Wayne, Holmes County baseball teams prepare for 2026 season

Area baseball teams enter the 2026 season with a mix of returning experience, promising newcomers and high expectations as several programs look to build on strong seasons and contend for league titles and deep postseason runs this spring.

Below are season previews for area teams:

Central Christian

Central Christian finished 10-12 overall and 5-1 in league play last season, winning the Mid-Buckeye Conference title.

Coach Zach Kooker, now in his 19th season at the school with a 166-192 career record, said the roster will look very similar to last year’s team.

“We lost some big innings pitching-wise with the loss of Gasser, but for the most part, the pieces in the lineup remain much the same moving into spring 2026,” Kooker said.

Central Christian returns several experienced players including seniors Luke Schrier (C/P), Bryan Martin (P/OF/INF/C), Caleb Hagerman (OF) and Lyle Endsley (INF/P); juniors Grayden Miller (INF), Preston Clark (INF/OF/P), Kye Kooker (INF/P) and Jacob Neuenschwander (1B/OF/C); and sophomores Nathan Oaks (OF/INF) and Nathan Petite (OF). The Comets also have freshmen Zavyer Kooker, Aaron Weaver and Luke Nofziger expected to contribute.

“It will be nice returning a big part of last year’s team to the lineup,” Kooker said. “This team should have the pieces in place to compete well if we can get healthy and stay healthy. We return a great core of guys that have been with the program for three to four years, which is exciting.”

Health could be an issue early in the season.

“We start the season really beat up, so we will be lacking depth,” Kooker said. “I don’t like the current state of our team, given various injuries, and that is a concern since our roster size is thin.”

Kooker believes the Comets can contend again for a league title if the team gets healthy.

“If we can get healthy and stay healthy, I like to think we can compete at or near the top of our league,” he said.

Dalton

Dalton brings back a group of players who gained varsity experience last season as the Bulldogs look to build on that foundation this spring.

“This year’s team includes more experience as we return many young players who were able to get valuable time on the field last season,” coach Jason Miller said.

Dalton returns several letter-winners including juniors Caleb Baus (OF), Grady Hirst (P/1B), Parker Hurtt (P/1B), Jackson Oswald (OF) and Max Steiner (3B/P/1B), along with sophomores Gavin Downs (1B/P), Reese Lecon (2B/SS) and Brady McFarren (C).

Miller pointed to offseason work and returning experience as positives for the Bulldogs.

“I believe a strength of this team is the number of players returning who obtained varsity experience last season and the commitment they have shown in their offseason workouts,” Miller said.

Early improvement at the plate and in the field will be important.

“I would like to see our team continue to improve offensively as the season progresses. We will also need to continue to improve defensively as we have several new faces in key positions,” Miller said.

Dalton went 11-13 overall and 5-9 in the Wayne County Athletic League last season.

“Once again there are some very good teams in the WCAL this year. We hope to compete every day, continue to improve on our baseball skills and grow as young men. If we can do those three things, then we feel like we win a bit every day, and at the end of the season, wherever we end up, we can consider it a successful season,” Miller said.

Garaway

Garaway returns a more experienced group after last season’s postseason run.

“The 2026 Garaway baseball team will be a much more experienced team than the group we had last year,” coach Justin Elmore said. “We had a lot of new faces making their first varsity appearances last year, and now those guys return, giving us a much more experienced group, especially in a lot of key spots. We return a lot of key pieces from a team that made a great run in the Division VI tourney last spring.”

Leading the returning group are seniors Cooper Gintz (C/P), Colson Keller (1B/DH), Parker Lahm (2B), Lofton Numbers (OF) and Kory Yoder (OF/P); juniors Brody Hartzler (OF), AJ Miller (INF/P) and Wylie Numbers (INF/P); and sophomores Ethan Miller (INF/P) and Trey Miller (OF/P).

Newcomers include juniors Erik Schlabach (utility/P), Mycah Schlabach (OF/P), Wyatt Reifenschneider (utility/P) and Brady Hershberger (OF) and sophomore Grady Miller (INF/P).

Elmore expects pitching and defense to lead the Pirates.

“We return four of our top five arms from last year, and the great thing is that Kory is the only senior of those returners. Kory, AJ and Trey all posted an ERA under 3.00 last year as well. I feel like we also have a few other guys who will complement those four guys very well. Defensively, we return six starters, and I really feel like this is one of, if not the most athletic, groups I’ve ever had. We harp little things and details every day in practice, and our kids take that to heart. In all spots we will be able to go get the ball and make a lot of plays,” Elmore said.

The Pirates may need time to settle in offensively.

“I feel like this team could struggle offensively until we get into a daily rhythm of seeing live arms,” Elmore said. “I think this is one of the biggest struggles that a lot of teams face at our level. Anyone can look good on a tee or in a cage, but live arms are a little different. I have no doubt this team will become a good offensive team as the season moves along, and these guys are working extremely hard to be there as early in the year as possible.”

Garaway went 15-12 overall and 6-6 in the IVC South last season, winning a sectional title and finishing as district runner-up.

