In a way, it kind of feels like going into an exam without doing much studying. But a lack of knowledge about Friday’s state semifinal opponent does not overly concern Triad head baseball coach Will Nichols.
Triad’s baseball team celebrates after the final out of Friday’s regional championship win over Lehman Catholic at Carleton Davidson Stadium in Springfield. The Cardinals play Cuyahoga Heights in the state semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday in Columbus. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MATT HAMMOND) |
“We don’t know much about them,” said Nichols of the Cuyahoga Heights squad the Cardinals face in a Division IV semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday at Huntington Park in Columbus. “We know they have a pretty good left-handed pitcher and a few pretty good hitters. Other than that, we don’t know a whole lot.
“It would be nice to have a really detailed scouting report, but at this point, you just have to go out and make plays. We have to show up and play baseball. It’s nothing different than we’ve seen before.”
The Cardinals (25-7) are in the state tournament for the third time in program history. Their last trip came in 2004, when they finished as runner-up to Newark Catholic.
Nichols, who is in his 19th year as Triad head coach, wants his players to savor every moment of the experience.
“It is really hard to get this far,” said Nichols. “Some coaches and players go through entire careers without getting to state. It is a bonus for me to do it twice, but I am more excited for this group of players that they can experience this. It will be something they never forget.”
Read complete story in Wednesday’s Examiner.
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