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Area varsity baseball teams kick off a new season on Friday, with hopes of a long run during the Ohio High School Athletic Association postseason to close out the campaign.
Now, the Daily Jeffersonian turns its attention to spring sports to preview our area baseball teams from Cambridge, Meadowbrook, John Glenn and Buckeye Trail as they take to the diamond.
Here's a look at our area teams as they begin play this spring.
You decide: With teams stepping on to the diamonds, vote on the Softball Player to Watch this spring
Batter up! Team-by-team previews for the 2025 softball season
Coach: Jamaal Lowery, 7th year
Last year's record: 14-7 Buckeye 8 Conference champions. Lost in the sectional finals to West Holmes
Players graduated/lost: Regan Rogers 4-year starter, Keaton Kyser 3-year starter, Brayden Gregg 3-year starter, Coen Stoner.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors Konner McIntire (OF) 2 year letter winner; Rylee Wilson (C-3B) 2-year letter winner; Juniors Dawson Geese (1st/3rd/ P) 2-year lettermen, Eastern District All-Star (4-2, 1.37 ERA/.300 ba); Mason Gregg (SS\P/OF) 2-year lettermen (5-2, 2.83 ERA/.203 ba); Garrett Carpenter (2nd/SS/P) 1-year letterman (freshman season 5-1, 1.30 ERA/.327 ba); Michael Micale 2-year letter winner (CF); Seth Watkins (OF) 1-year letter winner.
Key newcomers: Seniors Jacob Eltringham, Carson Campbell: Junior Izeyah Barnett: Sophomores Conner Parsons, Cam Lauer.
Team strengths: "Our strength will be our pitching and team speed," Lowery said. "We have three solid pitchers with Garrett, Dawson and Mason, which is a real plus for us. And we have a lot of guys who have solid wheels, and we will look to use that advantage we have."
Areas to improve: "We need to improve at the plate by knowing our roles as hitters," Lowery added. "Be better situational hitters and be able to execute whatever the situation in the game calls for. That and be consistent with our ability to put the ball in play."
League outlook: "We know the Buckeye 8 is always tough, then you add Barnesville in there as a newcomer this year," Lowery said. "Which that just adds another good team to our conference which is good. We will have to be ready to play every game in the Buckeye 8."
Season outlook: "I’m excited to watch these guys grow as a unit and ready for Game 1," Lowery continued. "We got good numbers out this year with 30 kids with plenty of talent. Looking forward to see what this group can do this year. They are a hard-working group, and I'm pretty confident going into the season."
Coach: Cory McQuain, 4th year
Last year's record: 15-7 overall, 3rd straight season IVC North Champions.
Players graduated/lost: Braden Williams 4-year starter, Cale Gazda 3-year starter.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors Mason McQuain (1B/OF) 1st Team Eastern District, 1st Team IVC, .433 batting average, .529 OBP; Tyeson Mercer (P/OF/INF) .275 ba, 1.20 ERA; Jackson Hoop (2B) .231 ba, 0 errors last season; Owen Carpenter (P/C/INF); Laine Wayble (SS); Noah Jones (OF); Tyson Anderson (OF): Juniors Tyler Harrell (C/P/INF) 1st Team Eastern District, 2nd Team IVC, .364 ba, .519 OBP/1.52 ERA; Easton Rominger (OF/P) .276 ba; Sammy Brown (P/OF/C) .255 ba; Benji Weaver (P/INF): Sophomores Taylor Weaver (P/INF) 4.80 ERA; Sam Wayble (P/INF) .264 ba/3.38 ERA.
Key newcomers: n/a
Team strengths: "Our experience is our biggest strength, we have so many returning players that I think we will take some big strides this year," McQuain added. "I think we will really improve with things we struggled with last season. And that includes our hitting, which I feel will be much better this season."
Areas to improve: "We need to improve our hitting overall as a team," McQuain said. "And our pitchers need to be better throwing strikes, we need to make teams swing the bat against us. Cut down on walks, and make guys earn their way on base."
