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2023 OHSAA Tournament: Regional Preview - Division II

May 30, 2023
Dylan Hefflinger and Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout and Senior Writer

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2023 OHSAA Tournament: Regional Preview - Division II

***** Email has been sent out to every head coach, that we have contact information for, who has made regionals and once we get all the information in, we will get out HUGE 64-team Regional Preview online. If you don't see your info, please send to [email protected]

**** We will add information for the teams that have not sent information into us on Wednesday, by doing research via internet/newspaper articles.

*** We are holding a fan vote via twitter that will end Wednesday night and we will add those results below after the vote is completed.

Division II

D-II Schedule

Division II State and Regional Tournament Bracket

Division II Preview

Region 5 - Canton

Region Overview: A year ago Kenston reached the Division I regionals as a 17 seed, the program’s first district title since 2004. This year the 19th-ranked Bombers are in the D-II regionals as a nine seed after knocking off third seeded Mentor Lake Catholic 5-2 in the district semis and fourth seeded Norwayne 5-4 in the district finals. … Will Kay shut out Benedictine 3-0 in the district finals for No. 7 Gilmour Academy, which has allowed just one run in the tournament. Will Lazzaro, who pitched a perfect game earlier in the season, blanked Revere 4-0 in the district semis. … Just a 13 seed, unranked Cathedral Latin is now in the regionals following a 6-0 shutout of Hubbard after edging Marlington 5-3 in the district semis. Top-seeded Alliance was a 9-1 victim in the sectional finals. … Braxton Baumberger went 6.2 innings to lead 20th-rated Field to a 3-2 win over Canfield in the district finals, with the Falcons scoring all three runs in the first inning.

For Fun Prediction:

Dylan Hefflinger

  • Kenston over Gilmour Academy
  • NDCL over Field
    • REGIONAL CHAMP - Kenston

Fan Vote:

  • Kenston over Gilmour Academy
  • NDCL over Field
    • REGIONAL CHAMP - Kenston

#19 Kenston

Record: 17-11
Head Coach: Joseph Hritz
Final Ranking: No. 19
Preseason Ranking: No. 2
Postseason History:

  • Fourth District Title (2002, 2004, 2022, 2023)

Top Players:

  • Carter Flynn, SS, Senior
  • LA Mighton, C, Junior
  • Drew McKenna, 1B, Senior
  • Lucas Kaltenbach, RHP/DH, Sophomore
  • Tommy Pecoraro, 2B, Junior
  • Parker Munday, LHP/OF, Senior
  • Nikko Georgiou, RHP/3B, Senior
  • Bridger Bischof, OF/LHP, Junior
  • Grant Beclay, OF, Junior
  • Jimmy Cerha, RHP, Junior
  • Avery Siperke, RHP, Junior

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.  Our defense, pitching, and ability to score runs as of late has been huge.

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 pays off.  Winning back to back district titles makes it that much better.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Being able to play in the regional finals gives us the opportunity to play another prominent team in Northeast Ohio and gives us the ability to showcase our teams 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.

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.

#7 Gilmour Academy

Record: 22-5
Head Coach: John Murphy
Final Ranking: No. 7
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

  • 13th District Title in school history

Top Players:

  • Will Lazzaro
  • Will Kay
  • Deaglan Bryant
  • Jesse Shepherd
  • Zach Titas
  • Sean Pitrone

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: I like the way we battle. We have played 9 1 run games and won them all. Our strength is our pitching where we have 3 #1 guys.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: We play a challenging schedule that prepares us for the districts. We expect our teams to win the district each year.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Its our 13th regional so obviously very excited but again, this is the expectation at Gilmour.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: All well coached good teams. We hold a 3-0 regular season record against them. Regular season means little though when you get to this point of the playoffs.

