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By Dylan Hefflinger
Editor in Chief/NW Scout

We look to bring the Buckeye state top-notch high school coverage throughout the entire state.

I personally want to say thank you to all the coaches that got back to me on the regional preview. If you are a coach, whose team does not have a full regional preview and would like to have one, send [email protected] information.

Regional Previews by Division:
Division I
Division II
Division III
Division IV

To view the Team Power Rankings by division, which includes teams that just missed the cut and are on the bubble, please click below:
+ Division I
+ Division II
+ Division III
+ Division IV

To view the Preseason All-State Selections, click below:
+ Division I
+ Division II
+ Division III
+ Division IV 

For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2016 spring season visit the 2016 Ohio Scout Blog by clicking here.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

To discuss and critique anything HS baseball wise, visit our partner JJHuddle.

2016 OHSAA Tournament: Road To Huntington Park - Division I Regional Preview

****Game Times Subject to Change
****Rankings are based on PBR Ohio's Final Team Power Rankings

Division I

Home team listed first

Region 4 – Cincinnati Regional

#2  Milford (27-2) vs. #47 Bellefontaine (23-7) at University of Cincinnati, Thurs., 2 p.m.
Clayton Northmont (17-13) vs. #16 Cincinnati La Salle (22-7) at University of Cincinnati, Thurs., 5 p.m.
Regional Final: at University of Cincinnati, Fri., 5 p.m.

Region 1 – Canton Regional

#28 Mayfield (17-6) vs. #6 Solon (22-4) at Thurman Munson Stadium, Thurs., 2 p.m.
#46 Stow-Munroe Falls (17-11) vs. #1 Massillon Jackson (28-0) at Thurman Munson Stadium, Thurs., 5 p.m.
Regional Final: at Thurman Munson Stadium, Fri., 5 p.m.

Region 3 – Bowling Green Regional

#45 Medina Highland (17-9) vs. #20 St. Ignatius (20-10) at Cuyahoga Community College West, Thurs., 3 p.m.
#27 Amherst Steele (23-8) vs. #25 Anthony Wayne (23-6) at Bowling Green State University, Thurs., 5 p.m.
Regional Final: at Bowling Green State University, Fri., 5 p.m.

Region 2 – Dublin Regional

#32  Olentangy (22-8) vs. Pickerington North (19-9) at Dublin Coffman H.S., Thurs., 2 p.m.
#39 Big Walnut (20-10) vs. #7  Gahanna Lincoln (24-3) at Dublin Coffman H.S., Thurs., 5 p.m.
Regional Final: at Dublin Coffman H.S., Fri., 5 p.m.

Div. I State Tournament at Huntington Park, Columbus

Region 4 vs. Region 1, Thursday, June 2, 4 p.m.
Region 3 vs. Region 2, Thursday, June 2, 7 p.m.
Div. I State Championship: Saturday, June 4, 1 p.m.

Regional Team Previews

PBR Rankings Overview of Division I:

• Preseason Ranked Teams: 2 in top 10 / 10 in top 47
• Final Team Power Rankings: 3 in top 10 / 14 in top 47

#2 Milford (27-2)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state twice (2002 and 2003). 

Top Hitters:

1. Wes Reid - .485 BA, 11 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 37 R, 22 RBIs
2. Matt Kirk - .367 BA, 12 2B, 1 3B, 24 R, 24 RBIs
3. Brad Hall - .426 BA, 6 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 36 R, 33 RBIs
4. Sam Dobrowolski - .444 BA, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 21 R, 28 RBIs
5. Keith Carter - .409 BA, 14 2B, 21 R, 39 RBIs

The Arms:

1. Kyle Ruehlman - 54.1 IP, 8-1, 2 SV, 1.16 ERA, 52 K
2. Nathan Kroger - 35 IP, 4-1, 1 SV, 1.20 ERA, 30 K
3. Kyle Music - 28 IP, 6-0, 1 SV, 1.25 ERA, 30 K

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Coach: Graduated 11 seniors in 2015 and returned only 3 starters for 2016. The team jelled quickly during the preseason and gained much needed confidence early in the regular season..

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: Brad Hall (Sr) and Wes Reid (Jr) have been our offensive and defensive leaders..

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: Our program's tournament goal was to reach the district finals. Reaching the regionals allow us to reset our goals for the tourney.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: I believe our regional is very diverse and wide open. All four teams are currently playing well and have the opportunity to move on to Columbus.

 

#47 Bellefontaine (23-7)

School Facts:

• 3rd regional appearance in last 6 years (2012, 2014, 2016).  

