2024 OHSAA Tournament: Regional Preview - Division II
May 30, 2024
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2024 OHSAA Tournament: Regional Preview - Division II
Division II State and Regional Tournament Bracket
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Region 5 - Canton
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Region 6 - Bowling Green
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Region 7 - Athens/Cadiz
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Region 8: Mason
Division II Preview
Region 5 - Canton
- Districts: Northeast 1 vs. Northeast 2 | Northeast 4 vs. Northeast 3
Region Overview: No tournament run has been any more impressive than by ninth-seeded Ursuline, which received a perfect game outing by Joe Balog in the sectional semifinals, knocked off No. 1 seed Poland Seminary 2-1 in the sectional finals, beat second-seeded Alliance 8-2 in the district semis and then knocked off fourth-seeded Canfield 6-1 for a trip to regionals. Losers of five of their last six regular season games, Ursuline, which entered the postseason with a losing record, is back at regionals for the second time in three years. … West Branch, which defeated Ursuline 3-0 in late March, Beau Alazaus threw a one-hitter in the district semifinal 1-0 win over NDCL. Anthony Perry did not allow an earned run and contributed a pair of hits in the district final 9-1 victory over Geneva. Boston Mulinix, who had the only three West Branch hits in the first game with Ursuline, had two hits and scored a run against Geneva. … CVCA is in the regionals for the first time since 2004 after Nik Wirsching, Matthew Porter and Kyle Shaw combined on a four-hitter to defeat Gilmour Academy 2-1. Freshman Alex Mammone had a two-run single in the fourth for CVCA, which has permitted just two total runs in three tournament games. … Defending state champion Kenston is back in the regionals for the third consecutive season after a 4-2 eight-inning win over SVSM. Grady Flynn hit a two-run double in the eighth for Kenston and LA Mighton went 3-4 with a double. Jimmy Cerha struck out a school-record 15 in a 2-1 victory over Medina Buckeye in the semifinals.
For Fun Prediction:
Dylan Hefflinger
- Ursuline over West Branch
- Kenston over CVCA
- REGIONAL CHAMP - Kenston
Fan Vote:
- West Branch over Ursuline
- Kenston over CVCA
- REGIONAL CHAMP - Kenston
Ursuline
Record: 16-12
Head Coach: Paul Kempe
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- 16th district title in school history
- 1988 Class AA State Champion
- 2000 D-III State Champion
Top Players:
- Anthony Triveri, SS/P, 2025
- CJ Frasco, P, 2024
- Rowan Urbach, 3B/P, 2026
- Luke Kollar, RF, 2026
- Thomas Pesa, C, 2024
- Joe Balog, LF/P, 2025
- AJ Snyder, 1B, 2026
- Johnny Cambert, CF/P, 2024
- Jake Bednar, 2B, 2025
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: We are playing really good team baseball in all phases. Our kids are bringing the energy everyday and rising up to each challenge.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Extremely excited and proud of our program. Players and coaches have done a great job all year and we are looking forward to moving onto the regionals.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Excited to be one of the the four teams in the D2 Canton Regional at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: Tremendous teams in the Canton Regional. Great programs with strong baseball traditionals and extremely talented players led by phenomenal coaching staffs.
PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: I am very proud of our players and coaches. We are very battle tested with the schedule we played, which included five district champions. We look forward to another great challenge with West Branch next Thursday and look to continue to represent Ursuline baseball.
#11 West Branch
Record: 23-6
Head Coach: Rick Mulinix
Final Ranking: No. 11
Preseason Ranking: 25
Postseason History:
- ?
Top Players:
- ?
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: ?
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: ?
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: ?
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: ?
PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: ?
#10 CVCA
Record: 24-4
Head Coach: Jason Herblet
Final Ranking: No. 10
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- 3rd district title in school history.
