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This weekend the MAC goes for two more titles with Coldwater and Minster playing in the high school baseball state semifinals. The MAC has won 14 baseball titles overall, including six by Coldwater and three by Minster.
At times, tournaments can feel like the MAC versus the state with non-conference teams eager to earn a signature win over the MAC. For MAC teams, though, the in-conference rivalry ends after the final play.
Minster won the Division IV regional championship playing on Coldwater’s home field on Sunday. Moments after the game Coldwater coach Brian Harlamert, who was in attendance, walked over to the Minster dugout to give a hitting tip to a Wildcats’ player.
“We all compete and we’re all rivals,” Harlamert said. “In the end we’re all friends.”
Perhaps no two coaches demonstrate that more than Minster’s Mike Wiss and Harlamert. The two played together at the University of Dayton – Harlamert a center fielder and Wiss a pitcher – and were roommates for three seasons. They remain best friends.
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“I’m hoping they do well as I’m sure they’re hoping Minster does well,” Wiss said. “We’re cheering for each other.”
Minster (22-7) plays Jeromesville Hillsdale (22-2) in the Division IV semifinals 4 p.m. Friday. Antwerp (19-5) plays Toronto (25-5) at 7 p.m. in the other semifinal. The championship game is 1 p.m. Sunday.
Coldwater (25-6) plays St. Bernard Roger Bacon (18-10) in the D-III semis 4 p.m. Saturday. West Lafayette Ridgewood (23-9) plays Canton Central Catholic (24-6) at 7 p.m. in the other semi. The championship game is 7 p.m. Sunday.
All games are at Akron’s Canal Park, the home of the Akron RubberDucks and the Cleveland Indians’ Double-AA minor league affiliate.
The MAC has qualified at least one team to the state semifinals in eight of the past nine seasons. Five different MAC teams have played in the state semis since 2011 and have won four state titles. Playing that type of competition on regular basis, with the addition of non-league games against the Shelby County Athletic League among others, has the conference facing tournament-caliber teams every week.
“I understand what people may say or hear across the state, but honestly to a guy that’s now lived it for 25 years and lived it as a kid, it’s very true. We pride ourselves on who we play,” Wiss said.
Minster enters the state tournament with a 12-game winning streak following a 1-0 victory over Fairfield Cincinnati Christian in the regional final. The Wildcats were sitting at 6-4 and struggling following the loss of sophomore teammate Jackson Hogenkamp, who died of bone cancer on April 6. The team held a few heart-to-heart talks and rallied. They enter the state semifinals on a 12-game winning streak.
“It just seems like this group is pretty resilient,” Wiss said. “They’ve battled through some tough times this season, one of them being the loss of a teammate. It was a difficult time and we battled through it. These are life lessons. … You’re as good as your seniors. Right now our seniors are playing good baseball.”
Coldwater started 0-3 thanks in part to eight of its top 14 players missing key practice time with the basketball team’s D-III regional final appearance. The Cavaliers have won 20 straight, including a D-III regional title win over Archbold. Coldwater won 5-4, scoring all of its runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
“It’s unique and special. We’re hoping like crazy both of us can advance to the finals,” Harlamert said. “For me and Mike we’re very close friends so it’s fun. … We’re hoping our whole program enjoys this and our community comes back home with a title.”
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