Top Hitters:

1. Connor Burton, SS, 2016
2. Tyler Jones, P/3B, 2016
3. Sam Martz, C, 2017
4. Andrew Mitchell, CF, 2016

The Arms:

1. Tyler Jones, RHP, 2016
2. Cole Braun, LHP, 2017

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Coach: Our kids have bought in and have put time into the weight room. We continue to play the game hard and compete for all 7 innings.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: Our leaders have stepped up and led mostly by hard work and example. We will go as far as they take us.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: This is a great honor for our kids and our community. We are fortunate to maintain the winning tradition of Bellefontaine Baseball at the D-I level.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: The field is tough and very talented. It's going to be an all-out dogfight to get to Columbus. The teams that execute and don't make mistakes will prevail.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far?
Coach: Tyler Jones has done a tremendous job for us and has given us a chance to beat some quality teams.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?.
Coach: The boys have been working for this all year and now that we have made it, they are ready to play.

Clayton Northmont (17-13)

School Facts:

• Has never advanced to state.
• Entered postseason as a 10 seed
• Beat Tecumseh for sectional championship
• Beat Harrison for district championship

Top Hitters:

• Jacob Monnin
• Tanner Lee
• Brenden Jewsikow
• Tyler Defibaugh

 

#16 Cincinnati La Salle (22-7)

School Facts:

• This is the 50th anniversary of La Salle Baseball. 
• 3rd appearance in the regionals over last 7 years (2010, 2015 and 2016)

Top Hitters:

1. Andrew Sexton, CF, 2016 - .340 BA 24 R, 11 SB
2. Brady Reynolds, INGF, 2017 - .376 BA
3. Kevin Browne, 3B, 2016 - .366 BA, 27 RBIs
4. Micah Allen, P, 2017 - .383 BA, 20 RBIs
5. Griffin Merritt, 1B, 2018
6. Tyler Wardwell, SS, 2017 - .398 BA, 8 2B
7. Baron Moreland, RF, 2017
8. Tim Casey, 2B, 2016 - .462 BA

The Arms:

1. Micah Allen - 3-2, 2.35 ERA
2. Jacob Kaiser, 2016 - 8-1, 1.30 ERA
3. Jacob Barford, 2016, 4-3, 2.35 ERA
4. Dana Reeves, 2016 - 3-0

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Coach: We needed our underclassmen to fill the void of losing 5 all GCL players from the 2015 team including Anthony Bell the Player of the Year in the GCL in 2015. They exceeded our expectations as a coaching staff. Through hard work, starting in the weight room and continuing in small group work, they have developed throughout the season while playing a very strong schedule.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: Our senior class will leave La Salle with the highest winning percentage in the school's 50 years of competition, with a current record of 46-15. Their drive to continue the success has been off the charts with their pride in the program being very obvious.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: Coaches Bellamy, Sam McConnell, Joe Scmetzer and Chris Dooros have done a tremendous job of developing these guys into very good players. This staff stands out as teachers as well as educators and deserve a great deal of credit for the team's success.

 

#28 Mayfield (17-6)

School Facts:

• Has never advanced to state 
• Defeated Eastlake North 7-5 for district championship after trailing 5-0 in the 4th.

Top Players:

1. Jack Longo
2. Dominic Dimora
3. Vince Donato
4. Rickey Handel
5. Brian Nolan

 

#6 Solon (22-4)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state six times, with the last time being in 1991

Top Players:

1. Nathan Altstadt
2. Joseph Bubonics
3. Jeremy Friedman
4. Casey Maniglia
5. Ryan McCann
6. Jake McCurry
7. Ryan McCurry
8. Anthony Zavarella

 

#46 Stow-Munroe Falls (17-11)

Season Facts:

• First time back to regionals since 1996

Possible Lineup: 

1. Jake Dohar, CF, Senior
2. Thomas McLaughlin, 3B, Sophomore
3. Owen Fankhauser, C, Senior
4. Scott Swango, 1B, Senior
5. Eric Schilling, DH, Sophomore/Nick O’Verko, SS, Junior
6. Jeremy Parton, P, Senior
7. Jordan Jolly, RF, Junior
8. Matt Conger, LF, Junior
9. Collin Lang, 2B, Sophomore

Rotation:

1. Jeremy Parton, RHP, Senior
2. Logan Huffman, RHP, Senior
3. Jake Dohar, LHP, Senior
4. Frankie Peck, RHP, Senior
5. Evan Bainbridge, RHP, Freshman

