By Chris Valentine and Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Director and Senior Writer

No. 11 Fort Loramie High School

Head coach Bill Sturwold looks to rebound after falling to Cincinnati Christian, 2-1, in the district finals a season ago. Fort Loramie has a strong tradition to live up to after winning the D-IV championship in the 2010 and 2007 seasons.

No. 12 Cincinnati Seven Hills High School

Seven Hills finished 19-6, 9-4 MVC, a year ago, bowing out in the district finals and head coach Cary Daniel looks to improve on that this season. With the likes of CHCA, Cincinnati Christian and Summit Country Day in the Miami Valley Conference, Seven Hills has plenty of stiff competition that could help out come tournament time.

Talented junior RHP Brian Goertemoller looks to continue his development on the mound . As a freshman on varsity, Goertemoller went 4-0 with a 1.43 ERA in 29 innings, 23K's. Other top players include Chris Brenning  (Jr., RHP/C/INF, 6-1, 165, .365 AVG), Jeff Dedeker (So., OF/C, 6-0, 170, .333 AVG),  Brandon Malofsky (Sr., 3B/RHP, 5-8, 170, .405 AVG), Caleb Daniel (Sr., INF/OF, 5-7, 150, team leader in stolen bases) and left-hander T.J. Robinson (Sr., OF, 6-0, 175, .396 AVG).

No. 13 Delphos St. John's High School

The Blue Jays of Delphos look to rebound after faltering to Leipsic in the tournament last season, a team they beat the previous year in the tournament when Leipsic came in unbeaten. Curtis Geise (Jr., P), Troy Calvelage, Troy Warnecke all earned 1st-team all MAC last season and look to lead the Blue Jays in 2013 for head coach Dan Metzger.


No. 14 Pioneer North Central High School

Head coach Eric Smeltzer looks to lead a talented group of NW Ohio kids with hopes of taking the next step in 2013. Last season the Eagles posted a 20-6 record before bowing out of the tournament to Tinora 8-6 in the district finals.

North Central brings back a talented mix of seniors and juniors led by star athlete Jalen Dancer (Sr. OF, 2nd-team all state, .453 AVG) who has an excellent bat and great speed. Kole Peterson (Sr., P-IF, 3-0, 2.71 ERA) is a talented two-way player expected to be the staff ace this year. Juniors Clayton Ferguson (SS-P), Branden Turner (P) and Dylan Hutchison (1B-3B) look to add depth on the mound and in the lineup. Sophomore Josh Sawyer (2B) looks to provide speed and defense while another sophomore, Colton Pilmore, looks to take over for graduated brother Trent Pilmore behind the dish.


No. 15 Defiance Ayersville High School  

Head coach Chad Donsbach has high expectations for the 2013 Ayersville Pilot baseball team. After finishing 17-9 and falling to North Central in the district semifinals a year ago, the Pilots return eight starters in the field and five veteran pitchers including the one-two punch of senior right-hander Brandon Peglow (6-2, 235, 4-2, 5 saves, 77 K's, 64 innings) and senior lefty Mason Aelker (6-2, 215, 5-4, 59 K's, 49 innings). Junior shortstop Luke Lawson (6-0, 165, .328 AVG, 3-hole hitter, 14-14 stolen bases) gives the Pilots another arm (84 mph) to count on after tossing a no-hitter at Defiance in ACME tournament play last summer.

Other top players include: Zack Clark (Jr., 3B, 6-0, 160, .313 AVG, clean-up hitter, 25-28 stolen bases, 7 doubles, 15 RBIs); Gage Odom (Jr., OF, 5-9, 150, .333 in 9-hole, 14-14 stolen bases); and Matt Engle (Jr., LHP/OF, 5-10, 145, .351 in 2-hole, 2-1 with 38 K's,32 innings).