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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: Rittman Indians

Team Name: Rittman Indians
Head Coach: Joe Staley
Division: III
2015 Record: 22-7
Conference Record: Wayne County Athletic League, 8-6
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/4

2016 Team Strengths:

• Starting Pitching
• Defense
• Hitting

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Leadership

Coach Outlook: "We return all of our pitching from last year’s team that finished #10 in the final OHSBCA state poll. Manny Garza leads the returnees as a junior after being named 2nd team all state in Division IV by the OHSBCA last year along with four other All-WCAL returnees. We do move up to Division III this year but the expectations remain the same."

PBR Outlook: Coach Staley and the Indians move up to Division III in 2016, but the expectations should remain the same as they return the core of a team that finished 22-7 in 2015. Look for the Indians to make a name for themselves in D-III this season with five All-WCAL performers returning in 2016.

Top Returning Players:

• Manny Garza (pictured right), SS/RHP, 2017, 5-11/175, L/R, 2nd team All-Ohio last season as a sophomore, 0 strikeouts in league, hit .433 out of the lead off spot with a .600 on base percentage. Went 5-2 on mound with a 1.71 ERA in 50 innings to go with 67 Ks. Will be a three-year starter this year.
• Kaleb Bauman, INF/RHP, 2018, 6'2 165, R/R, 1st team All League as a freshman hit .400 while playing all four infield spots. Went 2-1 on the mound with a 1.31 ERA to go with 30 Ks in 16 innings. Also led team with 12 stolen bases and 43 RBI.
• Tyler Gault, 3B/RHP, 2016, 6'5 185, R/R, Was 4-0 on the mound with a 1.93 ERA in 40 innings to go with 52 Ks. Will be a four-year starter.
• Caleb Keck, 1B/RHP, 2016, 6'4 160, R/R, 5-4 on mound as #2 starter. Had a 1.30 ERA. He is an innings eater who throws a lot of strikes. Will be three-year starter.
• Tristen Kidd, OF, 2016, 5'9 165, Hit .411 and was hottest hitter down the stretch. Has a lot of Speed and will play football in college. Will be a three-year starter this year. 
• Matt McMillen, OF/INF, 2016, 6'1 165, Can play several positions. Slotted as the CF this year. Hit .290 last season, and will be a three-year starter.

Top Underclassmen:

• Jacob Carr, C/RHP, 2018, 6'2 220, R/R, Will be a first-year starter this year. He has a lot of power with a strong arm.

 

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