Notre Dame Cathedral Latin

Record: 14-11
Head Coach: Marc Thibeault
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

  • 14th District Title in school history
  • State Champions in 2001, 2006, 2009

Top Players:

  • Frankie Clark, SS, 2025
  • Griffen Moskal, OF/P, 2024
  • Gianni Spetic, OF/P, 2023
  • Phil Davidson 2B/P, 2023
  • Sam Hoffman, INF/P, 2024
  • Antonio Mandato, 1B, 2023
  • Nick Dietrich, OF/P, 2025
  • Dominic Sintic, C, 2025
  • Cerek Szczyglowski, C/OF, 2024

#20 Field

Record: 22-7
Head Coach: Joey Peterson
Final Ranking: No. 20
Preseason Ranking: N10
Postseason History:

  • First District Title in school history

Top Players:

  • Caleb Gartner, P/1B, 2023
  • Braxton Baumberger, P/UTIL, 2023
  • Carter Little, C, 2024
  • Kayden Smith, 1B/DH, 2024
  • Logan Lonzrick, 2B, 2025
  • Gavin Clapp, 3B, 2024
  • Grady Eader, SS, 2025
  • Drexal McAmis, LF, 2025
  • Garit Green, CF, 2023
  • Gavin Green, RF, 2023

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: What are a couple things you like about your team right now? Our pitching staff has been throwing it pretty well and we have been playing solid defense behind it. We believe when you mix those two together it exponentially increases your chances of winning. Also, our kids are believing in themselves. They are enjoying the moment and enjoying the chance to play baseball in June!

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Talk about your feelings when you won districts. When we entered the bottom of the 7th it was a one run game. We recorded the first two outs and then the tying run reached and made his way to third base. When our guy got the strikeout to win it I think we all went crazy and ran onto the field.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: For us being able to play in Regionals is nothing short of a blessing. In years past we thought we worked extremely hard to reach this point and it never happened. But, this year it did, and we are so proud of our guys and are taking each moment as a chance to battle one more day together!

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: All 4 teams that are here in Regionals are extremely tough! We saw Gilmour in a game earlier in the year and they have all the pieces of a championship team. NDCL is extremely well coached and just SOLID in all phases. Kenston plays a tough schedule coming down from division one last year.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: Our coaching staff has been absolutely amazing this year. They do so much work behind the scenes from scouting to doing whatever is needed to help our young men. Being in the Regionals for the first time in school history is quite an honor for us. A lot of great players and teams have come before this team and we know that we are all trying to make them proud!  Go Falcons!

Region 6 - Bowling Green

Region Overview: Unranked St. Marys Memorial knocked off Western Buckeye League regular season champion Wapakoneta for the second time this season, riding a complete game from Brayden Sullivan in a 2-0 district semifinal win. The Roughriders then scored six runs in the first inning and three in the second en route to a 9-3 victory over Upper Sandusky in the district finals. Sullivan had two hits and two RBIs and Jack Boos scored twice. … Peyton Duzgan was the winning pitcher for unranked Ontario in a 5-2 district finals triumph over Clyde. Ontario scored three in the fourth and two in the sixth. Ontario needed nine innings to beat Perkins in the district semis, scoring three in the top of the frame and then holding on for a 6-5 win. … Christian Conley drove in David Jimenez with the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth to give fourth-ranked Defiance a 2-1 victory over Toledo Central Catholic and a second straight trip to regionals. Jimenez went the distance, throwing a five-hitter with nine Ks for Defiance, which beat Bryan 3-0 in the district semifinals behind a one-hitter from Aidan Kiessling. This is the 14th district title for Defiance head coach Tom Held, whose Bulldogs used an 11-run sixth inning to defeat Wauseon 13-6 in the sectional finals. … Ryan Nolan hit a three-run homer in the third inning and Danny Surdy tossed a three-hit shutout helping 21st-rated Bay Village Bay avenge two regular season losses to Elyria Catholic, advancing Bay to the regionals for the first time since 2009.

