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

Division III - Regional Pairings

Home team listed first

Region 12 – Xenia Regional

Marion Pleasant (19-11) vs. #3 Anna (24-3-1) at Athletes in Action Sports Complex, Thurs., 2 p.m.
#7 Versailles (20-4) vs. #5 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (19-6) at Athletes in Action Sports Complex, Thurs., 5 p.m.
Regional Final: at Athletes in Action Sports Complex, Fri., 5 p.m.

Region 11 – Chillicothe Regional

#10 Wheelersburg (21-6) vs. # 1 Berlin Hiland (26-2) at Paints Stadium, Thurs., 11 a.m.
#18 Minford (18-5) vs. #22 Harrison Central (21-9) at Paints Stadium, Thurs., 2 p.m.
Regional Final: at Paints Stadium, Fri., 2 p.m.

Region 10 – Elida Regional

Elmwood (18-7) vs. Archbold (21-8) at Elida Middle School, Ed Sandy Field, Thurs., 2 p.m.
#21 Eastwood (21-4) vs. Clear Fork (10-12) at Elida Middle School, Ed Sandy Field, Thurs., 5 p.m.
Regional Final: at Elida Middle School, Ed Sandy Field, Fri., 5 p.m.

Region 9 – Massillon Regional

#4 Elyria Catholic (23-6) vs. #9 Canton Central Catholic (20-5) at Washington H.S., Thurs., 2 p.m.
Berkshire (14-8) vs. #14 Waynedale (23-4) at Washington H.S., Thurs., 5 p.m.
Regional Final: at Washington H.S., Fri., 5 p.m.

Div. III State Tournament at Huntington Park, Columbus

Region 12 vs. Region 11, Fri., June 3, 10 a.m.
Region 10 vs. Region 9, Fri., June 3, 1 p.m.
Div. III State Championship: Saturday, June 4, 4 p.m.

Regional Team Previews

PBR Rankings Overview of Division III:

• Preseason Team Rankings: 7 in top 10 / 9 in top 22
• Final Team Power Rankings: 7 in top 10 / 11 in top 22

Marion Pleasant (19-11)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state three times (2006, 2001, 1999).
  

Top Players:

1. Cole Marvin
2. Bryce Pytlarz
3. Chase Ambrose
4. John Endicott
5. Zac Pytlarz
6. Kwauve Booker

#3 Anna (24-3-1)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state three times (1980, 1972, 1968).
  

Top Players:

1. Alex Brinkman
2. Luke Albers
3. Mitchell Lindsey
4. Derek Coverstone

#7 Versailles (20-4)

School Facts:

• First time back to regionals since 2012. 
• Brett McEldowney has tied the single-season win record with 9 wins.

Possible Lineup:

1. Kyle Suber, C, 2017 - .367 BA, 2 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 29 R, 14 RBIs
2. Keaton McEldowney, CF, 2018 - .397 BA, 5 2B, 1 HR, 17 R, 22 RBIs
3. Brett McEldowney, P, 2016 - .373 BA, 6 2B, 1 3B, 18 R, 22 RBIs
4. Kyle Rutschilling, 2B, 2018 - .391 BA, 8 2B, 14 R, 15 RBIs
5. Austin Knapke, SS, 2017 - .324 BA, 2 2B, 8 R, 16 RBIs
6. Cole Niekamp, 3B, 2018 - .311 BA, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 15 R, 17 RBIs
7. Collin Peters, LF, 2016 - .283 BA, 5 2B, 14 R, 9 RBIs
8. Jacob Watren, RF, 2016
9. Jared Niekamp, 1B, 2016

The Arms:

1. Brett McEldowney, RHP, 2016 - 52 IP, 9-0, 1.62 ERA, 52 K
2. Cole Niekamp, RHP, 2018 - 36 IP, 5-1, 2.12 ERA, 33 K
3. Jacob Heitkamp, RHP, 2017 - 26 IP, 2-0, 1.62 ERA, 23 K
4. Keaton McEldowney, RHP, 2018 - 23 IP, 3-1, 2.66 ERA, 19 K
5. Austin Knapke, RHP, 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: We lost some very good players from last year’s team so this past off-season was important that guys got accustomed to either a new position or the speed of varsity compared to JV. They all have done a great job at getting extra work in and getting better each day. We have also matured a lot through the year. We have a good amount of underclassmen that start and, even though they got some time in as freshmen, they have really matured a lot through this year.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: We have three captains this year,. Brett McEldowney, Adam Lyons and Jared Niekamp. They have been great with leading the team by example and showing the younger guys how to go about the ballpark. The guys look up to them and either when we are down or need a pump up, they are the ones who get everyone together and get us back on track.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: It’s big for our program but the boys are not satisfied with just being a qualifier for regionals.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: It’s a very tough field. We are familiar with the teams but at this point in the year everyone is playing their best baseball and we have to be ready to go and win every inning.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far?
Coach: We have had some great pitching performances by Brett McEldowney and Cole Niekamp. Brett has gotten us two wins so far against Greenview and Summit and Cole against Arcanum. Combined they have only given up 2 runs in the 3 games we have played. We have also had some big hits in key situations by Jake Watren in the Arcanum game to score the lone run and Keaton McEldowney hitting a big home run to put us up against Summit.

