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2024 Baseball Preview Capsules: Team-by-team look at the upcoming season in the area

rob mccurdy, marion star
·13 min read

Here are capsule looks at each of the Marion area's high school baseball teams as they get ready to compete in the 2024 season:

Cardington Pirates

  • Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.

  • Coach: Ryan Goetzman (third season, 23-24).

  • Assistants: Shaun Wade, Jake Rice, Jake Schuman.

  • Last Season: 11-11.

  • Roster: Caden Dewitt (Sr., P/1B, left-handed, .186, .463 on-base, 1.19 ERA), Cameron Haines (Sr.), A.J. Hall (Sr., P/utility, right-handed, .342, .380 on-base, 1.50 ERA, second-team KMAC), Dylan Keifer (Sr.), Merek McClure (Sr., P/3B, RH, .214, .302 on-base), Cameron Tribunella (Sr.), Denton Garrison (Jr., OF, RH, .328, .411 on-base), Logan Reynolds (Jr., C/P, switch hitter, .333, .412 on-base), Wyatt Wade (Jr., IF/P, RH, .329, .380 on-base, 3.20 ERA, first-team KMAC), Anthony Bump (So.), Devin Cimino (So.), Wyatt Denney (So., OF/P, RH, .310, .452 on-base, second-team KMAC), Abner Edgell (So., 1B/P, RH, letter), Bryce Hartley (So., letter), Jonus Hough (So.), Evan Marquis (So.), Riley Pickens (So., letter), James Fiant (Fr.), Zach Pickens (Fr.), Fisher Schuman (Fr.), Kayden Wells (Fr.).

  • Notes: The Pirates have a nice returning core that is pushing to be more successful ... They need to stay healthy ... They lost four to graduation with Dillon Minturn, Kaiden Beach, Brad West and Drew Etgen ... They want to compete to the best of their ability in every game.

  • Comment: "I think we have a solid team that will keep us competitive this season," Goetzman said.

Cardington's A.J. Hall scores a run in a home baseball game against Elgin last year.
Cardington's A.J. Hall scores a run in a home baseball game against Elgin last year.

Elgin Comets

  • Conference: Northwest Central Conference.

  • Coach: Andy Steck (second season, 17-8-1).

  • Assistant: Brad Lust.

  • Last Season: 17-8-1, 12-0, NWCC champs

  • Roster: Brody Wood (Sr., two letters, 1B/P, LH, .466, 3 HR, 32 RBI, NWCC Player of the Year, Marion Star Player of the Year, first-team Central District), Donaven Stith (Sr., two letters, 3B/P, LH, .354, 22 RBI, 5-0, 48 strikeouts, 16 walks, first-team NWCC), Stephen Castillo (Sr., two letters, OF/P, RH, .378, 28 hits, 23 RBI, 5-0, 48 strikeouts, 2.85 ERA, second-team NWCC, HM Central District), Trey Morgan (Sr., (OF, RH), Jacob Brown (Sr., U, RH), Landon Rhodes (Sr., OF, RH), Mitchell Askew (Jr., letter, C/P, .338, 26 hits, 21 RBI, HM NWCC), Quinten Harrison (Jr., letter, OF/P, LH, 2-0, 30 strikeouts, 2.54 ERA, .420, 29 hits, 23 RBI, second-team NWCC and Central District), Nash Lust (Jr., letter, 2B/P, RH, .325, 21 hits, 16 RBI, HM NWCC), Jacob Isler (Jr., SS/P, RH), Jacob Faust (Jr., OF/C, RH), Kailin Main (Jr., OF, RH), Malikia Middleton (Jr., OF, RH).

  • Notes: The Comets have four returning starting pitchers ... They also bring back some heavy bats as two batted better than .400 and four others were over .325 ... They had a .913 fielding percentage last year ... Younger players need to gain experience at the varsity level ... Relief pitching is a concern ... The goal is to win the NWCC again and go farther into the tournament in 2024 ... They need to replace Ben Wood, Isaac Dillon and Breckin Dugan who all graduated.

