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At least two Suburban Lakes League’s coaches say Lake is a favorite to win the final baseball championship in conference history.
Both coaches haven’t ruled out the possibility that their own team has a shot at the title, too.
Eastwood second-year coach David Barkholz said not only Lake, but Elmwood, too, is a favorite to win a title.
“I would like to see our guys win it,” Barkholz said. “Is it realistic? I don't know. We have to play defense. We have to minimize our mistakes on the defensive side. Bottom line: We just don't have guys on the mound who strike people out.”
Genoa coach Dan Thompson also believes Elmwood and Lake should be the teams to beat in the SLL, but he adds that his inexperienced Comets could still vie for a spot atop the league.
“We're young in the infield, so if our kids compete like we think they can, we can compete for a title.” the coach said. “If we can't make the routine play and extend innings, it could be a long year. I think there's enough there that we can compete in the SLL.”
In the Sandusky Bay Conference, Oak Harbor coach Rob Schimmoeller expects to be competitive with perennial power Perkins, Port Clinton and Clyde. He has to replace three key players from last year's squad, which finished second in the SBC. Oak Harbor's 19 wins set a school record, but after beating Bellevue for the sectional title the Rockets lost to Mansfield Madison in the district tournament.
Lake
Coach: Greg Wilker, 27th season
Career Record: 426-287
Last Season: 20-7 (8-4 SLL)
Returning lettermen: Casey Witt, Sr., 2B/P; Kurt McKee, Sr., OF; R.J. Shultz, Sr., OF; Tyeler Mazey, Sr., 1B; Wes Socie, Sr., 3B/DH; Jake Bandeen, Jr., C; Josh Tantari, Jr., 2B/OF/P; Ryan Kohlhofer, Jr., SS
Outlook: Lake looks to regain its dominance this season and finish atop the league standings for the first time since 2003. Wilker, who led the Flyers to a respectable 20-7 finish a season ago (second in SLL), expects even more from his club in 2011.
“We always set three goals. Number one is to win the league. Number two is to make it to regionals and number three is to get 20 wins. If you can reach two of those three goals, you’ve had a heck of a year.”
To reach those goals, Wilker will rely heavily on junior middle infielders Ryan Kohlhofer and Josh Tantari (first teamers in 2010), along with senior infielder/pitcher Casey Witt to anchor his offense, which loses 2010 SLL first team All-SLL slugger Ryan Hotmer. Hotmer, also Lake’s number one starting pitcher from a season ago, leaves Lake atop the record books, having launched a school record 15 home runs during his three year varsity career.
“We’re not going to have anyone that can drive the ball out of the park at any time like Ryan did,” says Wilker. “We’re just not going to have that this year. We’re going to have to steal some more bases, move people around, and I think we’re capable of doing that.”
Kohlhofer, Tantari, and Witt will help the Flyers do just that. The trio combined for 48 stolen bases last season and has punch at the top of the order.
Witt (4-2, 3.56 ERA last season) is expected to be Lake’s number one starter and Wilker thinks he and a mix of junior arms will give the Flyers a chance to win the league — despite having the difficult task of replacing starters Ryan Hotmer and Brandon Maze (combined 12-4, 1.48 ERA).
Eastwood
Coach: David Barkholz, second year
Last year: 16-9 (8-4, SLL)
Returning lettermen: Jonny Zellers, Sr., INF/P; Justin Faykosh, Sr., Utility/P; Zack Coffield, So., C; Kris Hayward, Jr., OF
Outlook: The Eagles have some rebuilding to do after graduating 11 seniors, including every starting infielder and two starting outfielders.
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Eastwood Senior utility player Justin Faykosh at bat in Tuesday's non-league
game against Port Clinton. (press photo by Lee Welch/FamilyPhotoGroup.com) |
“We'll have a lot of brand new kids,” Coach David Barkholz said. “Some of those kids may be freshmen. We have a big freshman class. We have to integrate them into the system we're trying to put in here in our second year. The boys are assimilating to what we're trying to do.”
Two returning starters are senior third baseman/pitcher Jonny Zellers (.217, 5 RBI, 15 R) and senior utility man/pitcher Justin Faykosh (.306, 18 RBI, 11 R). Sophomore catcher Zack Coffield played in the field but did not hit. Eastwood also welcomes the return of junior outfielder Kris Hayward, who was injured most of last season. Barkholz said the only infield starting position that has been sewn up so far is Zellers at third base. Faykosh and two younger players are vying for the starting nod at shortstop, while either junior Austin Gottfried or sophomore Jordan Luther will start at first base. Sophomore Skylar Dierker, who ran track last season, will start at second base.
“Skylar is a good athlete and we'll see if he works out over there,” Barkholz said.
Hayward will start in right field and junior Alex Keyes will start in center to start the season. The left field spot is still up for grabs.
