CCS (17-5) and Russia (13-16) are both back this season and set for a regional semifinal rematch at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Carleton Davidson Stadium in Springfield.
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“I’m proud of my boys,” fourth-year Cougars coach Curtus Moak said. “They had a target on their back coming into this season, we lost a couple guys, and we’re still here. I told my guys this is more than luck. Last year you could say it was an under-the-radar run, but to come back and do it again, that’s something.”
Russia started 0-7 and clearly hasn’t had a great year, but the Shelby County Athletic League’s third-place finisher has gradually improved.
The Raiders toppled Fort Loramie 1-0 in 10 innings in a district semifinal.
“We knew we weren’t the favorites, but with Daniel Kearns on the mound, we believe we can beat anybody,” Russia coach Kevin Phlipot said. “We’ve won some big games. I don’t know if we’ve gotten hot because we have not won more than two games in a row all year. We’ve played a lot of tough teams, but we’ve played poorly as well at times.”
Kearns, a 6-foot-6 senior lefty, threw 9.2 innings against Loramie before the 125-pitch limit forced his removal from the mound.
He will get the start against Cincinnati Christian. Kearns also started last year’s game against CCS, lasting 11 batters before getting lifted in an error-filled performance by Russia.
“He didn’t quite have some swing-and-miss pitches that day, and we misplayed some balls behind him as well,” Phlipot said. “It was a disappointing way to end the season. It leaves a sour taste in your mouth when you could’ve played better.”
Kearns isn’t a fireballer, but Phlipot said he’s increased his speed this year and can reach the low 80s. He’s 8-3 with a 0.55 earned run average and throws his fastball, curveball and changeup for strikes.
“He’s one of the best around. I’m going to be biased and say that,” Phlipot said of Kearns, who will be heading to the University of Dayton to study engineering and hopes to walk on to the baseball team. “The changeup is the difference maker. If it’s good, high school kids have a tough time recognizing it. They just don’t see a lot of good changeups.”
Phlipot said the Raiders’ problems this season have centered on offense, as in not enough of it. Russia doesn’t have a .300 hitter in its lineup right now.
Senior third baseman Carter Francis and senior shortstop Evan Monnier are leading the offense. Monnier, a right-hander, is the Raiders’ No. 2 pitcher.
“Not a lot graduated from last year, but we lost some key players and more of our offense,” said Phlipot, in his fifth season at the Russia helm. “Our numbers were god-awful for a long time if you just look at stat-wise. It’s been a struggle for us all year. It’s no secret.
“When Daniel Kearns is on the hill, we’re a completely different team. We’re confident we can beat anybody when he pitches. But we’re still having trouble scoring runs. This is going to have to be a 2-1 ballgame for us to win.”
CCS right-hander Mitchell Smith threw a six-hitter against the Raiders last year and will be on the mound for the Cougars on Thursday.
Moak said even though Russia is under .500, he’s not going to take a chance and try to hold Smith for the regional final.
“It’s a program that’s been there often over the last several years,” Moak said. “I feel really confident the way Mitchell’s been pitching and I don’t foresee them getting a lot of runs against him, but we’ve got to figure out a way to scrounge out some runs ourselves. We’ve got to try to win innings.”
Smith is 10-2 with a 1.06 ERA, striking out 88 in 59.1 innings. He’s also hitting .564 with 12 extra-base hits, three home runs, 31 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.
Moak likes to play small ball and take advantage of his team’s speed. The Cougars have swiped 133 bases — junior shortstop Alex Johnson has 25 steals and sophomore center fielder Tim Carangi has 21.
“I’m a small-ball guy, but it’s easy to be small ball when the majority of your lineup is not going to drive the ball in the gaps and do a lot of damage when it comes to swinging,” Moak said. “It’s not the major league baseball mentality these days at all, but it still works in high school. You have to take what the game gives you.”
Minster and Mechanicsburg will meet in Thursday’s second regional semifinal in Springfield at 5 p.m. The regional final is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m.
Thursday’s game
What: Division IV regional baseball semifinal, Cincinnati Christian (17-5) vs. Russia (13-16), 2 p.m.
Where: Carleton Davidson Stadium, 1101 Mitchell Blvd., Springfield
Next: Winner plays either Minster or Mechanicsburg for the regional title Friday at 5 p.m.
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