For Fun Prediction:

Dylan Hefflinger

  • Ontario over St. Marys Memorial
  • Defiance over Bay
    • REGIONAL CHAMP - Defiance

Fan Vote:

  • St. Marys Memorial over Ontario
  • Defiance over Bay
    • REGIONAL CHAMP - Defiance

St. Marys Memorial

Record: 15-13
Head Coach: Adam Graves
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

  • 2nd District Title in school history

Top Players:

  • Kasey Gross, 3B/P, Freshman
  • AJ Dieringer, SS/P, Senior
  • Brayden Sullivan, LHP, Senior
  • Jacob Kaiser, CF, Sophomore
  • Joel Kogge, RF/LHP, Sophomore
  • Jack Boos, DH, Senior
  • Easton Craft, 2B, Senior
  • Ethan Hollandsworth, 1B/LHP, Senior
  • Caleb Felver, LF, Senior
  • Luke Rammel, C, Freshman

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: My guys aren't the most talented team around.  We aren't full of D1 players like some of the teams we've played up, but this team is as tough and gritty as any team I've been a part of.  They are going to fight and scrap and sacrifice personally to make the team successful. 

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: This is a huge thing for our guys not only this year, but into the future. It's payoff for all the work the players and coaches have put in throughout the year.  Especially when the season didn't start off very well for us.  The guys didn't quit and they just kept buying in with what we were talking about have continued to work hard and compete. It's been 23 years since we've made a regional.  It's fun for me because the last time and only time we made regionals was my junior year in 2000.  2001, my senior year, was the last time we even made a district final. It's fun for me to experience it as a player and now as a coach. 

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: It's only the 2nd time our school has made it to the regionals and we weren't supposed to be here, so it's just a great opportunity for us to compete and show that we belong here.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: When you get to this part of the tournament everyone you play is going to be good. Teams didn't get here by accident. We know that no matter who we play in the regionals, we'll need to be ready from the opening pitch until the last pitch. We know how good Defiance is if we get the opportunity to play them in the Regional Finals because we played them in the regular season. Defiance is at a level that we strive to get to year in and year out.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: I'm so proud of my team and my coaches. We started the season 2-7 and very easily could have given up and packed it in for the season. My guys continued to work all season and bought in to what we've been preaching and things started to pay off. We know we aren't going to be the most talented team on the field, but we are going to compete and give it everything we've got for however many games we have left this season. The community support has been fantastic for us and this is an exciting time for St. Marys Baseball.

Ontario

Record: 14-13
Head Coach: Mike Ellis
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

  • Sixth District Title in school history

Top Players:

  • Colton Ramion, OF, Senior
  • Jayden Leach, 3B, Senior
  • Gage Weaver, SS, Senior
  • Carter Weaver, RHP/1B, Junior
  • Carter Walters, 1B/RHP, Sophomore
  • Jake Chapman, C, Junior
  • Braxton Hall, 2B, Senior
  • Caden Boebel, OF, Senior
  • Peyton Dzugan, OF/RHP, Junior

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: We are starting to gel and play consistent ball for 7 innings.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Before the season started I felt we had the talent to win a district title, but our season was up and down so I was very happy for the kids when we won.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Ontario played in the regionals here at Carter Park in 2018 and I was part of the coaching staff with that team so since then I’ve always wanted to get back here.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: All are very good teams as a whole so will have to play our best.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach:  Very proud of this team as they could’ve folded but they kept working to get better each day and they are starting to play good fundamental baseball.

#4 Defiance

Record: 26-4
Head Coach: Tom Held
Final Ranking: No. 4
Preseason Ranking: No. 1
Postseason History:

  • 20th District Title in school history

Top Players:

  • Tyler Frederick, OF, 2023
  • Aidan Kiessling, P/INF, 2023
  • David Jimenez, P/INF, 2023
  • Gavino Gomez, OF, 2023
  • Christian Conley, OF, 2023
  • Cody Shaw, C, 2025
  • Alex Chagoyan, 2023
  • Torin Long, INF, 2024
  • Christian Commisso, 1B, 2023
  • Brezlen Zipfel, INF/P, 2025
  • Bradyn Shaw, P/INF, 2023 (injured, 47 IP, 8-0, 0.89 ERA, 54 K)