League outlook: "We know we have a bull's eye on our back with winning three straight IVC titles," McQuain added. "And I feel it will be much tougher trying to get another IVC crown, some very good teams in the IVC, and we will need to be ready every night to defend our title."
Season outlook: "We are looking too make an extended postseason run this year," McQuain continued. "We've had a lot of success in the IVC the last three years, want to continue with that. But then put it together in the tournament as well. I feel we have the experience and the talent to get that job done this season."
Coach: Sam Fondriest, 6st year
Last year's record: 7-17 overall, 6-10 MVL
Players graduated/lost: Andy Hardy (P), James Armentrout (C).
Returning letterwinners: Seniors Gunner Davis (P/OF) 2-year letterman (Musklngum Commit) Honorable Mention MVL, Honorable Mention Eastern District. .269 ba 18 hits. 34 IP 33 K's; Kade Winnett (2B) 2-year letterman 1st Team MVL, 1st Team Eastern District. .300 ba, 21 hits; Landon Khune (OF) Landon suffered a season ending injury 4 games into last season: Juniors Cohen Miles (3B/P) 2-year letterman, 2nd Team MVL, 2nd Team Eastern District, .265 ba 19 hits. 21 IP 23 K's; Braylon Lowery (SS/P) 2-year letter winner; Casey Clendenning (1B/P) 2-year letter winner; Devin Wells (OF/C) 1-year letter winner: Sophomore Kam Winnett (Utility) 1-year letter winner.
Key newcomers: Juniors Houston Lashley (1B); Tre Gray (OF): Sophomores Evan Fox (1B/P); Austin Warner (C/P): Freshman Blake Lappert (INF/OF).
Team strengths: "We have experienced group with 8 returning letter winners," Fondriest said. "We have a versatile group of players who can play multiple positions. We will probably play between 11-12 different players. We return most of our pitchers who have thrown a lot of innings over the last couple seasons."
Areas to improve: "Our pitchers need to do a better job of throwing more strikes and limiting their pitch count," Fondriest added. "Offensively, we need to cut down our strikeouts from last season and put the ball in play more. Defensively, we need to make more routine plays and throw out more baserunners from behind the plate."
League outlook: "I think the small school MVL division could be up for grabs by any team," Fondriest added. "Most teams lost key players from last season which is why we feel it could be anyone’s title to win."
More: Check out the area's top softball players as a new season gets underway
More: Ohio hunting in 2024-25: What you need to know about seasons, licenses, safety and more
Season outlook: "Looking out at our schedule we have many winnable games on it. We need to win the games we’re supposed to and try to steal a couple more wins along the way," Fondriest continued. "We can no longer use the excuse of young and inexperienced. We have a veteran team that needs to take the next step and return a winning culture back to Meadowbrook."
Coach: Brad Barclay, 23rd year
Last year's record: 7-18, 5-11 MVL
Players graduated/lost: Noah Winland (First Team MVL and East District), Roman Gallitz, Jesse Driskel (First Team MVL, Second Team East District), Ross Lake, Connor Coveney
Returning letterwinners: Seniors Matt Brandt (OF/C), Wyatt Lee (OF/3B), Trent Milliner (P), Justin Stambush (Utility, .293, 17 hits, 3.82 ERA), Kris Wise (OF), Wylee Woodard (Utility, .316, 24 hits, 5 doubles, 15 RBIs); Junior Owen Edwards (P/IF) and Zane Townsend (Util, 11 RBIs); Sophomore Carter Merry (P/IF, .290, 18 hits, 11 RBIs)
Key newcomers: Juniors Riley Wunder (C/OF) and Cecelia Maldonado (OF/2B); Sophomores Delaney Bell (P/1B) and Josilyn Stashonsky (1B/3B); Freshmen Kendall Snider (P/2B) and Morgan Harper (INF)
[email protected]; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: OHSAA baseball previews: Veteran players crucial to area teams' success
Continue reading...
