By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

High school baseball previews for the 2025 season:

AURORA GREENMEN

Head Coach: Trent Dalton, 4th year, 45-29 career record.

Coaching Staff: Jake Knapp, John Scott, Alan Krontz, Collin Witherspoon, Scott Williams.

2024 Record: 14-13 overall; 8-6 Suburban League American Division.

Returning Lettermen (14): Brady Carlson, Max Anzells, Ben Lukasik, Alex Brooker, Jack Lang, Aydan Carlson, Maddox Booth, Jack Bonnet, Will Bodine, Tommy Hach, Alex Kaczmarek, Paul Davet, Tommy Tartabini, Carson Smith.

Lettermen Lost (12): Dean Lawrence, Colin Hensley, Will Pfiffner, Zach Williams, Dominic Trivisonno, Nate Fletcher, Ryan Tierney, Jameson Embrescia, AJ Cifani, Nate Albanese, Jayce Unverferth, Rory Kilway.

Season Outlook: “We have a tremendous group of guys with a mix of returning varsity and first-year varsity guys that we believe can make an immediate impact,” Dalton said. “Competing in the Suburban League is always a difficult task, but we truly believe we can make another run for a conference title and more.”

Infield: Positions will be manned by Aydan Carlos, Hach, Anzells, Brooker, Bodine, Ryan Dwyer, Jack Radvansky, Dave and Lang.

Outfield: Starters and depth will be made up of Tartabini, Lukasik, Smith, Brady Carlson, Drew Botos, Bonnet, Ryan Slisz and Jones.

Catcher: Lang, Tartabini and Slisz will all get time.

Pitching: The Greenmen have a depth of arms, including Kaczmarek, Kyle Lancaster, Rocco Zembala, Booth, Hach, Brooker, Bodine, Davet, Radvansky, Bonnet and Tartabini.

Reason to be Optimistic: We are a very experienced team with a large senior class, who bring great leadership to a very talented younger class. We are excited to see what this group accomplishes this season and excited about the future, as well.”

Reason to be Concerned: “We are battling some injuries from some key returners, but we have faith they will be back stronger than ever.”

FIELD FALCONS

Coach: Joe Peterson, 14th year, 215-99 career record.

Coaching Staff: Brian Clark, Dru Pifel, Darin Shackelford, Keith Bowers.

2024 Record: 20-5 overall; 14-0 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (8): Grady Eader, sr.; Landon Homan, sr.; Drexal McAmis, sr.; Logan Roberts, sr.; Caleb Brastine, sr.; Alec Grimm, sr.; Caden Kolesar, jr.; Sam Confer, jr.

Lettermen Lost (5): Kayden Smith, Deegan Yutzy, Ethan Rinehart, Carter Little, Gavin Clapp.

Season Outlook: “We are fortunate to be returning some really good ball players from last year’s team,” Peterson said. “This spring has been intense. We have been getting after it, trying to find the guys that are going to replace the good ones we lost from last year’s group that was very successful. We are excited to get going and compete in and out of the MAC.”

Infield: The Falcons return last year’s league Player of the Year in Eader, who has committed to play at the University of Mount Union.

“Grady had a tremendous season for us last year and is a heck of a player. His athleticism is off the charts to go along with some incredible pop at the plate. He does a great job for us, setting the tone by competing with a fire in his belly.”

Eader hit .459 last season, with 39 hits, 12 doubles, 24 RBI, 35 runs, 22 stolen bases and only five errors defensively.

McAmis, who was named All-MAC last season and has started since his freshman season, returns at first base. Last year, he hit .400 and had 20 RBI and 27 runs.

“His power at the plate might be the best I’ve seen in my time.”

Juniors Joey Conroy and Confer will play at third base. Confer was last year’s starter and was named Honorable Mention All-MAC.

“Sam had a really good year for us last season, and we are hoping he will make strides to be even better this season. We may ask him to do more for us on the mound and even in the outfield. He is big and athletic and has a ton of potential.

“Joey is a newcomer to varsity, but we are expecting to see him fit in very quickly.”

At second base, the starting spot is being battled by two juniors: Nick Cultrona and Cohen Allen.

Outfield: Kolesar leads the group after being named First Team All-MAC last season. He hit .409 and had 36 hits, 30 RBI, 30 runs and a .476 on-base percentage.

Confer, who played third base mostly a year ago, will also get time in the outfield because of his “athleticism and arm strength,” according to Peterson.