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.

#5 CHCA (19-6)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state two times (2014, 2005).
  

Top Hitters:

1. Chase Murray - .494 BA, 14 2B, 6 3B, 1 HR, 42 R, 32 RBIs, 22 SB
2. Nick Harker - .403 BA, 8 2B, 1 3B, 20 R, 25 RBIs
3. Jack Vezdos - .385 BA, 5 2B, 17 R, 12 RBIs
4. Cayse Osborne - .342 BA, 5 2B, 22 R, 24 RBIs
5. Bernie Tippen - .325 BA, 2 2B, 1 3B, 26 R, 23 RBIs

The Arms:

1. Griffan Smith - 44.1 IP, 5-2, 3.16 ERA, 50 K
2. Clayton Brock - 21.1 IP, 4-0, 0.66 ERA
3. Jack Vezdos - 20.1 IP, 1-1, 2.75 ERA, 26 K

#10 Wheelersburg (21-6)

School Facts:

• 12 straight conference championships
• 9 straight district championships
• 7 straight regional championships
• State runner-up 2010
• State champion 1996, 2012, 2013

Top Hitters:

1. Jordan Howard .389 BA
2. Kyle Jenkins 12 2B, 3 HR, 31 RBIs

The Arms:

1. Chance Holbrook, 2016 - 7-2
2. Kaden Coleman, 2017 - 6-1

#1 Berlin Hiland (26-2)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state three times (2012, 2008, 2000).
  

Top Players:

1. Eric Mullet
2. Bryan Yoder
3. Mitchell Massaro

#18 Minford (18-5)

School Facts:

• Has never advanced to state.
  

Top Players:

1. Alex Powell
2. Ian Tolle
3. Shaun Mersiel
4. Jared Alley
5. Matthew Gullett
6. Kody Kennedy
7. Luke Lindamood

#22 Harrison Central (21-9)

School Facts:

• 2nd regional appearance in 4 years. Won the D-II Zanesville Regional in 2013 advancing in state Final Four. School is a consolidated school. First year of Harrison Central baseball was 2000. Before Harrison Central, the 3 high schools were Cadiz, Jewett Scio and Lakeland.

Possible Lineup:

1. Brandon Mitchell, OF, SR - .347 BA, 34 R, 14 RBIs
2. Tyler Redish, C, JR
3. Dustin Redish, P/SS, SR - .471 BA, 1 HR, 36 R, 27 RBIs
4. Logan Starr, 1B, JR - .318 BA, 26 RBIs
5. Giovanni Rocchi, 3B, SR -  .322 BA, 2 HR, 23 R, 29 RBIs
6. Ian Saho, 1B/DH, SR
7. Kyle Zaucha, P/OF, JR
8. Zack Arbogast, 2B/SS, SR
9. Bryson Porter, OF/2B, SR
10. Austyn Porter, P/OF, SR

The Arms:

1. Kyle Zaucha, LHP, 4-2, 1 save, 2.06 ERA
2. Dustin Redish, RHP, 4-2, 1 save, 1.89 ERA
3. Austyn Porter, RHP, 5-1, 1 save, .76 ERA
4. Bryson Porter, RHP, 2-2, 6.41 ERA
5. Giovanni Rocchi, RHP 2-1, 2.35 ERA

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 been coming together since summer of their freshmen year. Many of the kids we have now have been starting since their sophomore years. We have improved on wins each of the last 3 seasons.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: Any time you have this many seniors you have a lot of leadership and experience. It’s a close group and they lead each other and push each other every day.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: We’re excited for our program to reach regionals for the 2nd time in 4 years. There are so many great programs in our league and in the state and we’re trying to get to the level of consistency they have every season.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: We’re excited about the competition in our regionals. First we get to play a great Minford team. They’ve had a great season and continue to show why they are one of the better teams in the state. The other side features 2 great teams as well. Hiland is the #1 ranked team in the state and Wheelersburg’s always one of the best teams in the state.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far (no-hitters, key hits, outstanding performances, comebacks etc)?
Coach: In our first sectional game, Dustin Redish pitched a no-hitter against Bellaire. We have gotten outstanding performances from Dustin Redish and Austyn Porter on the mound. We have also done a nice job of fielding the ball behind them.

