Chardon vs. Canfield baseball regional semifinal preview

(1) Chardon vs. (2) Canfield

What: Division II Hudson regional semifinal

When: May 24, 2 p.m.

Where: The Ball Park at Hudson, 7250 Stow Road

On deck: The winner advances to a Hudson regional final May 25 against the winner of Tallmadge and Revere.

For the record: Chardon (20-9) is back at the regional level for the first time since 2012. The Hilltoppers’ Jefferson District title also coincides with their return to Division II, where they last won a district championship. ... Chardon won 13 of its first 15 games before the Hilltoppers endured a five-game losing streak during Western Reserve Conference play. The ensuing self-evaluation led to improvements that helped Chardon move forward to defeat Gilmour, 1-0, May 17. ... Senior left-hander Dakota Baldwin (6-2, 2.06 ERA) will take the ball for Chardon’s regional semifinal. The Hilltoppers’ ace has struck out 66 hitters in 55 1/3 innings and held Geneva to two unearned runs in Chardon’s district semifinal victory over the Eagles. ... Chardon features a deep offense filled with hitters who drive the ball. Seven regulars bat .323 or higher, led by Baldwin’s .468 average. Catcher Dylan Hemly’s hit a team-best three home runs and second baseman Grant Goodge leads the team with 31 RBI. ... Canfield (19-7) is back at Hudson after the Cardinals were runners-up to 2017 regional champion Tallmadge. Canfield’s won 11 of its past 12 games, with the only loss coming by a run to defending D-I state champion Massillon Jackson. The Cardinals played Chardon on May 11, when Canfield won, 6-2.

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