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MANSFIELD — Richland County baseball has some serious potential in 2025.
Mostly because of the amazing talent coming back to the diamond this season. Let's take a look at 25 of the top returning basketball players in Richland County for the 2025 season.
SOFTBALL MEDIA GUIDE: 2025 Richland County Softball Media Guide: Your one-stop shop for everything you need to know
Others to watch: Lincoln Distl, Plymouth; Colton Hass, Plymouth; Quinton Albert, Shelby; EJ Fox, Madison.
Martin hit .280 with 21 hits, six doubles, a home run, 11 RBIs and 14 runs scored last season. He didn't land on any postseason honors list but was one of the News Journal's Wild Card Team members as a kid who played very well last year. The Minutemen should be in great shape with Martin leading the way.
Sowards hit .338 with 22 hits, one double, four RBIs and nine runs scored and was another Wild Card Team member for the NJ. He is back to provide some senior leadership after earning All-Ohio honors in football and wrestling.
Sansome hit .317 with 26 hits, four doubles, one triple, 26 RBIs and 26 runs scored last season and earned a spot on the NJ's Wild Card Team. Sansom will have an even bigger role in 2025 and should see some time on the mound as well. The Colts are loaded with talent and Sansom is right at the front of the line.
Staley is the true definition of a ballplayer. The Clear Fork catcher caught 167 ⅓ innings of the 204 the Colts played last season. At the plate, he had 12 total hits but was hit by a pitch 13 times. He is the loudest one in the dugout and the most positive player the Colts have in the lineup. The best thing about Staley is he is always smiling and having fun playing the game sporting a smile no matter the score or situation. There is a definition of the perfect teammate and it is molded around Staley.
Mahon hit .278 with 25 hits, four doubles, a triple, a home run, 16 RBIs and 21 runs scored while also working 36 innings on the mound going 4-2 with two saves, 47 strikeouts and a 1.93 earned run average. He earned honorable mention All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference honors and should be a starter in league play this season.
Noel hit .318 with 21 hits, a triple, 14 RBIs and 10 runs scored for the Whippets last season when he earned honorable mention All-MOAC honors. With the Whippets graduating a load of players from last year's team, Noel will have a much bigger role this season.
Keener had a solid freshman season last year hitting .303 with 20 hits, a double, 15 RBIs and 13 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-Firelands Conference honors. With a year of varsity baseball under his belt, Keener should have a big year in 2025.
Caudill hit .308 with 16 hits, one double, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored last season earning second team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference honors. Back for his senior year, Caudill leads a veteran cast of players that should compete for a league championship and maybe even a district title.
Morrow hit .282 with 20 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, seven RBIs and 16 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honors. The Rams are in line for a big season on the diamond and with Morrow back in the lineup, they should have no problem competing in a very tough OCC.
Grover hit .232 with 16 hits, five RBIs and 12 runs scored last season earning honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-MBC honors. At shortstop, he had a .837 fielding percentage. As a senior leader, he will be asked to do even more this season and the Cubs should flourish behind him.
Grose hit .300 with 18 hits, five doubles, one triple, one home run, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-Firelands Conference honors. A lefty, Grose also threw 30 ⅓ innings going 4-2 with 38 strikeouts and a 3.69 ERA. Back for his junior year, he will be a conference game starter and the Big Red should be in the league championship conversation because of it.
Malone hit .258 with 17 hits, six doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs and 12 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honors. He also worked 22 innings on the mound striking out 36 in the process. The Tygers are in line for a big season and Malone will have a huge part in that.
Trader hit .273 with 18 hits, one double, 11 RBIs and 24 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-OCC honors. He also worked 35 ⅔ innings striking out 26. Trader will be tasked with playing multiple positions for the Tygers this season and if they hope to have the season they are thinking they will, he will need to play well every single game.
Ball hit .333 with 27 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, 27 RBIS and 20 runs scored for the Colts last season. He earned honorable mention All-District 9 and second team All-MOAC honors and will be looking for bigger and better things in 2025. He steps into a major leadership role as the Colts look to win back-to-back district championships.