Top Players:
- Julian Hernandez, 2B, 2024
- Connor McGough, SS, 2026
- Ryan Wiehe, C, 2025
- Nicky Rovelli, 1B, 2024
- John Harabedian, RHP/INF, 2025
- Luke Wiggers, RF, 2024
- Kyle Shaw, LF/RHP, 2026
- Alex Mammone, DH, 2027
- Jacob Lancy, 3B, 2026
- Nik Wirsching, CF/RHP, 2025
- Matthew Porter, RHP, 2024
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: I love the confidence we are playing with right now. We have been really solid in all facets of the game. Minimal errors, great approaches at the plate, and our pitching staff has been great! Our kids love to play the game of baseball, but most importantly love to use the game as a way to worship Jesus! As a coach, I am so proud of the work they have put in and the way they go about playing the game day in and day out.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: It was an awesome feeling. This is the first district our baseball team has won since 2004. This was a goal this group set at the beginning of the year, and they got the job done! So proud of them!
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: We are excited about the opportunity to play against a very good Kenston team (defending State Champs). Our kids are hungry and ready to get after it on Thursday.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: Kenston, in my opinion, is one of the best d2 teams in the area. They play a really tough schedule and know how to win. West Branch has put together a great year. What we know about them, is they have a really good pitching staff and solid lineup top to bottom. Ursuline, we do not know much about them, but know they too have put together a great year and play a tough schedule.
Coach: We have won 23 of our last 24 games and are playing really good baseball. Our seniors have led us well and I am so happy for this group. They have put in the time and work into making themselves a great team. It has been an absolute joy being part of their journey on the ball diamond. Go Royals!!
#30 Kenston
Record: 14-14
Head Coach: Joseph Hritz
Final Ranking: No. 30
Preseason Ranking: No. 2
Postseason History:
- 5th district title in school history (2002, 2004, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Top Players:
- Grant Beclay, OF/LHP, 2024
- LA Mighton, C, 2024
- Avery Siperke, 1B, 2024
- Bridger Bischof, OF/LHP, 2024
- Wes Toth, OF, 2024
- Graysen Bischof, 2B/C, 2026
- Jimmy Cerha, RHP/1B, 2024
- Tommy Pecoraro, 2B, 2024
- Grady Flynn, SS, 2025
- Dylan Krupp, OF, 2025
- Jack Latz 3B, 2026
- Lucas Kaltenbach, RHP/DH, 2025
- Jacob Maniawski, RHP, 2024
- Griffin Marcoguiseppe, RHP, 2024
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Our team is coming together at the perfect time. They are battle tested and have been stepping up in all facets of the game recently. Their ability to face adversity head on and find solutions to overcome these obstacles has been instrumental in getting us back to the regional tournament level in 2024.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Winning a district title is always an exhilarating feeling. It's great to be able to have the guys all together for another week and helps prove that all their hard work that they have put in throughout the season is paying off. Winning our third straight district title makes it that much better. We also recognize that we played some great teams at the district level and are excited to continue to build on the lessons we learned from these opponents at the regional level.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Being able to play in the regional round gives us the opportunity to play another prominent team from Northeast Ohio and gives us the ability to showcase our team's abilities in an effort to get to the state finals.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: It is a very well-coached and talented region that is jam packed with deserving teams that could all make a run at the state title. Every team has faced talent and overcome obstacles to get to this point and we are excited to get the opportunity to play against one another.
PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: Thank you to all of our team parents, administrators, and coaches for making sure the little things get taken care of on a daily basis to help our program continue to grow and thrive. Our players have fed off of this energy and are poised and ready for the upcoming opportunities.
