Right-hander and Xavier commit Caleb Mecurio (2-4, 1.69 ERA, 61 strikeouts) takes the mound for Walsh against the Raiders.
Shaker Heights is led by Kenyon College commit Casey Robinson and has a solid mix of juniors and seniors.
With Robinson (2-0, 13 strikeouts, 1.00 ERA in the postseason) as the pitcher of record against Lakewood, Shaker Heights will look to Quinn Malone and Wesley Lewis on the bump.
Leo Pevnick (5-for-11, two doubles, two RBIs, five runs), Aaron Nieman (3-for-12, three RBIs, two runs), Michael Coxon (3-for-9, four RBIs, run) and Casey Robinson (4-for-7, three RBIs, run) have been tough outs in the two through six holes for the Raiders in the postseason.
If that isn’t enough, Shaker Height has been on upset alert in their three playoff games. The No. 24 seed has big upsets over North Royalton, Normandy and Lakewood.
“I think that showed us that they’re for real,” Walsh manager Joe Bowers said. “… I think experience helps, but it’s baseball. If they come out and get a couple of hits, it could be a different outcome. What wins it for us, it what has won it for us all year, and that’s pitching and defense. That’s what we hang our hats on.”
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Walsh baseball hopes to return to state, stop Shaker Heights’ upset bid
Reporting by Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
