​​T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY PICTURED IS the Harrison Central baseball team, which won the Division III Eastern DIstrict championship and will take on Winchester Eastern Thursday at Ohio Dominican in Columbus. Front row, from left, are managers Maddox Valesko, Grayson Madzia, Blake Barcroft and Kam Vancuren. Second row, from left, are Wyatt Pierce, Tre Rex, Cabot Arbaugh, Jace Madzia, Kaden Jurosko, Treston Nemeth and R.J. Belon. Third row, from left, are E.J. Keener, Reed Arbaugh, Cole Saiter, Leland Lopez, Tucker Snyder, Kayden Dunkle, Anthony Pelegreen, Chaz Culbertson, Braden Cook and Colten Rutter. The coaching staff, from left, are Dave Barcroft, A.J. Barsch, head coach Mike Valesko, Ian White, Brandon Mitchell, Brian Gossett, Logan Barsch and Derek Madzia.

CADIZ — Harrison Central’s school year officially ended late last week.

It’s baseball season, however, marches onward.

The Huskies (17-12) will venture to Ohio Dominican University in Columbus on Thursday for a 5 p.m. first pitch against Winchester Eastern in a Division III regional semifinal, marking the third trip to the Sweet 16 in school history and first since 2016.

“It’s definitely an exciting time when you’re still practicing and playing (games) when school is out,” Huskies head coach Mike Valesko said. “We’re at the point where the school work is done and the kids can just enjoy and focus on baseball.”

The Huskies sewed up their third district title a week ago with a 10-0 victory in six innings against top-seeded Fort Frye. A day later, Eastern claimed a Southeast District title by knocking off Minford, 4-1.

“We went down and watched their district championship game and they look like a team that’s similar to many teams we’ve played in terms of their athleticism and talent, so we’re going to have to be ready to play,” Valesko said.

Harrison Central entered the postseason with a modest 13-12 record. It edged Ridgewood and Martins Ferry to get to the district where it rallied past Buckeye Trail before dominating the aforementioned district final.

“Give our guys credit,” Valesko said. “We’ve played a challenging schedule, including 20 games against Division II or larger schools. That’s paid off for us in the tournament. Our schedule won’t allow us to go 25-5 or something. But, our guys have kept believing and playing.”

The Warriors, meanwhile, come into the game with tournament wins over Fayetteville-Perry (2-1), Felicity-Franklin (11-1) and Fairland (4-1) prior to the Minford win.

As for what lies ahead in the regional, Valesko believes the tournament is wide open. The other side of the bracket finds perennial power Wheelersburg taking on Lucasville Valley at 11 a.m. in Chillicothe.

“Obviously, when there are only 16 teams left, everyone is good and everyone has good pitching,” Valesko said. “But, we’re fortunate that there isn’t anyone in this region who is throwing 90 mph and I really believe anyone can win this thing.”

Should the Huskies win on Thursday, they will remain in Central Ohio for the night and then take on the winner of the other semifinal at 3 p.m. at Lancaster.

Harrison Central enters the regional coming off what Valesko called its best performance of the season. All facets of the game were clicking. Harrison Central pounded out 16 hits, didn’t commit an error and oh by the way, Nemeth threw a no hitter.

It’s all been part of the process for the Huskies, who came up short in both the OVAC Tournament and Buckeye 8 championship games.

“You’d rather play your best game in the district final as compared to March 25 or something,” Valesko said. “We had goals and expectations coming into the season and honestly if we hadn’t gotten to the district final, it would have been a little disappointing. We put so much emphasis on it that maybe it did take away from some of the things we did accomplish during the season.”

The Huskies process didn’t really start in the preseason or in the winter months. It started in 2013 when they advanced to their first state tournament before falling in the state semifinals.

“It really laid the groundwork and showed that the process works,” Valesko said. “Obviously, (getting to the state tournament) is very challenging and tough to do, but it changes the mindset when you accomplish it. Winning the district is great, but now, let’s go win the regional.”

Valesko — citing his own personal health and well being — is giving the ball to Nemeth on Thursday. The University of Dayton signee has been a bulldog on the bump this season, which has been his only real time to be utilized as a pitcher.

“If I don’t give the ball to Treston, he has the best chance of beating me up,” Valesko joked. “All kidding aside, it’s hard not to give him the ball. We trust all of our pitchers, but the way he pitched last week was impressive.”

Indeed.

Nemeth has worked 36.1 innings and has an earned run average of 2.31. He’s fanned 36 hitters and allowed only 30 hits.

Wyatt Pierce is another viable option and could pitch Friday should Harrison advance or would be an option out of the pen. He’s 5-2 with 53.1 innings of work with a team-best 2.23 earned run average.

The Huskies will take on a Warriors’ lineup that is led by Wyatt Haupt, who Valesko believes will be their starting pitcher, too. He was the winning pitcher in the district semifinal.

Pryce Murphy picked up the mound win with a complete-game effort in which he surrendered six hits in the district title game. He also had a double and hits in the second spot, which is one spot ahead of Haupt.

Carter Vaughn hits in the lead-off spot, while Haupt, Brandon Bailey and Jackson Prine comprise the heart of the Warriors’ order.

“From the information we’ve been able to find, it seems their top four guys really swing it well and Haupt is hitting .436,” Valesko said. “We saw them field the ball well and they make the plays when they needed to.”

As for the Huskies’ offense, Nemeth is the unquestioned leader. A soon-to-be three-time All-Ohioan and three-time OVAC Player of the Year, Nemeth is hitting a robust .551 and has driven a team-high 39 runs. He has a slugging percentage of .859 and has scored 34 runs and swiped 20 bases.

“Regardless if you’re talking about him as a baseball player, a student or just a person, Treston is an unbelievable young man,” Valesko said. “He raises everyone’s game. When your best player is the hardest worker, it changes kids and a program.”

Senior third baseman Jace Madzia has been on an offensive tear in the tournament. He’s raised his batting average to .311 and has 29 RBI.

Lead-off hitter Kaden Jurosko has been a table setter for Nemeth. He’s hitting .300 and has scored 38 runs, which leads the club.

Tucker Snyder has been a productive player all season. He’s hitting .400 with 29 RBI and 25 runs scored.

Freshman Braden Cook has emerged as one of the top Huskies’ hitters since being inserted into the lineup. He’s hitting .394.

The Brothers Arbaugh — Cabot and Reed — hit in the bottom of the order. Anthony Pelegreen is also an every day player. Kayden Dunkle is also a key contributor with 29 runs scored.

Leland Lopez has shined in the outfield, including making a pair of game-saving plays in right against Martins Ferry.