  • Comment: "We see ourselves at the top of the league competing for another league championship," Steck said.

Elgin's Donaven Stith pitches to a Cardington batter during a baseball game last season at Cardington.
Elgin's Donaven Stith pitches to a Cardington batter during a baseball game last season at Cardington.

Highland Scots

  • Conference: Mid Ohio Athletic Conference.

  • Coach: Donovan Kline (ninth season 157-62, 10th overall 164-80).

  • Assistants: Wyatt Gresh, Tom Johnson, Travis Church, Garrett Ulrey, Chad Williams.

  • Last Season: 21-5, MOAC champs.

  • Roster: Hayden Kline (Sr., three letters, OF/RHP, RH/LH, .369, 20 RBI, 32 runs, first-team MOAC, second-team Central District), Jace Brooks (Sr., two letters, OF, LHP, LH, 1.04 ERA, .254, 20 runs, 11 stolen bases, Terra State signee), Zach Church (So., letter, C/IF/RHP, .371, 18 RBI, 21 runs, 6 doubles, 7-1, 2.13 ERA, second-team MOAC and Central District, No. 49 ranked player in the 2026 class by PBR Ohio), Evan Johnson (Sr., two letters, IF/RHP, .216), Gage Partin (Sr., letter, OF, RH), Drew Altizer (Sr., letter, 1B/RHP, RH, .300, 3.89 ERA), Jayden Collins (So., letter, IF/RHP, RH, .346, 26 RBI, 20 runs, 8 doubles, second-team MOAC and Central District, No. 83 ranked player in the 2026 class by PBR Ohio), Kort Sears (Jr., two letters, IF, RHP, RH, .325, 32 RBI, 29 runs, first-team MOAC and Central District), Gavin Wiggand (Jr., letter, C/IF/OF, RH, .206, 7 RBI), Rhett Russell (So., OF/DH, RH), Hendrick Karya (So., C/IF/RHP, RH), Jacob Garber (Jr., U/RHP, RH), Toby Rogers (Jr., RHP, also runs track).

  • Notes: The Scots have a high baseball IQ with good team chemistry ... Their strength will be pitching ... With only 13 on the roster, depth is an issue, especially on defense ... Highland has won or shared five straight league championships ... Lost to graduation were Brock Church, Zach Schmidt and Layton Shaffer.

  • Comment: "The Scots success will be determined by how quickly the young guys can learn new roles on defense and how effective our throwers can be on the mound," Kline said. "Offensively, the Scots will need to find a number of ways to maximize outs and turn the lineup over consistently enough to spark the offense. If the team can find some chemistry on the field and in the dugout, we should be able to be competitive in 2024."

Highland's Kort Sears delivers a pitch at River Valley during a baseball game last year.
Highland's Kort Sears delivers a pitch at River Valley during a baseball game last year.

Marion Harding Presidents

  • Conference: MOAC.

  • Coach: Jeff Bolander (fourth season, 26-38)

  • Assistants: Brett Hall, Mitch Uline, Dave Rasey, Skyler Honaker.

  • Last Season: 8-15, 5-9.

  • Roster: Landon Adams (Jr., P/IF/OF, RH, letter), Austin Allen (Sr., P/IF, switch hitter, letter, first-team MOAC, 43 strikeouts, 1.88 ERA), Gavyn Baumgartner (Jr., P/IF/OF, RH, letter), Nate Cunningham (Sr., P/IF/OF, RH, letter, second-team MOAC, 3-2, 3.15 ERA, .295), Koltin Dye (Jr., P/OF, RH), Jaden Griffith (So., C/IF, RH, transfer from Pleasant), Haedon Honaker (Jr., OF, RH), Lucas Keller (So., C/IF, RH, letter), Landon Keller (So., IF/OF, RH), Tyson Lind (So., P/IF, RH), Justin Long (Jr., P/IF/OF, RH, letter), Maddox McGuire (Sr., P/IF/OF, RH, letter), Connor Pennington (Jr., P/IF/OF, RH, letter), Ray J Scott-Harbolt (So., P/IF, RH), Keaton Ward (Jr., C/IF, RH).