Hotz hit .370 with 27 hits, two doubles, three triples, 11 RBIs and 20 runs scored but made his biggest impact on the mound working 54 innings and going 7-3 with two saves, 43 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA. Hotz earned honorable mention All-District 9 and second team All-MOAC honors last year and helped the Colts win a Division II district championship by leaving his mark as the winning pitcher. Hotz will now be the ace of the staff and the Colts are going to be just fine.
Burrer had a big sophomore year hitting .314 with 22 hits, five doubles, two home runs, 20 RBIs and 21 runs scored while also pitching 46 ⅓ innings going 2-3 with a save, 60 strikeouts and a 1.51 ERA. He was an honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-Firelands Conference player last season and will be back for his junior year ready for more.
DiBartolomeo burst onto the scene last year hitting .306 with 22 hits, two doubles, 15 RBIS and 11 runs scored but made the biggest impact on the mound where he worked 43 ⅔ innings going 5-2 with a save, 73 strikeouts and a 2.24 ERA earning MNJ's Small School Pitcher of the Year Award. He was an honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-MBC selection and the Cubs expect even more out of him in 2025. In a must-win game, DiBartolomeo gives the Cubs as good of a chance as anyone.
Ringler had a nice junior season hitting .373 with 28 hits, five doubles, a home run, 26 RBIS and 23 runs scored for the Cougars. He was an honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-FC player a year ago and will have a major role in this year's team. He went 3-3 with a 1.94 ERA and 60 strikeouts on the mound and will be the team's ace this season.
Barker had a big year at the plate last season hitting .432 with 35 hits, eight doubles, a triple, 20 RBIs and 16 runs scored. He earned honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-FC honors last season and has the Cougars poised to compete for a league championship in 2025.
Fanello was one of the top hitters on the Cubs last year with a .328 average, 20 hits, three doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs and 18 runs scored. He earned second team All-District 9 and first team All-MBC honors and will be even better in 2025. He is the top offensive player returning to the lineup.
Walters had the highest batting average on the team among everyday players for the Warriors hitting .387 with 24 hits, two doubles, five triples, 17 RBIs and 22 runs scored. He worked the most innings on the mound going 41 ⅔ innings sporting a 5-0 record with 45 strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA. He was a second team All-District 9 and first team All-MOAC players for the Warriors last season and should be in line for a possible All-Ohio spot this season.
Kuhn hit .368 with 35 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs, 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored and caught 165 ⅓ innings last season. He was a second team All-District 9 and first team All-OCC player in 2024 and with his leadership and experience coming back, the Rams are due for a breakout season and could make some noise in a Division III district tournament and even the OCC.
Chamberlin spent last season playing for the Lucas Cubs where he led the team with a .417 average, 30 hits, five doubles, nine RBIS and 12 runs scored. He earned first team All-District 9 and first team All-MBC honors. He started his high school career at Clear Fork before moving to Lucas and now returns to The Valley to a loaded lineup where he is certain to make a major impact.
Eyster could be right up there in the conversation for the best returning baseball player in Richland County. He was great at the dish hitting .338 with 25 hits, four doubles, a triple, nine RBIs and 26 runs scored but was even batter on the mound working 59 ⅓ innings sporting an 8-3 record with 42 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA. He was a first team All-District 9 and first team All-MOAC selection last season and will make the Whippets an MOAC title contender because of what he can do on the bump.
Jackson is the lone returning All-Ohioan in Richland County baseball earning honorable mention All-Ohio, first team All-District 9 and first team All-MOAC honors last season. He hit .455 with 46 hits, six doubles, six triples, three home runs, 34 RBIs and 36 runs scored for one of the most impressive offensive seasons in the state. He played a flawless shortstop and will now step into a huge role of being one of the conference game pitchers. It is going to be hard to keep him off of first team All-Ohio after this season.
[email protected]
740-244-9934
X: @JakeFurr11
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Jake's List | Top 25 Richland County baseball players for the 2025 season
Continue reading...
Mostly because of the amazing talent coming back to the diamond this season. Let's take a look at 25 of the top returning basketball players in Richland County for the 2025 season.
SOFTBALL MEDIA GUIDE: 2025 Richland County Softball Media Guide: Your one-stop shop for everything you need to know
Others to watch: Lincoln Distl, Plymouth; Colton Hass, Plymouth; Quinton Albert, Shelby; EJ Fox, Madison.
