Jackets hoping talent overrides lack of varsity experience

The Mount Vernon baseball team will have to replace the loss of 10 seniors to graduation. But there is plenty of talent and enthusiasm in the Yellow Jackets’ dugout to do just that.

MV returns just two juniors — Nolan Hershberger (outfielder, pitcher) and Dammon Wolfe (shortstop, pitcher) — from last year’s district title team.

“This year is a much different team than the past couple of seasons for Mount Vernon baseball,” said Mount Vernon coach Nate Hunt. “The easiest way to describe our team right now is ‘talented, inexperienced, eager to learn and a ton of energy.’ This group will be a different style of baseball than last year’s team because the strengths and skills they have are different. Last year, we had a lot of pitching depth with a senior heavy team. This year we have to rely on the entire team to do their part (older players, underclassmen and some freshmen).”

The Yellow Jackets have a strong core of newcomers, including several sophomores and freshmen ready to do their part.

Sophomores Jax McPeek (catcher), Greyson Deem (outfielder) and Cash Cook (first baseman) are ready and eager to get started, as our freshmen Travis Burak (infielder, pitcher), Zach Beck (outfielder, pitcher) and Gavin Gorsuch (utility, pitcher).

Hunt will also count on senior Coen Armstrong (first baseman, pitcher) and junior Cooper Waers (utility) to help the team find its way.

The Jacket coach feels a solid defense and speed, both in the field and on the bases, will help the team find some success.

It won’t be easy, though, as they must find their way through the tough Licking County League schedule first.

“I predict that playing in the Licking County League will prepare us to be able to play our best baseball in the month of May and prepare us for the tournament,” Hunt said. “I predict that every team in the LCL has a chance to beat anyone on a given night.”

Fredericktown

The Fredericktown baseball team will be looking to rebound from an off year last spring.

With nine returning letter winners, they believe they can once again fight for a Knox Morrow Athletic Conference crown.

The Freddies (8-17 overall, 5-9 KMAC last season) will look to two seniors and a strong junior class as it attempts to return to the top of the KMAC.

“Our team will be physically stronger this season. Returning nine lettermen should mean strong leadership and understanding of the game,” said Fredericktown coach Ryan Hathaway.

Seniors Gavin Buzzard (pitcher, outfielder) and Jayce Beeman (pitcher, outfield) will be counted to provide that leadership, as well as bring their talents to the mound and outfield.

Add in the return of juniors Vince Lavin (pitcher, utility), Zane Luckmeier (pitcher, outfielder), Nicholas LaFevre (pitcher, outfielder), Graham Overholt (infielder) and Grady Mills (catcher, outfielder) and coach Hathaway has good reason for optimism.

Also returning are sophomores Kaiden Gibson (infielder) and Cole Burnside (pitcher, first baseman), as well as the return of junior Carson Rinehart (pitcher, infielder) after a year’s absence.

Hitting and pitching depth are expected to be strengths this year, but Hathaway is hoping a couple of those pitchers will step up and be the anchors of the staff.

“We need to find two pitchers that we can call our No. 1 and No. 2. Right now, we have good depth and many guys can throw an inning or two, but we need guys to take the role as our go-to arms that can go win us a game later in the season,” Hathaway said.

The Freddies will also have two juniors and a sophomore battling for playing time in the field and on the mound. Juniors Mason Bennett (pitcher, infielder) and Gavin Galbraith (pitcher, infielder) and sophomore Reese Hannan (pitcher, utility) will provide depth and hope to crack the lineup.

The KMAC has been a strong baseball conference for many years, and Hathaway expects it be an all-out fight again this spring. Add in a tough non-league schedule and the Freddies expect to be battle-tested by the time the tournament rolls around.

“We have a very difficult non-league schedule, on top of our KMAC opponents, that will prepare us for the tournament. Our goal is to be playing our best baseball in May,” Hathaway said.

Centerburg

The Centerburg baseball team has some big holes to fill as it looks to defend its Knox Morrow Athletic Conference and district titles. But, with eight returning letter winners, the Trojans are primed and ready to do just that.

“Last year’s group set a really high standard for our program, winning 17 games and finishing first in the league, so the expectation for us is to continue building on that,” said Centerburg coach Josh Moss. “We did graduate some important seniors who were big parts of that success, but we also return a strong core of players who have varsity experience. The biggest difference this year will probably be our balance, we have a good mix of experienced seniors and juniors along with some younger players who we think are ready to contribute.”

The Trojans lost Daniel Lemaster, Jonah Gribben, Mason Vallance and Dylan Snow from last year’s 17-9 squad (12-2 KMAC). Lemaster’s spot on the mound (12-0 record, 0.44 ERA) will be the biggest hole to fill. But coach Josh Moss has some returnees and a few new faces ready to do just that.

Juniors Clarke Redd (pitcher, first baseman), Brody Cole (pitcher, third baseman) and Owen Wolford (pitcher, outfielder, middle infielder), as well as sophomore Gavin Snow (pitcher, first base, outfielder) will all get a shot to show what they can do on the mound. The Trojans will also benefit from Big Walnut transfer Bradley Baker (pitcher, outfielder, middle infielder) and freshman Dustin Parker (pitcher, shortstop) in their mound corps.

Two four-year starters will be counted on to provide talent and leadership to this year’s squad. Vinny Morgan (catcher) and Aiden Trobridge (shortstop, third baseman) are back after All-District and All-KMAC campaigns as juniors.

Also returning to the squad are junior junior Ryan Long (outfielder) and sophomore Gabe Campos (outfielder).

The Trojans will look to sophomore Kaleb Rauck to help bolster the pitching staff, and have a bevy of talented freshmen looking to make their mark on the team early. Lincoln Julian (catcher, third baseman, first baseman), Quentin Bellamy (pitcher, middle infielder, outfielder), Caleb Adams (middle infielder), Graham Smith (catcher, first baseman) and Mason Smith (pitcher, third baseman) will provide depth and talent.

“Early in the season we’ll be working to replace some key production from the seniors we graduated last year. Those guys played big roles in our success, so some young players will need to step into those spots and gain experience quickly,” Moss said. “Like most teams early in the year, it’ll be about finding the right combinations and building consistency as the season progresses.”

Finding that right combination will be key to a run at the KMAC and district titles again this year for Moss and the Trojans.

“Our league is always very competitive, and there are several programs that are capable of having strong seasons,” Moss said. “Our focus is really on taking things one game at a time and continuing to improve throughout the year. If we do that and play to our potential, we believe we can put ourselves in a position to compete near the top of the league again.”