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By Dylan Hefflinger
Editor in Chief/NW Scout

Ohio Spring baseball always seems to fly by and in 2017 that is most definitely evident with the fact we are in Regionals Week. That means the 16 best teams in each division will battle it out to see who is deserving of a trip to beautiful Huntington Park in Columbus.

Below we have the 16-Team Preview for Division III all the teams across the Buckeye State.

To view the Final Team Rankings, click below:
+ Division I
+ Division II
+ Division III
+ Division IV

To view the 2017 Preseason All-State Selections, click below:
+ Division I
+ Division II
+ Division III
+ Division IV

Interested in nominating someone for the 2017 All-State Teams, please click here.

To see in-game video, scouting notes and much more, visit the 2017 Scout Blog.

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

To discuss the 2017 OHSAA Tournament as well as any sort of high school baseball talk, visit our partner JJHuddle.

2017 OHSAA  Baseball Tournament - Regional Preview: Division III

Team Rankings based on the Final Team Rankings

Division III

Division III, Region 9 - Massillon 

Region Overview:
Team Previews:

Columbiana Crestview

Record: 15-11
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Dom Pecchia
• Jake Fonderlin
• Bryce Ritchey
• Jacob Crawford
• Dylan Huff
• Kaden Davis
• Payton Wolfe
• Brandon Chuey
• Dylan Ball
• Tyler Firzsimmons
• Caleb Hill
• Tyler Hurd

Chippewa

Record: 19-6
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Trent Harrell
• Drew Ellis
• Vince Suso
• Luke Brown

Champion

Record: 24-3
Final Ranking: No. 3
Preseason Ranking: No. 5
Highest Ranking: No. 3 - Week 4
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Lucas Nasonti: .478 AVG
• Michael Turner: .464 AVG
• Drake Batcho: sub-1.00 ERA
• Andrew Russell: 6-0, sub-1.00 ERA
• Kyle Forrest: .323 AVG

Lutheran West

Record: 20-3
Final Ranking: No. 14
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: No. 14 - Final
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Josh Cales
• Owen Albers
• Alex Robinson
• Rory Zakareckis
• Scott Berghaus
• Tristan Zimmer
• Alex Gavlak
• John Smolik
• Jeremy Geye

Division III, Region 10 - Elida

Region Overview:
Team Previews:

Eastwood

Record: 20-5
Final Ranking: No. 18
Preseason Ranking: No. 18
Highest Ranking: No. 12 - Week 4
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Senior - Pitcher/OF - Collin Dewese
• Junior - CF - Cade Boos
• Junior - 3B/P - Jake Pickerel
• Junior - P/C - Tyler Haas
• Junior SS - Grant Hirzel
• Freshman - Utility - Justin Pickerel

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals.
Kevin: First time with back to back district titles in school history. First time with back to back 20 wins seasons in school history. 3rd regional appearance in 7 years. Our district was challenging, we had to go through two of the better league teams (Rossford and Lake). Both teams have great pitching and are very well coached. District Semi we beat Rossford 2-1. District Final we beat Lake 2-1

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Kevin: Our team captains are Collin Dewese, Cade Boos, Jake Pickerel and Tyler Haas. We hit a wall in the middle of the season losing 3 straight league games. We had a closed door meeting and talked about what was necessary to turn things around. Our team motto is "together"and feel that we can be in any game if we stay together as a team. We have come a long way this season and have dealt with a lot of adversity to get where we are currently positioned and it has made us better as a team.

Archbold

Record: 21-6
Final Ranking: No. 15
Preseason Ranking: No. 9
Highest Ranking: No. 9 - Preseason
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Bryce Williams: .432 AVG, 3 2B, 21 RBIs, 25 R
• Toby Walker: .424 AVG, 2 2B, 2 3B, 14 RBIs, 27 R, 16 SB
• Gabe Petersen: .402 AVG, 13 2B, 4 3B, 24 RBIs, 22 R, 9 SB
• Ian Radabaugh: .326 AVG, 8 2B, 1 3B, 18 RBIs, 17 R. 31 IP, 3-0, 2.71 ERA, 18 K
• Brandon Miller: .308 AVG, 12 RBIs, 13 R
• Kade Kern: .300 AVG, 13 RBIs, 15 R
• Trevor Rupp: 37 IP, 7-1, 1.32 ERA, 44 K
• Bryson Taylor: 28.2 IP, 5-1, 1.95 ERA, 20 K
• Sam Petersen: 30 IP, 3-1, 2.10 ERA, 20 K
• Rigo Ramos: 31.1 IP, 2-1, 2.68 ERA, 25 K

