As the chief of one particular of the area’s more established baseball courses, Dublin Jerome coach Chris Huesman is not accustomed to losing seasons.
That’s why very last season’s 12-17 complete still left a bitter taste for Huesman and his players as they glance to rebound.
“We have large specifications, but for the earlier 5 or 6 several years, we have fallen small of our goals, so we experienced to readjust our aims this year and choose a tough look at what we want to do,” Huesman mentioned. “A large amount of that is attributed to not obtaining a bona fide ace pitcher, and this year we really feel like we’re beginning to get the pitching back to in which we need to be.”
Jerome, which went 4-11 in the OCC-Cardinal Division final season to end very last driving winner Hilliard Darby (12-3), opened league participate in April 6 in opposition to Thomas Worthington.
Huesman hopes his group can return to form and contend for its 1st league title given that 2013.
“The league is wanting very robust, as regular,” claimed Huesman, who is in his 17th time. “Hilliard Darby has a lot of men. (Olentangy) Berlin is loaded yet again. Olentangy will be rough. Thomas Worthington has its leading pitchers back. Our league is likely to be just one of the top leagues in the condition, like it always is.”
Less than Huesman, the Celtics have gained 3 league titles and one district championship, with one particular runner-up district finish.
Primary the pitching staff members should be sophomore Brayden Krenzel, who was next-staff all-district and unique point out all-league past period.
“We have a prospect to place some things collectively,” said Krenzel, who will also enjoy in the outfield. “We have some of our vital gamers back. We absolutely have the pitching, and ideally we can place collectively a superior year powering them at the plate with the bats. … Our group aim is to gain the OCC and get to a district remaining.”
Seniors Andrew Barney (P/utility participant) and Luke Walter (P/1B) also are predicted to be starters on the mound, with seniors Will DeMuesy (P/3B/utility player) and Egan O’Hara (3B/P) filling roles as relief pitchers.
Walter will play at Otterbein, and O’Hara was specific point out all-league and honorable point out all-district a 12 months in the past.
“We have to put final period driving us and move ahead,” O’Hara explained. “We have new anticipations. We however have plans at the commencing of the season – come in (at minimum) 2nd in the OCC and acquire 15 game titles this yr. We have to keep wholesome. We have to maintain gamers in and retain rolling.”
Huesman also expects contributions on the mound from freshman Ethan Rate (P/OF).
“He’s a significant-amount vacation ball participant,” Huesman mentioned. “He performs for Bo Jackson’s Elite group. We’re searching for fantastic points from him.”
A further vital returnee is senior Andrew Williams (C/CF/P), who was 1st-team all-district and 2nd-crew all-league. He has dedicated to Findlay.
Also back again are seniors Reid Birkholz (2B) and J.T. Schoessel (1B/RF) and juniors Caden Lockwood (SS/3B) and Alex Mazza (C/OF).
“We’re always a system that’s preferred to win 20 game titles, earn the league and get the district,” Huesman claimed. “What we’ve accomplished is stated we want to acquire 15 game titles, be best two in the league and make it to the district final. Once we do that, then we’ll readjust our aims. Central Ohio baseball is seriously very good and not long ago the point out championship has long gone as a result of central Ohio.
“New Albany gained it final 12 months. It could have been Westerville South (or) Lancaster. A quantity of teams could have arrive out of the Central District.”
@ThisWeekFrank
COFFMAN
•Coach: Drew Kirby, 2nd period
•Top gamers: Mason Charlton, Carson Cox, Ryan Cramer, Alex Diehl, Michael Meyer, Andrew Rust, Zach Rust and Kyle Warnsman
•Key losses: Jered Harper, Hunter Hicks, Nash Hostetler, Nathan Kassis and Kyle Ulring
•Last time: 9-17 overall
•2021 OCC-Central standings: Olentangy Orange (14-1), Olentangy Liberty (10-5), Higher Arlington (10-5), Hilliard Davidson (5-10), Coffman (3-12), Hilliard Bradley (2-13)
•2021 postseason: Def. Logan 11-4 lost to Lancaster 3- in 2nd spherical of Division I district tournament
•Outlook: Irrespective of obtaining 14 seniors last spring, the Shamrocks skilled a changeover year under coach Drew Kirby after Tim Saunders had led the software for 33 seasons.
