McNicholas has plenty of experience, as well

By GREGG RETTIG

Managing Editor

Throughout the postseason, the Jonathan Alder baseball has credited its postseason experience from last year’s Division II state championship run for helping the Pioneers this season.

Alder’s opponent for today’s 5 p.m. Division II regional semifinal game at the University of Dayton, Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas, has plenty of experience of its own, Rockets coach Willie Corbett said.

McNick has played in four regional semifinal games in the last four seasons. They have lost all four.

“We need to win one of these things,” Corbett said.

“We have a great group of seniors, who have had success in the past. We’ve been here before and a lot of them played on the football team, which made it to the state semifinals.”

Corbett said his team is much like Alder (21-3). It’s built on pitching and defense.

“We don’t have anybody who is overpowering,” Corbett said. “Everybody takes turns.

File photo

Alder’s Adam Collier has been outstanding this season on the mound. He has thrown a no-hitter and expects to play a critical role as the Pioneers play Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas today.

“What we do have have is a tough skin. Our record (12-10) isn’t the greatest in the world, but we do play some tough competition in the (Greater Catholic League). All of our games have been close. When you can stay with Elder and Moeller, that’s saying something. I think that gives us an edge.”

Alder coach Craig Kyle said after the Pioneers beat Hilliard Bradley on Saturday to advance that he expects a good game with the Rockets.

“Everybody is good when you reach the Sweet 16,” Kyle said. “They also play in the GCL, so they played some good competition.”

Corbett said the Rockets’ pitching has come on of late.

“We challenging batters and consistently throwing strikes,” he said. “We have been playing well on defense, too.”