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Coach: We’ve had a tale of two different seasons this year. We started the year 2-9. We were playing inconsistently on defense and could not get the big hit or big play on defense when we needed it. Since then the team has gone on a 15-2 run. The kids have done an excellent job of buying in the process and working hard even when times were tough. Their hard work and dedication to the little things has made the difference in our season. I’m very proud of how the have continued to battle all season and excited to see the progress the team has made.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: Our team is blessed to be full of leaders on and off the field. Our senior class has done an incredible job stepping up and not allowing anything but the best from their teammates. Their constant hard work has put us in a position to succeed.  Down late in the district final to Walsh Jesuit, there was a belief that we were the better team and that we could get the job done. The players have developed an incredible trust in themselves and in each other and I believe that it showed in how they’ve been playing as of late.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: I’m excited that our group of student-athletes took this big step for our program. It’s our first regional appearance since 1996. A lot of hard work has been put in, not only on behalf of the student-athletes but also by the administration, parents, coaching staff and community. I’m excited that our boys have the opportunity to advance and keep playing ball. This time of the year we're all fighting for our seasons.  All the teams that are alive have great pitching, solid defense, and can hit the baseball. It should be a fun week.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: Our region is filled with many top-level programs and coaches, 2 of which were in our conference last year before we moved to the Suburban League. Jackson, Mayfield, and Solon are all #1 seeds from their districts and all have had great seasons. Each team has enough talent, especially on the hill, to beat anyone on a given day. We’re excited for the opportunity to come out and compete against them.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far?
Coach:  In the district final we were down 5-1 to Walsh Jesuit starting the top of the 6th inning. We then sent 10 batters to the plate with 7 hits and scored 6 runs to take a 7-5 lead. Senior RHP Logan Huffman pitched the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings facing 9 batters, striking out 9, all while not allowing a baserunner to get the win.

 

#1 Massillon Jackson (28-0)

Season Facts:

• Division I Poll Champions for PBR 
• USA Today #16 / Baseball America #20 / OHSBCA #1 

Top Hitters:

1. Nate Cobb - .427 BA, 3 2B, 5 3B, 32 R, 7 RBIs, 11 SB
2. Joe Conkle - .400 BA, 13 2B, 1 HR, 13 R, 22 RBIs
3. Zach Mottice - .380 BA, 4 2B, 28 R, 19 RBIs, 8 SB
4. Dillon Dingler - .363 BA, 10 2B, 1 HR, 23 R, 23 RBIs, 11 SB
5. Justin Johnston - .361 BA, 3 2B, 9 R, 12 RBIs

The Arms:

1. Christian Specht - 48 IP, 9-0, 0.73 ERA, 51 K
2. Glen Richardson - 34 IP, 7-0, 0.21 ERA, 50 K
3. Kyle Nicolas - 25.1 IP, 3-0, 0.55 ERA, 37 K
4. Jon Conkle - 24.1 IP, 3-0, 1.15 ERA, 20 K
5. Jake Pollotta - 15 IP, 5 SV, 0.93 ERA, 12 K

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Coach: This team has had an outstanding approach throughout the off-season and into the regular season. We have 3 three-year guys in Sam Miller, Jake Pallotta, and Christian Specht who played on the state title team in 2014 and Elite 8 team in 2015. We return multiple starters back from the Elite 8 team including Jon Conkle, Nate Cobb, Zach Mottice, Mike Mathieu, Dillon Dingler and Sam, Jake and Christian.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: The leadership on this team is very excited for the opportunity to head back to Munson for the regionals.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: This is our 3rd straight trip to the Sweet 16 which is very hard to do in our district.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: Stow, Mayfield and Solon are all are playing outstanding baseball right now. They are well coached and fundamentally sound.

 

#45 Medina Highland (17-9)

School Facts:

• Has never advanced to state. 

Top Hitters:

1. Greg Loeding, 2016 - .395 BA, 7 2B, 3 3B, 27 R, 19 RBIs
2. Michael Oriti, 2017 - .368 BA, 2 2B, 1 3B, 14 R, 15 RBIs
3. Ethan Suran, 2016 - .337 BA, 3 2B, 19 R, 8 RBIs

The Arms:

1. Thomas Ruth, 2016 - 39 IP, 5-0, 1.62 ERA, 69 K
2. Billy Keller, 2018 - 33.2 IP, 3-1, 1.46 ERA, 19 K

 

#20 Cleveland St. Ignatius (20-10)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state 11 times. 

