Baseball Preview: A glance at Richland County baseball teams ahead of 2024 season
MANSFIELD — The 2024 high school baseball season begins on Saturday with eight teams slated to take the diamond.
Before we get too deep into the season, let's take a quick look at each team.
Clear Fork Colts
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 18-8, 11-3
Number of returning letter winners: 9
Number of returning starters from: 8
Number of players lost to graduation: 3
Key Players: Dawson Staley, Jr. C; Chandler Ball, Jr. 1B/P: Nate Lind, Sr. 2B (.333 BA), Champ Delancy, Sr. 3B; Garett Hotz, Jr. 3B/P (2 HR); Jay Jackson, Jr. SS/P (second team All-MOAC, honorable mention All-District 9); Kasey Swank, Sr. LF (.321 BA, honorable mention All-MOAC); Luke Schlosser, Sr. CF/P (MOAC Player of the Year, first team All-MOAC, first team All-District 9, All-Ohio, 4-0, 53 Ks, .465 BA, 29 R, 17 SB); Mason Sansom, Jr, RF; Trevor Kinnamon, Jr. LF; Stetson Wendling, Sr. P.
Coach's Comment: Our team goals will be the same goals every year, to win the MOAC. If we achieve that goal then the aspirations of making a deep run in the tournament will only provide icing on top of the cake. Winning the conference is why we practice and how we practice. The ‘every rep counts’ mentality is what we hope translates in to a championship. We have to stay the course and look to our upperclassmen to provide leadership when times are difficult. Freak plays and injuries will happen. We have to have kids that step up and be ready when their opportunity comes. - Gabe Kennedy.
Crestview Cougars
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 20-5 (14-0)
Number of returning letter winners: 8
Number of returning starters from: 7
Number of players lost to graduation: 3
Key Players: Brennan Fulk, Sr. C (.310 BA, 16 RBIs, 14 R, honorable mention All-FC); Gavin Barker, Jr. C/3B/P (.417 BA, 33 RBIs, 18 R, first team All-FC, honorable mention All-District 9, 2-1, 3.82 ERA); Dylan Bruner, Sr. 1B/P (.371 BA, 14 RBIs, 16 R, honorable mention All-FC); Jeb Workman, Jr. 2B; Tyson Ringler, Jr. 3B/SS/P (.404 BA, 23 RBIs, 25 R, first team All-FC, honorable mention All-District 9, 4-1, 0.55 ERA, 36 Ks); Jarek Ringler, Sr. SS/P; .430 BA, 19 RBIs, 40 R, 25 SB, first team All-District 9, first team All-FC, 7-1, 1.66 ERA, 3 Saves, 67 Ks); Boston Roland, Sr. LF/P; Matthew Volz, Sr. CF/P (.325 BA, 34 R, 15 RBIs, 2 HR, second team All-FC, 2-0, 1.62 ERA); Carson Keener, Fr. RF; Kayn Patton, Fr. RF; Kade Dickerson, Jr.; Drew Spoerr, So.; Landon Fulk, So.
Coach's comment: Our biggest X-factor is to stay healthy and to find pitching depth. With a very challenging schedule, we hope it will prepare us for the conference and post-season. The Firelands Conference brings back a very experienced Norwalk St. Paul and Mapleton team. We also bring back a good amount of experience and we hope to compete for the FC title. - Don Keener.
Lexington Minutemen
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 9-18 overall, 4-10 OCC
Number of returning letter winners: 12
Number of returning starters from: 11 (8 position players and 3 pitchers)
Number of players lost to graduation: 0
Key Players: Jaxon Brown, Sr. C (.274 BA, 21 R, 11 RBI, 6 2B, 1 3B, 3 SB, .982 FPCT, second team All-OCC, second team All-District 9); Aedan Nicol, Sr, 1B (.290 BA, 12 R, 12 RBI, 6 2B, 1 SB, .979 FPCT); Zian Rhodes, Sr. 2B/P (.333 BA, 14 R, 14 RBIs, honorable mention All-OCC, honorable mention All-District 9); Chance Basilone, Jr. SS (.337 BA, 13 R, 12 RBIs, 12 SB); Michael Togliatti, Sr. LF (.338 BA, 13 R, 13 SB, second team All-OCC, honorable mention All-District 9); Landon Hamilton, Sr. CF/P (.264 BA, 7 R, 8 RBIs); Markale Martin, So, RF/P (.279 BA, 5 R, 5 RBIs); Colton Murfield, Sr. P: 3-2, 0.982 ERA, 1 save, 60 Ks, first team All-OCC, second team All-District 9); Cooper Dreibelbis, Sr. P (1-5, 3.80 ERA, 34 Ks); Carter Wilson, Sr. P (1-1, 5.53 ERA, 6 Ks); Levi Davis, Sr. P; Gage Powell, Jr. P; Max Montgomery, Jr. P.