  • Notes: The Presidents will count on their pitching and defense ... Several have been throwing on their own in the offseason and are stronger physically and mentally because of it ... The mental toughness of the team needs to improve, and they need to become better at handling adversity ... Hitting is a concern, but they've been working on it ... They have eight letter winners back, but the players who played junior varsity last year need to get up to speed to varsity play ... Nick Hecker and Van Dutton, who is pitching at Hocking Tech, both graduated.

  • Comment: "Our No. 1 main goal is to compete for the MOAC title," Bolander said. "The expectations are for our kids to compete for the entire game. They need to play for the name on the front of the uniform and hold each other accountable both on and off the field. If they do that, great things can happen."

Marion Harding's Austin Allen delivers a pitch during a baseball game at Highland last year.
Marion Harding's Austin Allen delivers a pitch during a baseball game at Highland last year.

Mount Gilead Indians

  • Conference: KMAC.

  • Coach: Mark Kennon (10th season, 56-109).

  • Assistants: Jeremy Exline, Ben Hayes, Brad Diller, Michael Turner.

  • Last Season: 9-18.

  • Roster: Mason Barnum (Sr., OF/P, letter), Kyle St. Clair (Sr., OF/2B, letter), Cameron Vickers (Jr., 3B/P, letter), Hayden Pangborn (Jr., P/2B, letter), Gage Baker (So., P/SS, letter, HM KMAC), Cole Fricke (So., P/OF, letter), Hayden Somerlot (So., 2B/P, letter), Landon Riggs (Jr., 2B/OF), Jayden Ritchey (Jr., C), Wyatt Young (So., C/P), Brogan Pfleiderer (So., P/OF).

  • Notes: The Indians bring back their entire pitching staff from last year ... They are getting good leadership from the seniors ... Mount Gilead lost its whole infield from 2023 ... Lost to graduation were all-leaugers Carter Kennon and Nick Garvey as well as Graham Sherborne, Jonny Martinez, Judah Reid, Jimmy Chafin and Landon Chilcote.

  • Comment: "Our goal is to compete for the KMAC, play good defense and improve everyday," Kennon said. "We have a good sophomore class that will mix well with our upperclassmen."

Last year's baseball honorees: Wood, Bentley, Kline earn top All-Marion Star Baseball 2023 honors

Check out last year's preview capsules: 2023 Baseball Overview Capsules

Northmor Golden Knights

  • Conference: KMAC.

  • Coach: Buck Workman (24th season, 269-283).

  • Assistants: Mark Wiseman, Scott Carr, Justin Mattix.

  • Last Season: 21-7, Division IV district runner-up.

  • Roster: Grant Bentley (Sr., P/SS/3B/C, RH, three letters, .416, 8-2, 0.99 ERA, first-team KMAC and Central District, second-team All-Ohio, Marion Star Pitcher of the Year), Drew Hammond (Sr., P/3B/C, RH, three letters, .398, 5-1, 2.37 ERA, first-team KMAC, Central District and All-Ohio), Bryce Cooper (Sr., P/OF/C, RH, two letters, .308, 4-0, 2.37 ERA, second-team KMAC, first-team Central District), Garrett Harvey (Sr., OF/P, RH, two letters, .333, second-team KMAC), Caiden Martinez (Sr., (OF/P, RH, two letters, team's gold glove winner), Isaac Black (Sr., OF/1B, RH, letter), Ryan Diehl (Sr., OF/2B, RH, letter), Nicholas Armrose (Jr., DH/1B/3B, RH, letter), Cole Cuffman (Jr., 2B/P, R/L, letter), Trevor Brubaker (So., P/SS/C, RH, letter, 4-3, 1.11 ERA, first-team KMAC, HM Central District), Billy Bowlin (So., OF/IF/P, LH), Jack Bowdre (Fr., 1B/OF/P, LH), Ethan Hinton (Fr., C/3B/P, RH), Brooksten Beck (So.), Brady Carr (So.), Garrett Deisch (So.), Thomas Detwiler (So.), Tristan Hammond (Jr.), Isaac Kincaid (Jr.), Will Sears (Jr.).

