2016 OHSAA Tournament: Road To Huntington Park - Division III State Final Four Preview

Division III

Home team listed first

#7 Versailles (23-4) vs. #1 Berlin Hiland (28-2) Friday, June 3, 10 a.m. 
Clear Fork (19-12) vs. #14 Waynedale (25-5) Friday, June 3, 1 p.m.
Div. III State Championship: Saturday, June 4, 4 p.m.

State Final Four Team Previews

PBR Rankings Overview of Division III:

• Preseason Team Rankings: 2 in top 9
• Final Team Power Rankings: 3 in top 14

#7 Versailles (23-4)

Head Coach: Ryan Schlater

School Facts:

• State Final Four appearance in 2016, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1997, 1965.
• State Champions in 1965.
• Runner up in 1977, 1994, and 2000.

Top Hitters:

1. Kyle Suber, C, 2017 - .367 BA, 3 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 32 R, 16 RBIs
2. Keaton McEldowney, CF, 2018 - .390 BA, 5 2B, 1 HR, 18 R, 23 RBIs
3. Brett McEldowney, P, 2016 - .359 BA, 6 2B, 1 3B, 19 R, 23 RBIs
4. Kyle Rutschilling, 2B, 2018 - .385 BA, 9 2B, 1 3B, 14 R, 16 RBIs
5. Austin Knapke, SS, 2017 - .333 BA, 4 2B, 10 R, 17 RBIs
6. Cole Niekamp, 3B, 2018 - .329 BA, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 18 R, 18 RBIs
7. Collin Peters, LF, 2016 - .276 BA, 5 2B, 14 R, 9 RBIs
8. Jacob Watren, RF, 2016 - 8 R, 5 RBIs
9. Jared Niekamp, 1B, 2016 - .299 BA, 20 R, 14 RBIs

The Arms:

1. Brett McEldowney, RHP, 2016 - 60 IP, 10-0, 1 SV, 1.40 ERA, 57 K
2. Cole Niekamp, RHP, 2018 - 40 IP, 5-1, 2.78 ERA, 36 K
3. Jacob Heitkamp, RHP, 2017 - 31 IP, 3-0, 1.36 ERA, 28 K
4. Keaton McEldowney, RHP, 2018 - 25 IP, 4-1, 2.46 ERA, 20 K

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: I like how we are approaching our at-bats. We are getting ourselves in good hitting counts and even when we get down in the count they are fighting off pitches until they get a pitch they can handle. We have a lot of great at-bats in the regionals with 2-out hits and RBIs.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won regionals?
Coach: It was a great feeling know how hard the boys have worked to get to that point. We haven’t been back to state in 16 years so to get back means a lot to our program and community. We have great support with our fans.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the state final four and Huntington Park?
Coach: It’s going to be very exciting. I have also came to watch these games every year and even in high school. I have never gotten to this point in my career so it is great to get to experience it. Huntington Park is a beautiful stadium and we are looking forward to getting to play there.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add, feel free to send it.. Remember, this is for your players, your coaching staff and your community.
Coach: The boys are extremely excited to make it here but they are not satisfied in just getting here. They are working extremely hard to make sure we don’t just play one game.

 

#1 Berlin Hiland (28-2)

Head Coach: Tom Gibson

School Facts:

• Has advanced to state four times (2016, 2012, 2008, 2000).
• Eric Mullet set an Ohio HS record for most consecutive innings without giving up an earned run, he's at 102 innings going back to last season.

Top Players:

1. Eric Mullet, 2016 - 8-0, 0.00 ERA, 77 K, 11 BB
2. Bryan Yoder, C, 2017 - .327 BA
3. Mitchell Massaro, 2017 - 4-0, 0.832 ERA, 24 K
4. Tyson Gingerich, 2B, 2017 - .411 BA
5. Braden Mast, 3B, 2017 - .417 BA
6. Chris Kline, SS, 2017 - .337 BA

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Great team unity. Although we are younger and senior light, these guys love playing together. We have many versatile players that can change positions.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won regionals?
Coach: Very happy for the players. They work extremely hard at baseball fundamentals and deserve success. Very satisfying watching them celebrate and being happy they won.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the state final four and Huntington Park?
Coach: It is a goal every year. We've been close a large number of times, suffered a heart breaking 10 inning loss in regional final last year and this team remembers how that felt. They have been focused to get to state this year. Again very happy for the players.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: Our team is an extension and a reflection of our community. We get a tremendous amount of support from our community. The kids play for each other, their families and community. There is a real pride among the players that they work hard. Play hard and represent in a quality manner. Character and hard work are the benchmark of East Holmes.

 

Clear Fork (19-12)

Head Coach: Rusty Staab

School Facts:

• 2nd time advancing to state (2010 - champs).
  

Top Players:

1. Mitchell Dulin, RHP, 2019 - 5-1, 2.20 ERA, 44 K
2. Shane Klenk, RHP, 2016 - 3-3, 3.50 ERA, 15 K
3. Luke Clark, C, 2017 - .379 BA
4. Thomas Staab, CF, 2018 - .375 BA
5. Hunter Boyer, SS, 2017 - .313 BA

 

#14 Waynedale (25-5)

Head Coach: Justin McDowell

School Facts:

• First regional championship in school history.
• First conference championship and district title since 1999.
• Tied the school record for most wins.

Top Hitters:

1. Evan Reidenbach, SR - .404 BA, 4 2B, 22 R, 19 RBIs
2. Aaron Spidell, SR - .390 BA, 5 2B, 3 3B, 24 R, 22 RBIs
3. Shayne Weaver, SR - .404 BA, 14 2B, 1 HR, 24 R, 21 RBIs
4. Nick Strausbaugh, SR - .378 BA, 9 2B, 1 3B, 34 R, 13 RBIs
5. Jarrett Wonsick SR - .333 BA, 4 2B, 17 R, 10 RBIs
6. Ryan Weaver, SR - .329 BA, 5 2B, 24 R, 17 RBIs
7. Markus Schlabach, SR - .310 BA, 7 2B, 13 R, 19 RBIs

The Arms:

1. Markus Schlabach, SR - 66 IP, 9-0, 2 SV, 0.85 ERA, 78 K
2. Evan Reidenbach, SR - 44.1 IP, 4-3, 1.74 ERA, 33 K
3. Parker Snyder, SR - 28.2 IP, 5-0, 1.71 ERA, 24 K
4. Manny Camacho, SOPH - 43.2 IP, 4-1, 2.24 ERA, 28 K
5. Stephen Spidell, JR - 15 IP, 1-0, 3.27 ERA

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: We are playing extremely hard and smart right now. As a team, everyone is contributing and helping us win.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won regionals?
Coach: It was exciting and I was proud for our players. We had never won one before so it was a cool experience.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the state final four and Huntington Park?
Coach: It will be great. I always tell our players to enjoy the moment and rise to the occasion. It doesn’t get much bigger or better than playing in the state final four.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add, feel free to send it.. Remember, this is for your players, your coaching staff and your community.
Coach: This is the first time any Waynedale sport has made it to state (besides wrestling). We are beyond happy and excited to be there but we still want to win two more games. May as well make it even more memorable.