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PREP BASEBALL NOTES

Tigers No. 1 in the state for first time

WEST LIBERTY — Four weeks, 16 games, zero losses heading into Monday— those numbers tell the story of West Liberty-Salem's baseball season.

Now here's a new one: One.

That's what the Tigers are ranked in Division III in the Associated Press state poll released Monday.

"It feels good. I think the kids deserve it," West Liberty-Salem coach Toby Smith said. "They've worked really hard. They've played hard and done a lot over the course of the season."

The Tigers climbed as high as No. 2 in the poll last season, but they have never been No. 1 in school history.

"It's hard to do what they've done," Smith said. "They've played four games a week for four weeks. For them to keep their focus has been impressive."

Of the 40 teams ranked in the four divisions, only six are undefeated. The Tigers received eight of 21 first-place votes, which are cast by a state panel of coaches.

It's easy to see why the Tigers are still unbeaten.

Seven pitchers have earned wins, with Levi Woodruff (4-0, 0.81 ERA) and T.J. Fairchild (3-0, 1.31 ERA) leading the way. Nine hitters have at least 10 RBIs. Brad Coder (.407) leads the group with 27.

Sectional analysis

West Liberty-Salem was also the only area team to receive a No. 1 seed at Sunday's sectional draws. The Tigers start tournament play May 8 against Northeastern or Anna.

"We're more excited about the tournament," Smith said. "We could lose games very easily (the last two weeks of the regular season). That's not the big picture."

The Tigers' fellow Ohio Heritage Conference team, Southeastern, received a No. 2 seed in D-IV. The Trojans (12-7) will play Xenia Christian or Cedarville in the second round May 8.

In Division I, North got a No. 2 seed as well. If South beats Piqua on May 8, the Panthers and Wildcats will meet May 10. The city rivals have faced off in the sectional the last two years with North winning in 2004 and South prevailing a year ago.

"I'm really pleased with the draw," North coach Mark Stoll said. "Anytime you can receive one of the top four seeds, it's a bonus. ... You can't look ahead. South and Piqua are two very capable teams."

The D-II Urbana sectional will draw the most attention in this area. Six area schools (Graham, Greenon, Kenton Ridge, Northwestern Shawnee and Urbana) and 10 of the 12 Central Buckeye Conference teams will fight for two district final berths.

Shawnee coach Craig Isaac said most people call it the "Super Sectional." His Braves are 11-6 but had to settle for the No. 6 seed and the possibility of facing No. 1 seed and state seventh-ranked Bellefontaine in the sectional final in the bottom half of the bracket.

"The way my team plays, we feel like if we play well, we can compete with anybody," Isaac said. "If we don't play well, we won't. Any team can beat anybody on any given day."

Kenton Ridge (13-4) got the No. 2 seed in the upper half of the bracket. If the top seeds advance, the Cougars would play Graham in the second round and then No. 3 seed Northwestern or Tipp City in the sectional final.