By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The high school baseball preview for the Ravenna Ravens’ 2023 season:

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Lee Lovejoy, 5th year overall (1st at Ravenna).

Coaching Staff: Matt Byers, Garrett Hickle, Jared Horner.

2022 Record: 3-13 overall, 0-11 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (5): Emmanuel Miller, sr.; Nate Joslyn, sr.; Ben Hatcher, sr.; Marcus Gibson, sr.; Nick Brazelton, soph.

Lettermen Lost (3): Levi Belcher, Drayden Winning, Zach Scibelli.

Underclassmen to Watch: Connor Welling, Logan Hysell, Matthew Fuller, Nick Brazelton.

TOP RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Emmanuel Miller: 19 hits, 5 doubles

Drayden Winning: 15 walks.

SEASON OUTLOOK

“We are excited about the group we have,” said first-year head coach Lee Lovejoy, who is a Ravenna graduate. “The group is interesting, to say the least, with mainly seniors and freshmen making up the varsity team.

“We look to grow from a disappointing three-win year last year and get back on track with the leadership we have with our six seniors,” Lovejoy added.

INFIELD

Seniors Marcus Gibson, Ben Hatcher and Nate Joslyn spotlight the infield.

“Gibson gives us a lot of athleticism at the shortstop position, and he is an all-around smooth glove,” Lovejoy said.

“Hatcher is right there with Gibson as a top glove on our team,” Lovejoy added. “Joslyn will bounce around from third to shortstop to second base to give us versatility.”

Freshmen Logan Hysell and Connor Welling will provide utility depth across the infield based on pitching situations.

Additionally, Nick Brazelton and Landon Skilton will see time at second base.

OUTFIELD

Senior Emmanuel Miller anchors the outfield from his centerfield spot. He was an All-Metro Athletic Conference performer a year ago and is “a complete leader,” for the Ravens, according to Lovejoy.

A committee will fill out left field and right field, with Welling, along with Skilton and senior Jeremiah Rogers seeing time.

CATCHER

Freshman Matthew Fuller will get the starting nod at catcher.

“He does a good job in taking control of the position,” Lovejoy said.

Skilton, along with Joslyn, will backup Fuller.

PITCHING STAFF

The Ravens’ staff will be led by the quartet of Joslyn, Hatcher, Welling and Hyusell.

REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC

“Our returning upperclassmen,” Lovejoy said.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our lack of pitching,” Lovejoy said.

SCHEDULE

March 25: vs. Garfield

March 27: at Rootstown

March 29: at Youngstown East

March 30: vs. Cloverleaf

March 31: at Lake Center Christian

April 3: at Norton

April 4: vs. Norton

April 10: at Streetsboro

April 11: vs. Streetsboro

April 13: vs. Waterloo

April 14: vs. Alliance

April 15: at Berkshire

April 17: at Coventry

April 18: vs. Coventry

April 20: at Cloverleaf

April 21: at Southeast

April 24: at Woodridge

April 25: vs. Woodridge

April 28: at Rootstown

May 1: at Field

May 2: vs. Field

May 5: at Kent Roosevelt

May 8: vs. Springfield

May 9: at Springfield

May 10: vs. Cuyahoga Falls

May 11: vs. Mogadore

May 12: at Alliance