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Obviously our pitching has been really good all year long. It is unfortunate we lost Bradyn for the tournament, but we feel our pitching staff is deep enough to get to Akron. I really like our bottom of the lineup, they have had a great couple weeks for us.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: It was a great team win!  This was something our guys felt they could get done. We were fortunate to get by in the sectional final vs. Wauseon. It is just one game at a time and try to play good baseball

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: We lost a tough one last year in BG 1-0, so this is something our seniors have wanted to do all year.  Get back to the regionals and win 2.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: On paper it looks like 3 of the 4 top seeds were knocked off. The only thing that matters at tournament time is getting hot and obviously all the teams in the regional are playing very good baseball and getting good pitching.

#21 Bay

Record: 18-11
Head Coach: Ben Boka
Final Ranking: No. 21
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

  • First District Title since 2009

Top Players:

  • Evan Bottone, OF
  • Ryan Nolan, SS/P
  • Jeff Meade, OF
  • Danny Surdy, RHP/OF
  • Andrew Chesterfield, C
  • Tony Buttari, 1B/P
  • Charlie Rodgers, DH
  • Carter Ormsby, 2B
  • Frank Bird, OF
  • Caleb Rinehart, 3B
  • Jack McAlea, P
  • Nate Earl, P

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: We are playing solid defense, are getting really good pitching and are executing the fundamentals of the game on offense enough to keep winning.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: I had never won a District Championship so it was real special, as well as for the players on the team!  It was a special moment.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: We are humbled at the chance to play in a Regional contest. The team has worked hard in the off season and has grown a lot throughout the season.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach:I am sure that the other teams in the Region 6 Regional are competitive otherwise they wouldn't have made it this far. I would anticipate a lot of good baseball be played over the 2 days.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: The team should feel proud at the opportunity to represent their school and community at this regional tournament.

Region 7 - TBA

Region Overview: Andrew Hall threw six scoreless innings of relief for sixth-rated Bloom-Carroll, which rallied from 4-1 and 6-5 deficits to defeat Jonathan Alder 9-6 in the district finals. Tryce Chaffin had three hits and scored three runs for B-C. … Second-rated Washington Court House broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the fifth to advance to regionals for the second year in a row with a 4-2 victory over Circleville. A year ago Court House beat Circleville 2-1 in the district finals en route to a trip to the regionals. … Jake Valentine pounded out four hits to lead a 17-hit Cambridge attack in an 11-3 win over top-seeded Indian Valley in the district finals. Freshman Garrett Carpenter pitched into the seventh inning for the win. Cambridge, the 10th-rated D-II team in Ohio, had just two hits in a 3-2 win over West Holmes in the semis. … Unranked New Philadelphia, which defeated West Holmes in the district finals a year ago, is back in the regionals after knocking off Tri-Valley 5-4. A Noah Bollon two-run single in the top of the seventh put New Philadelphia in the lead. Freshman Owen Courtney was the winning pitcher for the sixth-seeded Quakers.

For Fun Prediction:

Dylan Hefflinger

  • Washington C.H. over Bloom-Carroll
  • Cambridge over New Philadelphia
    • REGIONAL CHAMP - Washington C.H.

Fan Vote:

  • Washington C.H. over Bloom-Carroll
  • New Philadelphia over Cambridge
    • REGIONAL CHAMP - Washington C.H.

