Hoist it high…The Russia Raiders are the 2022 Division IV state champions in baseball after defeating Lincolnview 10-4 in the first of Saturday’s four title games in Akron. Read game details in the latest Press Pros update.

The two Shelby County League rivals got through their respective regional semi-final matches to set up Friday Finals reprise from a year ago – Loramie (below) vs. Russia for the chance to go to Akron next week.

They’re 11-5 after five weeks of off and on baseball, and their five losses have all been to state-ranked teams.  So with the tourney draw this weekend, why isn’t Russia (and pitcher Xavier Phlipot, below) being talked about more favorably in area Division IV baseball?

The Russia Raiders secured a firm grip on the SCAL after throwing out three Fort Loramie runners at the plate, and getting another in a rundown. Russia’s 7-1 win was the 11th straight for the Raiders, who debuted at No. 2 in the D-IV state poll. Read Greg Billing softball this coming Saturday.

Some sage motivation at the right time resonated with Tri-Village’s players over the summer and echoed loudly as an explanation for their ability to extend their own state title dreams, while ending Botkins’ attempt for a second straight championship. Bruce Hooley writes.

The Pleiman brothers put Botkins in front early and the Trojans’ sharp-shooting backcourt took the baton from there in a comfortable regional semifinal win that moves the defending Division IV champs within one win of a return trip to UD Arena. Bruce Hooley writes the story of Wednesday Press Pros.

The exact scenario Russia might have envisioned to further its upset hopes instead conspired against the Raiders, which shows just how talented defending state champion Botkins is and what the Trojans may be capable of again. (PressPros Feature Photos By Julie McMaken Wright).

Ty Ruhenkamp, scoring here on the break against Troy Christian’s Chase Dohme, led four Redskins in double figures to set up a Friday district semifinal against Shelby County League rival Jackson Center. (PressPros Feature Photo by Julie McMaken Wright)

It took longer than anticipated, but Russia’s Brayden Monnin helped his team advance without incident, just like defending state champion Botkins, in first-round sectional tournament action Saturday at Piqua (PressPros Feature Photos by Julie McMaken Wright).

Game winner….Jackson Center’s Camdyn Reese releases the game-winning shot with 4.7 seconds left to play Friday, lifting the Tigers to a heart-stopping 57-56 win over Anna. Read about the game in Saturday’s Press Pros.

In a defensive struggle between two of the state’s top five teams in Division IV, unbeaten and #1-ranked Fort Loramie pushed past #4 New Knoxville in the second half to come out the winner, 44-39. Read about the game in Wednesday’s Press Pros.

Botkins used its size, experience, and some big defensive plays from Carter Pleiman (below)Tuesday to defy the odds and beat Russia. Read about the game in Wednesday’s Press Pros.

Fort Loramie showed their pressure defense (below) along with torrid three-point shooting Thursday to remain unbeaten with a 59-37 win over Russia in Shelby County League play. Read about the game in the latest Press Pros update.

Senior Ava Sholtis (below) scored 14 of her game-high 21 points in the first half and the Fort Loramie Redskins cruised to their tenth straight win with a romp over West Liberty Salem. Read about the Redskins in the latest Press Pros feature update.

For a while they couldn’t miss. Nolan Fark (below) and the Jackson Center Tigers put on a shooting show Tuesday while holding an opponent to less than twenty points for the third game in a row. Fairlawn was the victim this time, losing to JC, 64-18. Read about the game in today’s inside feature.

The Pleiman brothers, Jacob (below) and Carter, did the heavy lifting, scoring 38 of their team’s 48 points in Botkins’ Tuesday win over Minster. Read about the game in today’s inside feature.

Kate Sherman (below) and company got hot at just the right times to send Russia past Fairlawn, 3-1, in Tuesday’s Division IV district final at Troy High School. Read about the match in Wednesday’s Press Pros.