  • Notes: Pitching is the team's top strength with everyone returning to the mound ... The defense is solid for the Golden Knights ... They need to get the bats going ... Northmor lacks some depth, so staying healthy is a priority ... They must replace Max Lower, Cooper Thomas and Bohdi Workman who graduated.

  • Comment: "We'd like to be in the mix for the KMAC at the end and have a deep tournament run," Workman said.

Northmor's Drew Hammond delivers a pitch during a Division IV district final baseball game at Olentangy Orange against Berne Union.
Northmor's Drew Hammond delivers a pitch during a Division IV district final baseball game at Olentangy Orange against Berne Union.

North Union Wildcats

  • Conference: Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division.

  • Coach: Nick Blakeley (third season, 17-37).

  • Assistants: Brandon Lowe, Anthony Padovano.

  • Last Season: 9-19.

  • Roster: Ashton Haubiel (Jr., IF/P, RG, letter), Tyler Krebehenne (Jr., U, RH, first-team CBC, two letters), Miles Marlette (Jr., U, RH, letter), Evan Berry (Jr., OF, RH, letter), Bodie Johnson (Jr., IF/OF, LH), Max Ruhl (Jr., IF/OF, RH), John Hughes (Sr., IF/OF/P, RH, three letters), Drew Schmidt (Sr., IF/OF/P, LH, two letters), Conner Lassiter (Sr., IF/OF/P, LH, two letters), Mason Bright (Sr., IF/OF/P, RH, three letters, SM CBC), Landon Converse (Sr., U, RH, three letters, second-team CBC), Caden Potts (Sr., IF/OF/P, RH, three letters).

  • Notes: The Wildcats bring back 10 letter winners and three all-leaguers for 2024.

North Union's John Hughes stands at the plate during a baseball game at Elgin last year.
North Union's John Hughes stands at the plate during a baseball game at Elgin last year.

Pleasant Spartans

  • Conference: MOAC.

  • Coach: Nick Bailey (first season).

  • Assistants: Nick Rowland, Ben Snively, Eric Queen, Kyle Galyk, Chad Fogle.

  • Last Season: 8-18.

  • Roster: Owen Lowry (Jr., OF, letter, .240, .293 on-base, 7 doubles, 17 RBI, 8 runs), Kelan Meade (Jr., 2B/RHP, letter, .269, .283 on-base, 7 runs, 27 innings pitched, 21 strikeouts), Jackson Kitts (Jr., OF), Harrison Morh (Jr., (OF/2B), Brody Conway (Sr., 3B/RHP, letter), J.T. Issler (Jr., OF), Mason Moore (Sr., 1B/LHP, .274, .361 on-base, 8 RBI, 7 runs, 46 innings pitched, 36 strikeouts, 2.43 ERA), Hunter Malo (Jr., OF), Dillon Burns (Jr., OF, .210, .333 on-base, 9 RBI, 15 runs, 9 walks), Trent Caudill (Jr., C, .300, .478 on-base, 20 runs, 20 walks, 15 steals), Camden Queen (Jr., 3B), Logan Clemons (Jr., 1B/LHP), J.T. Snively (Sr., SS/RHP, .284, .418 on-base, 16 runs, 15 walks, 5 steals, 20 innings pitched, 11 strikeouts), Jonathan Maran (Jr., 3B/RHP/DH).

  • Notes: The Spartans bring back a lot of experience in the field and on the mound ... Every position but centerfield has a veteran ... The offense has looked good in scrimmages ... Pitching depth is a concern with only five arms ... Pleasant must replace Cadence Varner who is playing college baseball and No. 1 pitcher Carver Kline as both graduated.