Elmwood (18-7)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state one time (2007). 
• 1st district championship since 2010.

Top Players:

1. Tyler Stone, 3B/P, 2017 - 2 HR, 18 RBIs
2. Nick Gillett, RF, 2016
3. Philip Buckingham, SS/P, 2016 - 7-1, 1.51 ERA
4. Trevor Soletherr, P, 2016 - 8-1, 0.80 ERA
5. Dylan Hall, C, 2016 - .328 BA
6. Brett Jones, 1B, 2016
7. Tayte Lentz, CF/SS/P, 2017
8. Andy Curtis, LF, 2017

Archbold (21-8)

Season Facts:

• First time back to regionals since 2005 (State Champions).

Possible Lineup:

1. Derek Walker, SS, 2016 - .333 BA, 1 HR, 25 R, 10 RBIs, 15 SB
2. Toby Walker, CF, 2017 - .414 BA, 22 R, 14 RBIs, 15 SB
3. Ben Bucklew, C, 2016 - .325 BA, 5 2B, 17 R, 23 RBIs
4. Bryce Williams, 2B, 2018 - .342 BA, 20 R, 18 RBIs
5. Ian Radabaugh, DH, 2017 .311 BA, 23 RBIs ... for Cory Erbskorn, RF, 2019   
6. Lathon Babcock, P, 2016
7. Seth Mayer, 1B, 2016 - 17 RBIs
8. Trevor Rupp, 3B, 2018
9. Nic Rodriguez, LF, 2018

The Arms:

1. Lathon Babcock, 2016 - 61 IP, 5-2, 1.85 ERA, 35 K
2. Ben Bucklew, 2016 - 45 IP, 7-0, 2.02 ERA, 44 K
3. Trevor Rupp, 2018 - 28 IP, 4-0, 1.25 ERA, 22 K

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: "Our guys are thrilled to be advancing to the regional tournament. They should be, getting past Fairview and Tinora in the district tournament was no easy task."

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: "We have great respect for Elmwood's baseball program, and their Hall of Fame coach Kyle Reiser. This will be a huge challenge for us."

#21 Eastwood (21-4)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state three times (1939, 1938, 1937).
  

Top Players:

• Cade Boos - .446 BA, 13 RBIs
• Eli Brown - .421 BA, 11 RBIs, 6-1, 1.75 ERA
• Jake Pickerell - .391 BA, 19 RBIs, 3-1, 1.69 ERA, 29 K
• Jared Luther - .326 BA
• Trevor Hoffman - .318 BA, 9 RBIs
• Jake Zatko - .310 BA
• Collin Dewese - 4-2, 0.37 ERA, 29 K

Clear Fork (10-12)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state one time (2010).
  

Top Players:

1. Luke Clark
2. Thomas Staab
3. Mitchell Dulin

#4 Elyria Catholic (23-5)

School Facts:

• Elyria Catholic reached the Final Four in 1979, 1985, 1997 and 2002. We were the state runner-up in Division III in 2002, losing to Hearth by a score of 7-2 in the state championship game. EC reached the 2003 Division III Elite Eight but we haven't been to the state tournament since 2002.

Possible Lineup:

1. Sean Darmafall, CF, 2016 - .425 BA, 9 2B, 4 3B, 30 R, 25 RBIs, 19 SB
2. Tony LoParo, SS, 2017 - .312 BA, 2 2B, 2 3B, 26 R, 19 RBIs
3. Ryan Strittmather, 3B, 2018 - .385 BA, 6 2B, 5 3B, 33 R, 18 RBIs
4. Colden Schemmel, LF, 2016 - .368 BA, 5 2B, 30 R, 25 RBIs
5. Jeff Spencer, 1B, 2017 - .375 BA, 4 2B, 22 R, 21 RBIs
6. Leighton Banjoff, RF, 2019 - .429 BA, 10 2B, 4 3B, 24 R, 29 RBIs, 12 SB
7. James Rickard, 2B, 2016 - .417 BA, 4 2B, 1 HR, 24 R, 28 RBIs
8. Andrew Abrahamowicz, P, 2016
9. Grant McClure, C, 2019

The Arms:

1. Andrew Abrahamowicz, RHP, JR - 49 IP, 7-1, 1 SV, 0.85 ERA, 59 K
2. Jeff Spencer, RHP, JR - 26 IP, 2-1, 2.15 ERA, 21 K
3. Jack Laird, RHP, FR - 31 IP, 5-0, 1.35 ERA, 33 K
4. Aaron Vazquez, RHP, SR - 33.1 IP, 4-1 IP, 1.47 ERA
5. Leighton Banjoff, RHP, FR - 12.1 IP, 3 SV, 1.71 ERA, 7 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: All these kids have been working out on their own all winter, getting in shape physically as well as hitting and taking ground balls. We have a young team starting 2-3 freshmen and 1 sophomore who have exceeded our expectations and rounded off our team to help get us where we are now.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: Andrew Abrahamowicz, a junior RHP, has taken the ball in every big game we’ve had this year. He’s a bulldog on the mound and gives our team the confidence that we can beat anyone when he’s on the mound.

