Dave Russell was a four-year starter in center field for Northwood High School before he graduated in 1986.

Back in those days the Rangers were perennial champions (1979-84) of the Lakeshore Conference before the conference folded in the winter of 1985.

Northwood joined the Suburban Lakes League beginning with the 1986-87 school year, then left for the Toledo Area Athletic Conference in 2000. The Rangers' baseball program had modest success in the SLL, winning the league title in 1989, and they won their first TAAC championship last season.

Northwood's Nick Russell relays a double play attempt as Ottawa Hills runner Nick Fischer slides. (Press photo by Don Thompson/picasweb.google.com/donrachael)

If the Rangers sweep their four remaining conference opponents – Cardinal Stritch, Ottawa Hills, Emmanuel Christian and Toledo Christian – they will repeat as TAAC champions. The path to the TAAC title wasn't easy for Northwood's players and coaches. Russell was hired to coach the Rangers prior to the 2008 season.

“We were pretty bad that year,” Russell said. “We won maybe six games, and that was tough. We knew it was going to be an uphill battle. This program had gone through a carousel of coaches. I don't think a coach had stayed for more than two years for the previous eight years.”

Russell's plan to turn the program around included getting more Northwood athletes to play baseball and instill mental toughness. Russell wanted his players to go about things “the Northwood way.”

“Some of the kids didn't like it that way and we weeded them out,” the coach said. “This is the first year we have things set up where everybody who comes out knows exactly what to expect, and they go out and do it. We've had a little bit of success, we just have to keep building on that and do it year after year.”

The Rangers hit their stride last season, going 17-9 and 11-1 in the TAAC. They are 15-4 (5-1 TAAC) this year, giving them a 32-13 overall mark the past two seasons.

“I played here back in the 1980s and Northwood was a baseball school first,” Russell said. “We had that swagger a little bit and a lot of confidence. It feels like we're back to that, with more confidence. My first few years here, we hadn't taken that big step forward and teams didn't take us that seriously. I think we've turned that corner now and it shows.

“We are getting a lot more respect and coaches are calling us to get us on their schedule. The kids are enjoying that. I told them it's all them, with their hard work and their offseason work. I couldn't ask for any more out of them.”

Russell patterns his coaching style after two of his former coaches, Northwood coach Jeff Meyers and Pemberville American Legion coach Ron Hubbard.

“I made that (Legion) team the summer after my freshman year, and Coach Hubbard ran the club just like a major league club,” Russell said. “He was a major league scout and he ran more disciplined-type stuff. I learned a lot from coach Hubbard.”

More than 20 Northwood players attended offseason workouts over the winter, Russell said. The players lifted weights and did speed training four days a week to prepare for the 2011 season.

“I followed our freshmen through Little League to see what they've got going, and a lot of them were with me all winter,” Russell said. “Our jayvee program has been good this year, too. They are hard-working, tough-nosed kids and that's what we've liked. We're trying to instill toughness in the baseball program.”

Russell has had plenty of help from his assistants, pitching coach Rob Rohrs and assistant varsity coach John Segura. Rohrs was a member of Start's 1993 national championship team, and Segura oversees the weightlifting program.

“Rob brings that tough Start mentality to the program,” Russell said. “We wanted to instill some mental toughness in them and they've really responded to that. I think that shows in how they play in the field.”

The Rangers' spotless TAAC mark ended last Friday in a rain-shortened 7-4 loss to rival Ottawa Hills. The game ended with Northwood at bat in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“We had men on base and some momentum when lightning hit,” Russell said.

A week earlier, the Rangers earned a key 6-2 conference win over Toledo Christian behind a complete-game pitching performance by sophomore left-hander Brandon Mahoney (4-2).

“There was a lot at stake in that game,” Russell said. “Brandon's going to be a good one for us.”

The Rangers lost to Ottawa Hills, 3-1, in the Division IV sectional tournament on May 9, but they still have something to shoot for.

“Our goal is the TAAC title,” Russell said. “Ottawa Hills and Toledo Christian have pretty much ruled the league for many years. I don't like to say we're the cream of the crop, but hopefully we're getting more respect and people are taking the program seriously.”

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