Region 6 - Bowling Green
Region Overview: Huron has scored 37 runs in three tournament wins after Austin Wasily hit a grand slam to pace a 16-hit attack in an 11-4 victory over third-seeded Perkins. Fifth-seeded Huron had previously knocked off fourth-seeded Shelby 17-4 and top-seeded Tiffin Columbian 9-6. … Jacob Shadle was the winning pitcher as Napoleon stunned Defiance 13-3 in the district finals, with Lucas Gerken driving in five runs on a 3-4 day which included a home run. Owen Espinoza, Blaine Ford, Devin Dietrich and Trey Rubinstein had two hits each for the Wildcats, which had to rally from a 6-3 deficit to top Bryan 7-6 in eight innings in the district semis. … Makhi Williams had a triple to highlight a four-run fifth inning powering Padua past Rocky River 6-1 for the first district title since 2017. Padua overcame a three-run deficit with a four-run fourth in a 6-4 semifinal win over Keystone. Nathan Krayzel fanned 10 in four innings of relief to pick up the victory. … Clear Fork scored five first-inning runs en route to an 11-1 pounding of St. Marys in the district finals. Luke Schlosser struck out 10 in a 3-0 shutout of Lima Bath in the sectionals. This marks the first trip to regionals in D-II for Clear Fork, which had previously won seven district championships in Division III.
For Fun Prediction:
Dylan Hefflinger
- Napoleon over Huron
- Padua over Clearfork
- REGIONAL CHAMP - Napoleon
Fan Vote:
- Napoleon over Huron
- Clearfork over Padua
- REGIONAL CHAMP - Clearfork
Huron
Record: 18-12
Head Coach: Dan Lindsley
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- 8th district title in school history.
Top Players:
- Landon Hohler, P, 2026
- Paul Maloney, 2B, 2025
- Tommy Ray, CF, 2024
- Austin Wasily, C, 2024
- Sam Cox, SS, 2026
- Ben Davis, DH, 2025
- Dominic Muratori, LF, 2025
- Donni Hartley, 1B, 2024
- Caden Peterman, RF, 2025
- Cody Scroggins, 3B, 2024
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Hitting 1 thru 9, playing great team baseball.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Well we made history as we have never made it to regionals in D-II, only D-III.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Just very happy for our kids, they wanted this bad and put the work in.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: All very solid, well coached teams. It's the team that goes out and plays good baseball that will win it.
#23 Napoleon
Record: 20-9
Head Coach: Eric Sprague
Final Ranking: No. 23
Preseason Ranking: No. 21
Postseason History:
- 2nd district title in school history
Top Players:
- Trey Rubinstein RHP/OF, 2025
- Devin Dietrich, OF, 2024
- Parker Woods, INF, 2025
- Lucas Gerken, 1B/RHP, 2024
- Jacob Shadle, RHP/OF, 2024
- Luke Hardy, C, 2024
- Owen Espinoza, INF/P, 2025
- Cal Bickel, RHP, 2025
- Blaine Ford RHP, 2025
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Our team has learned and is consistently applying our process and how we want to approach and play the game.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: It has not happened often in our school history, our program and community are excited. But we understand there is more we can do.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: There will be great competition in our Regional, we are excited for the opportunity to showcase what we can do.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: All teams have had great seasons and are playing their best baseball right now. This will be a highly competitive Regional.
PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: We are excited to represent the community of Napoleon and Northwest Ohio.
#24 Padua
Record: 17-8
Head Coach: Ryan McSweeney
Final Ranking: No. 24
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- 13 district title in school history
Top Players:
- Makhi Williams, CF/LHP, 2025
- Lucas Palange, 3B/P, 2025
- Yuri Bellina, C, 2024
- Spencer Siedlecki, 1B, 2025
- Trey Martin, LF, 2025
- Ryan Jankowski, DH, 2024
- Matt Lowe, RF, 2024
- Zach Zemla, SS, 2024
- Manny Lebron, 2B, 2024
- Nick Hofener, RHP, 2024
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: The leadership and the composure of the team has been great. They compete no matter who is in front of them from start to finish.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: It was a great feeling, it was a goal that we had set for ourselves in the fall to win Districts. So to watch all of the work that was put in pay off is special.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: It is a great opportunity and definitely is a special thing to be part of when you are down to the last 16 teams in the state.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: They are all really good teams that we respect. Once you get to this point everyone is great and very talented.
