By Dylan Hefflinger
Managing Editor/NW Scout 

COLUMBUS, OH – The Massillon Jackson Polar Bears advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 1947 and went on to win their first state championship ever after defeating two-time defending state champion Cincinnati Moeller as seen here. The 5th ranked Polar Bears used a team effort to defeat No. 40 North Royalton 5-1 to capture its first state championship.

The Polar Bears used another one-two punch on the mound to hold North Royalton to just one run on six hits. Sophomore Sam Miller (pictured right) picked up the win and Ryan Gusbar (Ashland commit) contributed with three innings on the bump.

Jackson got on the board in the first with two runs.

Unsigned senior Kyle Mottice led the game off with a single to left, advancied to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tim Turner that North Royalton tried to get Mottice at second unsuccessfully. A walk followed to load the bases.

Senior Seth Vellucci then hit a sacrifice fly to score Mottice. Senior Mike McCann hit into a fielder's choice, however, the throw to first was wide allowing Turner to score, putting the Polar Bears up 2-0.

North Royalton cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second when Walsh U commit Frank Frate (senior) singled home Reese Albright who got on via a walk.

The one run is all the Bears could muster, however, while the Polar Bears added one in the fourth, sixth and seventh.

In the fourth, Jake Pollatta singled home AJ Kloehn (Lafayette commit) who reached via the walk.

McCann led the sixth off with a double to left, later scoring on an RBI single to right by Brennan Dingler.

The Polar Bears got its 5th and final run in the seventh as Velluci reached thanks to an error and pinch runner Nate Rearick scored on a McCann single through the left side past short and third to put Jackson on top 5-1

Top Performers:

• Sam Miller, picked up the win on the mound going four innings allowing just two hits and one walk.
• Kyle Mottice, had two singles and a run scored.
• Mike McCann (pictured right), had a single, double, RBI and run scored.
• Nate Kocan, went 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk.
• Bryan Bielak, went 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk.

Linescore

Massillon Jackson    200  101  1  -  5  7  0

North Royalton         010  000  0  -  1  6  3

Records: Massillon Jackson 26-5, North Royalton 22-8.

Winning pitcher: Sam Miller 9-0 (4 inning, 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 strikeouts, 1 walk). Other: Ryan Gusbar (3 innings, 1 run, 4 hits, 1 strikeout, 2 walks).

Losing pitcher: Noah Sasse 6-2 (5 innings, 4 runs, 3 ER, 5 hits, 0 strikeouts, 3 walks. Other: Alex Sir Louis (2 innings, 1 run, 0 ER, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts, 0 walks).

Leading hitters: (Massillon Jackson, 7 hits) – Kyle Mottice 2 singles; Mike McCann single, double; Jake Sima single; Brennan Dingler single, SB; Jake Pollatta single. (North Royalton, 6 hits) – Nate Kocan 2 singles; Bryan Bielak 2 singles; Jack Marousek single; Frank Frate single.