Ohio Bison 13u 'brotherhood' wins 5th tourney, continues development
COLUMBUS ― Grant McMullen was welcomed to the "brotherhood" last season, and he's become a full-fledged member in 2023.
He is one of five Newark players on the Ohio Bison's 13u team that has piled up a 43-6-1 record since April, and most of the team has been together since it was a 10u club, including a 51-0 record as 11u.
On Saturday morning, McMullen's presence was heavily felt as the Bison overpowered Ohio Prowl 12-4 and Gahanna Blue Lions 8-0, both five-inning games, in the 26-team Columbus Classic at Berliner Park. On Sunday, they beat Hardcore Elite White 6-5, Pittsburgh Steal 10-6 and Bo Jackson Elite 9-2 to win their fifth tournament of 2023.
"I was on their other team last year, and started playing with these guys about halfway through," said McMullen, who went 3 for 3 with two doubles and a single with three RBIs in the first game Saturday, and also pitched the final three innings to get the win in relief. "I've gotten a lot better, and I'm full-time this year."
In the second game, he made a diving catch of a foul pop and threw two runners out stealing at catcher, and also doubled and drew a bases-loaded walk. On Sunday, he drove home four runs in the title game.
Noted Newark's Brody Randall, who plays first base and pitches: "He's worked really hard, and absolutely deserves to be playing with us right now."
It's not easy cracking the Bison's lineup. Coach Mike Kopachy said this has been five years in the making. In addition to the five titles, they also have a runner-up finish this season.
"We've had our core together for a long time, and it's a brotherhood and a family atmosphere," he said. "This is something they want to be a part of. Adam Jenkins has provided good leadership with the Ohio Bison, and our Newark kids started at North Newark and believed in his vision, which includes community service, families and good baseball."
Other Newark players include Tayvian Green, who played second base Saturday, left fielder Michael Kopachy and Kolin Clark. Colt Bryan and Cade Harbage are from Heath. Mike Kopachy coaches infielders and pitchers, and assistants Josh Hafner (outfielders) and Evan Gentry (catchers) are also Newark guys.
Bryan, who has been with the team all four years, had a triple and single with an RBI in the first game Saturday and scored two runs as a pinch runner in the second contest, including taking home on a double steal.
"You get better, and you meet new people," he said. "I've really improved overall. A couple of times this season, we weren't locked in, but when we are, we're hard to beat."
Michael Kopachy, who beat out an infield single to score a run in the second game Saturday, said he's gotten faster and stronger and is throwing the ball harder. He knocked in four runs against the Pittsburgh Steal and went 3 for 4 against Bo Jackson Elite.
"I've been hitting the ball well, better than I had," he said. "Our practices really help. We have good pitchers, and they're throwing us curveballs. Kolin (Clark) pumps us up."
Randall, who had an RBI single and scored two runs in the second game Saturday, said he's been working on his swing and it has paid off. He went 3 for 4 in the finals and also struck out nine in relief.
"I'm getting very strong contact, much harder contact than I did before," he said. "We have good friendships, and our team chemistry is great. We trust each other."
Coach Kopachy said the Bison have beefed up their schedule, playing tournaments in Columbus, Dayton and Charleston, South Carolina. A big one is coming up in Bridgeport, West Virginia, in the Mid-Atlantic Regional.
"We've tried to play a lot on turf, like here at Berliner," he said of the expansive 31-field complex. "We've had a really good season. We started out hot and have kept up the tempo the entire year. Our goal is to be one of the best teams in the region, which includes Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia."
The Bison also include shortstop-pitcher Nate Roberts of Gahanna, third baseman-pitcher Maison Kiser of Ridgewood, outfielder/catcher/pitcher Jack DeWeese from Westerville, utility man Niko Agganis from Pickerington, outfielder Dalton Waite of Maysville and Zanesville's Braelyn McGovern. They recently picked up Teays Valley's Tanner Smith, and he pitched two-hit ball over five innings in the second win on Saturday, and one-hit ball over three innings against Pittsburgh Steal on Sunday.
"Our pitching has been great all year. The top four are lights out," coach Kopachy said. "We have a tough lineup from top to bottom."
Roberts hits .540 with 12 triples, 27 stolen bases and 47 RBIs. He's also 9-3 on the mound. Kiser bats .491 and is 10-1 with a 1.034 ERA, 79 strikeouts in 67 innings and only six walks. He picked up two wins on Sunday.
DeWeese is a .491 hitter with 28 steals and is also 7-0 with a 2.37 ERA, while Randall bats .486 with 10 triples and 51 RBIs, also fanning 39 in 17 innings on the mound. Kopachy hits .464, Green .408 and McMullen .377, also going 6-1 pitching.
"It's great competition, and it gives us a challenge," McMullen said. "I've improved both emotionally and physically."
Kopachy has a couple of freshmen to be on his roster, and the rest will be entering eighth grade.
"We want to get them ready to play high school baseball, if they want, and give them exposure to college baseball scouts," he said. "Give them a chance to play at the next level."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Ohio Bison 13u 'brotherhood' wins 5th tourney, continues development