When Homan is not pitching, he will play right field. Peterson also said he expects Homan to move up in the batting lineup this season.

Brastine, Grimm and Wagner, all seniors, will also see time in the outfield.

Catcher: Peterson said that junior Kole Siedler is the leader in the clubhouse to be named the starter on Opening Day. He saw minimal time on varsity last year, catching 20 innings.

“He has done a very nice job so far.”

Brastine, along with freshman Tyler Stelzer, are also in the mix.

“Tyler is doing a very nice job so far up on a team with mostly upperclassmen.”

Pitching: Homan is the No. 1 on the Falcons’ staff. He was 6-0 last year and allowed only seven earned runs for the entire season over 40.1 innings for a 1.19 earned-run average. He had 42 strikeouts.

Roberts will step in as a starter and got a lot of experience a year ago battling against some very tough non-league opponents. He went 2-2 and had a 3.21 ERA.

Confer will be a reliever and occasional starter, while Kolesar will be another reliever out of the bullpen.

McAmis, along with Conroy, Grimm and junior Joe Dilworth, will all battle for innings.

Underclassmen to Watch: Tyler Stelzer, fresh.; James Roberts, fresh.; Alex Williams, fresh.; Cade Little, soph.; Dawson Cook, soph.

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have several dudes that are back from last year’s 14-0 MAC team. We will rely on them heavily for their play and their leadership. We also have a good junior class that has a good number of guys making their varsity debuts, who have the potential to compete at a high level.”

Reason to be Concerned: “The conference has some really good teams, good players and some really good arms. We know this will be a tough year to compete in the MAC.”

GARFIELD G-MEN

Head Coach: Mike Paes, 10th year, 125-99 career record.

Coaching Staff: Kyle Workman, Scott Eberly.

2024 Record: 19-7 overall.

Returning Lettermen (8): Aidan Hill, Brandyn Bogucki, Jack Neikirk, Brock Pesicek, Garrett Warnick, Nate Bazcowski, Tyler Lutz, Carson Norton.

Lettermen Lost (3): Eric Geddes, Alex Carter, Leo Grandizio.

Season Outlook: “We bring back a lot of guys from last year’s team, but have to replace one of the best players in the area in Eric Geddes,” Paes said. “We have a great core of guys who can compete with most of the teams on our schedule. We are looking to win the league and a district. Those are always our goals.”

Infield: Hill returns as a three-year starter and will play a variety of positions, including first base and shortstop. He hit .355 last year with 24 BI and 27 runs.

Bogucki is another veteran, a two-year starter, who will play at shortstop after batting .432 last year. He also had 41 runs, 34 stolen bases and 20 RBI.

Lutz, Collin Cunningham, Mason Andrikanich, Jared Cardinal and Lukas Workman will all also be in the mix.

Outfield: The group will be made up of Neikirk, Warnick, Norton, Baczkowski and Holden Kissell.

Catcher: Pesicek returns for his third year as a starter.

Pitching: Hill is the team’s ace. He was 5-1 last year and had 62 strikeouts, along with a 1.33 earned-run average.

Bogucki, Neikirk, Warnick, Cunningham and Cardinal are all part of the pitching staff, as well.

Underclassmen to Watch: Nate Baczkowski, Jared Cardinal.

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have a lot of guys coming back with experience from last year’s team. They are great teammates, and we have a great atmosphere.”

Reason to be Concerned: “Our pitching experience, other than Aidan Hill. Also, new guys at the plate.”

KENT ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS

Head Coach: Mike Haney, 23rd year, 295-247 career record.

Coaching Staff: Ron Spears, Jesse Michel, Todd Schromm, Jason Preising, Zach Lewis, Zach Rogers.

2024 Record: 11-14 overall; 5-8 Suburban League American Division.

Returning Lettermen (18): Gavin Corbett, sr.; Brayden Darkow, sr.; Deonne Dickerson, sr.; Brian Dugan II, sr.; Dominic France, sr.; Alex Geist, sr.; Trystin Page, sr.; Ryan Sanders, sr.; Rocco Abercrombie, jr.; Jack Flynn, jr.; Braden Latacki, jr.; Nick Roberts, jr.; Teddy Maccarone, jr.; John Estep, jr.; Rocco Baggetta, soph.; Aiken Benshoff, soph.; Luke Haney, soph.; Owen Puhalla, soph.