#6 Bloom-Carroll

Record: 28-2
Head Coach: Jason Vest
Final Ranking: No. 6
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

  • Seventh District Title in school history

Top Players:

  • Tryce Chaffin, 3B, 2025
  • Michael Malone, SS, 2023
  • Ayden Anderson, LF, 2023
  • Markus Roberson, RHP, 2025, 4-0
  • Tyler Parks, C, 2023
  • Owen Conrad, 1B, 2023
  • Athan Mcknabb, RF, 2023
  • Caleb Hinkel, 2B, 2026
  • Brody Bishop, CF, 2024
  • Nicholas Lund DH, 2023
  • Kale Kraner, RHP, 2024 9-0
  • Jude Balser, RHP, 2024, 5-1
  • Andrew Hall, RHP, 2024, 5-0, 2 Saves
  • Joey Dawson, RHP, 2025, 2 saves (2 hits in 20 IP pitched)

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Focus, Athleticism, Leadership and Defense

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: We had a tough matchup against stated ranked #2 and a pitcher who gave up one run all season.  The game had lots of ups and downs, but our kids competed the entire time and the celebration was amazing for about 30 minutes then the kids turned their focus to the next game. 

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Great part of the year "where we get to practice instead of have to practice"

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: Will be a very competitive regional with lots of great players and teams.  Should be great opportunity to compete and try to prove ourselves

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: Some keys to success this year have been our great parents, fans, and our assistant coaches.  Coach Zeller, Garvin, Franklin, Graham, and Spires have done amazing job preparing the kids all year to be successful.

#2 Washington CH

Record: 25-1
Head Coach: Mark Schwartz
Final Ranking: No. 2
Preseason Ranking: No. 7
Postseason History:

  • Eight district titles in school history
  • 2000 State Champion

Top Players:

  • John Wall, SS, Junior
  • Titus Lotz, LHP/1B, Senior (6-1)
  • AJ Dallmayer, OF/RHP, Senior (2-0, 4 SV)
  • Jonah Waters, C, Senior
  • Tanner Lemaster, 1B, Senior
  • Bryce Yeazel, 2B, Junior
  • RJ Foose, DH, Senior
  • Will Miller, OF, Sophomore
  • Evan Lynch, OF, Junior
  • Sam Lotz, 3B, Freshman
  • Tanner Lemaster, RHP, Senior (8-0, 1 SV)
  • Will Miller, LHP, Sophomore (5-0)

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Our pitching has been excellent all year. We continue to play good defense.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: We knew coming into this season after winning last year's district championship and returning most of our starting lineup and all of our pitching, that we would be one of the teams favored to win again. To win it back to back years is pretty special.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: We are excited to get back again this year. We hope to play better than we did in last year's regional.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: I don't know much about the other teams other than they are playing very good baseball right now and very good teams.

#10 Cambridge

Record: 16-4
Head Coach: Jamaal Lowery
Final Ranking: No. 10
Preseason Ranking: NR

Top Players:

  • Keaton Kyser, 2024
  • Caden Moore, 2023 - 1-0
  • Regan Rodgers, 2024
  • Jake Valentine, 2023 - 6-0
  • Angelo Rocco, 2023
  • Davion Bahr, 2023
  • Garrett Carpenter, 2026
  • Andy Ogle, 2023 - 2-2
  • Brayden Gregg, 2024
  • Garrett Carpenter, 6-0
  • Dawson Geese, 0-1

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: A couple things I like about my team right now is that we are getting hot at the right time at the plate, having great approaches and getting the job done. Also our pitching has been solid all year.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: The feeling we got when we won the district was great a lot of emotion with a couple injuries this year and now every back to healthy we knew we had a good shot of winning if we could execute.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: Being able to play in the regionals is a testimony to my kids for buying in to what we brought to the table and running with it, We have a great group of young men who get after it. We will now be the 3rd team in school history to make it to the regionals.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: All 4 teams in our region are pretty tough with at least 1 or 2 guys on the bump and who swing it really well, we like our match up and looking to compete for a regional title.