Sean Darmafall, senior CF and lead-off hitter, sets the table for us. He’s a 2015 All-Ohio OF. He’s our catalyst on offense that gets things going for us early in the game. When Sean gets on he usually scores and gives our team that lead we need early in the game.

James Rickard, a senior 2nd basemen, leads our defense. He makes ESPN web-gem plays weekly and always seems to make a big play in a big game that sparks all the other guys on the team and puts our defense at another level.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: We are confident that we can play with any of the teams in the tournament. We pride ourselves on great defense and quality pitching. If we play the way we are capable of playing anything can happen.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far?
Coach: Andrew Abrahamowicz is 2-0 with a save in the tournament. He pitched a 2-hit 10-strikeout performance in the district semifinals and came in and earned the save in the district finals.

#9 Canton Central Catholic (20-5)

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state six times (2015, 2011, 2008, 2006, 2003, 1997).
  

Top Players:

1. Jake Vance
2. Clay Davies
3. Carter Franklin
4. Quinton Heck

Berkshire (14-8)

School Facts:

• Has never advanced to state.
  

Top Players:

1. Gordy Cossick
2. Jarrett Smetana
3. Nick Guarnera
4. Jared Squire
5. Brian Malkus
6. Sam Fisher
7. Aaron Pawlak

#14 Waynedale (23-4)

School Facts:

• First conference championship and district title since 1999.

Top Hitters:

1. Evan Reidenbach, SR - .410 BA, 3 2B, 21 R, 19 RBIs
2. Aaron Spidell, SR - .396 BA, 5 2B, 3 3B, 24 R, 22 RBIs
3. Shayne Weaver, SR - .388 BA, 12 2B, 1 HR, 23 R, 20 RBIs
4. Nick Strausbaugh, SR - .362 BA, 9 2B, 32 R, 13 RBIs
5. Jarrett Wonsick SR - .333 BA, 4 2B, 17 R, 9 RBIs
6. Ryan Weaver, SR - .329 BA, 5 2B, 24 R, 15 RBIs
7. Markus Schlabach, SR - .321 BA, 7 2B, 13 R, 19 RBIs
8. Jarrett Wonsick SR - .289 BA, 2 2B, 6 R, 8 RBIs

The Arms:

1. Evan Reidenbach, SR - 43.1 IP, 4-2, 1.29 ERA, 33 K
2. Markus Schlabach, SR - 57 IP, 8-0, 2 SV, 0.86 ERA, 73 K
3. Parker Snyder, SR - 27.2 IP, 5-0, 1.27 ERA, 24 K
4. Manny Camacho, SOPH - 42.2 IP, 4-1, 2.30 ERA, 27 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: Being a smaller school, the majority of our players play multiple sports. We tried to get together as often as possible but it was difficult. In the short time we were together, we worked hard to implement everything we wanted. It took us awhile (losing our first 2 games of the year) but once we got back into the flow of baseball, we have been playing very well.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Coach: Having 8 seniors is an absolute luxury. We have 3 players playing college baseball next year and I really depend on them to get things done and take charge. I have challenged them all year and they have not let us down yet.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals?
Coach: It is a testament to all of our players and coaches that have worked so hard to make it possible. It hasn’t been done in awhile (since 1999) and most of our players weren’t even born yet, but the support we have received has been unbelievable. The school and community has really gotten behind our season and made it a lot of fun.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field?
Coach: It is tough. Every team is solid and well coached. We know we will have to play our best to give ourselves a chance.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far?
Coach: We have had a couple of games and performances that have stood out. Currently we are on a 16-game win streak and haven’t lost since the middle of April. With that being said, everyone on our team has contributed. Our pitching has been outstanding with a team ERA of 1.55. Our senior catcher (Aaron Spidell) was an All-League outfielder last year and moved to catcher this year out of necessity. He had never caught before in his life and has done a great job handling our pitching staff and calling pitches. Big moments this year were winning our conference for the first time since 1999 on our home field (4-2 win over Hillsdale) with senior Parker Snyder throwing a complete game on the mound. Also, we have won two 11-inning games this year, including the district semifinal game against Chippewa where senior pitcher Markus Schlabach pitched the first 10 innings.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: Our administration has done a great job supporting us all year and we really appreciate all of the parents and fans that have been following us. It has been sort of an unreal season that we just wish to continue and get to the next game. That has been our motto in the tournament, take it one game at a time and see where that takes us. So far it has been working.