Now, the Daily Jeffersonian turns its attention to spring sports to preview our area baseball teams from Cambridge, Meadowbrook, John Glenn and Buckeye Trail as they take to the diamond.
Here's a look at our area teams as they begin play this spring.
You decide: With teams stepping on to the diamonds, vote on the Softball Player to Watch this spring
Batter up! Team-by-team previews for the 2025 softball season
Buckeye 8 Conference
Cambridge
Coach: Jamaal Lowery, 7th year
Last year's record: 14-7 Buckeye 8 Conference champions. Lost in the sectional finals to West Holmes
Players graduated/lost: Regan Rogers 4-year starter, Keaton Kyser 3-year starter, Brayden Gregg 3-year starter, Coen Stoner.
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Returning letterwinners: Seniors Konner McIntire (OF) 2 year letter winner; Rylee Wilson (C-3B) 2-year letter winner; Juniors Dawson Geese (1st/3rd/ P) 2-year lettermen, Eastern District All-Star (4-2, 1.37 ERA/.300 ba); Mason Gregg (SS\P/OF) 2-year lettermen (5-2, 2.83 ERA/.203 ba); Garrett Carpenter (2nd/SS/P) 1-year letterman (freshman season 5-1, 1.30 ERA/.327 ba); Michael Micale 2-year letter winner (CF); Seth Watkins (OF) 1-year letter winner.
Key newcomers: Seniors Jacob Eltringham, Carson Campbell: Junior Izeyah Barnett: Sophomores Conner Parsons, Cam Lauer.
Team strengths: "Our strength will be our pitching and team speed," Lowery said. "We have three solid pitchers with Garrett, Dawson and Mason, which is a real plus for us. And we have a lot of guys who have solid wheels, and we will look to use that advantage we have."
Areas to improve: "We need to improve at the plate by knowing our roles as hitters," Lowery added. "Be better situational hitters and be able to execute whatever the situation in the game calls for. That and be consistent with our ability to put the ball in play."
League outlook: "We know the Buckeye 8 is always tough, then you add Barnesville in there as a newcomer this year," Lowery said. "Which that just adds another good team to our conference which is good. We will have to be ready to play every game in the Buckeye 8."
Season outlook: "I’m excited to watch these guys grow as a unit and ready for Game 1," Lowery continued. "We got good numbers out this year with 30 kids with plenty of talent. Looking forward to see what this group can do this year. They are a hard-working group, and I'm pretty confident going into the season."
Inter-Valley Conference
Buckeye Trail
Coach: Cory McQuain, 4th year
Last year's record: 15-7 overall, 3rd straight season IVC North Champions.
Players graduated/lost: Braden Williams 4-year starter, Cale Gazda 3-year starter.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors Mason McQuain (1B/OF) 1st Team Eastern District, 1st Team IVC, .433 batting average, .529 OBP; Tyeson Mercer (P/OF/INF) .275 ba, 1.20 ERA; Jackson Hoop (2B) .231 ba, 0 errors last season; Owen Carpenter (P/C/INF); Laine Wayble (SS); Noah Jones (OF); Tyson Anderson (OF): Juniors Tyler Harrell (C/P/INF) 1st Team Eastern District, 2nd Team IVC, .364 ba, .519 OBP/1.52 ERA; Easton Rominger (OF/P) .276 ba; Sammy Brown (P/OF/C) .255 ba; Benji Weaver (P/INF): Sophomores Taylor Weaver (P/INF) 4.80 ERA; Sam Wayble (P/INF) .264 ba/3.38 ERA.
You must be registered for see images attach
Key newcomers: n/a
Team strengths: "Our experience is our biggest strength, we have so many returning players that I think we will take some big strides this year," McQuain added. "I think we will really improve with things we struggled with last season. And that includes our hitting, which I feel will be much better this season."
Areas to improve: "We need to improve our hitting overall as a team," McQuain said. "And our pitchers need to be better throwing strikes, we need to make teams swing the bat against us. Cut down on walks, and make guys earn their way on base."