Lettermen Lost: Scottie Spears, Ryan Schromm, Sam Lanier, Matt McCann, Jack Smith, Tony Baggetta.

Infield: “We return some experienced parts and some new faces.”

At first base, Haney and Sanders will share time, with Corbett and Estep adding depth to the position, which helps since all four are also pitchers.

Estep and Sanders are slated to start in other positions, giving most of the time to Haney.

At shortstop, Maccarone returns after a First Team All-Suburban League season. He had 23 hits, 18 RBI, 21 runs and a .943 fielding percentage. Puhalla will move into the spot when Maccarone pitches.

Estep returns to start at second base, with Flynn as his backup.

Benshoff is scheduled to start at third base, with Darkow and France, along with Estep, adding depth.

Catcher: Dugan II is the starter, making the move from right field last year. Injuries have hurt the Riders, with sophomore Brock Cattalucci battling to return from an injury, while Abercrombie is out for the season.

Outfield: There will be a new look after the Riders graduated four seniors in the outfield for the second straight season.

Baggetta will get the first shot at replacing his older brother in left field.

Sanders will be in center and Page will move from third base to right field.

With Page and Sanders also expecting to spend significant time on the pitcher’s mound, Haney said their replacements will be “determined by a preseason battle” that includes Geist, Dickerson and Roberts.

“The plan is that all will play a significant role as the season progresses.”

Pitching: Page was 4-4 last year and threw 49.1 innings, with 57 strikeouts and a 3.12 ERA. Sanders was 2-4 and a 3.36 ERA in 33.1 innings.

Darkow, whose 2024 season was shortened by injuries, can be a starter or receiver, while Corbett was a bullpen staple last year.

Maccraone and Estep also add options, as well as Latacki, Benshoff, Puhalla and Haney.

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have experience, roster flexibility and depth. We have good team speed. We are looking to build off of the 84 stolen bases we collected last season (up from 69 in 2023).”

MOGADORE WILDCATS

Head Coach: Chris Williams, 2nd year, 14-8 career record.

Coaching Staff: Mike Gasaway, Aaron Pendergast, John Dasco, Todd Wagner.

2024 Record: 14-8 overall; 7-3 Portage Trail Conference.

Returning Lettermen (5): Maddox Smith, Jake Hopkins, Tyler Pendergast, Ryan Woitas, Cole Reese.

Lettermen Lost (9): Devin Graham, Tanner Buso, Chad Westfall, Austin Constantine, Javon Spicer, Ronnie Skye, Corey Lehner, Tyler Youngblood, Jude Thiry.

Season Outlook: “This year’s Opening Day roster will look a lot different from last year,” Williams said. “We will be a young team, with only three seniors this year and two of those have varsity experience. All five returning lettermen started multiple games for us last year and will be counted on to be great leaders for our new guys seeing their first varsity action. We believe we made great strides last season thanks to our senior class’ leadership and look forward to that carrying over this season.”

Infield: Pendergast, Hopkins and Reese will all split time at third base, while also sharing time as catchers and on the mound as pitchers.

“Third base should be a strong position for us, with all three boasting a ton of varsity experience.”

Max Shannon is penciled in as the starter at shortstop, with Woitas as the backup when he is not starting at second base.

“Ryan will be solid for us defensively, with an ever-improving approach at the plate.”

Lucas Umbright will start at first base, with Shannon as the backup when Umbright is pitching.

Outfield: The group will be young, but athletic.

Junior Dylan Hartung, along with sophomore Maddox Smith and Noah Hopkins, will be the starters.

“All three are extremely capable with the glove and have shown above average arm strength during the preseason.”

Senior Trevor Hinkle, as well as juniors Luke Ruppel and Ben Holler, are also in the mix.

Catcher: Pendergast and Jake Hopkins will split time equally.

“Both have a lot of experience and know how to command the game from behind the plate. This is another position of strength for this year’s team.”

Pitching: Reese returns after a spectacular junior season and is the No. 1 arm in the group. He is still rehabbing a knee injury from the football season and is slated for a potential return of mid-April.

Smith will hold down the No. 1 spot until Reese returns.

Rounding out the staff will be Umbrigth, Shannon and Jake Hopkins.

Underclassmen to Watch: Landen Williams, Jimmy Woods, Hunter Rambler, Max Simone.