Coach: I am extremely proud of how the team has battled through adversity all year long to get to this point. They are a resilient group led by upperclassmen. I am excited to see how we play at this level as well as the support from the Padua community.
#17 Clearfork
Record: 25-4
Head Coach: Gabe Kennedy
Final Ranking: No. 17
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- 8th district title in school history.
- State title in 2010.
Top Players:
- Nate Lind, 2B, 2024
- Luke Schlosser, LHP, 2024
- Jay Jackson, SS/P, 2025
- Mason Sansom, CF, 2025
- Chandler Ball, 1B, 2025
- Kasey Swank, LF, 2024
- Garett Hotz, DH/RHP, 2025
- Champ Delancy, 3B, 2024
- Dawson Staley, C, 2025
- Trevor Kinnamon, RF, 2025
- Stetson Wendling, RHP, 2024
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Our kids are aggressive in the box and on the bases. They play with energy and enthusiasm.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: It was our 1st ever District Championship in Division II (7 in DIII). It felt great to go through the district after getting eliminated last year in the sectional final at home.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: This is the first time our players have won a District or even a Sectional, so we are looking forward to competing at regionals. I personally have never been a part of winning a District until this season. We are trying to keep playing and having fun doing it.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: At this point, everybody is playing well and has All star caliber players in their lineup and on the mound. So congratulations to the other schools that are here. There’s no easy games and you have to have your kids ready to go every pitch if you want to have a shot. We must play our best to be able to compete with these other programs.
PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: I took over last season and knew I was inheriting great kids. Their attitude and effort has been amazing to coach and the successes they have after their playing career is over, will be well deserved. My assistant coaches are top notch people and communicate extremely well with our players and work their tails off for our program. I am humbled to be able to coach our kids in the regionals and will not take a single second for granted.
Region 7 - Athens/Cadiz
Region Overview: Court House avenged two regular-season losses to Jackson with a 3-1 win in the district finals. Will Miller threw five shutout innings in a 4-0 win over Vincent Warren in the sectional finals with Evan Lynch tossing two perfect frames for ninth-seeded Court House. … Jase Hurd went 5-6 with three RBIs and three runs in the districts for Waverly, which edged New Lexington 3-2 before beating Miami Trace 7-2 for the first district title since 2016. … Sal Barcalow went the distance in a 1-0 win over Tri-Valley to give Indian Creek its first district title in school history. Ty Householder walked to lead off the sixth and scored on an error for the lone run of the game. … St. Clairsville will go for its fourth win of the season over Indian Creek after Hunter Hoffman pitched the Devils by New Philadelphia 5-1, avenging a district tournament loss to the Quakers last season. St. Clairsville has beaten Indian Creek 9-5, 3-0 and 9-4 this year.
For Fun Prediction:
Dylan Hefflinger
- Washington CH over Waverly
- St. Clairsville over Indian Creek
- REGIONAL CHAMP - St. Clairsville
Fan Vote:
- Washington CH over Waverly
- St. Clairsville over Indian Creek
- REGIONAL CHAMP - St. Clairsville
Washington Court House
Record: 17-8
Head Coach: Brian Yeazel
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- ?
Top Players:
- Aden Osborne, 2B, 2027
- Bryce Yeazel, 1B, 2024
- John Wall, SS, 2024
- Sam Lotz, 3B/P, 2026
- Evan Lynch, CF/P, 2024
- Will Miller, P, 2025
- Cooper Robertson, DH, 2026
- Gavin Coffman, C, 2025
- Bryson Heath, RF, 2026
- Hunter Hinkley, LF, 2024
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Mental toughness and grit.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Proud and excited for the kids.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: It's an honor to be able to play in the regionals for the 3rd straight year.