New Philadelphia

Record: 16-10
Head Coach: Tyler Weisel
Final Ranking: N10
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

  • Coming Soon

Top Players:

  • Coming Soon

Coach's Thoughts:

  • Coming Soon

Region 8 - Mason

Region Overview: Chaminade-Julienne has relied on strong pitching to get to regionals, allowing just one total run in three tournament games. The fifth-rated D-II team in the state beat Indian Hill 1-0 in the district finals after a 2-1 victory over Bellefontaine in the semis. In the sectional finals C-J defeated Greenon 10-0. … CHCA will get a second chance at playing Chaminade-Julienne after earning a third consecutive trip to the regionals with an 11-1 pounding of Franklin in the district finals. Jeffrey Levin fired a three-hitter and Zach O’Connell had three singles and scored three runs to lead a 13-hit attack for the 25th-ranked team in Division II. C-J beat CHCA 8-2 in the season opener for the Eagles, which nipped Batavia 5-4 in the district semis and Wyoming 3-1 in the sectional finals. Eathan Long scored on a walk-off wild pitch for CHCA, which scored two in the last of the sixth and one in the bottom of the seventh to beat Batavia. Levin threw a five-hitter with eight Ks versus Wyoming, with Jasper Daniels and Jake Murphy producing two hits apiece. … Hebron Lakewood, a 10 seed that began tournament play at 9-15, avenged a regular-season loss to Licking Valley 4-3 in the district finals. Peyton Tichenor hit a single and eventually scored on a squeeze bunt by Kollin Hall in the top of the seventh for the game-winning run. Mason Sprankle went the distance for the win by Lakewood, which beat London 3-2 and Granville 7-3 earlier in the tourney. … No team has been as dominant in the postseason as top-ranked Hamilton Badin, last year’s D-II state runners-up, which has run-ruled all three tourney opponents. Badin topped Mt. Healthy 25-0 in five innings in the sectional finals, then blanked Reading 10-0 in six in the district semis before shutting out second-seeded Kenton Ridge 10-0 in five in the finals. Badin scored in every inning against Kenton Ridge, including a Rodney Rachel home run in a four-run fourth.

For Fun Prediction:

Dylan Hefflinger

  • Chaminade-Julienne over CHCA
  • Badin over Hebron Lakewood
    • REGIONAL CHAMP - Badin

Fan Vote:

  • Chaminade-Julienne over CHCA
  • Badin over Hebron Lakewood
    • REGIONAL CHAMP - Badin

#5 Chaminade-Julienne

Record: 25-5
Head Coach: Todd Barhorst
Final Ranking: No. 5
Preseason Ranking: No. 3
Postseason History:

  • Eighth District Title in school history

Top Players:

  • Isaac Sullivan, OF/RHP, 2026 - 5-1
  • JP Peltier, SS, 2023
  • Jackson Frasure, INF/RHP, 2024 - 8-2
  • Jacob Brunner, OF, 2023
  • Charlie Hoagland, LHP/OF, 2025 - 6-1
  • Patrick Gonter-Dray, 2B, 2023
  • Christian Gongora, 1B, 2024
  • Mitch Weckesser, RF, 2023
  • Colin Kadel, 3B, 2025
  • Julian Eversole, C, 2024
  • Leo Switalski-Lail, 2023

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: Lately, we've been playing loose and playing with energy. We are at our best when we are having fun playing the game.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: Because of the fashion in which we won it was an amazing feeling. We started our game 2.5 hours late due to a D1 District Title game going 15 innings before us. Our guys had to stay loose that entire time, and our fans stuck it out with us. The entire game was played under the lights and we walked it off just before midnight. It will be a night we won't soon forget.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: It's a great feeling. I've been fortunate enough to compete in past regionals as a coach, and I never want to take it for granted. There's over 200 D2 teams in the state, and being one of 16 remaining is a huge accomplishment for each team.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: It's a loaded region. CHCA is a threat year in-year out regardless of division. We picked up a win against them on opening day, but that was a long time ago and I'm sure they've only gotten stronger since then. Badin is a familiar foe as a member of the GCL Coed with us. Their resume speaks for itself at this point. Hebron Lakewood is not a team we've come across in the past, but anyone that's made it this far is clearly doing a lot of good things on the field.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: My players and coaching staff have dedicated a lot of time and worked so hard to earn their chance in the regionals. I hope my guys know to trust the work they've put in and go out and have fun on the field.

