Russia vs Hiland Preview: The only thing certain is the past

The Raiders need just one more gold medal for a complete 2024 set

Here we go again!

Russia is back in the Division IV State Tournament for a third consecutive year! This Saturday at 7:00 PM the Raiders play at Canal Park in Akron for the fifth time in three seasons. During that span, there's no other away venue the team has appeared at more times than the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The once unimaginable and overwhelming statistics surrounding Russia's run is something Raider fans may never see again. Actually, I believe I made a similar statement last year. 

Since last Friday's regional championship over Troy Christian, a variety of folks have approached me and simply asked, can Russia do it? The word "it" translates to beating state-ranked #1 Berlin Hiland in Saturday's semifinals. You might recall, this is the same Hiland program that beat Russia last year in the state finals. That game was tied 4-4 after four innings and the Hawks scored 10 unanswered runs to make the final a 14-4 run rule. Russia threw their top four available pitchers, but couldn't stop the Hiland bats and their 15 hits. The Raiders also managed just three hits of their own against two flame-throwing pitchers names Will Schlabach and Isaak Yoder. Will and Isaak are now Hiland alumni, but since I'm mentioning last year, let's take a look at that Hawks box score from 2023 and analyze the differences between last season versus this season.

Players Gone

I put red lines through all five departed Hiland seniors. I'll also do the math and tell you those graduates accounted for 8-of-11 RBI, along with all seven innings pitched. Russia graduated three seniors as well, including their top two batters in the lineup that day and one pitcher that appeared in relief. Those three Raiders combined, totaled one base hit and gave up one earned run in the game.

Stiff Competition

In 2023 Hiland finished with a record of 30-1, the one loss coming on the back end of a doubleheader versus a D-II school. In 2024 so far, Hiland has tallied a record of 25-5. Four of their five losses are one-run defeats to bigger divisions and there was one four-run loss to a D-II school. Russia's final record in 2023 was 26-7. In 2024 they're currently 27-4 with three losses to bigger divisions and one 2-0 loss versus D-IV Marion Local in the second game of the season.

Hitting & Pitching

Last year Hiland scored an average of 8.87 runs per game. They also gave up an average of 1.74 per game. This year they're scoring 7.56 and giving up 1.66. Does that mean the Hawk bats aren't as hot this season, but maybe the pitching is a little better? Except, Hiland won the regional tournament with scores of 13-2 and 18-0. This year Russia is averaging an additional 2.35 more runs than last year and giving up a microscopic 0.02 more runs to their opponents. The Raiders won their regional tourney games 6-2 and 12-3. 

Top Talent

Hiland has replaced those two previously mentioned state final pitchers with senior Finn Schneider (6-1) and junior Caden Coblentz (8-1). Russia's top two hurlers are senior Jude Counts (7-1) and junior Braylon Cordonnier (7-0). When it comes to previewing the Hawks batting line-up this weekend, the box score on the right is their regional final blowout last Friday. The first four batters are leading the team averages with Caden Coblentz (3B) hitting .369, senior Cody Yoder (CF) .478, junior Colin Coblentz (RF) .402 and senior Brady Yoder (SS) .363. The Raiders top two hitters on the season are Braylon Cordonnier going 42-for-84 at a .500 clip and senior Felix Francis swinging 45-for-100 at .450. Speaking of Russia batters, it's worth noting that seniors Hayden Quinter and Brayden Monnin are wrapping up four-year varsity careers with an eye-popping statistic. Hayden has recorded close to 450 at-bats and Brayden isn't far behind with around 410. It's safe to say that dynamic duo has literally seen it all when it comes to fastballs and curveballs.

History Lesson

Both Hiland and Russia have a common lineage named baseball. This weekend marks Hiland's seventh trip to the state tournament with titles in 2023 and 2016 (D-III), and runner-up finishes in 2017 (D-III), 2008 and 2000. The only year they came home empty-handed was 2012. Russia is making their sixth trip to state and they've always brought home hardware. In 2022 and 1971 it was gold trophies, and silver ones in 2023, 2017 and 1975. The two-year rivalry between the Hawks and Raiders will also likely conclude this season, as it's almost certain that realignment to seven divisions in 2025 will have Hiland in D-VI and Russia in D-VII.

Road Trip

Finally, it's possible there's a few lukewarm Russia fans getting bored with the third straight June of pre-game tailgates and the limelight of baseball's biggest stage. Those same folks might be contemplating the 200 mile drive to Akron, and whether to watch your state-ranked #4 Raiders in person or streaming on the internet from home. If that's your dilemma this weekend, allow me to remind you of a similar situation in 2022. Unranked Russia earned a Saturday morning title shot versus #3-ranked Lincolnview, with an unbeaten starting pitcher headed to The Ohio State University. It was 51 years since the Raiders last state championship and the critics were everywhere. However, head coach Kevin Phlipot's squad roughed up the future Buckeye and shocked Ohio with an unforgettable 10-4 victory. Rest assured, anyone who caravanned from zip code 45363 remembers how incredibly special that moment was. Who knows, maybe the stars will line up again on Saturday evening at Canal Park. We're not referring to the stadium light poles in prime time either.

Oh, and that's just the semifinals. See you in Akron.

Perhaps Braylon Cordonnier was asking his teammates last Friday in Cincinnati if they're ready for their second state title this weekend in Akron (Picture via Russia Baseball Facebook)