25. Markale Martin, Lexington
Martin hit .280 with 21 hits, six doubles, a home run, 11 RBIs and 14 runs scored last season. He didn't land on any postseason honors list but was one of the News Journal's Wild Card Team members as a kid who played very well last year. The Minutemen should be in great shape with Martin leading the way.
24. Landon Sowards, Ontario
Sowards hit .338 with 22 hits, one double, four RBIs and nine runs scored and was another Wild Card Team member for the NJ. He is back to provide some senior leadership after earning All-Ohio honors in football and wrestling.
23. Mason Sansom, Clear Fork
Sansome hit .317 with 26 hits, four doubles, one triple, 26 RBIs and 26 runs scored last season and earned a spot on the NJ's Wild Card Team. Sansom will have an even bigger role in 2025 and should see some time on the mound as well. The Colts are loaded with talent and Sansom is right at the front of the line.
22. Dawson Staley, Clear Fork
Staley is the true definition of a ballplayer. The Clear Fork catcher caught 167 ⅓ innings of the 204 the Colts played last season. At the plate, he had 12 total hits but was hit by a pitch 13 times. He is the loudest one in the dugout and the most positive player the Colts have in the lineup. The best thing about Staley is he is always smiling and having fun playing the game sporting a smile no matter the score or situation. There is a definition of the perfect teammate and it is molded around Staley.
21. James Mahon, Ontario
Mahon hit .278 with 25 hits, four doubles, a triple, a home run, 16 RBIs and 21 runs scored while also working 36 innings on the mound going 4-2 with two saves, 47 strikeouts and a 1.93 earned run average. He earned honorable mention All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference honors and should be a starter in league play this season.
20. Maverick Noel, Shelby
Noel hit .318 with 21 hits, a triple, 14 RBIs and 10 runs scored for the Whippets last season when he earned honorable mention All-MOAC honors. With the Whippets graduating a load of players from last year's team, Noel will have a much bigger role this season.
19. Carson Keener, Crestview
Keener had a solid freshman season last year hitting .303 with 20 hits, a double, 15 RBIs and 13 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-Firelands Conference honors. With a year of varsity baseball under his belt, Keener should have a big year in 2025.
18. Ray Caudill, Lucas
Caudill hit .308 with 16 hits, one double, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored last season earning second team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference honors. Back for his senior year, Caudill leads a veteran cast of players that should compete for a league championship and maybe even a district title.
17. Owen Morrow, Madison
Morrow hit .282 with 20 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, seven RBIs and 16 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honors. The Rams are in line for a big season on the diamond and with Morrow back in the lineup, they should have no problem competing in a very tough OCC.
16. Bobby Grover, Lucas
Grover hit .232 with 16 hits, five RBIs and 12 runs scored last season earning honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-MBC honors. At shortstop, he had a .837 fielding percentage. As a senior leader, he will be asked to do even more this season and the Cubs should flourish behind him.
15. Lex Grose, Plymouth
Grose hit .300 with 18 hits, five doubles, one triple, one home run, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-Firelands Conference honors. A lefty, Grose also threw 30 ⅓ innings going 4-2 with 38 strikeouts and a 3.69 ERA. Back for his junior year, he will be a conference game starter and the Big Red should be in the league championship conversation because of it.
14. Joshua Malone, Mansfield Senior
Malone hit .258 with 17 hits, six doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs and 12 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honors. He also worked 22 innings on the mound striking out 36 in the process. The Tygers are in line for a big season and Malone will have a huge part in that.
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13. Guy Trader, Mansfield Senior
Trader hit .273 with 18 hits, one double, 11 RBIs and 24 runs scored earning him honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-OCC honors. He also worked 35 ⅔ innings striking out 26. Trader will be tasked with playing multiple positions for the Tygers this season and if they hope to have the season they are thinking they will, he will need to play well every single game.
12. Chandler Ball, Clear Fork
Ball hit .333 with 27 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, 27 RBIS and 20 runs scored for the Colts last season. He earned honorable mention All-District 9 and second team All-MOAC honors and will be looking for bigger and better things in 2025. He steps into a major leadership role as the Colts look to win back-to-back district championships.