League outlook: "We know we have a bull's eye on our back with winning three straight IVC titles," McQuain added. "And I feel it will be much tougher trying to get another IVC crown, some very good teams in the IVC, and we will need to be ready every night to defend our title."
Season outlook: "We are looking too make an extended postseason run this year," McQuain continued. "We've had a lot of success in the IVC the last three years, want to continue with that. But then put it together in the tournament as well. I feel we have the experience and the talent to get that job done this season."
Muskingum Valley League Small School
Meadowbrook
Coach: Sam Fondriest, 6st year
Last year's record: 7-17 overall, 6-10 MVL
Players graduated/lost: Andy Hardy (P), James Armentrout (C).
Returning letterwinners: Seniors Gunner Davis (P/OF) 2-year letterman (Musklngum Commit) Honorable Mention MVL, Honorable Mention Eastern District. .269 ba 18 hits. 34 IP 33 K's; Kade Winnett (2B) 2-year letterman 1st Team MVL, 1st Team Eastern District. .300 ba, 21 hits; Landon Khune (OF) Landon suffered a season ending injury 4 games into last season: Juniors Cohen Miles (3B/P) 2-year letterman, 2nd Team MVL, 2nd Team Eastern District, .265 ba 19 hits. 21 IP 23 K's; Braylon Lowery (SS/P) 2-year letter winner; Casey Clendenning (1B/P) 2-year letter winner; Devin Wells (OF/C) 1-year letter winner: Sophomore Kam Winnett (Utility) 1-year letter winner.
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Key newcomers: Juniors Houston Lashley (1B); Tre Gray (OF): Sophomores Evan Fox (1B/P); Austin Warner (C/P): Freshman Blake Lappert (INF/OF).
Team strengths: "We have experienced group with 8 returning letter winners," Fondriest said. "We have a versatile group of players who can play multiple positions. We will probably play between 11-12 different players. We return most of our pitchers who have thrown a lot of innings over the last couple seasons."
Areas to improve: "Our pitchers need to do a better job of throwing more strikes and limiting their pitch count," Fondriest added. "Offensively, we need to cut down our strikeouts from last season and put the ball in play more. Defensively, we need to make more routine plays and throw out more baserunners from behind the plate."
League outlook: "I think the small school MVL division could be up for grabs by any team," Fondriest added. "Most teams lost key players from last season which is why we feel it could be anyone’s title to win."
More: Check out the area's top softball players as a new season gets underway
More: Ohio hunting in 2024-25: What you need to know about seasons, licenses, safety and more
Season outlook: "Looking out at our schedule we have many winnable games on it. We need to win the games we’re supposed to and try to steal a couple more wins along the way," Fondriest continued. "We can no longer use the excuse of young and inexperienced. We have a veteran team that needs to take the next step and return a winning culture back to Meadowbrook."
John Glenn
Coach: Brad Barclay, 23rd year
Last year's record: 7-18, 5-11 MVL
Players graduated/lost: Noah Winland (First Team MVL and East District), Roman Gallitz, Jesse Driskel (First Team MVL, Second Team East District), Ross Lake, Connor Coveney
Returning letterwinners: Seniors Matt Brandt (OF/C), Wyatt Lee (OF/3B), Trent Milliner (P), Justin Stambush (Utility, .293, 17 hits, 3.82 ERA), Kris Wise (OF), Wylee Woodard (Utility, .316, 24 hits, 5 doubles, 15 RBIs); Junior Owen Edwards (P/IF) and Zane Townsend (Util, 11 RBIs); Sophomore Carter Merry (P/IF, .290, 18 hits, 11 RBIs)
Key newcomers: Juniors Riley Wunder (C/OF) and Cecelia Maldonado (OF/2B); Sophomores Delaney Bell (P/1B) and Josilyn Stashonsky (1B/3B); Freshmen Kendall Snider (P/2B) and Morgan Harper (INF)
[email protected]; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: OHSAA baseball previews: Veteran players crucial to area teams' success
Continue reading...
