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By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Editor in Chief/NW Scout

With the 2016 spring season right around the corner, PBR Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage throughout the entire state.

Starting February 1st, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

To view the full list of 2016 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2016 Team Preview, click here.

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

2016 Spring Team Preview: Elyria Catholic Panthers

Team Name: Elyria Catholic Panthers
Head Coach: Bruce Lisicky
Division: III
2015 Record: 23-6
Conference Record: West Shore Conference, 7-5
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4/6

2016 Team Strengths:

• Dominant #1 pitcher
• Pitching depth
• Defense
• Quality top six hitters
• Young team with experience

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Bottom of the batting order experience
• Unproven hitters

Coach Outlook: We have a young but experienced team. We are returning seven starters and our whole pitching staff back from 23-6 season. We are expecting big things again from All-Ohio senior CF Sean Darmafall and Nebraska bound junior SP Andrew Abrahamowicz.

Top Returning Players:

• Andrew Abrahamowicz, JR, SP/RHP, 6’3” 185, three year starter, Nebraska commit, 4 W, 48.3 IP, 47 K, 1.30 ERA, pitched every big game we had
• Sean Darmafall, SR, CF/LHP, 5’8” 180, Sinclair CC commit, .452 BA, 47 H, 39 R, 31 SB, 3 3B, .521 OBP, 9.1 IP, 1 W, 1 save, 19 K, 2015 All-Ohio OF DIII
• Colden Schemmel, SR, OF/RHP, 5’11” 150, .326 BA, 31 H, 24 RBI, 8 2B, .369 OBP, 2.07 ERA
• Tony Loparo, JR, SS, 5’8” 150, .338 BA, 26 H, 20 RBI, .471 OBP
• Jeff Spencer, JR, 5’9” 160, .311 BA, .380 OBP

Top Underclassmen:

• Ryan Strittmather, INF, 2018, strong hitter, good speed, solid defensively, strong arm
• Leighton Banjoff, INF/OF, 2019, highly touted, one of the top freshman in the area, very athletic, three-sport athlete
• Grant McClure, C/INF, 2019, solid catcher, exceptional behind the plate
• Jack Laird, RHP, 2019, displays good mound presence and pounds the strike zone

 

A Look Back At 2015 Preseason Articles:

To view the 2015 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

• Division I
• Division II
• Division III
• Division IV

To view the 2015 Preseason State Rankings, click below.

• Division I
• Division II
• Division III
• Division IV