The Arms:

1. Connor Adams, 2017 - 47.1 IP, 5-3, 0.73 ERA, 62 K
2. Murphy O'Brien
3. Michael Rogers
4. Erik Demchuk
5. Nick Freund
6. Griffin Hunt
7. Ryan Jacobs
8. Sean Mather
9. Braydon Nelson

 

#27 Amherst Steele (23-8)

School Facts:

• 4th regional appearance in regionals, 1st since 2008.
• 23 wins is a school record.

Possible Lineup:

1. Evan Shawver, P/OF, 2018
2. Mark Harris, OF/C, 2017
3. Casey McConihe, 1B, 2016
4. Xavier Moore, 3B/P, 2017
5. Isaac Walts, OF, 2016
6. Joe Masters, DH, 2016
7. Ryan Glowacki, SS, 2018
8. Hunter Cassidy, C, 2018 / Chad Jones, OF, 2017
9. Michael Burgess, 2B, 2016

The Arms:

1. Evan Shawver, LHP, 2018
2. Xavier Moore, RHP, 2017
3. Hunter Kuzak, LHP, 2016
4. Brian D’Andrea, RHP, 2017
5. Nick DeJesus, RHP, 2016

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Coach: We knew pitching would be the team’s strength coming into the season, and it has not disappointed (1.95 team ERA). With a lineup of young and inexperienced hitters to start the year offense was going to be a process, but as the kids got more at-bats their approach has improved, especially the last 12 games, and that has taken some pressure off of our pitchers. Defensively, we are much improved from last year, and have not committed an error in our four tournament games thus far.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: Our seniors, especially our three captains, Casey McConihe, Michael Burgess, and Nick DeJesus, have been phenomenal. They are playing with a sense of urgency and purpose, and bringing the younger guys along for the ride. They have made this team a family in every sense of the word. Everyone is playing for each other, and right now they’re having a lot of fun.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: We had lost in the district championship game the previous two seasons (both to St. Ed’s), so to finally get over that hump feels great. The kids, the school, and the community are excited to see what this team can do. The support we’ve gotten is unbelievable. In our two district games, there were over 500 people in attendance each game, and the atmosphere was incredible.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: At this point, there are only really good teams remaining. The team that makes the fewest mistakes, whether it’s at the plate, on the mound, in the field, or on the base paths, is going to win. We’re excited to be able to continue to play great competition and see what we’re made of.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far?
Coach: We haven’t committed an error in our four tournament games thus far, so hopefully that trend will continue. Evan Shawver has continued to be a force on the mound. Going back to last year, he has pitched in four tournament games and has pitched 27 innings without allowing a run. The district championship game against Avon was a lot of fun. We were down 4-0, batting in the top of the 5th with two outs and nobody on base. We rallied for 6 runs in the blink of an eye: Michael Burgess walk, Evan Shawver triple, Mark Harris double, Casey McConihe single, Xavier Moore double, Isaac Walts single, Joe Masters double. We were able to add an insurance run in both the 6th and 7th innings for the 8-4 victory.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: We’re excited to be here, but definitely not satisfied. We’re looking forward to seeing all our fans travel to BGSU and continue to support these fantastic student-athletes.

 

#25 Anthony Wayne (24-6)

School Facts:

• Has never advanced to state.
  

Top Players:

1. Michael Conklin
2. CJ Deacon
3. Evan Brown
4. Alex Vogel
5. Brock Nartker
6. Andrew Murphy

 

#32 Olentangy (22-8)

School Facts:

• Advanced to state in 2006. 

Top Players:

1. Nate Monestra
2. Deeb Haber
3. Collin Mathews
4. Cameron Kaiser
5. Christian McFarland
6. Collin Hoffman

 

Pickerington North (19-9)

School Facts:

• Has never advanced to state. 

Top Players:

1. Branden Focarett
2. Trezden Johnson
3. Dillan Smith
4. Mitchell Smith
5. Connor Ayers
6. Ashton Gilliland

 

#39 Big Walnut (20-10)

School Facts:

• Advanced to state in Division II last year. 

Top Players:

1. Austin Becker
2. Nick Moser
3. Nicholas Green
4. Thomas Fleser
5. Connor Gerren

 

#7 Gahanna Lincoln (24-3)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state twice (2013 and 2014). 

Top Players:

1. Cael Baker
2. Cael Turner
3. Jackson Wolf
4. Thomas Eidens
5. Doland Martin
6. Zachary McDougle
7. Anthony Lind
8. Branton Cummins
9. Mitchel Megias