by John Fanta ‘13
Remember that team that started their regular season with two losses and had the depth and talent heading into the season to potentially go all the way? That same team is still around, except for one thing. The team with a couple of losses has turned into a squad with a .778 winning percentage. The 2013 Saint Ignatius baseball squad has shown that first impressions are not always accurate. This team has averaged just above seven runs a game in its 27 contests and has shown time and again that it does have potential to go all the way with its pitching depth and clutch moments.
Seeded 2nd in the OHSAA Baseball Strongsville Sectional/District in state tournament play, Coach Brad Ganor’s team continues to tune itself up with the postseason looming. The Wildcats have won 16 of 17 and have scheduled some additions to their regular season in order to get more baseball in and stay fresh. In the Brecksville District, the Wildcats’ biggest competitors are 1st-seeded Brecksville-Broadview Heights and 3rd-seeded Strongsville. “We will continue to take things at one game at a time. This team has been really special, but we want to do even more,” said senior second baseman and Illinois recruit Dan Rowbottom. The ‘Cats went 2-1 in Ohio Jesuit Tournament action with the big highlight being a 5-4 walkoff win over always-prestigious Walsh Jesuit in the OJT opener. Saint Ignatius had not won an OJT game in the past two seasons, as you would have to go back to May of 2010 to find a victory before this year’s tournament. Coach Brad Ganor’s team would not be denied was what is a great way to get ready for postseason play as well.
Although the nine-game winning streak may seem like something meaningful for Saint Ignatius baseball, the sense around the team members is that a regular season streak is not where they want to have memories from the most. The Wildcats began postseason play with an 8-0 Sectional Final win over Berea. Their next playoff contest will be a District Semifinal matchup Thursday against Midpark in Strongsville. “We don’t want to be peaking right now. When June 8th (OHSAA Baseball Division I State Championship Game) hits, that’s when we want to be playing our best baseball,” said Coach Brad Ganor on the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network last month. The Wildcats have the potential to do memorable things, with a senior trio at the top of their line-up. Dan Rowbottom, Tyler Finkler, and Conor Hennessey make up one of the toughest starts to a batting order that a pitcher has to face. From one to nine, this line-up is stacked, as Nick Fabian (Plain Dealer Player of the Week in the first week of May) is the clean-up hitter, left fielder, and even a reliable arm on the rubber for the ‘Cats to go to when they need him. He can do almost anything, which is what I like to call a five-tool player. Junior right fielder Nick Longo, senior third baseman Cole Nieto, and sophomore catcher Alex Panstares have all been big contributors near the bottom of the order, while Kevin Hagen, Pat Gulick, number nine hitter Joe Khoury, and Quillen Austria (Mr. Makes-Things-Happen) have been guys at the bottom of the line-up that are absolutely not your typical players to be placed there. Depth is everywhere on this Saint Ignatius team, so energy is present on a daily basis and there is enough competition going on within practice for roles, which makes it tougher (yet more positive) for Coach Brad Ganor as he decides who can make the big plays.
From the pitching end of things, senior ace and Ashland recruit Tom Rolle has had another strong year, which Coach Ganor needs him to continue as he leads the way. Southpaw Nick Margevicius, righty Nick Fabian, and fire-baller Matt Lynch have all made starts, and that’s certainly not all. Tiffin recruit Kyle Pluta has been relied upon for crucial innings, as well as Shane Skuhrovec. A guy who has filled his role as the closer of the team very nicely is MJ Nara. Originally a guy playing for the stellar junior varsity team led by Coach Tim Clark, Nara has really made himself into a varsity pitcher, with big save after save for the blue and gold.
In the grand scheme of things, the game of baseball never ceases to amaze us. Every time you walk into a ballpark, you truly don’t know what you’re going to come across throughout the game. Predictions are nice, but baseball throws twists and turns. That’s just the way the game is, and that’s why it is a major sport. The Saint Ignatius baseball team has the ability to go all the way, but the players must brace for the ride of the OHSAA tournament. This team certainly has the talent and depth, but now it’s time to make it happen!
The SIBN has full coverage of Saint Ignatius baseball. Go to Ignatius.edu/sibn for our schedule to find more out. Go to Ignatius.edu/baseball for the latest news about the ‘Cats on the diamond.