Waverly
Record: 18-11
Head Coach: Jeff Noble
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: No. 34
Postseason History:
- 9th district title in school history
- 1954 State Champions
Top Players:
- Creed Smith, CF, 2024
- LT Jordan, SS, 2024
- Jase Hurd, 2B/RHP, 2024
- Hunter Hauck, LHP, 2025
- Ben Nichols, 3B, 2024
- Quinton Hurd, 1B/RHP, 2024
- Jamison Morton, LF, 2024
- Wil Armstrong, C, 2025
- Tanner Nichols, RF, 2024
- Tyler Malone, RHP, 2024
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: You hear it all the time, they are playing for each other right now and they believe that they will win. On top of that they are fighting like that 3rd monkey trying to get on the Ark.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Very rewarding for me because these guys have really worked hard and they deserve to feel the excitement and success of our tourney run.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: No matter how many times you been there it never gets old and we can’t wait til May 30.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: When you make it this far you are here for a reason so you can take the names off the bracket and know you are in for a war whoever you play.
PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: We are very proud of this team and especially these seniors for putting their individual goals secondary so they can play for a bigger purpose and that’s the Team.
#18 Indian Creek
Record: 20-6
Head Coach: Mike Cottis
Final Ranking: No. 18
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- 1st district title in school history.
- 1st 20 win team in school history.
Top Players:
- Ty Householder, CF, 2025
- Nick Maurer, 2B, 2024
- Landon Pownall, 1B, 2024
- Sal Barcalow, LF/RHP, 2025
- Gavin Pownall, SS/RHP, 2026
- Hunter Rusnak, C, 2026
- Sylus Hyde, LHP, 2026
- Stan Amis, 3B, 2025
- Caleb Bodo, OF/RHP, 2025
- Ian Starkey, OF, 2026
- Tre Feist-Winland, RHP, 2026
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: This is the tightest group I have ever coached and they are playing with a ton of confidence right now.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Finally got the monkey off our back! We have been to the district title game 8 times and kept coming up short. It felt great to finally break through to the regionals.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Our boys are fired up. It is so hard to get to this point in Division II and we are proud of getting to this point.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: They are all great programs and we look forward to some great baseball.
Coach: Our boys have worked so hard all off season and in season for this opportunity. We have had great senior leadership from Pownall and Maurer. We also want to thank our community for such great support all season. They have had our backs every step of the way.
#4 St. Clairsville
Record: 26-3
Head Coach: Tom Sliva
Final Ranking: No. 4
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- ?
Top Players:
- Brody Saunders, RHP, 2025
- Marcus Bush, C, 2024
- Mickey Balgo, 1B/RHP, 2025
- Rowan Mellott, 2B, 2026
- Niko Jacob, 3B, 2026
- Braylen Blomquist, SS, 2024
- Caleb Keenan, LF/RHP, 2024
- Mason Myers, CF, 2024
- Colt Florence, RF/RHP, 2026
- Hunter Hoffman, LHP, 2024
- Ryan Ivey, RHP, 2025
- Caiden Bailey, C/OF, 2027
- Easton Conaway, P/1B, 2025
- Robey Hanna, P/1B, 2027
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: They are playing well together and coming to games and practices with energy.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Excited! This team has worked very hard to achieve this goal and I am very Happy for them.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: We are very excited to be going back to the regionals. This group of seniors were there in 2021 and are happy to be back.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: At this time of the year all the teams remaining are very strong. Looking at them individually, they all have great offenses, strong hitters with really good pitching and coaching staff.
PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: We had a strong nucleus returning of 5 seniors and a good mix of juniors, sophomores and a couple freshmen. The senior leadership has been outstanding! This group has been very close all season and they have worked very well together. They work very hard at getting better and support each other.