Reason to be Optimistic: “The experienced players we have coming back are very talented and have exceptional leadership qualities. We feel confident that their leadership will help speed up the learning curve for our young guys. Our pitching rotation, when completely healthy, gives us three to four true starters with a lot upside and potential from the bullpen.

Reason to be Concerned: “Lack of varsity experience. Losing nine lettermen from last year’s team puts us in a position where we will need to play a lot of young guys to build experience. The early season will be a learning curve for a majority of the team. We need to keep our approach simple and bring along a good group of young guys early in the season to mix with the handful of experienced guys on the roster come tournament time.”

RAVENNA RAVENS

Head Coach: Lee Lovejoy, 7th year, 28-89 career record.

Coaching Staff: Matt Byers, Kyle Gillespie, Nick Donovan, Scott Fuller, Scott Welling.

2024 Record: 8-14 overall; 4-10 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (11): Nic Brazelton, sr.; James Evans, sr.; Connor Welling, jr.; Sean Jordan, jr.; Matthew Fuller, jr.; Peter Jennings, jr.; Rylan Eldredge, jr.; Logan Hysell, jr.; Jeremiah Miller, jr.; Alex Hall, soph.; Andrew Mladek, soph.

Lettermen Lost (0): None.

Season Outlook: “We are looking to build on our win total from the 2024 season. The conference will be a 14-game gauntlet, and we look to catch some teams off-guard this year, as we have a lot of experience returning.”

Infield: Jordan and Brazelton are the anchors up the middle, with Brazelton returning to the lineup after missing all of the 2024 season with an injury.

“Sean has grown into the position and put a lot of work into swapping over to shortstop this summer.”

Welling, when not pitching, will also be an option at the middle spots.

Hysell returns as a starter at first base for the third season. He was named Second Team All-MAC last year.

Miller, Landon Godley and Alex Hall will all find time at first base.

Outfield: Welling will be the starter in center.

“His athleticism and strong arm gives us a big defensive advantage.”

Earns, who was a First Team All-MAC performer a year ago, along with Jennings, Eldredge and Brandon Nichols will all rotate in the outfield.

Catcher: Fuller is the returning starter, and he caught every single inning for the Ravens’ staff last year.

Pitching: Evans, Hysell, Welling and Miller will spearhead the rotation. Jennings, Eldredge and Godley will also get innings.

Underclassmen to Watch: Landon Godley, Alex Hall.

Reason to be Optimistic: “We return everyone back from last year’s team, along with getting Nic Brazeltn back in the lineup from injury. The guys have grown a lot this summer and built a strong connection amongst each other this off-season.”

Reason to be Concerned: “Our depth in pitching and offensive production at the plate.”

ROOTSTOWN ROVERS

Head Coach: Keith Waesch, 13th year, 185-99 career record.

Coaching Staff: Matt Collins, Matt Just, Jim Gerren, John Gerren.

2024 Record: 10-14 overall; 2-8 Portage Trail Conference.

Returning Lettermen (8): Sean Boveington, Sr; Brady Kreitzburg, Sr.; Blake Postlethwait, Sr.; Alex Ely, Jr.; Bryce Harless, Jr.; Landon Rodstrom, Jr.; R.J. Soika, Jr.; & Ethan White, Jr.

Lettermen Lost (5): Austin Biggin, Tony Karp, Lucas Skala, Alex Sturgill, Joe Weaver.

Season Outlook: “Our season will depend on whether or not we can string some hits together and score runs on a consistent basis,” said Waesch. “I believe we have at least three pitchers who can eat up innings and get high school hitters out. I’m also comfortable with our defense, especially up the middle and in the outfield where we have excellent range.”

Infield: First base will likely be manned by Landon Rodstrom.

However, Rodstrom is coming off a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined all of last season. So it’s going to take the former third baseman some time to get acclimated to first base.

Second base will primarily be occupied by Ethan White (23 runs scored) or Sean Boveington.

Newcomer George Luli, a junior, will play some shortstop, but Boveington will also see some time there as well.

Third base will rotate between Bryce Harless and R.J. Soika, who each saw limited action at the hot corner a year ago and both will spend a lot of time on the mound in 2025.

“There will likely be significant combinations of players used on the infield all season long,” said Waesch.

Junior Caleb Stevens (2B), and sophomores Carson Hayn (3B/SS), Kiel Reuting (3B) and Anthony Pratt (1B) will likely factor into the mix as well.

