Season Recap

The Tusky Valley baseball team had a roller coaster season with ups and downs throughout before finishing the year with a 12-10 final record and a second place finish in the IVC North.

The team entered the season hoping to reverse a trend that has seen them get off to slow starts in recent years.  Unfortunately, terrible weather in March and early April made it difficult for the team to get outside on the field and limited the team to practicing mostly in the gym. “It frustrated us all because no team enjoys practicing in the gym,” said senior Seth Johnson.

Whether it was the lack of outdoor practice time or just a continuation of recent years, the Trojans once again got off to a slow start as they dropped their first four contests.

Ethan Love was First Team IVC for the Trojans

The Trojans bounced back from the slow start with a win over East Canton and then knocked off eventual district champion Ridgewood 10-9 on Craig Smolinsky’s walkoff single. “My favorite game was the Ridgewood game because we beat a good team with a walk off hit,” said Smolinsky.  “It was fun to play in.”

The Trojans had more excitement in the middle of the season when they had the opportunity to face the Canton South Wildcats at Canal Park in Akron.  Although the Trojans dropped a 3-1 decision, the opportunity to play at Canal Park was an amazing experience for the players. “My favorite game was against Canton South at Canal Park,” stated junior Ethan Love.  “It was my favorite because I got to experience playing on a minor league field.”

After a tough 4-2 loss at East Canton on April 26th the Trojan record stood at 6-9.  However, as they have in recent years the Trojans ended the season on a hot streak as they won six of their final seven contests to finish the season at 12-10.  Unfortunately, that one loss was a 1-0 tournament loss at Barnesville.

The Trojans came home in second place to the IVC North with a league record of 9-3.  The Trojans split their games with eventual league champion Sandy Valley but losses to Conotton Valley and East Canton doomed the Trojans chances at a league championship.

How would you summarize the 2018 season?

Craig Smolinsky - It was a roller coaster like all of the seasons. We start off bad but get better towards the end of the season.

Ethan Love - It was a fun season but we also could have had a better record.

Seth Johnson - We started off pretty rocky but fought through obstacles and ended strong.

Jared Kienzle - It was my most memorable.

What was your most memorable moment from the 2018 season (on or off the field)?

Craig Smolinsky - When I had the walk off hit against Ridgewood.

Ethan Love - Beating the top team (Sandy Valley) in the IVC North.

Seth Johnson - Hitting a home run off of Coach Jarvis.

Jared Kienzle - Beating Sandy Valley after they beat us by 16.

What was your favorite game of the season and why?

Craig Smolinsky - My favorite game was the Ridgewood game because we beat a good team with a walk off hit. It was fun to play in.

Ethan Love - My fvorite game was against Canton South at Canal Park. It was my favorite because I got to experience playing on a minor league field.

Seth Johnson - My favorite game of the season is when we beat strasburg 7-0 and both Coach Love and Coach Jarvis weren't there.

Jared Kienzle - Sandy Valley.

If you could only use one word to describe the season, what would it be and why?

Craig Smolinsky - Enjoyable.

Ethan Love - Quick. I would use this word because even though the games were all split up, I feel it went very quick.

Seth Johnson - Amazing.

Jared Kienzle - Roller coaster

How did you feel about playing in the IVC North as opposed to the PAC?

Craig Smolinsky - I enjoyed the IVC. There were some easy games but overall all of the games were competitive.

Ethan Love - I feel playing in the IVC made us weaker in the tournament compared to playing in the PAC.

Seth Johnson - I missed the PAC because I enjoyed playing the competition level in the PAC.

Jared Kienzle - Easier.

How did all of the rainouts affect the season for the team?

Craig Smolinsky - The rainouts were kind of a bummer. We played less games so it affected our playoff seeding.

Ethan Love - We had trouble getting things rolling, and that doesn't help when you aren't playing someone every other day.

Seth Johnson - It frustrated us all because no team enjoys practicing in the gym.

Jared Kienzle - We had to stay focused even though we were in the gym every day. We just had to have the right attitude and keep our heads on right.

Season Results

Opponent	W/L	Score
Coshocton	L	5-16
Conotton Valley	L	4-8
Doylestown Chippewa	L	1-3
Doylestown Chippewa	L	0-1
East Canton	W	18-0
Ridgewood	W	10-9
Sandy Valley	L	3-19
TCC	W	7-1
Claymont	W	12-0
Canton McKinley	L	5-6
Strasburg	W	10-0
Canton South	L	1-3
Malvern	W	15-2
Garaway	L	0-5
East Canton	L	2-4
Newcomerstown	W	12-0
Sandy Valley	W	9-6
Malvern	W	21-0
TCC	W	11-6
Strasburg	W	7-0
Barnesville	L	0-1
Conotton Valley	W	9-4

2018 Baseball Awards

Seth Johnson East-West All Star Game First Team IVC North Second Team District 5 Second Team East District	Ethan Love First Team IVC North First Team District 5 First Team East District	Craig Smolinsky Second Team IVC North Honorable Mention District 5 Honorable Mention East District
Tanner Phillips Second Team IVC North Honorable Mention IVC North Honorable Mention East District	Jared Kienzle Honorable Mention IVC North