Baseball Preview 2024: Can defending champs Hiland and Waynedale repeat success?

It will be hard to top the 2023 baseball season.

After the area captured a pair of state championships, had another team make a run to regionals, and a handful of others earn shares of their respective league titles, there's only one question entering the upcoming season.

What will local teams do for an encore?

Both Waynedale and Hiland were crowned champs in Division III and IV, respectively, and both are poised to add another banner this spring, while Wooster is coming off an historic season that saw its first regional appearance in over two decades and third straight Ohio Cardinal Conference title.

Combine that with a Wayne County Athletic League race that is as wide open as ever — with defending tri-champs Waynedale, Norwayne and Dalton all loaded again — and a Triway team that won the outright Principals Athletic Conference crown and finished district runner-up, the area is set for another fun season.

Still Golden! Waynedale wins back-to-back state championships

Here's a glance at each of the area teams:

Central Christian

Coach: Zach Kooker (17th season)

Last season: 7-16 overall, 3-5 in MBC

Returning players: Brayden Neuenschwander (sr., P/1B), Carson Hostetler (jr., OF/INF), Dominic Gasser (jr., INF/P), Lyle Endsley (so., P/INF), Bryan Martin (so., P/OF/C), Luke Schrier (so., P/C), Ben Miller (so., OF/INF), Caleb Hagerman (so., OF)

Newcomers: Daniel Nuzum (jr.), Andrew Schrier (jr.), Ruben Carr (so.), Preston Clark (fr.), Kye Kooker (fr.), Jacob Neuenschwander (fr.), Grayden Miller (fr.)

Outlook: Despite still have a youthful lineup, with just one senior on the roster, the Comets bring back a wealth of experience from a year ago. With eight returnees, the team will field its first veteran roster for the first time in the decade. But the key to a successful season might be a loaded group of underclassmen, especially a handful of freshmen, that coach Kooker feels could step in contribute right away.

Chippewa

Coach: Dave Maculaitis (2nd season)

Last season: 14-15 overall, 2-12 in WCAL

Returning players: Grant Johnson (sr., P/OF/1B), Max Warner (sr., C), Connor Heaps (sr., OF/P), Corbin Marshall (jr., SS/P), Isaiah Radebaugh (jr., OF/P/INF), Peyton Ware (jr., INF/P), Colton Oyler (jr., C/P/INF), Anderson Hatfield (jr., P/3B), RJ Wade (jr., INF/P), Luke Blaz (so., P/1B/OF), Joe Hegarty (so., P/OF)

Newcomers: Anthony Kish (jr., 3B/OF), Charlie Johnston (so., C/INF/P), Giancarlo Acevedo (so., OF/C)

Outlook: Marshall was one of the top players in the area last spring, something that Maculaitis thinks will help bring along a lineup that is packed with veteran players. A two-time All-WCAL selection, Marshall led the Chipps in every offensive category in 2023, including 32 hits — 12 for extra bases, 20 runs scored, 20 RBI and 11 stolen bases, along with being expected to anchor the defense at shortstop. Hatfield and Johnson will both hold down the pitching staff, with fellow returnee in Radebaugh being looked to make a significant impact.

Dalton

Coach: Scott Huth (10th season)

Last season: 15-8 overall, 11-3 in WCAL

Returning players: Seth Wyckoff (sr., P/OF), Talan Greegor (sr., C/1B/DH), Cade Mullet (sr., CF/P), Will Carmichael (sr., P/DH/3B), Trey Dunn (sr., LF), Kade Miller (sr., 2B), Alex Hess (jr., SS/3B/P), Brady Hignight (jr., SS/3B/P)

Newcomers: Micah Boyer (sr., 1B), Owen Trivette (sr., INF/P), Justin Jager (sr., OF), Matt Heatwole (jr., C/UTIL), Gabe Clark (jr., UTIL), Conner Mori (so, OF), Aiden Pelfrey (so., OF)

Outlook: With a pair of veteran pitchers, the Bulldogs have all the makings of a team that can lockdown opponents this spring. The left-handed Wyckoff posted an 8-3 mark with a 1.38 ERA and 83 strikeouts en route to earning All-Ohio honors, while Carmichael came on strong at the end of last season, striking out 22 batters in 23 innings. Greegor should solidify Dalton's middle of the order after recording 19 RBI in 2023. Dunn was second on the team in batting average (.379) and had an on-base percentage of .482 and 22 stolen bases. Carmichael is also a threat at the plate and on base.