The Eagles' top three pitchers are Zellers, Faykosh and freshman left-hander Nick Vespi.
“Vespi throws the ball pretty good, but he's a freshman,” Barkholz said. “He's got a good left arm. Zellers throws a lot of strikes; Faykosh, same thing. They don't necessarily strike you out, but they throw strikes.”
Nathan Decker, a junior, could also contribute on the mound, according to Barkholz.
“He was the best pitcher on our jayvee team last year,” the coach said. “We're going to need him to throw the ball all right.”
Genoa
Coach: Dan Thompson, fourth year
Last year: 16-9 (8-3 SLL)
Returning lettermen: Seth Dufendock, Sr. CF/INF.; Luke Sutter, Sr. P/1B; Garrett Scott, Sr. CF (knee injury in wrestling, hoping he can come back in May, second team all-league); Matt Murphy, Sr., LF/2B; Seth McWatters, Sr., RF/P; Matt Keaton, Sr., C/INF
Outlook: The Comets return their top four outfielders, but almost all of the infield and their top two pitchers have graduated.
Coach Dan Thompson must replace six senior starters, including first-team All-SLL pitchers Connor Wendt and Matt Bassitt, and top hitter Greg Hillabrand.
“I feel confident in our outfield,” Thompson said, “but our infield is a complete makeover.”
The outfield includes Seth Dufendock, a three-year starter in left field who is moving to center field this season.
“We don't lose a whole lot moving him to center field,” Thompson said. “He's a pretty good center fielder.”
Luke Sutter, a first baseman who is also Genoa's No. 1 pitcher, is the only returning infielder with experience. Sutter had a 6-0 record as a sophomore but struggled with arm issues last season.
“Luke is a big and strong, and he throws in the low to mid-80s,” Thompson said. “He has good control.”
Left-hander Seth McWatters is the Comets' No. 2 pitcher.
“He doesn't throw real hard but he has good control and a good knowledge of the game, and he knows how to get hitters out,” Thompson said. “We're not real deep in pitching. We're trying to find some pitchers. I lost four pitchers off last year's team.”
Thompson said in the preseason he emphasized that his young infielders to learn to make routine plays, especially with freshman shortstop Casey Gose and junior catcher Jarrod Adkins.
“We need to see how quickly Casey adapts to the varsity level and see if he can handle the position,” Thompson said. “Jarrod is doing a nice job behind the plate. Hopefully he'll lock down the catching position. We have competition of about five kids for second base and third base and we need to sort out who wins those positions.”
Gibsonburg
Coach: Kyle Rase, seventh year
Last year: 8-16 (0-12, SLL)
Returning lettermen: Brett Diekman, Sr., C; Nathan Palmerton, Sr., OF; Gage Beaber, Jr., SS; Vincent Kirsch, Sr., OF/2B; Nick Sneider, Sr., OF; Logan Jones, Jr., 1B; Dan Mendoza, Jr., 1B/P; Dylan Dorfmeyer, Jr., 3B/P
Outlook: The Golden Bears fielded a young team in 2010 and it showed, as Gibsonburg went winless in the SLL. This year's team hopes to build on the experience it gained last season.
“I think they are anxious to turn that around,” Coach Kyle Rase said. “We have the experience factor. Last year we started six sophomores in our sectional tournament game. We were young, but everyone's got a lot more experience now playing at the varsity level.”
Senior Brett Diekman returns behind the plate after earning first-team All-SLL honors a year ago. Junior shortstop Gage Beaber was also a first-team pick.
“Brett's going to have a good season,” Rase said. “He puts a lot of time into it. He's been solid the last two years and we expect him to provide some leadership. He's done a good job so far, being that he's a veteran. We do have a lot of hits coming back and a lot of innings pitched, so we do have experience.”
The Bears' batting order will include Beaber leading off and Diekman hitting third ahead of junior Logan Jones.
“Logan played part of his freshman year and a whole year last year as a sophomore,” Rase said. “Those three guys are experienced and all those guys have lettered two years already. We do have some holes to fill.”
Gone from last year's team are honorable mention all-league performers Cody Brubaker, a second baseman, and pitcher/shortstop Michael Molina. The Bears also must decide on a No. 1 pitcher this season.
“Dylan Dorfmeyer is solid, and Logan Jones pitched some pretty good games last year and he pitched as a freshman,” Rase said. “Diekman will be in his third year pitching. It's tough to both pitch and catch, but we're going to try to pitch him some. (Junior) Dan Mendoza pitched a little bit last year and he'll have a bigger role for us this year.”
Keeping opponents out of big innings with strong defensive play will one of the biggest keys to Gibsonburg's season, according to Rase.
“We have to limit the free bases and free runners,” he said. “I always talk about that, whether it's defensively or pitching, we have to make them earn the runs they get.”
The Bears play Lakota on April 28 at Fifth Third Field. Game time is 4:45 p.m.
