Richmond Heights High School - Yearbook (Richmond Heights, OH)

Page 88 text:

So Close. Senior Donny Dalessandro looks on with depression. Donny, along with teammate Ray Tropp, was an all-conference contender. DEJECTION - close , yet so far It was the best of times it was the worst of times. This was the situation for the Rich- mond Heights Baseball Spar- tans. After winning the E.S.C. championship for four straight years, the Spartans finally settled for second place. The team, however, was still in the playoffs and had hopes of buying back the state trophy. Junior Paul Mysyk comments, Losing the Conference Championship was heartbreak- ing, but a chance to go to state makes it all worthwhile. With a lack of hitting power the Spartans utilized smart play and solid defense to take home both the sectional and district trophies. One more step to state. With the reminis- cence of last year ' s 7-4 heartbreaking loss, the team entered the Dover Regionals. The Spartans fought hard for six innings. The game was deadlocked at 3-3 and Rich- mond had a man at third with no outs. The team could not execute and bowed out in Do- ver the second year in a row, this time with a 5-3 loss to Conotton Valley. Behind pitchers John Zitel, John Raguz, John Petti and re- lief man Ray Tropp, the Spar- tans completed a 16-9 overall record. We had high hopes for our pitchers at the begin- ning of the season because they were all varsity exper- ienced. stated Senior Don Dalessandro. The Spartans amassed an 8- 5 independent record against some tough triple A teams. The disappointment of the year was losing the conference for the first time since 1978. Losing four conference games (8-4) was one too many. — N.T. 84 Baseball

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Nice And Easy. Senior Phil Minick returns a fore- hand volley against his opponent Phil was one of three seniors that participated on the 1982-83 spartan tennis team. Standing Tall. Senior Rick Quade, Richmond Heights High School ' s first state qualifier. Quade set a four year varsity record with a record of 71-16. 1982-83 Boys Tennis 14-5-0 RHHS Opp. 2 Perry 1 2 Harvey 1 4 Garfield Hts. 1 1 Chagrin Falls 4 3 Eastlake North 2 1 Beachwood 4 3 Kirtland 2 5 Lake Catholic 3 Ch ardon 2 3 Kirtland 2 4 Chardon 1 1 Beachwood 4 2 Perry 3 Euclid 2 4 Brooklyn 1 5 Harvey Brooklyn 5 Benedictine Suburban Invitational- First Place Keep Your Eye On The Ball. Senior Rick Smrtnik does some work on his backhand during a practice session. Smrtnik was one half of the Dynamic Duo. 1983 Boys Tennis Back How: Coach Bob Nagy. Rick Quade. Rick Smrtnik, David Seach, Phil Minick Front Row: Paul Barnes, Todd Truax, David Pelieg, Joe Giacommin. Boys Tennis 83

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Time Out. Senior pitcher John Zitel takes a rest after being pulled from the game. John was also a first team third baseman with a .434 average. Let ' s Go Bob. Lending a helping hand, sophomore Jeff Zitel takes time to give Bob Potokar some ad- vice on the mound. Both were members of the J.V. team. 1983 Boys Baseball 16-9-0 RHHS 0pp. 7 Euclid 8 4 Hawken 5 3 Aurora 1 8 Berkshire 2 3 Chardon 7 4 Cardinal 5 6 Clev. Hts. 8 9 St. Ignatius 4 4 Kirtland 5 8 Beachwood 1 15 Newbury 3 4 Painsville Harvey 7 9 Berkshire 2 9 Chardon 5 16 Collinwood 8 Cardinal 3 Kirtland 5 9 Beachwood 2 14 Newbury Tournament 5 3 Independence 19 Cuy. Hts. 4 7 Hillsdale 5 4 Mapleton 1 3 Conotton Valley 5 1983 Varsity Boy ' s Baseball— Front Row: Greg Crudele, Steve Sabatos. Middle Row: Bob Potokar Jim Richards, Jeff Zitel, Bob Raddell, Steve Organiscak, Mike Haas, Nick Tibaldi. Back Row: Coach Larry Kletecka, Bob Suszek. Paul Mysyk, John Raguz, John Petti, Ray Tropp, Tom Tarsitano, Don Dalessandro, John Zitel, Ed DiPaolo, Don Sny- der, Coach Ken Wohlgamuth. Baseball 85