BARBERTON: Archbishop Hoban seems to have hit on a winning formula in this year’s baseball tournament.
For the second time in eight days, it centered on Drew Kline. And for the second consecutive time, the senior left-hander fired a shutout as the Knights’ march continued Wednesday afternoon.
And Kline also furnished his own run support, knocking in all the runs in a 3-0 victory over second-seeded Copley in a Barberton Division I district semifinal.
Kline (3-4) scattered four hits, struck out eight and walked only two. He stranded one runner on base each of the first six innings, retiring the side in order in the seventh. He finished with a flourish, getting the final two batters on called third strikes on wicked curveballs.
Kline,a mound mainstay for Hoban over the past four years, is saving his best for when it matters most.
“Actually all four years I’ve been here, we’ve played strictly a [Division I] schedule,” Kline said. “It’s been real cool, like, being able to face kids that I know are going to challenge me and me be able to challenge them back and get ahead in the count and just throw strikes.”
No. 5 seed Hoban (16-12) faces No. 4 Highland, a 5-2 winner over No. 1 Wadsworth in eight innings, in Thursday’s district final at 4:30 p.m.
Kline was also up to the challenge wielding a bat. He went 2-for-3, ripping a two-run single to right center in the third. He singled through the right side in the fifth, driving in Tyler Canova who slid across the plate, beating the tag for a 3-0 lead.
“Just seeing the ball well tonight,” Kline said. “My first at-bat I struck out and didn’t get the bunt down, which I have to do. I made the adjustment, saw the ball come right out of his hand, squared it up and got Tyler in twice and got another run in to put us ahead.”
Canova, a senior center fielder, went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and scored two runs. He also turned in the defensive gem of the day, racing to his left to make a diving catch with a runner on base for the second out of the sixth.
“He made a heck of a catch for me out there today,” Kline said. “I’ve actually played with him since I was 13. Probably one of my best friends I’ve ever had, on and off the field. Love the kid, love the way he acts and plays. He just gets after it.”
Hoban’s first-year coach Andy Capraruolo said Kline “competed extremely well.”
“He wanted the moment, he seized the moment and he executed,” Capraruolo said. “Not only offensively but defensively. He’s been a catalyst for us all year. One thing with us is what’s next. Move on to tomorrow. That’s the big thing.”
Two freshmen got Hoban’s third inning off to a good start. Isaiah Jackson doubled and Mack Timbrook moved him up with a bunt single. Copley third baseman Jake Nedolast fielded Canova’s grounder and trapped Jackson off third for the first out.
Sophomore Ben Lefebvre’s infield hit loaded the bases, setting up Kline’s two-run single for a 2-0 lead.
The Knights totaled nine hits off Copley senior right-hander Jarod Deagan (6-2), who struck out five and walked two in six innings.
“We kind of struggled to string anything together,” Copley coach Mike Chuppa said. “We had guys on here and there but to get any momentum, they made that really tough for us.
“Certainly disappointed with the outcome of the game, but proud of my guys and proud of the way they fought. Not just today, but all year.”
Read the high school blog at http://www.ohio.com/preps.