Wooster puts unbeaten OCC mark, championship hopes on line

  • brian questel
  • May 11, 2011
  • 304
                        
051611 WHSbaseball Promo: Generals get first sectional win, look to wrap up Ohio Cardinal Conference title Wooster puts unbeaten OCC mark, championship hopes on line By Brian Questel When Wooster High School hired Derek Boyd as its head baseball coach, it probably never envisioned this start. As the Generals headed into the final week of the Ohio Cardinal Conference season and the opening of the OHSAA tournament, they couldn’t be in a better spot. Wooster was 17-3 overall and unbeaten through its first dozen OCC games and on top in the league. This past week was a critical one for Wooster, who drew the sixth seed in the Canton Division I tournament. The tournament created a ripple effect in the OCC. “We moved the (OCC) game with Ashland Tuesday (May 10) because of the tournament,” said Boyd, whose Generals hosted and defeated Canton McKinley 4-1 in their tourney opener May 10. “We have to go to Green ((for the sectional championship May 11), so we moved Tuesday’s game with Ashland to Thursday. … We probably won’t play the second game until next week sometime because Ashland is backed up “Hopefully we’ll play the next three days – two tournament and one conference game.” Both Wooster and Ashland were unbeaten heading into last week, although Ashland also had a pair of OCC games with West Holmes remaining. Boyd wasn’t happy with the Generals’ sixth seed, but was philosophical about it. “It’s the old Federal League for you,” said Boyd. “They stuck together. We’re the only OCC team and the only team from Wayne County. It is what it is. Part of the lack of respect centered on Mother Nature and the wet spring. Massillon, GlenOak, Green, Jackson and Perry were the five teams in front of Wooster and the irony is that Wooster had games with Massillon and GlenOak on its schedule this season. “We had a doubleheader with GlenOak and a single game with Massillon (No. 3 in the latest Ohio Division I poll),” said Boyd. “That worked against me as far as the draw. The only team there we played was Barberton and we were supposed to play Akron Ellet, we didn’t get that doubleheader in either. “It’s been a nightmare, but I guess I can’t complain. We were tied for the most games played out of anyone in the district. We’re doing OK, although I’m not happy with how (the seeding) worked out.” Boyd has been pleased with the Generals’ performance, although he wasn’t anticipating this kind of a start. “I don’t know if I had a record in mind,” said Boyd. “I had a lot of other concerns I had to take care of that were bigger in my mind when I was hired. It was spelled out by (WHS athletic director) Keri (Hamsher) what the problems had been and where she hoped to go in the future. I had ideas what I wanted to do, but my thing was to get this up and going. “I had a vision how I wanted to play and how I wanted people to perceive us when we showed up. We’ve done a good job getting there. We knew we had to work to get respect around the league … but we have work to do in the district. “I never thought about the record – that would take care of itself. The guys have played hard. I can’t ask more from them in that regards.” The heart of the Generals’ run has been pitching. “It’s a cliché, but pitching and defense can carry you a long way,” said Boyd. “Pitching has been the strength of the team. For the most part, we’ve gotten better defensively as year has gone on. Early we committed a lot of errors, but we’re better defensively. We’ve done a good job recently getting timely hits. “We’ve had our share of close games. Early we won big, but at some point you have to win with pitching and defense and recently that has been the case, especially in the league.” Wooster has been paced by my junior Luke McGee, who is 5-0 with a 1.89 ERA, and Mike Eisel is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA, “and those two obviously have been at the forefront for us pitching wise,” said Boyd. “Hitting-wise, Zach Ellsworth is our leading hitter at .462 and he leads the team with nine or 10 stolen bases,” said Boyd. “Eisel is second (.412) with a couple home runs and leading the team with 20 RBI, and our third-leading hitter is McGee at .364. “One of our goals was to get some respect in the league and compete for the title and win some tournament games,” said Boyd. “I think if we get rolling and stay hot, we have as good a chance as anybody. We’re excited. The kids know this is a big week for us. We’re excited about it and looking forward to the challenge. This is what we worked for and what we’ve harped on since the beginning of February. We’ve worked hard and they’ve responded to what we’ve tried to do. “We’re doing something right if we’re in this position. We’ve told them let’s enjoy it and get after it.”


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