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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: Ayersville Pilots

Team Name: Ayersville Pilots
Head Coach: Chad Donsbach
Division: IV
2015 Record: 19-7
Conference Record: GMC, 6-1
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/5

2016 Team Strengths:

• Starting Pitching - returning entire pitching staff from a year ago
• Offense - return 8 of 9 everyday position players
• Athletic - our line-up is filled with athletes

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Bench experience
• Few question marks defensively

Coach Outlook: "Returning 8 of 9 everyday starters from a year ago and returning the entire pitching staff from a year ago, the Pilots look to contend in a very tough Green Meadows Conference. The Pilots will be led by 5 seniors including Jacob Kahle, Jack Goonan (pictured right), Tyler Brown, Austin Willitzer, and Eric Engel. All 5 seniors have had been outstanding players (career 53-23 record) and will be looking to put the final punctuation mark on their careers in 2016. Along with the 5 seniors will be a very athletic junior class looking to send these seniors off to graduation with a very successful season.

As a coach, I believe this is the most baseball talented team I have had in my tenure. I am very excited about the possibilities that 2016 holds with this group of young men. Ayersville athletics has been very successful in the 2015/2016 school year and I fully expect that to continue on the baseball field. We have amped up our non-conference schedule a bit to match the juggernaut that is the Green Meadows Conference."

PBR Outlook: The Pilots have as much talent as any team in Division IV. With the experience and talent for Ayersville, coach Chad Donsbach has put together a tough non-conference schedule to go along with the always difficult Green Meadows Conference in order to have his team ready come tournament time.

Top Returning Players:

• Jacob Kahle, LHP/OF, SR, 6'1 180, L/L, 3-year letterwinner, .406 avg, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 27 RBI. 9-2, 0.63 ERA, 81 K, 26 BB - uncommitted - Would be a very nice late pick-up for any college. Will be able to hit at any level.
• Jack Goonan, RHP/1B,SR, 6-3 225, R/R, 2-year letter winner, .400avg, 7 2B, 2 HR,29 RBI. An emerging power arm, will see innings on the mound this year. Committed to Sinclair Community College.
• Dauson Dales, C/RHP, JR, 6'0 200, R/R, 2-year letter winner, .400avg 6 2B 1 HR, 20 RBI. Uncommitted but getting Division 1 football looks. A D-1 baseball prospect.
• Jacob Miller (pictured right), SS, JR. 6'0 160, R/R, .347avg, 8 2B 1 3B 1 HR 26 SB - a very athletic shortstop that has a lot of baseball potential
• Kasey Williams, OF, JR. 6'2 185, R/R. .347 avg, 10 RBI, 7 SB in half a season a year ago. Very athletic outfielder with arm strength and speed. Can also play the infield.
• Eric Engel, LHP/OF, SR. 6'2 160, L/L. 5-3, 70 K, 2.44 ERA. .243 avg, 16 RBI
• Austin Willitzer, 3B, SR. 6'1145, R/R. .293 avg, 4 2B, 15 RBI

 

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