A massive team of juniors loaded important roles by the close of the period, and two of people gamers, senior Ryan Cramer (LF) and Alex Diehl (SS), have fully commited to Ashland and Tiffin, respectively.
Senior Andrew Rust and sophomore Kyle Warnsman have returned to direct a pitching personnel that also should feature seniors Mason Charlton and Zach Rust, juniors Drew Monahan and Cole Stephens and sophomore Ethan Wendt.
Senior Michael Meyer, who in accordance to Kirby led the staff in batting ordinary, returns at second foundation.
Zach Rust, Monahan and senior Conner King are at initially foundation and sophomore Carson Cox is at 3rd foundation, with junior Brady Broskie and sophomore Charlie Colson among those who need to see time in the outfield alongside with Cramer.
Junior Justin Harper is a utility player who commenced the time starting off at shortstop while Diehl recovers from an damage that could preserve him out until eventually mid- to late-April.
Wendt is between the alternatives at catcher alongside with sophomores Jacob Ebeling and Carson Wilcox.
•Quotable: “We’re really enthusiastic about these fellas. They give a ton of hard work
and have a lot of excellent crew chemistry. We’re thrilled about it. What we want as a application is beginning to get shape and their effort and hard work is second to none.” — Kirby
—Jarrod Ulrey
JEROME
•Coach: Chris Huesman, 17th season
•Top players: Andrew Barney, Brayden Krenzel, Caden Lockwood, Alex Mazza, Egan O’Hara and Andrew Williams
•Key losses: Nathan Kirk, Chuck Kupfer, Matt McClements and Sammy Stoner
•Last time: 12-17 overall
•2021 OCC-Cardinal standings: Hilliard Darby (12-3), Olentangy (9-6), Olentangy Berlin (7-8), Thomas Worthington (7-8), Marysville (6-9), Jerome (4-11)
•2021 postseason: Def. Scioto 6-1 def. Thomas 4- missing to Grove City 2- in Division I district semifinal
SCIOTO
•Coach: Ryan Longbrake, fifth season
•Top players: Jack Geisler, Cameron McKenzie, Silas Moore and Connor Peer
•Key losses: Blaze Boryczewski, Angel Garcia and David Schmidt
•Last time: 12-12 overall
•2021 OCC-Capital standings: Westerville South (12-2), Canal Winchester (11-3), Worthington Kilbourne (9-5), Scioto (8-6), Major Walnut (6-6) Westerville North (5-7), Delaware (3-11), Franklin Heights (-14)
•2021 postseason: Lost to Jerome 6-1 in to start with spherical of Division I district tournament
•Outlook: With nine gamers back again from a team that confirmed promise a yr ago, coach Ryan Longbrake is optimistic the Irish can go on to development.
The returnees are led by junior Connor Peer (1B/OF/3B/P), who was to start with-workforce all-district and all-league and honorable point out all-condition, and senior Silas Moore (OF/INF), who was first-workforce all-league and honorable point out all-district.
Peer hit .482 with 26 operates, 19 RBI and 13 doubles, when Moore batted .313 with 26 runs.
Other vital returnees are seniors Luke George (2B) and Patrick Joyce (3B/P), juniors Byson Arthur (3B/OF), Jack Geisler (SS/P/OF), Cameron McKenzie (P/OF) and Ethan Shipps (P/C/OF/INF) and sophomore Bryce Kyees (P/1B/DH).
Geisler was special point out all-league.
Longbrake said McKenzie, junior Landon Harris (P/utility player), Kyees, Peer and Shipps need to guide the pitching staff.
•Quotable: “This team is definitely special. … We’re returning pretty much all our guys, so clearly that’s big from a talent point of view. But the expertise and generally the leadership of this team is as superior as I’ve ever coached. These guys are passionate, they are energetic, they provide it every time they move on the field and they’re a pleasure to be all around.” — Longbrake
—Frank DiRenna