Region 8 - Mason
Region Overview: Badin has yet to permit a run in the tournament, outscoring the opposition 44-0 to date. Beau Chaney threw six innings of shutout ball in a 6-0 win over Tippecanoe in the district finals. … Ben Liebel pitched Indian Hill to a 5-0 win over Bellbrook, with Jonathan Copfer producing two hits in the district title game for the Cincinnati Hills League champion. … Jake Beard tossed a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over Chaminade-Julienne, giving Ridge its first district crown since 2008, head coach Aaron Shaffer’s first year at the helm. … Alder, which beat Kenton Ridge 5-3 and 10-0 in late April, survived a tough district with a 6-5 win over Bloom-Carroll in the semis and 2-0 victory over London in the finals behind a perfect game from Greg Kennedy. Top-ranked Alder overcame a 5-2 deficit against Bloom-Carroll in a match up of teams that met in the 2014 state championship game, winning with two runs in the bottom of the seventh in the district semis.
For Fun Prediction:
Dylan Hefflinger
- Badin over Indian Hill
- Jonathan Alder over Kenton Ridge
- REGIONAL CHAMP - Jonathan Alder
Fan Vote:
- Badin over Indian Hill
- Jonathan Alder over Kenton Ridge
- REGIONAL CHAMP - Jonathan Alder
#6 Badin
Record: 24-6
Head Coach: Brion Treadway
Final Ranking: No. 6
Preseason Ranking: No. 6
Postseason History:
- 22nd district title in school history.
Top Players:
- Kade Bowling, 3B, 2025
- Austin Vangen, LF, 2026
- Xander Arnold, 1B, 2025
- Chase Luebbe, RF, 2025
- Chandler Taylor, CF, 2026
- Kyle Anderson, C, 2025
- Jeremiah Carmella, DH, 2026
- Cooper Ollis, SS, 2025
- Austin Buckle, 2B, 2024
- Caleb Driessen, RHP, 2026
- Beau Chaney, RHP, 2026
- Tyler Verdin, RHP, 2024
- Matty Helms, RHP, 2024
- Ian Price, RHP, 2024
- Max Kraemer, RHP, 2025
- Ryan Holderbach, RHP, 2025
- Carson Niehaus, RHP, 2026
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: This has been a fun year. We have a lot of players that got their first varsity innings this year. Early on there were a lot of teachable moments and it was good to go through that as a team. These guys have brought great energy to practice every day and truly want to get better every day. At this point it is fun to just play and it seems as though they are playing free and loose.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: It is such a great feeling to win in the tournament and know that you get to be together for at least another week. Tipp City was a great team so to be able to move on was a great relief and enjoyable moment for our players and coaches.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: We have been fortunate to play in the regionals for the past three years. We have quite a few players that were on our regional final team from a year ago and we have a lot of players that this will be their first regional experience. We are playing at a familiar location in Mason so hopefully the guys are comfortable there.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: Indian Hill is a well coached and talented team that has a great blend of experience and youth. We played Kenton Ridge last year in the district finals and they are also well coached and loaded with talent. Jonathan Alder is the number one team in the state and have the coach of the year in Division II. May be one of the toughest regionals in the state this year.
PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: It is an honor to be able to coach at Badin. Our coaches and players put a ton of time in for our program so it is nice to see them be able to continue their season and have a chance to compete in the regionals.
#12 Indian Hill
Record: 22-6
Head Coach: Cary Daniel
Final Ranking: No. 12
Preseason Ranking: No. 9
Postseason History:
- 1st district title in school history.
Top Players:
- Nick, Rinala, P, 2024
- Devlan Daniel, CF, 2027
- Jonathan Copfer, 3B, 2024
- Dylan Hartman, C, 2027
- Trent Hartman, 1B, 2024
- Ashton Graham, RF, 2026
- Ben Liebel, RF/P, 2024
- Evan Hindman, SS/P, 2024
- Brady Drost, 2B, 2027
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: We play hard on both sides of the ball. This team has 9 guys in the order that give good at bats and make it tough on the opposing pitchers.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Winning districts was exciting. I was very proud of the effort these guys have put into this entire season and I was excited for the Indian Hill Community that has come out to support us all year long!
