Revenge-minded Russia set to tangle with Hawks

From the perspective of the Russia baseball team and coach, the only thing that has stood in the way of Russia winning (possibly) three consecutive state championships is the Hiland Hawks.

The Raiders took the state title in 2022. In the 2023 state championship game, their team rallied from a 4-0 deficit to tie Hiland at 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth. But in a bases-loaded, one-out situation, relief pitcher Ike Yoder struck out two Russia batters to end the comeback. Hiland proceeded to score six times in the top of the fifth, then never looked back. The final score was 14-4, and the Hawks dethroned the Raiders.

On Saturday at 7 p.m. in Akron’s Canal Park, 27-4 Russia tangles with 25-5 Hiland once again, this time in the second of the two OHSAA Division IV state semifinal games.

If Russia triumphs, it goes on to the finals, gunning for its second title in three years. If the Hawks win, they advance to the final contest seeking their second consecutive title.

Two great programs are striving to make it two-of-three state championships in the past three seasons. Only one will get that opportunity.

For Hiland, this appearance also marks the second time the program has appeared in the state championship in back-to-back seasons. They did it last in 2016 (state title) and 2017.

In remarks given to reporters after Russia defeated Troy Christian 12-3 in its regional final, Raiders head coach Kevin Philpot defined the upcoming game in crystal-clear terms.

They relish a chance to return the favor after last season’s defeat.

Russia is a veteran, record-setting team. Leadoff batter Felix Francis set new marks for runs (48) and stolen bases (36) in a season. Hayden Quinter has the Raiders’ mark for career hits (137) and Branden Monnin for career runs (113). All three are seniors, as is Ben Rinderle, one of Russia’s two probable starting pitchers for the tournament. The other is junior flamethrower Braylon Cordonnier, who has already secured a baseball scholarship to Marshall University.

Then there is the Hawks.

Coach Chris Dages credits the excellent effort and constant improvement of his players as the main reason why Hiland is back in the state championships.

“They have worked extremely hard to put themselves in this position,” Dages said. “We set ourselves high expectations at the beginning of the year — being able to compete (again) for a state championship. These players have the opportunity to experience it twice, but it didn’t happen by accident.”

Dages praised the work of pitchers junior Caden Coblentz and senior Finn Schneider and also the backstop efforts of junior catcher Danny Hostetler, calling pitches and keeping the opposition’s running game in check.

“Defensively, we need to keep playing clean and not allow the other team to get extra outs in inning or take extra bases,” Dages said.

On offense everyone knows how explosive the Hawks have become. When a team scores 31 runs in its two regional tournament games, the whole state of Ohio takes notice.

“Our bats are extremely hot right now, particularly in the middle of our lineup,” Dages said. “Cody Yoder (.478 average), Colin Coblentz (.402 average) and Brady Yoder (.363 average) are doing a lot of damage every time they come to the plate.”

However, Dages also praises his hurlers for Hiland’s return to the state tournament.

“On the flip side, our pitching has been very sharp, keeping hitters off-balance with their ability to execute any pitch they throw,” Dages said.

As two juggernauts collide, expect a fiercely contested and spirited game between Russia and Hiland on Saturday night, where fireworks are expected, one way or another.

Other Div. IV teams competing at state

The Hillsdale Falcons finished in third place in the Wayne County Athletic Conference. The Falcons are 19-11, having defeated Warren John F. Kennedy to advance to state semis. They were last in the state semis/state finals in 2019 and were state runner-up in that tournament.

Fort Recovery is 15-12, having advanced to the state semis by upsetting Leipsic 5-1. The Fort Recovery Indians finished sixth in the regular season in the Midwest Athletic Conference. Near the Indiana border in Mercer County, the Indians were last in the state semis/finals in 2016.