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Dick: We were expecting our defense to be very good this year, and that has proven to be true. We also expected a lot from our pitchers, and they have come through also. The hitting has been a little up and down, but it was sure nice to see them come through in our district final against Fairview, that is what we are capable of.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals.
Dick: Getting to the Regional Tournament is no easy accomplishment, especially when you have the strong field that we have in our district every year. So I am really proud of our players for getting there in back to back years. I was also thrilled to see the outstanding crowd that showed up to support high school baseball at the district championship game at Defiance HS. And credit the Defiance schools, their administrators, and the community for providing a facility that is second to none.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Dick: Toby Walker and Ian Radabaugh are our only two seniors, and what a job they have done, both in their performance, and as leaders of this team. They aren't real vocal guys, but actions speak louder than words in my opinion, and these guys two provide tremendous leadership by their work ethic, and their focus on getting the job done.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field.
Dick: Three of the four teams in this regional, Eastwood, Clear Fork, and Archbold were here last year, so there is no question that it is a very strong field. Then you throw in Ottawa-Glandorf, who had an excellent season, and it makes things very interesting.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far (no-hitters, key hits, outstanding performances, comebacks etc)?
Dick: Things can get very tense in a single elimination tournament. We won 1-0, and 3-2 in our first two games. Our players know that little things can make a big difference in these games.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Dick: There are a lot of people involved in baseball in the Archbold school and community that make this program what it is. Derek Martinez, Josh Johnson, Kirk Weldy, and a lot of our other former players help groom these kids in the summer. Our varsity and JV assistant coaches, Jeff Brunswick, Scott Foor, Tom Vershum, Jon Fether, Mike Fether, and Lathon Babcock have helped tremendously to get us where we are.

Clear Fork

Record: 16-10
Final Ranking: No. 23
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: No. 23 - Preseason
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Mitch Dulin
• Thomas Staab
• Hunter Boyer
• Luke Clark
• Gavin Bailey
• Jarrod Smith
• Hunter Auck

Ottawa-Glandorf

Record: 19-6
Final Ranking: No. 17
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: No. 17 - Final
Postseason History:

Team Stats:

• .244 AVG, 136 Runs
• 1.85 ERA, 119 K

Top Players:

• Grant Fuerst: 53 IP, 5-3, 0.92 ERA, 45 K
• Chase Schrieber: 44.2 IP, 5-2, 1.41 ERA, 29 K. .273 AVG, 6 2B, 13 RBIs, 20 R
• Ethan White: 38 IP, 6-1, 1.84 ERA, 17 K
• Austin Horstman: .277 AVG, 3 2B, 10 RBIs, 16 R
• Logan Balbaugh: .286 AVG, 1 2B, 13 RBIs, 15 R
• Owen Hiegel: .253 AVG, 1 2B, 11 RBIs, 15 R

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Nick: From the beginning of the year until now I have seen great improvement throughout our team. Our pitching has kept us in every ball game with the exception of a couple of games. Our defense has been outstanding throughout the whole year. That’s what has won us our games this year our pitching and defense. We just haven’t swung the bats all that great this season. I was hoping to see the improvement in our hitting throughout the season like we have seen with the pitching and defense.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals.
Nick: We are very excited to be here. It is the first time OG has been to the regionals since 1981. The players and coaches are excited to finally get that monkey off our backs. We aren’t satisfied just getting here we still have a lot of work to do if we want to reach our goal of playing in Columbus.

PBR: Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant.
Nick: We only have one senior on our team but he is definitely the right senior. The players all look up to Logan Balbaugh. He may not be the most vocal leader but he definitely leads by example. The way he approaches the game is what I want all of our players to do. He goes 100% all the time. He is a great example for our younger players.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field.
Nick: Anyone in this regional is capable of going to Columbus.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far (no-hitters, key hits, outstanding performances, comebacks etc)?
Nick: In our 3 games so far in the tournament we have given up 1 run.