#25 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy

Record: 19-10
Head Coach: Tony Schulz
Final Ranking: No. 25
Preseason Ranking: No. 18
Postseason History:

  • Third season in Division II, second time advancing to regionals (2018)

Top Players:

  • Jake Murphy, 2B/P, 2025 - 3-0
  • Ethan Long, LF, 2023
  • Johnathan Russell, RF, 2023
  • Jasper Daniels, DH, 2024
  • Zach O’Connell, SS/P, 2024 - 2-1, 3 saves
  • Jeff Levin, P, 2024
  • Ty Sweeney, C, 2023
  • Landen Ivy, 3B, 2025
  • Andrew Moffitt, CF, 2024
  • Tyler Ooten, 1B, 2023
  • Jeff Levin, RHP, 2024 - 6-1
  • Joey Shafer, RHP, 2023 -  4-3, 1 save
  • Parker Hon, RHP, 2023 - 1-3

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: We are peaking and gelling at the right time. We are playing our best baseball right now.

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: I was so happy for our guys, and especially this Senior class. They have put so much work in, and sacrificed so much.

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: It’s always a goal and standard of this program to advance to the Region, giving ourselves a chance to go back to Akron.

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: These 4 teams may be the strongest Region of any in the state, in any division. The team that represents the Southwest Region in Akron next week will have certainly earned it. We are honored to get to play for a Regional Title in Region 8.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?
Coach: We are grateful for the support of the CHCA Baseball parents, the CHCA Athletics staff, and the CHCA community as a whole. It’s been a really fun season, and we are going to do our best to represent EagleNation and keep this season going.

Hebron Lakewood

Record: 11-15
Head Coach: Don Thorp
Final Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
Postseason History:

  • Coming Soon

Top Players:

  • Coming Soon

Coach's Thoughts:

  • Coming Soon

#1 Badin

Record: 28-1
Head Coach: Brion Treadway
Final Ranking: No. 1
Preseason Ranking: No. 4
Postseason History:

  • 21st District Title in school history.

Top Players:

  • Austin Buckle, 2B, Junior
  • Kade Bowling, 3B, Sophomore
  • Kyle Anderson, C, Sophomore
  • Reese Anzalone, 1B, Senior
  • Chase Luebbe, DH/OF, Sophomore
  • Chandler Taylor, OF, Freshmen
  • Rodney Rachel, OF, Senior
  • Brycen Fox, OF, Senior
  • Lucas Moore, SS, Senior
  • Caleb Jackson, 2B, Senior
  • Nik Copenhaver, RHP, Senior
  • Justin Hoevel, RHP, Senior
  • Aiden Van De Hatert, LHP, Senior
  • Corbin Ausman, RHP, Senior
  • Tyler Verdin, RHP, Junior

Coach's Thoughts:

PBR: What are a couple of things you like about your team right now?
Coach: This year's team is relentlessly focused on getting better every day. They do not waste opportunities to get better. These guys play extremely loose and handle adversity very well so far. 

PBR: Talk about the feeling when your team won districts?
Coach: It was exciting to share that moment with our players and coaches. It was a great feeling to know that we got another week to practice together. 

PBR: Thoughts about being able to play in the regionals?
Coach: It is such an honor to get to keep our season going. Ohio tournament baseball and the one and done format make every game exciting. It is truly a blessing to get the opportunity to continue playing together. 

PBR: Thoughts on the four-team’s as a whole that are at the regional?
Coach: Seeds and records mean nothing once the tournament starts especially at the regional level. Everyone in this region is well coached and talented. It is great to see two teams out of our league represented in our regional.

PBR: Anything else you would like to add, feel free to send it. Remember, this is for your players, your coaching staff and your community.
Coach: Our school and our community have been such a huge part of our success. It is an incredible feeling to have so much support from everyone.

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