All-Star baseball game set for June 14 at Wooster

It’s been an outstanding year for high school baseball in this area, and many of the top seniors will get one last chance to represent their schools on Wednesday, June 14.

The College of Wooster will host the Wayne-Holmes Baseball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game, sponsored by The Bargain Hunter/Wooster Weekly News and Insurance Centre Agency/Aaron Dorksen.

Triway coach Justin McDowell has donated his time and energy to give players, family members and fans alike a special night for area baseball. The first pitch will be at 6 p.m. at Art Murray Field, and admission is free.

“I’m really looking forward to the game and happy that some seniors will get a chance to get another game in,” said McDowell, a former standout pitcher for the Fighting Scots. “Playing it at The College of Wooster makes it even more special because it is a great field and facility.

“Thank you to Jeff Bricker and the college for the opportunity and privilege of playing the game there.”

Baseball players in the Class of 2023 have experienced lots of highs and lows during their high school careers, but many members of the class went out on a high note. An area record nine local teams reached the district tournament, and seven went to district finals.

Wooster, Hiland, Waynedale and Dalton all reached the regionals, with the Division IV Hawks and Div. III Golden Bears advancing to this weekend’s State Final Four at Canal Park in Akron.

“It is difficult to believe, but the graduating seniors were freshmen during the COVID year and lost their freshman year of baseball,” McDowell said. “We thought it was important to give them another chance to play with their friends from the surrounding schools.

“Several area coaches have helped make it possible including Steve Young from Wooster, who will be coaching one of the teams, and Scott Huth from Dalton, who will be coaching the other team. A special thank you goes out to Aaron Dorksen, the Wooster Weekly/Bargain Hunter and the Insurance Center for sponsoring the event.”

Teams had not been divided as of press time, but confirmed players who will participate are as follows:

—Central Christian: None.

—Chippewa: Ethan Douglas (1B/P).

—Dalton: Jack Steiner (SS) and Justin Basinger (P/INF).

—Hiland: Nolan Yoder (SS/P), Will Schlabach (P) and Isaak Yoder (OF/P).

—Hillsdale: Jake Hoverstock (SS/P) and Daniel Painter (C/OF).

—Loudonville: Aidan Wolford (C/IF) and Boe Weiser (1B/P).

—Northwestern: None.

—Norwayne: Jake Gill (SS/P) and Jay Hanzie (1B/3B).

—Orrville: Titus Kerr (INF/P).

—Rittman: Tyler Leatherman (2B).

—Smithville: Andy Navratil (SS/C) and Bryce Becker (OF/P).

—Triway: Easton Barnard (C/UTL) and Riley Gumber (INF/OF).

—Tuslaw: None.

—Waynedale: Timmy Short (3B/P), Connor Gatti (INF/OF), Dylan Raber (INF).

—West Holmes: Nick Ginsburg (P/3B) and Kendall Miller (C/OF).

—Wooster: Luke Wright (P/OF/1B) and John Foster (P/OF/1B).

For more information email McDowell at jmcdowell@triway.us.