“I feel like the IVC, as usual, will be an extremely competitive and balanced league as a lot of teams bring back a lot of key pieces from last year and there are a few new coaches, which always makes it interesting as well,” Elmore said. “Obviously, Hiland has to be considered the favorite until someone takes their place. They’ve earned the right to hold that spot. But I feel like if the Pirates come to play every day and continue to work hard, I like our chances to be in the mix.”

Hiland

Hiland will look to reload after winning its third consecutive state title last season.

“This year we will have a nice balance of veteran players and new faces,” coach Chris Dages said. “The guys competing for varsity playing time have a lot of talent and a strong desire to continue the success we’ve had as a program.”

Returning letter-winners include seniors Grady Monigold (1B/RHP), Logan Yoder (INF/RHP) and Michael Miller (OF/LHP).

Newcomers expected to compete for playing time include seniors Gerut Monigold (OF/LHP), Isaiah Wagler (INF/RHP) and Griffin Monigold (C/1B), along with juniors Paxton Alarcon (C) and Christian Mullet (OF/LHP).

Dages expects the Hawks to be strong in several areas.

“Our strengths should be pitching, defense, hitting and team speed,” Dages said.

One early question will be how the lineup settles defensively.

“The biggest question mark going into the season is what our defensive alignment will look like,” Dages said. “We have a lot of spots to fill from our departing seniors, with several guys at each position looking to make it their own.”

Hiland finished 31-1 overall and won the IVC South with an 11-1 record.

“Going into the season, we expect to compete for the top spot in the IVC South, but it won’t be easy,” Dages said. “There are a lot of good teams in the IVC South looking to accomplish the same goal.”

Orrville

Orrville finished 12-12 overall and 4-8 in the Principals Athletic Conference last season, and coach Mark Besancon said the Red Riders will rely heavily on experience in 2026.

“We have the majority of our team back from last year but lost some of our vocal leaders and will have new captains this year leading us,” Besancon said.

The Red Riders return a large group of letter-winners including seniors Kellen Wayt (SS/2B/P), Cameron Kraft (SS/3B/P), Hunter Adkins (3B/P), Caleb Carter (OF), Reid Shemenski (1B/OF/P) and Brendon Boss (2B/P), along with juniors Alex Smith (1B/OF/P), Caleb Hills (3B/P), Case McDaniel (OF) and Jacob Ott (C).

Orrville also has several promising newcomers including seniors Caeleb Snyder (1B/P) and Blake O’Quinn (OF); juniors Austin Kraft (IF), Connor Henderson (OF), Ian Higgins (OF/P) and Khayden Stine (P/C/OF); and sophomores Carson Cunningham (OF/1B/P) and Karter Wayt (IF/P).

“With 16 juniors and seniors in our program, our biggest strengths this season will be our depth, especially pitching depth, and our experience,” Besancon said.

Besancon said the team will need to improve its consistency at the plate while relying on its pitching staff early in the season.

The Red Riders expect the PAC race to be competitive again this spring.

“Triway went undefeated in the PAC last year, so they are unquestionably the team to beat,” Besancon said. “I think the PAC will come down to Triway, Tuslaw and Orrville.”

Smithville

Smithville will enter the season with a much younger roster after graduating a large senior class from last year’s team.

The Smithies finished 5-16 overall and 3-11 in the Wayne County Athletic League last season, placing sixth. Coach Adam Beichler said the makeup of this year’s team will look different.

“We were a senior-laden team last year. This season we will be young with only three seniors,” Beichler said.

Despite the youth, Smithville returns seven letter-winners who are expected to take on larger roles. Those returning players include Ben Beichler (sophomore, C/SS/P), Brady Sidle (sophomore, OF/P), Brayden Beard (sophomore, P/INF), Kamalani Costanzo (junior, OF), Jax Riggenbach (senior, MINF/P/C), Mason Shutt (senior, P/INF) and Luke DeRodes (senior, P/1B).

“Our strength should be our pitching staff,” Beichler said.

However, the youth on the roster may bring some early-season challenges as players adjust to bigger roles.

“Inexperience leading to mistakes,” Beichler said when asked about potential weaknesses early in the season.

Smithville will also look for contributions from newcomers Cole Gherian (sophomore, P/OF) and Aiden Gaines (freshman, P/C).

In the WCAL race, Beichler expects Waynedale to contend for the league title, while he believes the Smithies have the potential to finish around the middle of the standings.

“I think Smithville will finish fourth,” he said.

Triway

Triway enters the season looking to replace a large senior class after winning the Principals Athletic Conference title last year.

“We will miss their leadership and experience but are excited about the opportunities for a lot of players who waited for their turn,” coach Justin McDowell said.

Returning letter-winners include seniors Josh Stoner (C), Luke Starr (P/OF), Joey Yacapraro (OF), Zane Cowart (INF), Grayson Smith (P/INF) and Brody Flinner (INF/OF); juniors Chase Walter (INF/OF) and Jalen Hackett (1B/P); and sophomores Braylen Miller (INF/C/P) and Kole Massie (P/INF).