Coach's comment: We have to finish games! Last year we gave up too many leads, especially late in the game. With practically the entire team returning and the talent they have, we are looking to win the conference and make a deep tournament run. To do so, there are three things we definitely need to improve on. First, we need to throw more strikes. As a team, we gave up too many walks, hit batters, and wild pitches last year. Second, we need to react and make plays quicker. Being a young varsity team last year, we were timid in our play. Now, a year older and more experience, we must play faster. Third, we need to do a better job putting the ball in play at the plate. This team has great speed, and we must be able to utilize that. - Jeff Strickler.
Lucas Cubs
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 17-8 (7-1)
Number of returning letter winners: 6
Number of returning starters from: 6
Number of players lost to graduation: 4
Key Players: Judah Chamberlin, C; Jayden Shaulis, P/1B; Anthony Fanello, P;2B; Gabe Porter, P/2B; Keaton Day, 2B; Jack Dibartolomeo, P/3B; Ray Caudill, 3B; Bobby Grover, P/SS; Will Whitesel, LF; Greyson Jackson, CF; Cooper Day, RF; Xavier Hall; Ayden Kendall.
Coach's Comment: The 2024 season with be a season with a lot of question marks and wanting answers. We lost four major contributors to graduation from our leadership and the one that can really play the game. You cannot replace Hunter Church and Andrew Smollen and Corbin Toms and Andrew Fanello were really solid. I think we will be successful if we do the little things that matter. We have a good squad of young men that wants to learn and do good things. We can't take two steps forward and four back. It all starts with doing your job and being accountable. We will continue to hand our hats on defense and pitching. - Courtney Church.
Madison Rams
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 9-16 overall, 5-9 OCC
Number of returning letter winners: 5
Number of returning starters from: 4
Number of players lost to graduation: 6
Key Players: Cameron Kuhn, Jr. C (second team All-OCC, honorable mention All-District 9); Bryce Braden, So. 1B/P; Liam Stone, So. 2B/P (2-5, 3.24 ERA); Ethan Glasgo, Sr. 3B/P (honorable mention All-OCC, 4-5, 3.24 ERA); EJ Fox, Jr. SS/P; Owen Morrow, So. CF; Logan Mapes, Jr. P; Grady Spurlock, So; Jilian Washington, Fr. OF; Eli Lewis, Jr.; Ashton Taylor, So.
Coach's Comment: The biggest X-factor for us this season is how fast our young lineup matures. We could be starting as many as six sophomores and one freshman on a regular basis. We only have one senior in Ethan Glasgo and between Ethan and Cameron Kuhn, they will have to bring along a young roster. - Nick Melton.
Mansfield Christian Flames
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 5-20 (2-6)
Number of returning letter winners: 11
Number of returning starters from: 5
Number of players lost to graduation: 5
Key Players: Brock Rentzel, C; Blayne Morrow, 1B; Lincoln Day, 2B; Zach Dumbeck, 3B; Landan McRae, SS; JR Reeder, LF; Jack Kelley, CF; Jay Sites, RF; Caleb Ricker, Jr. P/3B/2B; Josh Gregory, Sr. P/RF; Logan Wilson, So. 3B/RF.
Coach's comment: It starts with pitching. We lost our two top starters from last year and graduated some some relief help. Morrow, Reeder, Day, Ricker, Sites, and more will have to be occasional starters and consistent relief guys for us. We need to play seven-inning games and we need guys to throw strikes. Starting or otherwise throwing freshmen in varsity contests in going to happen. Look for at least two freshmen to get a shot on the rubber. Our seniors have spoken: We want a winning season. It has been a long time since double digit wins were on the books here. We almost got there in 2022 – winning 7, tying 1, and losing by one or losing late game leads multiple times. - Cory Branham.