Outfield: Brady Kreitzburg, Alex Ely and Ethan White all return and played a lot of innings in the outfield in 2024.

Junior Brady Brown has been impressive in the early going and is a natural centerfielder who played very well at the junior varsity level last spring.

Senior Elijah Birch, junior Mason Lisi, Hayn and Pratt will also get playing time in the outfield. “We have a nice blend of experience and speed that will make our outfield one of the strengths of the defense,” said Waesch.

Catcher: Blake Postlethwait will start for the third straight season behind the plate.

Sophomore Jaydon Whitesel has also caught the eye of the coaches during the first month of practice.

“From a defensive standpoint, Blake has gotten better and better behind the plate every season,” said Waesch. “We are also impressed with Jaydon and feel he can step in and give Blake some rest when needed.”

Pitching: Kreitzburg (20 Ks), Harless (3.06 ERA, 42 Ks) and Soika (3.82 ERA, 21 Ks) pitched 59 percent of the team’s innings a year ago.

Boveington, White and Luli will add depth to the pitching staff.

“Coach Collins does a great job year in and year out with our pitchers and this group has the potential to be really good,” said Waesch. “They have the ability to throw the ball past hitters, while also keeping them off balance with off-speed in the zone.”

Source of Optimism: “We have at least seven kids who have gained a lot of experience at the varsity level over the past year or two,” said Waesch. “We are excited to watch them continue to grow and believe they can return our program to one of the top teams in the Portage Trail Conference.”

Cause for Concern: “We lost three kids (Austin Biggin, .531 avg.; Tony Karp, .346; Joe Weaver, .315) who combined for 52 percent of our RBI in 2024,” said Waesch.

Biggin is currently playing college baseball at Ohio Wesleyan University, while Karp is playing college football at Marietta College.

“I’ve told this group that if we can score a handful of runs per game, then we will win our fair share of baseball games.”

SOUTHEAST PIRATES

Head Coach: John Kinsey, 7th year (2nd at Southeast), 57-73 career record (18-8 at Southeast).

Coaching Staff: John Kinsey, Sr., Dan Miller, Mick Sharisih, Thomas Sharish, Mike Richeson.

2024 Record: 18-8 overall; 4-6 Portage Trail Conference.

Returning Lettermen (5): Caleb Miller, sr.; Bradee Blankenship, sr.; Zach Keto, sr.; Joe Sharish, jr.; Cohen Richardson, soph.

Lettermen Lost (4): Nate Muncy, Logan Lavigna, Logan West, Zack Balk.

Season Outlook: “We will be young in a lot of positions and have some position battles that will carry on throughout the preseason,” Kinsey said. “With a limited number of upperclassmen, you always worry about the learning curve of young players adjusting to the speed of the game. If we can get good leadership out of our seniors and have some young guys acclimate quickly, we hope to compete in a new league with some difficult out-of-conference matchups.

Infield: Miller and Richardson are the leaders here.

Miller hit .333 last year and knocked in 16 runs, while Richardson batted .382, with a .473 on-base percentage, 23 RBI and 23 runs as a freshman.

Outfield: Keto is the standout after totaling 10 RBI and scoring 16 runs last year.

Catcher: Blankenship will be the starter behind the plate. At the plate, he had 20 RBI and scored 21 runs last year.

Pitching: Sharish steps into the No. 1 spot with the graduation of Muncy (Kent State). Sharish was 4-1 last year and pitched 37.1 innings. He totaled 52 strikeouts and had a 0.95 ERA.

Underclassmen to Watch: Nate Muccino, soph.; Carter Premurato, soph; Braedyn Walden, soph.; Dan Clint, soph.; Josh Donovan, soph.; Daelin Wiengart, soph.; Tim Parbel, soph.; Alex Peelish, soph.; Riley Grope, soph.; Bradley Dillon, fresh.; Caden Dillon, fres.; Garrett Davis, fresh.; Matt Ross, fresh.; Gabe Hartman, fresh.; Carson Griffith, fresh.; Aluante Massrock, fresh.; Devyn Miller, fresh.; Landon Gump, fresh.

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have some talented young men who show up everyday and work towards the same purpose of getting better and building a program that can make themselves and our community proud. The buy-in is there and we have some good ball players in every class. We will have more speed on the basepaths this year and pretty decent depth across the infield. We return a bonafide top of the rotation guy and have some nice pieces and parts of our pitching staff that surround him.”

