Cambridge baseball focused on unfinished business this season

CAMBRIDGE − Entering the new season off back-to-back Ohio High School Athletic Association regional tournament appearances, the Cambridge High baseball team has set the expectations pretty high for this season.

CHS head coach Jamaal Lowery and his Bobcats are focused on breaking through with that ultimate team goal this time around.

"State tournament or bust," was the simple, but direct message from Lowery, who enters his sixth season guiding the CHS baseball program.

"I plan on being booked and busy until the middle of June when we bring that state title home," Lowery said. "We have had a lot of success the last few years, and this group has been right there in the middle of it. So they expect to be successful, and after last year I feel they have that confidence to know they can get it done."

And understandably so, as a year ago, the Bobcats finished just one step from reaching that coveted OHSAA Division II Final 4 with a disappointing 10-0 loss to Washington Courthouse in the D-II regional championship game.

Making their second consecutive Division II regional appearance, last season's near miss resulted in a 17-5 final record for the Bobcats.

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New look pitching staff for Cambridge

Cambridge got some impressive work on the mound last year led by a formidable 1-2 punch in senior ace Jake Valentine and freshman Garrett Carpenter.

Valentine finished with a perfect 7-0 record, and a minuscule ERA of 1.167 and was one of the top hurlers in the entire Eastern District last season. Carpenter performed like a seasoned veteran on the mound, finishing with a 6-1 mark along with another impressive ERA of just 1.195.

Valentine was lost to graduation, while Carpenter remains sidelined with an injury sustained during football season as the Bobcats' starting QB.

Taking over the No. 1 spot in the Cambridge rotation will be sophomore letterman Dawson Geese (P/1B), who turned in some solid work at the end of the season for the Bobcats.

"Dawson missed some time early in the year and came on strong to boost our tournament run," Lowery said. "He pitched really well in both the district and regionals for us last year as a freshman. Did just a great job on the big stage for us last year."

"He has all the physical tools and put in a lot of work in the offseason," Lowery continued. "Got in the weight room and went from like 170 pounds last year to a solid 190-195 this year. Throws in the mid 80s with great off-speed stuff to go with it and could be one of top pitchers in the area."

Also slated to see work on the mound for Cambridge this season are senior letterman Bradyn Gregg (SS/P), sophomore Mason Gregg (OF/P), juniors Connor McIntire (OF/P), Rylee Wilson (3B/P) and freshman Trevaughn Alexander (OF).

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"Our goal for our pitching staff is to throw strikes and make the plays behind them," Lowery added. "I feel we will field a solid defensive lineup behind our pitchers, so we just are preaching to them to throw strikes. Not a lot of experience with that group, but so far in our scrimmages have done a nice job.

Returning letter winners will lead the way

A total of five lettermen return for the Bobcats led by a pair of three-year starters in seniors Regan Rogers (C) and Keaton Kyser (2B), who will be counted on to supply both production on the field as well as take on leadership roles.

Kyser finished with a robust .393 batting average with two doubles, a triple and 12 RBIs last year, while Rogers checked in with a .386 average with a total of 10 doubles with 25 RBIs for the Bobcats a year ago.

"Regan has been behind the plate at catcher since his freshman year," Lowery said. "One of the best catchers in the Eastern District, and I trust him to call his own game. Very smart, hard working player, who really knows the game. We will look for him to lead us again, both on and off the baseball field."

"Keaton is a three year starter for us and will be at second base this year," Lowery added. "A guy who makes things happen when he gets on, swings the bat very well. Keaton has good hands and plays solid defense. Another guy we look to be a key player for us."

Senior Bradyn Gregg is a two-year starter for the Bobcats and will anchor the infield at shortstop in addition to getting in work on the mound pitching.

"He is really smooth at shortstop, he's lanky and just covers a lot of ground out there," Lowery said. "Bradyn will also be in our pitching rotation and expect him to give us some good innings."

Rounding out the Bobcats roster are senior Coen Stoner (OF/1B), junior Rylee Homko (OF), sophomores Michael Micale (OF), Cam'ryn Jefferies (OF) and Seth Watkins (OF/C).

Bobcats off to solid start to season

Cambridge has bolted from the starting gate to a 1-1 record while dealing with a pair of early season rainouts thus far this spring.

"I'm pleased with our start so far," Lowery said. "We lost to a strong St. Clairsville team in the opener who was ranked 16th in the state in the preseason poll. We hung right with them for six innings, and we left a lot of runners on base in that game."

"I really like what I saw in game two against Meadowbrook when we got the win," Lowery continued. "We will look to build on that effort. Shows the guys that when we execute and do the small things, we will be a tough out. I'm excited to see this team grow as a unit and compete each and every game."

KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Cambridge baseball starts season with revamped pitching rotation