Hiland

Coach: Chris Dages (7th season)

Last season: 30-1 overall, 11-1 in IVC South

Returning players: Connor Beachy (sr., 2B/OF), Wyatt Miller (sr., OF), Finn Schneider (sr., P/OF), Brady Yoder (sr., P/SS), Cody Yoder (sr., P/OF), Caden Coblentz (jr., P/INF), Colin Coblentz (jr., OF), Kaden Kandel (jr., P/INF), Grady Monigold (so., 1B/3B)

Newcomers: Danny Hostetler (jr., C), Cade Beachy (jr., INF), Keith Hershberger (jr., INF), Luke Hershberger (jr., INF), Logan Yoder (so., C/INF)

Outlook: An All-Ohio tandem will anchor what should be another strong Hawks lineup as they look to repeat at D-IV state champs. Both senior Cody Yoder and junior Colin Coblentz earned all-state honors a year ago and will be the middle of a roster that has a mix of returning talent and rookies eager to contribute. A total of seven players who played in the state title-game victory over Russia, including Beachy, Miller, Caden Coblentz, Brady Yoder, Monigold.

'We've been working for this': Hiland wins Div. IV state title

Hillsdale

Coach: Jason Snow (6th season)

Last season: 19-8 overall, 10-4 in WCAL

Returning players: Jack Fickes (sr., CF/P/SS), Braylen Jarvis (sr., C/LF), Owen Hoffman (sr., 3B/P), Gavin Casdorph (sr., P/OF), Bryon Bickel (sr., 1B)

Newcomers: Cruz Conrad (jr., OF), Drake Stubbs (jr., OF/P), Dylan Fickes (jr., OF), Brock Bower (so., 2B), Jesse Trevathan (so., OF/2B), Brady Heller (so., OF), Aiden Hoffman (so., 3B/P_, Connor Helbert (so., P), Cam Sweet (so., P), Kael Lewis (fr., 2B/SS), Knox Lewis (fr., C)

Outlook: With just a handful of veteran players back, the youth movement in on for the Falcons this spring. Guys like Jarvis and Jack Fickes will look to guide the fresh-faced lineup. Jarvis drove in 26 runs and hit .391 last season, while Fickes batted .362 with 17 RBI. Fickes also is the top returning pitcher, after going 4-0 last spring with a 3.23 ERA. The progression of a roster that will lean on seven underclassmen, however, will be the key to a successful season.

Loudonville

Coach: Matt Rucki (4th season)

Last season: 13-13 overall, 7-1 in MBC

Returning players: Baylor Weiser (sr., CF), Matt Sprang (sr., P/UTIL), Corbin Donaldson (sr., 2B), Kiefer Rhodes (Sr., UTIL), Easton Edwards (sr., P/OF), Hunter Polen (sr., OF/P), Dilan Wade (jr., SS/P), Judah Layton (jr., 3B/P), Caden Donaldson (so., P/UTIL)

Newcomers: Logan Hollinger (sr., UTIL), Haeden Santiz (sr., OF), Josh Serrato (sr., C), Caleb Hammitt (jr., P/UTIL), Kayden Cabral (jr., 1B), Dakota Wright (jr., 1B/P)

Outlook: The Redbirds will lean of their pitching and defense this season to keep their stranglehold on the top of the MBC. A wealth of experience returns for Loudonville, including Sprang — a veteran pitcher that posted a 1.33 ERA last season and is expected to be the team's ace again this spring. But the team has offense, too, with Layton, fresh off of a sophomore campaign that saw him bat .455, while Sprang was an extra-base machine and drove in over 20 runs in 2023.

Northwestern

Coach: Larry Bellman (1st season)

Last season: 8-13 overall, 4-10 in the WCAL

Returning players: Cade St Clair (sr., CF/P), Jacob Ward (sr., C), Caden Fiala (sr., 1B/P), Brandon Barnette (sr., SS/P), Jacoby Gilbert (sr., 3B/OF), Reece Chanay (sr., OF/P), Aaron Hales (jr., P), Nate Fulton (jr., OF/P), Braiden Franks (jr., C/OF), James Cassidy (so., INF), Hayden Sigler (so., INF/OF/C), David MCie (so., P/INF)

Outlook: Northwestern has 12 veteran players eager to make some noise in the county this spring. Both Barnette and Fiala and have already signed to play at the next level, Barnette to Muskingum and Fiala to Bluffton, and should be among a host of returning players to lead the way, along with Gilbert, who was a second-team All-WCAL selection last spring with Barnette.