Mansfield Senior Tygers
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 7-18 (0-14)
Number of returning letter winners: 11
Number of returning starters from: 9
Number of players lost to graduation: 0
Key Players: Joshua Malone, So. C/P; Guy Trader, So, C/2B/3B/SS/P; MJ Bradley, So. 1B; Jake Zimmer, Jr. 2B/P; Justin Bland, Jr. 3B/P; Dominque Horn, Fr. SS/P; Grayson Sanders, So. LF; Quintin DeBolt, Jr. CF; Sabastian Page, Jr. RF; Nash Nicholson, Jr. 3B/P; Payton Furguson, Jr. P/U.
Coach's Comment: Our X-factor is staying positive through the tough games we will face in the conference and to compete enough to give us confidence going into our nonconference games this season. The OCC is probably the toughest conference in the area so being competitive in this league is the toughest challenge we will face all year. We hope to steal a couple of wins in conference play and hopefully shake some things up for other teams during the season. - JR Davis.
Ontario Warriors
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 17-15 (7-7) Division II state runner-up
Number of returning letter winners: 4
Number of returning starters from: 4
Number of players lost to graduation: 7
Key Players: Jake Chapman, C (.314 BA, 22 H, 15 RBIs); Bryson Stoots, 1B; Ian Rachel, 2B; Carter Walters, 3B/P (.261 BA, 24 H, 19 RBIs, 2-2, 3.42 ERA); Peyton Dzugan, Sr. SS/P (.270 BA, 24 H, 7 RBIs, 6-5, 2.82 ERA); James Mahon, LF/P; Carter Weaver, Sr. CF/P (.432 BA, 48 H, 28 RBI, first team All-Ohio, first team All-District 9, first team All-MOAC, 7-1, 3.07 ERA); Jon Mahon, RF/P.
Coach's Comment: We have to stay healthy. Our goals every year are to win the MOAC and make a long tournament run and it will always start with staying healthy. Carter Weaver, Peyton Dzugan, Jake Chapman and Carter Walters will be the leaders with the most experience on our team and they will help us achieve our goals of getting better every day and competing in the MOAC. It is a tough league with Highland, Clear Fork and Shelby being the favorites but we hope to be right there. - Mike Ellis.
Plymouth Big Red
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 8-16 (5-9)
Number of returning letter winners: 4
Number of returning starters from: 3
Number of players lost to graduation: 7
Key Players: Colton Hass, Jr. C/RF/P; Keegan Beverly, Fr. C; Lex Grose, So. 1B/P; Braden Montgomery, Sr. 1B; Jarrett Burrer, So. 2B/P; Garrett Bishop, Sr. 3B/P; Canaan Slone, Sr. SS/P; Drake Stanfield, Sr. LF; Elliott Hall, Sr. CF; Lincoln Distl, Fr.; Hunter McClure, Jr.; Bobby Bowman, So.
Coach's Comments: We will have to be a good defensive team. Manufacturing runs is something that we are looking to do and we have to capitalize on every opportunity we are given. Our goals for the season are the same as every year, we look to win a championship. We feel like we have the right pieces in place to make a run at the conference and make a run in the tournament. - Jarrod Furr.
Shelby Whippets
Last year’s record (overall and conference): 18-9 (8-6)
Number of returning letter winners: 6
Number of returning starters from: 5
Number of players lost to graduation: 2
Key Players: Tanner Hartz, Sr. C; Quinton Albert, So. 1B; Caden Dorsey, 2B; Maverick Noel, 3B; Alex Bruskotter, Sr. SS; Issaih Beck, LF; Garet Sipe, CF; Karsen Homan. Jr. RF; Nic Eyster, P (first team All-MOAC, first team All-District 9); Casey Lantz, Sr. P; Eli Schwemley, Sr. DH (second team All-MOAC, second team All-District 9).
Coach's Comment: Our X-factor is, can we grow on an individual level, can our lineup be long enough to be successful, and can our pitching develop that No. 2 starter that you need to win a conference championship? The 2024 MOAC will be the toughest conference that we have ever played in. Top to bottom, its the most competitive league in the area. You start with Highland who won the conference last year and bring back a nice core of players as well as a winning culture, and of course Ontario who bring back their two pitchers who led them to a state championship game last year and will be playing at Ashland University next year. But you cannot forget players like Austin Prosser, Austin Allen, and Luke Schlosser who are absolute stars in this league that can lead their teams to victory and given day. It will be a fun league but it will be an absolute grind. - Jon Amicone.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Baseball Preview: A glance at Richland County baseball teams ahead of 2024 season