Reason to be Concerned: “On any given day, we’re going to have four to five underclassmen in our lineup. We really like what we’ve seen out of our freshman and sophomore classes and we believe they can contribute but this will take some time to fall into place and gel. Our defense will be ahead of our offense early in the season and we will have to execute to manufacture runs until we find rhythm throughout the lineup.”

STREETSBORO ROCKETS

Head Coach: Chris Scisciani, 20th year, 196-222-1 career record.

Coaching Staff: Ira Campbell, Kevin Kukla, Tracy Lewis, Matt Eddins, Evan Morris, Chase Roberts.

2024 Record: 11-7 overall; 10-4 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (7): Jack Batten, sr.; Braden Craft, sr.; Josh Boldin, sr.; Jayden Coffie, jr.; Scott Wilson, jr.; Brett Epple, jr.; Brady Long, soph.

Lettermen Lost (4): Jack Pincoe, Nate Ring, Hunter Pollock, Jasper Atkin.

Season Outlook: “We are very excited about our team this year, and we are hoping that we can compete to be at the top of the league this season,” Scisciani said.

Infield: Batten, who will become a four-year letterman this year, will be the team’s starter at shortstop, where he has started since his freshman year.

Boldin will play at first base, but could also see some time in the outfield, depending on the Rockets’ pitching rotation.

Craft, another four-year letterman, will start at catcher, but provides depth at shortstop and second base.

Coffie, a sophomore, hit .370 last year and will split time between third and first this year.

Epple will be a quality utility player. He hit .388 last year.

Long was named All-MAC last year as a freshman and will bounce between second base and shortstop, and maybe the outfield.

Colton Cox, Nate Estep, Jayden Dufala and Caden Davin all will be battling for time.

Outfield: Wilson is a returning two-year starter and hit .415 last year. He was named First Team All-MAC and led the team in hits (27) and stolen bases (24).

Epple, Nolan Kuhne, Dufala and Brayden Burfield and Janiere Cook all will be in the mix.

Catcher: Craft is the starter.

“He is one of the best defensive players that we have ever had in our program, and he has a very strong arm. When he is behind the plate he controls the running game, and he can shut teams down.”

Epple, Jake Szcecinski, Dufala and Davin provide depth.

Pitching: Batten is one of the team’s main three starters. He was 3-2 last year and had a 2.12 ERA.

Craftand Wilson are the other top two starters for the Rockets.

Epple, Coffie, Long, Cox, along with junior Jayse Dengue and junior Frank Muddy will get time.

Dom Marcini,Brody Sanford, Szczeciński and Dufala could see innings.

Underclassmen to Watch: Brady Long, soph.; Colton Cox, soph.; Nate Estep, soph.; Brody Sanford, soph.; Jake Szczecinski, soph.; Jayden Dufala, fresh.

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have a lot of guys who can play multiple positions, and we also have more arms then we have ever had that we feel comfortable with throwing at any time. We finally have the numbers and the talent this year for our players to compete for starting positions.”

Reason to be Concerned: “We still have some of the guys in our lineup this year that lack varsity experience. We need to be able to throw strikes and make routine plays. We also need to be able to accept our roles on the team and be team players.”

WATERLOO VIKINGS

Head Coach: Jeremy Randles, 3rd year, 17-26 career record.

Coaching Staff: Dennis Gump, Kyle Biltz.

2024 Record: 9-12 overall; 6-8 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (7): Aric May, sr.; Trevor Simons, sr.; Vincent Mori, sr.; Landon McClain, sr.; Daniel Cunningham, sr.; Austin Hurst, sr.; Jacob Fortney, jr.

Lettermen Lost (3): Drew Flarida, Kyle Werbeck, Mason Sweitzer.

Season Outlook: “We have a veteran team led by 10 seniors who will see significant playing time.”

Infield: May returns as the leader after being named First Team All-MVAC last year. He hit .349 and had 25 stolen bases.

Mori, who hit .312 last year, along with Ralston, Hurst (.323 average in 2024) and freshman Cole Kaiser are all in the mix.

Outfield: The group is athletic and has the ability to track balls very well.

That group includes Simons, McClain, Cunningham and Mason Biltz.

Catcher: Fortney has grown from last yer, with freshman Dalton Braybon showing upside and Cunningham adding depth.

