Follow @PBR Ohio 

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: Strongsville Mustangs

Team Name: Strongsville Mustangs
Head Coach: Doug Cicerchi
Division: I
2015 Record: 16-12
Conference Record: Northeast Ohio Conference, 1st place
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4/4

2016 Team Strengths:

• Fundamentals
• Unity
• Staying in the present moment
• Belief in one each other
• Athleticism and depth, especially in the outfield
• Throwing strikes with intent
• Depth on the mound
• Fielding groundballs and accurately throwing them across the diamond
• Mental toughness

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• We have a lot of guys...do we have "The Guy?"  I think we might but I'm not sure who it is yet. I'll take my chances with this group though as we find out in the next few months.

Coach Outlook: I like the team we have coming back. This is an extremely coachable group that wants to get better every day. I think we'll have good depth, as we blend some returning starters and pitchers with backups from last year and high-level JV players moving up to the varsity level. I don't know who will be our best nine right now but I know we'll have a lot of good options to choose from. The internal competition is real this year.

Top Returning Players:

• Jon Campo, OF/3B/1B, L/R, 6’1” 165, 2016
• Josh Collins, OF, R/R, 5’11” 160, 2016
• Justin Collins, 3B/OF/2B, R/R, 5’11” 160, 2016
• Ian Hennessey, RHP, R/R, 6’3” 185, 2016
• Josh Hodges, 3B/2B/SS, R/R, 6’2” 175, 2016
• Caleb Homan, RHP, R/R, 6’1” 185, 2016
• Zach Kahn, OF, R/R, 5’11” 180, 2016
• Michael Krupa, RHP, R/R, 6’1” 170, 2016
• Sami Mehmed, SS/2B, L/R, 5’7” 140, 2016
• Nico Ramicone, OF/3B/2B, R/R, 5’10” 170, 2016
• Ryan Roberston, 1B, L/R, 6’3” 190, 2016
• Phil Cappelli, 1B/OF, L/L, 5’7” 170, 2016

Top Underclassmen:

• Trevor Denning, 3B, 6'0” 200, 2018, R/R, strong, have heard he can swing it well, coming back to Strongsville after a year at Holy Name
• Mitch Midea, INF/RHP, 5'10" 168, R/R, 2018, good two-way guy, moves well at all three infield spots, swings it pretty well, long-term his best spot may be on the mound as he commands the FB with potential for more velocity
• John Spragg, INF/RHP, 5'11" 160, 2018, R/R, another good two-way guy who moves well at all three infield spots, bat has room to grow but is solid now for his age, strike-thrower on the mound
• JD Duplain, C/3B/RHP, 6'2” 220, 2019, L/R, first year in the program
• Jack Frank, OF/LHP, 5'11” 155, 2019, L/L, first year in the program
• Jesse Kramer, OF/3B/RHP, 5'11” 170, 2019, R/R, first year in the program

 

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