Norwayne

Coach: Joe Gilmore (1st season)

Last season: 19-5-1 overall, 11-3 in WCAL

Returning players: Logan Dichler (sr., C), Mike Steingass (sr., OF/P), Lucas Dudte (sr., OF/INF), Beau Polen (sr., OF/P), Brayden Harlau (sr., P/C/INF), Garrett Schmidt (sr., 1B/P), Trey Bayless (sr., P/OF), Ashton Snyder (jr., P/C/INF)

Newcomers: Dylan Tanner (jr., OF), Mason Moyer (jr., INF), Jacob Bruner (so., INF/P)

Outlook: There's a lot to be excited about with this season's Bobcats. With its top four pitchers back and five of their top hitters returning from a team that lost to eventual state champ Kenston, Norwayne is hungry. Dichler, a first-team All-WCAL pick a year ago, was a ,380 hitter with 16 RBI and 19 runs scores and should lead a lineup that also includes Snyder, Polen, Steingass and Dudte. Both Snyder was 7-1 on the mound last season, while Steingass (5-1) and Polen (4-0) also were consistent arms, along with Harlau and Bayless.

Orrville

Coach: Scott Marshall (19th season)

Last season: 13-12 overall, 8-6 in PAC

Returning players: Nick Amstutz (sr., OF), Parker Evans (sr., P/1B), Sawyer Hamsher (sr., 3B), Cody Johnson (sr., OF), Brady Marshall (sr., SS), Khaedan Montgomery (sr., C), AJ Hills (jr., 1B), Kaleb Wayt (jr., P/OF), Hunter Adkins (so., P/1B), Cameron Kraft (so., UTIL/P), Kellen Wayt (so., 2B/P)

Newcomers: Chris Wilson (sr., OF), Tolan Clark (jr., OF), Parker Gravatt (jr., C), Parker Hostetler (fr., OF)

Outlook: With a tandem like Marshall and Hamsher in the lineup, the Red Riders are a threat every time out. Marshall was a second-team All-PBR selection last spring after batting .400, posting an on-base percentage of .491 and swiping an area-best 39 stolen bases. Hamsher was equally as efficient on the base paths, stealing over 25 bags, along with being second on the team in runs scored to Marshall. Evans returns to hold down the Orrville pitching staff, posting a 1.63 ERA through the regular season a year ago.

Rittman

Coach: Joe Staley (19th season)

Last season: 12-15 overall, 2-12 in WCAL

Returning players: Josh Rhodes (sr., C), TJ Johnson (sr., P/INF), Justin Metheney (sr., P/OF), Logan Pelfrey (sr., OF), Lucas Pelfrey (sr., OF), Nolan Frame (sr., OF), Caleb Smith (jr., P/OF/1B), Jaxon Miller (jr., P/1B), Spencer Welch (so., P/SS), Odin Weirick (so., P/INF), Christian DuBiel (so., P/INF)

Newcomers: Brayden Louk (so., P/OF), Carson Smith (fr., INF/OF/C)

Outlook: After being one of the youngest teams in the county a year ago, Rittman returns a host of experience, including a handful of sophomores who were everyday players in 2023. Welch hit over .400 in his first varsity campaign and should lead that lineup, along with Smith (.388), who hit nearly .600 against the top four teams in the WCAL. Metheney was a spark on the mound in the second half of the season and should be a consistent arm for coach Staley, while Johnson and Rhodes look forward to their first full seasons after transferring last spring.

Smithville

Coach: Jason DeMassimo (2nd season; 7th overall)

Last season: 7-11-1 overall, 5-9 in WCAL

Returning players: Bryce Butcher (sr., P/C/SS), Gavin Copenhaver (sr., OF), Jace Leach (jr., INF/P), Keegan Barnes (jr., OF/P), Brayden Marthey (jr., INF), Mason Leach (jr., OF/INF), Austin Leach (jr., OF/INF), Mason Shutt (so., INF/P), Luke DeRodes (so., INF/P), Jax Riggenbach (so., INF/P)

Newcomers: Mason Haines (so., INF/OF), Po Costanzo (so., OF), Kamalani Costanzo (fr., INF/OF)

Outlook: With a pair of players back from injuries a year ago, and some other returning talent, the Smithies are hoping to move up the county standings. Butcher, a first-team All-WCAL selection as a sophomore, and Copenhaver both return after knee injuries erased their respective junior campaigns, while Leach — an honorable mention all-WCAL pick — should play a big role in both parts of the Smithville battery. Shutt and Riggenbach also were starters last spring.