Pitching: Simons is the team’s returning ace. He had 51 strikeouts last year and a 2.84 ERA.

May has not pitched much over the last two seasons, but will get time, while left-hander Raldston is “improving week to week,” according to Randles. 

Biltz delivered some varsity innings last season and is an arm Randles said he is expecting “big things from.”

Kaiser brings a strong arm, while McClain and Hurst have improved and Adam Eichler brings great off-speed options.

Underclassmen to Watch: Mason Biltz, Cole Kaiser.

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have a veteran group of guys this season led by 10 seniors. Our pitching staff is strong, we have a ton of speed on the bases and on defense, and we should be able to compete with anyone on our schedule.”

Reason to be Concerned: “We haven’t hit the ball well the last two years. We have put a ton of emphasis on it in our practices and players having an approach at the plate. We need to turn this into a strength. Our starting catcher from last season is not playing this year so we will have a catcher by committee with three guys capable of getting the job done.”

WINDHAM BOMBERS

Head Coach: Jake Eye, 3rd year, 24-29 career record.

Coaching Staff: Mike Walters, Chase Eye, Jeff Kiser.

2024 Record: 6-13 overall.

Returning Lettermen (7): Jack Eye, sr.; Dylan McCune, sr.; Brian King, sr.; Austin Cales, jr.; Gavin Kiser, jr.; Jordan Ridenbaugh, jr.; Dejuan Ramsey, soph.

Lettermen Lost (3): Anthony Paolella, Nick Hopper, Jacob Cody.

Season Outlook: “We will be extremely young with six freshmen potential starters, but very talented. We have a solid core group of seniors that have plenty of experience so we will lean on them for leadership. Our goals are to be better than we were the day before and continue to build each week of the season and put ourselves in a position to compete for a league title.”

Infield: Ridenbaugh will slide over to third base after playing shortstop last season.

“He has a strong arm and smooth hands.”

Freshman Michael Bolyard will also see significant time at third.

Another freshman, Keegan Kiser, will step in as the starter at shortstop.

“He is mature beyond his years, with extremely good hands and a solid arm. He has a very high baseball IQ.”

Another freshman, Bryan Smithberger, will be the starter at second base.

Eye, when not pitching, will play first base.

“Jack is one of the premier players in the area in all phases of the game. He led the area in most offensive categories last season.”

King will also see time at first base.

Freshman Eliot Kepich will see plenty of action at first and third.

Outfield: Freshman Alex Eye will see plenty of action in left field.

“He is a strong, athletic kid with plenty of power at the plate.”

Gavin Kiser will play in center, moving from second base last year.

Senior Austin Cales will also get time in centerfield.

Freshmen Devin Sherman and Cam Batterby will trade time in right field.

Adding depth are Ramsey and freshman Malikye Petrich.

Catchers: McCune is the team’s returning starter.

“Dylan has been a mainstay for us behind the dish defensively and provides solid power and gap potential in the middle of our lineup. He will be counted on as one of our leaders.”

Senior Gage Vetrano is a first-year player and will be a potential backup for McCune.

Pitching: There is more depth this year, with the addition of a number of freshmen arms.

“We feel this will be one of our strengths, with scheduling makeups on back-to-back-to-back days.”

Eye is the ace. He has a very strong arm and has three solid pitches.

King is another big-innings arm, with the ability to keep hitters off-balance with his unorthodox style and high IQ.

Keegan Kiser and Smithberger will also get “substantial time” on the mound.

Bolyard and Kepich also bring potential.

Underclassmen to Watch: Keegan Kiser, fresh.; Bryan Smithberger, fresh.; Alex Eye, fresh.; Eliot Kepich, fresh.; Devin Sherman, fresh; Michael Bolyard, fresh.; Cam Batterby, fresh.; Malikye Petrich, fresh.

Reason to be Optimistic: “Though we are young, we have a lot of talent and several freshmen that we strongly feel will be key contributors to our success. We don’t feel as if we have any holes in our lineup offensively and defensively, and we have worked very hard in practice to give us the confidence we need to handle game speed and situations that we will surely face throughout the season.

“With our senior group leading the way, we are excited to see how far we can go.”

Reason to be Concerned: “We are excited with the up-and-coming freshmen talent, but there are always growing pains early with being so young. Patience will be key in allowing the fruit to ripen.”

• Editor’s Note: The season previews for Crestwood and Rootstown will be added to this post at a later time.