High School Baseball Capsules: Here is a first look at how each team stacks up in 2024
LANCASTER — There is a ton of talent returning for area high school baseball teams, and not only will they be looking to win league titles but make deep tournament runs, as well.
A year ago, Berne Union came out of nowhere to win a Division IV district championship, its first since 1938. Bloom-Carroll also won a Division II district title. Both teams have most of their roster returning.
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The storylines this season should be interesting. Here is a closer look at each team and how they stack up.
Lancaster
Coach: Corey Conn (12th season)
Conference: Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division
Last year’s record: 17-10
Returning: Zach Mowder, Jr.; Darren Ramsey, Jr.; Owen Pompey, Sr.; Jakub Akers, Sr.; Jackson Burke, Sr.; Kathen Hutton, Sr.; Dylan Bird, Sr.; Hayden Allen, Sr.; Kam Griffith, Soph.; Carson Miller, Soph.
Key losses: Isaac Cooperrider, Carter Ross, Jacob Mowder, Davis Roby, Alex Miller, Caleb Knipp
Key newcomers: N/A
Coach Conn’s take: “Excited for our group. We have had great senior leadership throughout the offseason and look forward to making a run in our last dance. Excited to see guys step up in their roles and compete.”
Bloom-Carroll
Coach: Jason Vest (eighth season)
Conference: Mis-State League-Buckeye Division
Last year’s record: (28-3, MSL champs (14-0), district champs, regional semifinal)
Returning: Brody Bishop, Sr.; Tryce Chaffin, Jr.; Markus Roberson, Jr.; Andrew Hal, Sr.; Carsten Deibel, Sr.; Park Truex, Jr.; Jacob Denton, Sr.; Jude Balser, Sr.; Adam Black, Sr.; Matthew Cline, Soph.; Caleb Hinkle, Soph.; Carson Davis, Soph.
Key losses: Six starting position players, one starting pitcher and three additional key reserves
Key newcomers: Ethan Moore, Jr.; Gavin Mackie, Maddus Byler, Soph.; Johnny Kaut, Fr.; Mason Storts, Fr.; Evan Cardenas, Soph.; Grady Johnson, Soph.
Coach Vest’s take: “We lost 11 talented seniors who contributed to the program, but we return a deep pitching staff and were able to build a lot of program depth in 2023. If our position players continue to develop, we build on our culture in combination with our pitching we have a chance to be good. We will continue to rely on defense, pitching, baserunning, and doing the little things to be successful.”
Liberty Union
Coach: Justin Miller (Sixth season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Buckeye Division
Last year’s record: (10-11, district semifinal)
Returning: Ian Wilson, Alex Johnson, Raul Lopez, Bobby Savage, Justin Sisson, Cam Wood, Tanner Farmer, Pierce Weis
Key losses: Cayden Carroll, Daniel Deirfield, Colton Hutchinson, Austin McClure, Troy Myers
Key newcomers: Mason Watkins, Camdyn Carpenter, Reese Chaney, Brett Clark, Brandon Deirfield, Bryce Dell, Austin Gunderson, Dominic Hoskins, Cohen May, Drew Morris, Landon Moss, Luke Strawser, Chase Strawse
Coach Miller’s take: “Great day to be a Lion.”
Fisher Catholic
Coach: Jared Stewart (fifth season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Cardinal Division
Last year’s record: (11-10)
Returning: Peyton Owens, Sr.; Gavin Stewart, Jr.; Grant Keefer, Jr.; Simon Messerly, Sr.; Drew Mattei, Sr.; Jayden Scott, Soph.; Simon Martin, Soph.;
Key losses: Nick Dolci, JJ Viau
Key newcomers: Jacob Huber, Jr.; Brody Kersell, Fr.; Sam Tencza, Fr.
Coach Stewart’s take: “With the success of our basketball team, we are behind in our preparation as a full team (4-5 of our starters missed the first 3½ weeks of baseball practice). We also have a returning starter and All-MSL player (Gavin Stewart), who is working his way back from a stress reaction injury in his lower back. He is currently not cleared to fully practice or play. Has not been allowed to swing a bat for eight weeks and has just recently started light throwing. However, we have a great mix of veteran players and a solid group of young players who are hungry to continue the winning ways of our basketball team. Our goal is to get better every time we step on the field and to be playing our best baseball come tournament time. In terms of a league championship, we believe we have as good of a shot as anyone but it will be a battle with Fairfield Christian Academy, Berne Union, and Bishop Rosecrans. However, the sleeper team to look out for is Miller. They were much improved last year and will return almost their entire team.”
Amanda-Clearcreek
Coach: Travis Stone (ninth season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Buckeye Division
Last year’s record: (5-16)
Returning: Pete Brockman, Sr.; Blayne Barker, Sr.; Leland Riley, Sr.; Colton Tooill, Sr.; Brody Elder, Jr.; Brady Holbrook, Jr.; Peyton Beavers, Jr.; Dalton Dresbach, Jr.; Tanner Affolter, Jr.; Braxton Bussard, Jr.; Bodie Martin, Soph.; Gary Kemmerling, Soph.
Key losses: Bryton Carruthers, Jr., is out for the season with a knee injury
Key newcomers: Drew Dossman, Sr.; Nick Holland, Fr.; Beece Stone, Fr.
Coach Stone’s take: “The Aces look to transition out of rebuild mode coming off a terrific offseason/preseason. We are really looking to our strong senior pitchers to anchor things down the first couple weeks of the season while we continue to let position battles play out and get our younger guys accustomed to the speed of the varsity game. This team has a really good blend of talent and experience — and just a ton of heart and pride. They are looking to go out this year and do something special with this season.”
Berne Union
Coach: Chad Cupp (sixth season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Cardinal Division
Last year’s record: (18-9, Division IV district champion for the first time since 1938)
Returning: Hudson Gerken, Sr.; Cade Pugh, Sr.; Glenny Harris, Sr.; Austin Snyder, Sr.; William Bolton, Jr.; Quynn Duncan, Jr.; Zach Hartman, Jr.; Clayton Moore, Jr.; Ethin Redinger, Soph.
Key losses: Russ Blank, Cooper Mitchell, Nate Nemeth, Luke Shafer
Key newcomers: Colton Woodgeard, Jr.; Tristan Boerstler, Soph.; Colt Probasco, Soph.; Colton Moore, Fr.; Ashton O’Rourke, Fr.; Jeremy Hartmann, Fr.
Coach Cupp’s take: “We bring back a good core of our players. We finished the year playing really well so we have to work to get back to that level. Our guys have been working very hard and we expect to have another good season.”
Fairfield Christian Academy
Coach: Josh Baker (seventh season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Cardinal Division
Last year’s record: (20-5, MSL champions, district semifinal)
Returning: JP Vance, Sr.; Gabe Linn, Sr.; Jimmy Schmitz, Sr.; AJ Holbrook, Soph.; Brayden Stem, Soph.; Harrison Teal, Jr.; Caleb White, Soph.
Key losses: Matt Keener, Andrew Keener, Christian Shulz
Key newcomers: Connor Blair, Fr.; Josh White, Fr.; Jens Schulz
Coach Baker’s take: “We have put together the toughest schedule we’ve had at this school to get these guys ready to compete in league play and to be ready to go come tournament time. We return every inning on the mound from last year but have some very big defensive shoes to fill. However, we have a group of guys that are up to the challenge and will be ready to go.”
(Editor’s note: Information was not received from Fairfield Union and Millersport coaches.)
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: H.S. Baseball Capsules: Here is a look at how each team stacks up