Newcomers include juniors Aiden Snell (P/INF/C), Grady Hershberger (P/INF), Jayden Snyder (P/INF) and Corvin Yoder (INF) and sophomores Kolten Abbott (OF/P), Nolan Strong (OF/P), Taran Tate (INF/OF/P) and Austin Houser (OF/P).

McDowell expects leadership, baserunning and pitching depth to be strengths.

The Titans will work to replace production from last year’s seniors.

“We are working toward finding the right combinations for our offense, defense and pitching,” McDowell said. “With losing a large and successful senior class, there are a lot of innings to replace on the mound and offensive production at the plate.”

Triway went 23-5 last season and finished 12-0 in the PAC-7.

“Every team in the PAC-7 is well coached and brings back a lot of talented players,” McDowell said. “Our goal is to always put ourselves in the position to compete for a league title. Even though we won the league last year, we had several close and extra-inning games that we had to battle to win. We expect more of the same this year with a good level of competition.”

Waynedale

Waynedale enters the 2026 season looking to build on a dominant 2025 campaign that saw it finish 30-4 overall and win its third state title in the past four seasons.

Coach Lucas Daugherty, now in his sixth season leading the program, brings a 130-31 career mark at Waynedale into the new season as the Golden Bears return a strong core from last year’s roster.

“However, we will have some new faces in important roles,” Daugherty said.

Leading the returning group are seniors Brayden Steiner (3B/P), Jordan Miller (SS/P) and Collin McGlothlin (2B), along with juniors Cam Miller (LF/P), Logan Troyer (P/1B) and Hudson Barkman (CF).

Waynedale also welcomes several promising newcomers expected to contribute this season including juniors Brock Reifsnyder (C), Kamron Mast (RF/CF), Sam Higgins (1B/3B), Kamden Alberson (P) and Cordell Troyer (C/2B).

The Golden Bears expect defense to be one of their biggest strengths as the season begins.

“I expect this team to be strong defensively, with much of the infield and outfield consisting of returning varsity players,” Daugherty said. “I also expect to get production from all parts of our batting order.”

While the roster features several returning players, Daugherty said the team will need time to grow together early in the season.

“I wouldn’t consider it a weakness, but we have a different collective group of players that will need to learn to work as a team,” he said.

Despite the competition in the Wayne County Athletic League, Waynedale’s goal remains the same.

“We have a very strong league, but our goal is to finish the season at the top,” said Daugherty, whose Golden Bears captured last year's Wayne County Athletic League title with a perfect 14-0 record.

West Holmes

West Holmes will lean on a large junior class as the Knights try to remain competitive in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

“Even with a big junior class, we will be lacking in varsity experience,” fifth-year coach Wyatt Mellor said. “We expect some growing pains early but are very confident these guys will work hard to get better and grow as a varsity squad.”

Returning letter-winners include seniors Brock Gallion (OF/P), Cooper Booth (P/1B) and Colston Tenney (OF/P) and juniors Chris Williams (INF) and Nate Sprang (OF/P).

Newcomers include juniors Keston McKinney (OF/P), Shane Lorentz (INF/P) and Rayce Angle (INF/P).

Mellor expects the Knights to focus on fundamentals.

“We expect to be a sound and strong fundamental team,” Mellor said. “Pitchers are going to throw strikes, defense is going to make the plays they’re supposed to make, and offensively we want to be aggressive at the plate and on the bases.”

Experience will come as the season progresses.

“Varsity experience is something we are going to have to get early,” Mellor said. “Guys will be finding their roles as the season progresses.”

West Holmes went 14-11 last season, finishing third in the OCC with a 7-5 mark.

“The OCC is always tough,” Mellor said. “Adding Dover this year doesn’t make it easier. Our guys always show up to compete, and we look forward to the competition. We have the ability to be one of the top three teams if we play our cards right.”

Wooster

Wooster begins the season replacing several key graduates after winning the Ohio Cardinal Conference title last year.

“We are going to be very young and inexperienced compared to the last few years,” 10th-year coach Steve Young said. “We are excited to see the growth and development of these guys as the season progresses towards the tournament season.”

Returning letter-winners include seniors Brian Lapp (P/C) and Brandt Newberger (P/OF); juniors Aidan McMillan (OF), Brock Bowen (P/INF) and Lucas Shiplett (P/INF); and sophomore Maddox Graser (P/INF).

Newcomers include sophomores Wesley Wheeler (P/INF), who missed last season due to injury, Nick Rader (P/OF) and Maverick Chenevey (P/utility) and freshman Sam Wengerd (P/C/utility).

Young expects the Generals to rely on pitching, defense and baserunning.

“We should be solid defensively and have some really good top-end pitching options,” Young said. “I also expect us to be an aggressive and smart baserunning team.”

The biggest adjustment will be experience.

“The obvious answer is the inexperience from a lot of our projected starters,” Young said. “But again, we’re excited to see these guys get experience and continue to learn and develop into the really good players we know they can be.”

Wooster finished 25-6 last season and won the OCC with an 11-1 record.