Division III, Region 11 - Minerva/Chillicothe 

Region Overview:
Team Previews:

Berlin Hiland

Record: 28-0
Final Ranking: No. 1
Preseason Ranking: No. 2
Highest Ranking: No. 1 - Week 2
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Bryan Yoder
• Chris Kline
• Tyson Gingerich
• Mitch Massaro
• Braden Mast
• Derek Miller
• Andy Miller

Martins Ferry

Record: ?????
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: NR
Postseason History: First district title since 1976 

• Austin Bassa
• Kyle Anderson
• Dom Wallace
• Cade Lloyd
• Jacob Probst
• Jacob Johnson
• Corey Miklas
• Drake Dobson
• Cory Bennett

Wheelersburg

Record: 21-5
Final Ranking: No. 13
Preseason Ranking: No. 14
Highest Ranking: No. 11 - Week 3
Postseason History: 10 straight district titles 

Top Players:

• Cole Dyer
• Connor Mullins
• Cole Darnell
• Kaleb Coleman
• Kaden Coleman

Zane Trace

Record: 20-10
Final Ranking: No. 25
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: No. 25 - Preseason
Postseason History: 10th trip to regionals in school history 

Top Players:

Division III, Region 12 - Xenia 

Region Overview:
Team Previews:

Carlisle

Record: 21-9
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Caleb Boy
• Jake Glover
• Jake Moore
• Adam Goodpaster
• Caleb Stewart
• Reece Human
• JJ Roberts

Cincinnati Country Day

Record: 21-6
Final Ranking: No. 10
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: No. 9 - Week 5
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Ronnie Allen
• Cameron Davis
• Trey Smith
• Blake Lykins
• TJ Brock

CHCA

Record: 21-7
Final Ranking: No. 8
Preseason Ranking: No. 11
Highest Ranking: No. 4 - Week 4
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Jack Vezdos: .500 AVG, 9 2B, 7 3B, 1 HR, 16 RBIs, 32 R, 14 SB
• Blake Sheffer: .366 AVG, 4 2B, 22 RBIs, 16 R
• Cayse Osborne: .328 AVG, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 24 RBIs, 20 R, 13 SB
• Grayson Hodges: .295 AVG, 5 2B, 1 3B, 9 RBIs, 16 R
• Clayton Brock: .283 AVG, 5 2B, 1 3B, 17 RBIs, 17 R. 33 IP, 4-1, 2.12 ERA, 27 K
• Griffan Smith: 31.1 IP, 3-2, 1.79 ERA, 44 K
• Max Ripperger: 33.2 IP, 5-1, 0.62 ERA, 38 K
• Ethan Briggs: 31.2 IP, 4-1, 0.88 ERA, 31 K

Coaches Thoughts:

PBR: Talk about your team's development from last summer, winter or the beginning of the season to now in late May.
Tony: Our team really took on a new mindset this offseason. They recommitted to molding themselves into not only great baseball players, but great athletes. Our performance coach did a great job putting a plan together for them, and the guys really took off with it. We have evolved as a team even in the last few months. I feel that our baseball IQ has never been better. We are excelling at the details of the game that are required for championship runs.

PBR: Thoughts on your program advancing to regionals.
Tony: It’s been such a fun year, and we have played well in the tournament. Winning the District Final, the way we won it, was a special moment that our players and coached won’t soon forget. Talk about the leaders on your team and what they have meant. Our captains (Griffan Smith, Zander Treon, and Jack Vezdos) have done a fantastic job leading our team. Those guys and the other 4 seniors have meant so much to this program not only for this season, but any future season’s successes.

PBR: Thoughts on your regional field.
Tony: This group of four teams is an elite level group. Any one team as the ability to throw a dominant pitcher, play great defense, and put up offensive stats. It will be a very entertaining 3 games, and we are excited and honored to be a part of it.

PBR: Is there anything of interest worth mentioning about your tournament run thus far (no-hitters, key hits, outstanding performances, comebacks etc)?
Tony: Senior LHP Griffan Smith threw a perfect game in the 2nd round.

Fredericktown

Record: 20-8
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Highest Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

Top Players:

• Trace Hatfield
• Cole Bebout
• Nick Cunningham