“It will be neat to play there on the big field,” Rase said.
Woodmore
Coach: Todd Bringman, third year
Last year: 8-19 (2-10, SLL)
Returning lettermen: Jake Zollinger, Sr., C/P/2B; David Jacobs, Sr., RF/P; Jon Sandwisch, Jr., SS/P; Kurt Baumgartner, Jr., 1B/DH; Zach Brossia, So., 2B/3B
Outlook: If the Wildcats are serious about turning things around from last season, coach Todd Bringman thinks they have the tools to do it.
“We have the opposite of last year,” Bringman said. “We have a ton of speed. As long as we can make sure we're getting on base and doing what we need to do, we should be able to wreak havoc. I like our pitching, we have team speed and we've definitely got some hitters. The kids have a very good attitude. With the athleticism we have, we'll be competitive every day.”
Woodmore's top returning hitters are senior Jake Zollinger and junior Jon Sandwisch, a second team All-SLL outfielder who led the team with a .398 batting average. Zollinger, a second-team all-league pick, batted .391 and led the 'Cats in hits (34), runs (33), home runs (5) and stolen bases (14).
Zollinger will catch and play second base and will also be counted on to pitch.
“Zollinger threw for us last year and probably had two complete games,” Bringman said. “Jake's the leader of the team. He really competes and he's a kid who will want the ball.”
Zollinger is one of three seniors on the team along with right fielder/pitcher David Jacobs and center fielder/pitcher Grant Weirich, a former Woodmore track standout. Weirich helped the Wildcats' 4x800 and 4x400 relay teams place sixth and seventh, respectively, at last year's Division III state track meet.
“He hasn't played baseball since junior high,” Bringman said. “He's just a great athlete. He was a little rusty up front, but he's coming on. He covers a lot of ground in the outfield. We heard that he wanted to play (baseball) again and we were more than happy to take him.”
Joining Zollinger and Jacobs on the pitching staff will be sophomores Cody Croll and Zach Brossia, junior Derek Benner and Weirich.
“Jacobs had a lot of success toward the end of last year,” Bringman said. “He didn't play any other sports and he hit the weight room hard. He made a lot of offseason gains and looks good. Cody didn't play last year and it was a nice surprise we got him. He throws hard. He's about 6-3 and his curveball looks good, and when he throws his change, it looks really good.”
Woodmore's other starters include junior first baseman/DH Kurt Baumgartner, sophomore left fielder Colton Bihn and sophomore catcher/third baseman Danny Munoz.
“We have some real nice freshmen who were very successful in youth leagues,” Bringman said. “They could play themselves into some roles.”
Oak Harbor
Coach: Rob Schimmoeller
Last year: 19-7 (10-4, SBC)
Returning lettermen: Josh Warnke, Sr., SS/P; D.J. Everett, Sr., 1B/P; Jake Scott, Sr., CF; Phil Bryant, Jr., 3B; Brian Mallernee, Jr., P/OF; Joey Mallernee, Jr., C; A.J. Cecil, So., OF; Mark Konieczny, So., 2B; Alex Bores, Jr., P; Josh Graber, So., P
Outlook:
Gone from that team are second-team All-SBC and all-district pitcher/catcher Damian McAtee, second baseman Alex Pavlica and pitcher/outfielder Dillon Stiger. Pavlica and Stiger combined to score 74 runs and drive in 56 runs while earning honorable mention all-conference honors.
“Their production from the 1, 3 and 4 spots in the order will need to be replaced,” said Schimmoeller, who is 112-72 in eight years at Oak Harbor.
Josh Warnke, a shortstop/pitcher who earned first-team All-SBC and all-district honors last season, returns in the No. 2 spot in the batting order. Warnke hit .528, scored 28 runs and drove in 17 runs as a junior.
A.J. Cecil (.355, 20 RBI), a first-team all-conference outfielder, will likely move to the top of the order, according to Schimmoeller. Brian Mallernee, D.J. Everett and Phil Bryant will fill out the middle of the order, followed by Mark Konieczny, Joey Mallernee and Jake Scott.
Scott is battling for a starting spot in right field with three varsity newcomers - senior D.J. Reau and juniors Payson Galway and Nick Bowlick.
Juniors who could make an impact on the varsity team this season include pitcher/first baseman Trent Lacer, infielder Logan Fisher, infielder Turner Webb and infielder/pitcher Cory Grotz.
“We should be very strong defensively with six returning starters,” said Schimmoeller. “On the mound, Brian Mallernee looks to take over the No. 1 starter's role followed by Alex Bores, A.J. Cecil and D.J. Everett. Helping in relief will be Josh Graber, Phil Byant, Mark Konieczny and Trent Lacer, and Josh Warnke will be our closer.”
(Contributing to Suburban baseball previews are Sports Editor J. Patrick Eaken and sportswriters Mark Griffin, and Nathan Lowe.)
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