  • Comment: "Our team goals are to finish in the top half of the league and compete for a district title," Bailey said.

Ridgedale Rockets

  • Conference: NWCC.

  • Coach: Samuel Leach (second season).

  • Assistants: Nate Blevins, Randy Leach, Robb Lust, Adam Beard, Ed Roush.

  • Last Season: 0-12.

  • Letter Winners: Logan Rasnick, Landon Murphy, Lake Mitchell, A.J. Imbody, Aiden Sayler, Memphis Blair.

  • Newcomers: Dylan Wipperman, Gabe Malo, Kolin Neville, Luke Trippett, Billy Wren, Mason Gates, Hunter Hutchinson, Evan White, Quincy Thomas.

  • Notes: The Rockets will field a full team in 2024 after starting from scratch and playing a limited schedule last year ... Koy Pauly and Kobin Huffman graduated last year.

Ridgedale's A.J. Imbody swings at a pitch during a home baseball game against Elgin last year.
Ridgedale's A.J. Imbody swings at a pitch during a home baseball game against Elgin last year.

River Valley Vikings

  • Conference: MOAC.

  • Coach: John Wickersham (fourth season, 24-54).

  • Assistants: Todd Kellogg, Corey Niese, Logan Rensch.

  • Last Season: 7-20.

  • Roster: Aiden Gray (Sr., letter, CF/P, RH, .258, 23 ⅔ innings pitched, 26 strikeouts, 2.36 ERA, 3 saves), Trace Kelly (Sr., letter, 2B/OF/P, .154, 12 runs, 18 ⅓ innings pitched, 17 strikeouts, 2-1), Leland Doubikin (Jr., letter, 3B/P, RH, .297, 22 hits, 15 RBI, 13 strikeouts pitching), Caleb Diaz (Sr., letter, OF, RH), Hayden Kanagy (Jr., letter, OF, RH, .333, .820 on-base-plus-slugging, 25 hits, 7 RBI, 17 runs, 6 steals), Hudson Pollock (Jr., letter, SS/P, RH, .167, 8 RBI, 5 steals, 7 strikeouts pitching), Carter Park (Jr., letter, C/3B, .192, 10 hits, 7 runs, 6 steals, threw out 11 base stealers), Hayden Foltz (Jr., letter, OF/P, RH, .214, .353 on-base, 12 hits, 24 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts, 10 outfield assists), J.R. Bates (Jr., letter, 1B/P, RH, 10 ⅔ innings pitched, 8 strikeouts, 3.94 ERA), Layne Myers (Jr., letter, C/3B, RH, .200), Kolton Lang (So., U, RH), Dominic Weber (So., 1B, LH), Hunter Faust (So., 2B/P, RH), Pate Crawford (Fr., U, RH).

  • Notes: The Vikings bring back a lot of experience as the slow rebuild continues ... The core got significant reps last year and they are ready to take the next step in their development ... The seniors are emerging as leaders ... They return most of their pitching staff ... River Valley is versatile in the field ... Wickersham wants his team to be more aggressive at the plate and shore up its small-ball game ... They graduated four-year letter winners Caden Doubikin, Jack Castle and Brycen Spaulding plus Jacob Hamman and Jacob Turner ... Carter Creeden is running track, and Mason Self is playing tennis this spring.

  • Comment: "Our goal is to take the next step," Wickersham said. "We have been tied at the bottom of the conference over the past three seasons and look to move up the ranks. Our team goal is to bring the program back to plus-.500 baseball, a place we have not been since pre-COVID."

River Valley's Hayden Kanagy takes a pitch during a home game with Division II state runner-up Ontario last year.
River Valley's Hayden Kanagy takes a pitch during a home game with Division II state runner-up Ontario last year.

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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: 2024 Marion-Area Baseball Preview Capsules: A look at each team