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: This is new for all of my guys. We are excited but focused and ready to go out and really give it everything we have one inning at a time.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: This regional is extremely tough! The next two games for the teams that win game 1 are both like State Championship games. These teams are loaded with talent. The level of play that we have to maintain to get through this regional will be exhausting to say the least. High end pitching, strong bats and some very experienced coaches that have really prepared their teams very well.
#13 Kenton Ridge
Record: 22-5
Head Coach: Aaron Shaffer
Final Ranking: No. 13
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:
- 7th district title in school history.
Top Players:
- Logan Fyffe, 2024
- Cale Obee, 2024
- Jake Beard
- Zach Deel
- Dylan Greer
- Caleb Obee
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: We are peaking at the right time. Pitchers are doing a great job of filling up the zone and we play really good defense. Offense started slow but is starting to come around late in the year.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: We have struggled in the district final the last few years so to get over the hump was a great moment for our senior class.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Our players are excited to be apart of the regionals and match up against some of the best teams in the state.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: This is a really tough regional so to be able to make it out you are going to have to play really good baseball. Any of the 4 teams are capable of making it out and winning the whole thing.
#1 Jonathan Alder
Record: 26-2
Head Coach: Craig Kyle
Final Ranking: No. 1
Preseason Ranking: No. 4
Postseason History:
- 9th district title in school history
Top Players:
- Chase Chopin, CF, 2024
- Grant Horne, 2B, 2025
- Ashton Martin, SS/P, 2025
- Garrett Roach, DH, 2024
- Jace Schrock, C, 2025
- Greg Kennedy, RF/P, 2024
- Andy Yoder, 1B, 2024
- Mason Keaton, RF/LF, 2024
- Cam Potter, 3B/SS/P, 2024
- Tyler Barton, RHP, 2025
Coach's Thoughts:
PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: We have a very mature team that has now seen and experienced both the highs and lows of the OHSAA tournament the last 2 years. Our program's formula over the years has been to throw and locate strikes, make the routine play in the clutch situation and come up with 2 outs hits with runners in scoring position. This year's team is no different and has excelled at all 3 of those things throughout our season. I really feel like this is one of the closest teams we have ever had in our program that has truly embraced the idea of it's amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.
PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: After getting so close but falling short of winning a District Championship in 2023 our players were on a mission to get back there this year and win it. Seeing the smiles and pure joy on our players' faces after winning it this year is something I will never forget. There's truly nothing like being at the bottom of a dogpile after winning a Championship with guys you have played with since you were 5 years old. Winning the Division 2 Central District this year was truly "earned" due to the fact that for the 1st time in my coaching career there was only 1 District Bracket and 1 Champion. I have a ton of respect for the Division 2 programs and coaches in Central Ohio so winning the District Championship this year against the teams we had to go through is something we are very proud of and didn't take lightly.
PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Earning the opportunity to practice on Memorial Day knowing you're this far in the tournament is the HS Baseball equivalent to practicing on Thanksgiving Day for HS Football players and coaches in Ohio. There is really nothing like that feeling along with getting to experience all the build up and overall excitement of your community over the past week in preparation for Thursday. Our players and coaches are extremely excited and really looking forward to the opportunity we have earned to compete in the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Sweet 16 against a loaded Regional with 3 other really great teams.
PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: Some of the best HS Baseball over the years has been played in the southwest corner of the state. We have a ton of respect for the Badin, Indian Hill and Kenton Ridge programs and their players. I personally have a ton of respect for Coach Treadway, Coach Daniel and Coach Shaffer for the success and level of consistency their programs have displayed over the years. All 4 teams have great pitching, defense and some of the most loaded batting line-ups in the entire state. We are truly honored to have earned the opportunity to represent Central Ohio in Mason this week competing against these 3 great teams and programs.
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