Triway baseball reloads for another tournament run

Eight players graduated from last year’s district runner-up Triway baseball team, but that didn’t stop the Titans’ coaches and players from setting high goals again in 2026.

It’s been pretty close to mission accomplished so far.

Triway (18-7, 9-3 Principals Athletic Conference) finished second in its league and earned a No. 3 seed for the Division V Northeast 2 Sectional/District. Triway will host No. 14 Warren Champion in a district semifinal matchup at Carmichael Field at 5 p.m. May 26.

The winner will take on the winner of No. 2 Lakeview and No. 22 Garfield in a district final at Niles McKinley at 5 p.m. May 28.

“Coming into this year, we had a lot of unknowns with the graduation of a great group of seniors, several of whom were multi-year starters and went on to play college baseball,” said Triway coach Justin McDowell, whose team went 23-5 last year and lost in a district final against Canton Central Catholic. “We had a lot to replace, but our players really attacked the offseason and preseason with the right attitude and work ethic.

“They listened to the coaching staff, and we were able to have a successful regular season because of that.”

Leading the way have been the team’s four senior captains: Josh Stoner (catcher), Joey Yacapraro (outfield), Zane Cowart (second base) and Luke Starr (outfield).

Stoner entered the week of May 25 batting .493 with a .563 on-base percentage, 14 stolen bases and zero errors behind the plate.

Starr is batting .414 with a .512 OBP, 22 RBI, 29 runs and 16 steals.

Yacapraro has a .322 batting average and .506 OBP, with 17 RBI, 27 runs and seven steals.

Cowart is batting at a .268 clip with 12 RBI, eight runs and five steals and has been solid defensively at second base.

“We have been led this year by our four seniors,” McDowell said. “They have done a great job bringing the younger players along and showing them how to work. All of them are great examples of what it means to be a student-athlete and the time and dedication that goes into doing it right. The team enjoys being around each other, and we hope we can win a few more games so they can stay together as long as possible.”

Sophomore infielder-pitcher Braylen Miller is so highly respected that he was also voted a team captain. He’s hitting .364 with 24 RBI and 23 runs and is 5-2 on the mound with 47 strikeouts and a 2.30 ERA. He has a no-hitter and also fired a one-hitter in the sectional final.

Also having strong seasons are juniors Jalen Hackett (1B, .377 AVG), Jayden Snyder (1B/DH/P, .375, 20 RBI, 16 R), Aiden Snell (INF/P, .338 AVG, 16 RBI, 17 R, 4-1 on the mound, 36 K, 2.70 ERA), Chase Walter (SS, .326 AVG, 13 RBI, 19 R, 13 SB) and Grady Hershberger (INF/P, 4-1, 29 K, 2.8 ERA).

Center fielder Austin Houser has excelled as a sophomore, batting .300 with 16 runs scored and eight stolen bases.

“Top to bottom, our lineup has been solid,” McDowell said. “Our goal is to have no easy outs and make the pitcher and defense work when we are on offense. Defensively, our pitchers have thrown strikes, and we have made the plays we are supposed to make. If you do those things in baseball, you give yourself a chance every time out on the field.”