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Ohio Bison 17U/18U success built on decade of trust

Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate
·4 min read

POWELL — Mason Sprankle was ready in the bullpen Friday, but Hayden Woodward could see the finish line.

The Heath standout rebounded from a four-run third inning to allow just one hit during the final four innings. He also hit the go-ahead double to lift the Ohio Bison 17U/18U to a 5-4 victory over the Dayton Sluggers 17U during the Prep Baseball Report Capital City Classic at Olentangy Liberty.

“I usually have been a nice cool and collected guy,” Woodward said. “When I was younger, maybe (it would have bothered me) a little bit, but as I have grown up I have gotten super calm. Just like school ball, this team has such a good defense. If they hit the ball, it doesn’t really matter. They are going to make plays, and we are going to get out of it.”

That Lakewood’s Sprankle was behind Woodward just in case was no surprise as a collective effort helped the Bison to a 29-9-3 record heading into Sunday’s play against a high-level schedule.

The Bison trailed 4-2 on Friday when Utica’s Roman Gamble led off the top of the fifth inning with a walk. New Albany’s Brandon Ecleberry followed with a single in front of a two-run double from Mount Vernon’s Konnor Daughriety, and Woodward then delivered his double.

“It’s nice that (Askew) puts me at leadoff. I try my best,” said Gamble, who also led off the game with a single and scored on Woodward’s RBI single in the first inning. “Sometimes, it’s a lot of pressure, but I know my teammates. I know if I don’t get on, they will.”

Utica's Roman Gamble returns to first base for the Ohio Bison 17U/18U following a catch in the outfield in a 5-4 victory over the Dayton Sluggers 17U on Friday.
Utica's Roman Gamble returns to first base for the Ohio Bison 17U/18U following a catch in the outfield in a 5-4 victory over the Dayton Sluggers 17U on Friday.

Dustin Askew began coaching the Licking County Outlaws when his son Jonny was in 9U. He then moved to the Licking County Settlers and has continued to coach the Bison ever since the organizations’ merger.

A few of the players have been with Askew since the merger, and most for several seasons. Granville’s Nolan Tracy had three assists at second base, forming a double-play combination with Ecleberry, whose parents Greg and Amy are Newark graduates.

“I have been with them since 10U,” Tracy said. “It’s great because we all have chemistry from the past no matter who it is. Incoming guys, we welcome them and get to know them. It is nice to have guys you can trust. … Just being around people with a high skill level, you pick up on fielding, hitting, just approaches.”

Granville's Nolan Tracy hits for the Ohio Bison 17U/18U in a 5-4 victory over the Dayton Sluggers 17U on Friday.
Granville's Nolan Tracy hits for the Ohio Bison 17U/18U in a 5-4 victory over the Dayton Sluggers 17U on Friday.

Woodward’s game-high three hits bumped up his summer average to .384, and he trails just Daughriety in RBIs with 34. He hit .410 during the spring for Heath, helping the Bulldogs reach the Division III state tournament.

“It’s always a confidence boost, especially with this team because we have five or six guys who bat three through five for their school teams,” Woodward said. “I started off at sixth, and I just got hot. It definitely was a boost to get bumped up and be in that spot for the rest of the year for sure.”

Woodward, who struck out five without a walk, improved to 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA during the summer. Tri-Valley’s Landon Harney and Gamble have led the staff with a combined nine wins and 1.17 ERA, and Upper Arlington’s Cameron Baker has a team-best six wins.

Lakewood's Mason Sprankle leads off from third base in front of coach Dustin Askew for the Ohio Bison 17U/18U in a 5-4 victory over the Dayton Sluggers 17U on Friday. Askew has coached the team since it started as the Licking County Outlaws at 9U.
Lakewood's Mason Sprankle leads off from third base in front of coach Dustin Askew for the Ohio Bison 17U/18U in a 5-4 victory over the Dayton Sluggers 17U on Friday. Askew has coached the team since it started as the Licking County Outlaws at 9U.

The left-handed Sprankle has 19 strikeouts in 22⅓ innings after helping Lakewood win a Division II district championship in May. He threw three scoreless innings in a 7-4 victory Tuesday as the Bison played seven games in five days during an event in Emerson, Georgia.

“It’s been really fun pitching for them. I have enjoyed every second,” Sprankle said. “The competition has definitely been a lot better and a lot harder. I have learned a lot.”

Licking Valley’s Hayden Rodgers was absent Friday, but he has hit over .300 this summer and played all over the diamond, including catcher.

It is nearing the end of an era for the Bison as many of the players will make their decisions on next summer after consulting with their future college programs. They have developed bonds that will last beyond the baseball diamond.

“It’s a great environment, great teammates,” Gamble said. “Everybody is super friendly with each other. There are no outsiders.”

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @newark_sports

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Ohio Bison 17U/18U baseball success built on decade of trust