Triway

Coach: Justin McDowell (4th season)

Last season: 22-5 overall, 12-2 in PAC

Returning players: Simon Kitchen (sr., INF/P), Tyler Snyder (sr., OF/P), Owen Walter (sr., INF/C), Logan Wyatt (sr., P/1B), Grant Schag (jr., SS), Wyatt Posten (jr., OF), Brody Snyder (jr., C/OF/P), Ron Bricker (jr., P/1B)

Newcomers: DJ Corbett (jr., 3B/P), Alex Shearer (jr., OF), Austin Patterson (jr., OF/P), Luke Starr (so., 1B/OF/P), Jalen Hackett (fr., 1B/3B/P)

Outlook: Fresh off of a league championship and a district runner-up finish, the Titans return three of their four top pitchers from year ago and a host of other talented players around the diamond. The trio of Kitchen, Wyatt and Bricker are back after combining for 65% of the innings pitched last spring. Both Kitchen and Schag were first-team All-PAC selection, Kitchen going 6-1 with a 0.90 ERA and Schag batting .460 in earning All-Ohio accolades. Snyder and Walter are both three-year letterwinners.

Tuslaw

Coach: David Burkett (29th season)

Last season: 6-18 overall, 1-13 in PAC

Returning players: Logan Amstutz (sr., P/OF), Evan Back (sr., INF), Caden Gardner (sr., P/3B/DH), Ryan Lipinski (sr., SS), Keenan Kinsey (jr., OF), Tyler Simons (jr., P/INF/OF), Landon Gannet (so., 1B/P), Cam Stevens (so., C/INF/P)

Newcomers: Hayden Hamilton (sr.), Pery McGhee (sr.), Braden Polen (sr.), Ethan Haer (so.), Caden Kiefer (so.), Justin Pratt (so.)

Outlook: The Mustangs return a lot of experience up the middle and should be poised to move up the PAC standings. Gannet was a first-team All-PAC and All-District selection last year as a rookie first baseman, leading Tuslaw offensively with a .338 batting average, including 26 hits and 18 RBI. He also had 123 putouts on defense. Both Lipinski and Kinsey are multi-year letterwinners who also are expected to help the 'Stangs from shortstop and right field, respectively.

Waynedale

Coach: Lucas Daugherty (4th season)

Last season: 25-9 overall, 11-3 in WCAL

Returning players: Otto Solorzano (sr., P/OF), Tate Venables (sr., OF/P), Tyson Troyer (sr., OF/C), Kolten Roeder (sr., P), Tristan Franks (jr., C), Shane Coblentz (jr., P/INF), Jayden Schlabach (jr., OF)

Newcomers: Jeremy Yoder (jr., OF), Jordan Miller (so., INF/P), Brayden Steiner (so., INF/P)

Outlook: Despite losing five starters to graduation, the defending D-III state champs are poised for another banner year. And while those players will be difficult to replace, the Golden Bears return one of their top pitchers from a year ago in Solorzano and a consistent hitter at the plate in Franks. The left-handed Solorzano struck out 117 batters over 73 innings in posting a 10-4 record, while Franks led the team in batting average. Schlabach also had an impressive postseason and should help lead the outfield.

West Holmes

Coach: Wyatt Mellor (3rd season)

Last season: 12-11 overall, 8-6 in OCC

Returning players: Hunter Aurand (sr., SS), Carson Tanner (jr., RF/P), Brock Gallion (so., 2B/OF), Morgan Smith (jr., 1B/P)

Newcomers: Cooper Booth (so., 1B/P), Manny Camacho (so., P/1B), Ben Tanner (fr., C)

Outlook: With the majority of its offensive punch back from a year ago, the Knights are hoping that fire-power in the middle of the lineup will help them make a run in the OCC. Both Tanner and Gallion hit well above .300 last spring and each are coming off strong offensive seasons — Tanner with 34 hits and 19 RBI and Gallion posting 30 hits and scoring 35 runs. Combine that with a power hitter in Aurand and another consistent hitter in Smith, West Holmes has a lot to optimistic about.

Wooster

Coach: Steve Young (8th season)

Last season: 23-5 overall, 12-2 in OCC

Returning players: Ashton Still (sr., P), Dylan Hudson (sr., C), Henry Wilds (sr., INF), Jack Ritchie (sr., P), Will Tirakis (sr., UTIL), AJ Likowski (jr., OF/P), Ben Winge (jr., INF/P), Brady Bowen (jr., INF/P), Hayden Meese (jr., OF/P), Sam Nielsen (jr., INF/P)

Newcomers: Kyle Oswald (jr., P), Derrick Lamb (jr., P), Calin Baxstrom (so., C/INF)

Outlook: On the heels of a magical season that saw the program's first district championship in 25 years, the Generals are hungry for more. Bowen, the OCC Pitcher of the Year is back, along with other all-league selections in Likowski, Winge and Nielson. Sure, Wooster lost some talent from year ago, but with a bulk of their pitching staff back — and some hitting from guys like Winge and Neilson, who were extra-base hit machines last season — the three-time OCC champs are poised for another strong year.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Baseball: Defending state champs Hiland, Waynedale lead the pack