By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The high school baseball preview for the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders’ 2023 season:

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Mike Haney, 21st year, 265-227 career record.

Coaching Staff: Ron Spears, Jesse Michel, Jason Preising, Zach Lewis, Alonzo Spears.

2022 Record: 16-8 overall; 7-7 Suburban League American Division.

Returning Lettermen (10): Donovan Daetwyler, sr.; Michael Haney III, sr.; Logan Poole, sr.; Peyton Singer, sr.; Jon Jon Smith, sr.; Cole Wood, sr.; Jason Spurlock, sr.; Tyler Poluga, sr.; Scottie Spears, jr.; Ryan Schromm, jr.

Lettermen Lost (7): Jared Dunfee, Nolan Lane, Owen Cooper, Nate Stohovitch, Nathan Fletcher, Karim Butler, Zach Rogers.

Underclassmen to Watch: Tristyn Page, soph.; Brayden Darkow, soph.

TOP RETURNERS

Logan Poole: 1st Team All-Suburban League, Second Team All-District.

Donovan Daetwyler: Second Team All-Suburban League; 1st Team All-District.

Mike Haney III: Honorable Mention All-Suburban League.

SEASON OUTLOOK

Experience will be a great strength of the Rough Riders this season.

“We return 10 letterwinners from last year, who were part of some big games,” head coach Mike Haney said.

Additionally, Haney identifies roster flexibility and depth, along with situational offense, overall team speed (68 stolen bases in 2022 at an 80 percent success rate), infield defense and camaraderie as areas of strength for his group.

“Daetwyler and Poole return, as we look to improve on a .951 team fielding percentage from last season,” Haney said. “The core of this group has played together most of their lives and believe in each other.”

INFIELD

The infield for the Rough Riders in 2023 will nearly be a mirrored verson from 2022.

At third base, Logan Poole returns after an all-league performance last year. He finished the season with a .389 average, 21 runs scored, 17 RBI and 13 stolen bases.

Donovan Daetwyler is back at shortstop. In 2022, Daetwyler hit for a .429 average, scored 15 runs, drove in 14 and had 10 stolen bases.

At first base, Scottie Spears will get the start, with Peyton Singer playing at second base when he is not on the mound pitching.

Tyler Poluga provides depth for the Riders, with the ability to play either third base or second base when pitching matchups put Poole and Singer on the bump.

More depth in the infield will be provided by junior Carson Smith, along with sophomores Tristyn Page at third base and Brayden Darkow at second base.

CATCHERS

Senior all-league performer Mike Haney III returns, as does junior Ryan Schromm.

Haney III hit .311 a year ago, while also scoring 10 runs, delivering 12 RBI and stealing nine bases. Schromm also saw action in 2022 (.283 average, 5 runs, 10 RBI).

Junior Matt McCann provides depth behind the plate.

OUTFIELD

While the infield is a carbon copy from last year, the Rough Riders’ outfield is the exact opposite.

Four new faces will fill out the outfield, with the graduation of four seniors.

When he is not behind the plate, Haney III will play in left field.

Jon Jon Smith will play centerfield and has the ability to cover a lot of ground.

Right field will be a platooned effort, with newcomers Cole Wood and Sam Lanier both getting time.

Junior Tony Baggetta, along with McCann will also see time in the outfield.

PITCHING

Logan Poole, who has committed to Lake Erie College, returns to anchor the staff.

Poole went 3-3 last year, with a 3.68 earned-run average in 24.2 innings and 29 strikeouts.

Peyton Singer and Cole Wood, a lefty, are currently in a battle to earn the day-two and day-three starters role.

“Both have had great camps to start the season,” Haney said.

Senior Jason Spurlock (2-0, 3.50 ERA, 11 strikeouts, 6 innings) is described as “a bulldog” by Haney and will earn more time on the mound this Eason.

Other right-handers that will fill out the staff include Daetwyler, Lanier, Smith, Baggetta, Page and Darkow.

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“There are zero days off in the Suburban League,” Haney said. “There are lot of talented teams matched with outstanding coaching. We expect every team to be a challenge, including returning league champions Aurora.”

SCHEDULE

March 25: vs. Fairborn at Athletes in Action Park

March 25: vs. Xenia at Athletes in Action Park

March 28: at Shawnee

April 3: vs. Brush

April 4: vs. Barberton

April 5: vs. Copley

April 10: at Highland

April 11: vs. Aurora

April 13: vs. Tallmadge

April 15: vs. Stow

April 18: at Revere

April 19: at Cuyahoga Falls

April 21: at Perry

April 22: at Stow

April 24: at Barberton

April 25: at Copley

April 27: vs. Highland

April 29: vs. Cloverleaf

May 2: at Aurora

May 3: at Tallmadge

May 5: vs. Ravenna

May 6: vs. Woodridge

May 9: vs. Revere

May 11: vs. Cuyahoga Falls

May 12: vs. Green

May 13: at Firestone

May 19: vs. Field at Kent State University