11. Garett Hotz, Clear Fork
Hotz hit .370 with 27 hits, two doubles, three triples, 11 RBIs and 20 runs scored but made his biggest impact on the mound working 54 innings and going 7-3 with two saves, 43 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA. Hotz earned honorable mention All-District 9 and second team All-MOAC honors last year and helped the Colts win a Division II district championship by leaving his mark as the winning pitcher. Hotz will now be the ace of the staff and the Colts are going to be just fine.
10. Jarrett Burrer, Plymouth
Burrer had a big sophomore year hitting .314 with 22 hits, five doubles, two home runs, 20 RBIs and 21 runs scored while also pitching 46 ⅓ innings going 2-3 with a save, 60 strikeouts and a 1.51 ERA. He was an honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-Firelands Conference player last season and will be back for his junior year ready for more.
9. Jack DiBartolomeo, Lucas
DiBartolomeo burst onto the scene last year hitting .306 with 22 hits, two doubles, 15 RBIS and 11 runs scored but made the biggest impact on the mound where he worked 43 ⅔ innings going 5-2 with a save, 73 strikeouts and a 2.24 ERA earning MNJ's Small School Pitcher of the Year Award. He was an honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-MBC selection and the Cubs expect even more out of him in 2025. In a must-win game, DiBartolomeo gives the Cubs as good of a chance as anyone.
8. Tyson Ringler, Crestview
Ringler had a nice junior season hitting .373 with 28 hits, five doubles, a home run, 26 RBIS and 23 runs scored for the Cougars. He was an honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-FC player a year ago and will have a major role in this year's team. He went 3-3 with a 1.94 ERA and 60 strikeouts on the mound and will be the team's ace this season.
7. Gavin Barker, Crestview
Barker had a big year at the plate last season hitting .432 with 35 hits, eight doubles, a triple, 20 RBIs and 16 runs scored. He earned honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-FC honors last season and has the Cougars poised to compete for a league championship in 2025.
6. Anthony Fanello, Lucas
Fanello was one of the top hitters on the Cubs last year with a .328 average, 20 hits, three doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs and 18 runs scored. He earned second team All-District 9 and first team All-MBC honors and will be even better in 2025. He is the top offensive player returning to the lineup.
5. Carter Walters, Ontario
Walters had the highest batting average on the team among everyday players for the Warriors hitting .387 with 24 hits, two doubles, five triples, 17 RBIs and 22 runs scored. He worked the most innings on the mound going 41 ⅔ innings sporting a 5-0 record with 45 strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA. He was a second team All-District 9 and first team All-MOAC players for the Warriors last season and should be in line for a possible All-Ohio spot this season.
4. Cameron Kuhn, Madison
Kuhn hit .368 with 35 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs, 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored and caught 165 ⅓ innings last season. He was a second team All-District 9 and first team All-OCC player in 2024 and with his leadership and experience coming back, the Rams are due for a breakout season and could make some noise in a Division III district tournament and even the OCC.
3. Judah Chamberlin, Clear Fork
Chamberlin spent last season playing for the Lucas Cubs where he led the team with a .417 average, 30 hits, five doubles, nine RBIS and 12 runs scored. He earned first team All-District 9 and first team All-MBC honors. He started his high school career at Clear Fork before moving to Lucas and now returns to The Valley to a loaded lineup where he is certain to make a major impact.
2. Nic Eyster, Shelby
Eyster could be right up there in the conversation for the best returning baseball player in Richland County. He was great at the dish hitting .338 with 25 hits, four doubles, a triple, nine RBIs and 26 runs scored but was even batter on the mound working 59 ⅓ innings sporting an 8-3 record with 42 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA. He was a first team All-District 9 and first team All-MOAC selection last season and will make the Whippets an MOAC title contender because of what he can do on the bump.
1. Jay Jackson, Clear Fork
Jackson is the lone returning All-Ohioan in Richland County baseball earning honorable mention All-Ohio, first team All-District 9 and first team All-MOAC honors last season. He hit .455 with 46 hits, six doubles, six triples, three home runs, 34 RBIs and 36 runs scored for one of the most impressive offensive seasons in the state. He played a flawless shortstop and will now step into a huge role of being one of the conference game pitchers. It is going to be hard to keep him off of first team All-Ohio after this season.
[email protected]
740-244-9934
X: @JakeFurr11
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Jake's List | Top 25 Richland County baseball players for the 2025 season
Continue reading...
