Canton Central Catholic Wins State Baseball Championship

The Canton Central Catholic Crusaders are State baseball champions! The team defeated the Toledo St. Francis de Sales Knights in the final game making it their second state title in three years.

Canton Central Catholic’s Road to the State Baseball Championship

It was a long road to the state title for Canton Central Catholic but in the end, they came out on top. After an undefeated regular season they entered the State Tournament as the top seed They won their first game handily, but the next two were much closer. In the final game, they were down by two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning but they rallied to score three and win the game. It was an exciting finish to a great season.

The Game That Won It All

It was the bottom of the seventh inning and the score was tied. The Canton Central Catholic Crusaders were up to bat, and they needed just one more run to win the state Baseball Championship The crowd was on their feet, cheering for the home team

The first batter struck out, but the second batter hit a single. The third batter walked, and then the fourth batter hit a grand slam to win the game! The Canton Central Catholic Crusaders are the new State Baseball champions!

The Players Who Made It Happen

While it was a team effort, there were several players who stood out and contributed greatly to Canton Central Catholic’s state Baseball Championship victory.

First, there was senior pitcher Max Pape, who dominated on the mound all season long He was named the tournament MVP after pitching a complete game in the Championship game giving up just one run while striking out eleven batters.

Then there was junior catcher Ryan Stankiewicz, who not only played great defense but also provided a big boost offensively. He hit .333 for the tournament and had four RBIs in the Championship game

Finally, there was senior center fielder Connor McIntyre, who made several key defensive plays in the outfield throughout the tournament and also hit .313 with four RBIs.

The Fans Who Supported Them

Canton Central Catholic’s state Baseball Championship victory was thanks in large part to the fans who supported them throughout the tournament. This was the first time the school has won a state Baseball Championship and the fans were there to cheer them on every step of the way.

The team’s run to the title was a long one, as they had to win four games in order to take home the trophy. Throughout each game, the fans were there to offer their support and encouragement. After each victory, the fans celebrated with the team and helped them prepare for the next game.

Without the support of the fans, it is doubtful that Canton Central Catholic would have been able to win the State Baseball Championship The fans provided an extra boost of energy and confidence that helped propel the team to victory.

The Coaches Who Led Them

To win a State baseball championship is a dream for most young athletes The Canton Central Catholic team was no different. They worked hard all season long and it paid off in the end. But it wasn’t just the players who deserve credit for the win. The coaches who led them deserve just as much, if not more.

Bob Bernhardt has been the Head Coach of Canton Central Catholic for eight years. In that time, he has led the team to two State Championships and three regional titles. He has also been named Coach of the Year three times.

Bernie Danek has been with Coach Bernhardt since the beginning. He is the Assistant Coach and pitching coach. He has helped develop some of the best pitchers in Ohio, including two who have gone on to play in the Major Leagues

Joey Gordon is in his first year as an assistant coach at Canton Central Catholic. He was brought in to help with the offense, and that’s exactly what he did. The team scored more runs than any other Team in Ohio this season.

These three coaches led Canton Central Catholic to a state championship and they will never forget it.

The Journey to the State Championship

The Canton Central Catholic Crusaders have had an incredible journey to the State baseball championship. The team has faced many challenges, but they have overcome them all to make it to this point.

The Crusaders started the season with a difficult schedule, but they quickly proved that they were up for the challenge. They won their first nine games, including a victory over a very good team from Youngstown.

Central Catholic then faced its biggest test of the season, a three-game series against a team from Akron. The Crusaders lost the first game, but they came back to win the next two and take the series.

After that, it was smooth sailing for the rest of the regular season The Crusaders finished with a record of 20-4 and earned the top seed in the playoffs.

In the playoffs, Central Catholic cruised through the first two rounds, but they faced a tough opponent in the regional finals. The game went into Extra Innings but the Crusaders pulled out a victory to punch their ticket to state.

Now, Central Catholic is just one win away from becoming State Champions The team has worked hard all season and they are prepared to finish the job.

The Celebration After Winning

The Canton Central Catholic baseball team won the state championship on Saturday, and the celebration afterwards was electric.

The team’s fans flooded the field after the game, cheering and congratulating the players on their incredible achievement. The players were all smiles as they accepted hugs and handshakes from well-wishers.

It was a moment of pure joy for everyone involved, and a memory that will surely last a lifetime.

The Legacy of Canton Central Catholic’s State Baseball Championship

Canton Central Catholic won the Ohio State baseball championship in 1994, defeating Cincinnati La Salle in the final game. It was the first State baseball title for Canton Central Catholic, and the win had special meaning for the players and coaches involved.

The team was led by senior pitcher Jason Kander, who went on to play professional baseball Kander pitched a complete game in the state championship game, giving up just one run. The team’s other Key Players included senior infielder Scott Stringfellow and junior catcher Kyle Harty.

The State Championship win was a turning point for Canton Central Catholic’s baseball program The team went on to win two more state titles in 1995 and 1996. The legacy of those teams is still felt today, as Canton Central Catholic is one of the top baseball programs in Ohio.

The Future of the Program

Canton Central Catholic’s unofficial slogan is, “A Tradition of Excellence.” The Baseball Team has a storied history, winning state championships in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2017. The future of the program looks bright as well, with several key players returning next year.

The 2017 season was one for the ages. The team finished the Regular Season with an impressive 29-1 record. They then went on to win the State Tournament defeating defending champion Massillon Jackson in the semifinals and Walsh Jesuit in the final.

The key to the team’s success has been its pitching staff. Led by senior ace Michael Horejsei, the squad has been nearly unhittable all season. Horejsei will be attending nearby Walsh University next year on a baseball scholarship. Other key members of the pitching staff include junior Kyle Jones and sophomore Dominic Lewandowski.

The offense has also been potent, led by senior sluggers Brandon Bornhorst and Sam Bates. Bates, who also plays quarterback for the football team, has signed a Letter of Intent to play baseball at Ohio State University next year. Bornhorst, meanwhile, has received interest from several Division I schools but has not yet made a decision about his future.

The Coaching Staff has also been instrumental in the team’s success. head coach Malcolm Grayford is in his sixth season at Canton Central Catholic and has compiled a stellar 205-39 record during that time. His assistant coaches are Matt Zollinger, Tim Jones, and Brian Higgins.

With most of the Key Players returning next year and a strong coaching staff in place, Canton Central Catholic looks poised to make another run at a state championship in 2018.

The Importance of High School Baseball

High school baseball is important for many reasons. It helps young men learn important LIFE LESSONS such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication. It also provides them with an opportunity to bond with their classmates and create lasting memories. Finally, it gives them a chance to compete for a State Championship – something that Canton Central Catholic was able to do this year.