PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Over at Leyland Field, the Yellow Jackets baseball team is hard at work getting ready for their first state semifinal game appearance since 2011.
"Now we've got a new mindset," senior standout Matt Hubbard said following the team's regional final win over St. Edward. "Done with that game, and we're going right to this game now."
This is head coach Dave Hall's third appearance in the state semifinal in his 39 seasons at the helm of the program.
"I think the kids are excited," Hall said. "I think the parents are more excited. I think the community is excited. We'll get to work this week and see how we do Friday."
Perrysburg's journey to the state semis has been unlikely. The Yellow Jackets finished 4th in the Northern Lakes League Buckeye Division out of five teams. Coaches and players say the difficult schedule prepared them for the competition in the state tournament.
"Everybody in our division beat us," Hall said. "The other division teams are just as good. I don't know if there's a better 11-team league around. It just gets you prepared for a tournament run."
Hall says what makes this team different from the other ones of the past decade since their last appearance, is how close the players are, and he believes players are performing their best at the right time.
"I just think they enjoy being here, and that makes a big difference," Hall said.
Hubbard, who was named to the All-Ohio 2nd Team over the weekend, agrees.
"We all play as brothers. It feels good to play with these guys," the Toledo baseball commit said.
Perrysburg faces Mason in the semifinal. The Comets are led by Ohio Division I Player of the Year Jake Hanley, who is committed to play at Indiana University. The Jackets say they need to be ready for some high-speed pitching if they want to come away with a win.
"We have to play perfect defense," Hall said. "We've got to pitch well. They got some good ball players too. Anything can happen."
The Yellow Jackets semifinal game is set to begin Friday at 7 p.m. at Canal Park in Akron.
If Perrysburg wins, they will face the winner of Twinsburg and Olentangy Berlin on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the Division I state championship.