BLUESTREAK SENIOR … Jayden Seiler delivers a pitch in the Division III district semifinals against Evergreen at Defiance High School last May. The Adrian College commit figures to be a key piece of the puzzle as Archbold looks to return to the top of the NWOAL. (PHOTO BY RICH HARDING / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
The Archbold Bluestreaks are considered the team to beat in the NWOAL after finishing second last year behind league champion Patrick Henry.
The Streaks, who made a run to the district finals last season before falling to Ottawa Hills, will be guided by longtime assistant Jeff Brunswick who takes over as head coach after the retirement of Dick Selgo.
Defending champ Patrick Henry will be trying to replace five starters, including three pitchers, and will be relying on sophomore Mack Hieber to lead the pitching.
Delta also has a new head coach as Dustin Stickley steps in as the head man after six years of leading the JV team.
Below are the team-by-team previews for this season in order of last season’s league standings.
1. Patrick Henry (16-7, 6-1 NWOAL; Lost in Division IV sectional final to Leipsic, 13-11)
HEAD COACH: Brett Youngman (2nd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Aiden Behrman (P/Utility) – .364 avg, 20 runs, 17 RBIs; Pitching: 5-1, 48.2 IP, 76 strikeouts, 2.73 ERA; Logan Hudson (C) – .350, 20 RBIs, 28 runs; Mason Schwiebert (P/OF) – 1-2, 21 IP, 35 strikeouts, 6.00 ERA; Daniel Schmeltz (P/OF) – .224, 16 RBIs; Pitching: 2-1, 20.1 IP, 21 strikeouts, 2.41 ERA; Drew Rosengarten (1B) – .308, 8 RBIs
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Nash Meyer (IF) – .369, 17 RBIs; Landon Johnson (P/OF) – .250 avg, 12 stolen bases; Houston Miranda (IF) – .333 avg; Brock Behrman (P/OF); Sophomores – Mack Hieber (P/IF) – .312 avg, 12 RBIs; Pitching: 6-1, 38 IP, 62 strikeouts, 2.57 ERA; Grant Schwab (IF) – .240 avg
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Lane Jackson (OF/P), Ian Schwab (1B/P, Jaden Bishop- (1B); Sophomores – Cal Schroeder (OF/P), Lane Biederstedt – (C), Mason Jardine – (Utility)
STRENGTHS: “Team defense will be our biggest strength with good speed in the outfield and four returning infielders. Mack Hieber will be returning as a strong starting pitcher with 38 IP, 6-1 record, 2.5 ERA and 62 Ks.”
WEAKNESSES: “After losing five senior starters, three pitchers, and injuries to Brock Behrman (out for season) and Nash Meyer (likely to return), we will be looking to fill many positions.
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I have high expectations for our returning letterman to lead our team to a successful season. We will look to run the bases aggressively, play clean defense, and put the ball in play on offense.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The NWOAL will again be very competitive with any team able to beat the other. Our goal is to compete to win another league championship.”
2. Archbold (18-9, 6-1 NWOAL; Lost in Division III district final to Ottawa Hills, 11-2)
HEAD COACH: Jeff Brunswick (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Cade Miller (SS), Carson Dominique (OF), Masen Towns (P), Krayton Kern (OF/P), Devon Morris (C)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Stephen Diller (IF/OF) – .266 avg; Brian Burrowes (3B/P) – .235 avg, 12 RBIs; Mason Siegel (1B/P) – .357, 21 RBIs; Jayden Seiler (P/IF) – .278 avg, 12 RBIs, Pitching: 7-1, 1.45 ERA, 62 strikeouts, 53 IP; Jett Baun (C); Josiah Gomez (OF) – .368 avg; Returning from injury – Jack Hurst (OF/P)
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Broden Piercefield (P/IF), Micah Nofziger (P/IF), Madden Valentine (IF/OF), Kurt Krueger (P/IF), Kole Boettger (C)
STRENGTHS: Experience, defense, pitching
WEAKNESSES: Replacing players lost to graduation
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are looking forward to the season. We need to stay healthy and improve every day.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “As always, our league is very strong and competitive.”
3. Liberty Center (13-9-1, 5-2 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional to Genoa, 3-1)
HEAD COACH: Paul LaPlante (1ST Season)
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4. Swanton (12-15, 3-4 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional semifinal to Paulding, 5-2)
HEAD COACH: Josh Siewert (5th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Drew Smigelski, Ryan Oshea, Lucas Bloom, Luke Coon, Caleb Ostrander, Kaden Curtis
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Brennon Mersing, Adam Lemon, Trent Eitniear, Drake Harris, Luke Marlow, Carsen Lemons
STRENGTHS: Leadership and defense
WEAKNESSES: Inexperience
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are replacing some key positions, if the young guys can step up, the sky is the limit. Very excited to see what we can do this year.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “We play in one of the toughest leagues in the area. I believe if we can field the baseball and play as a team, we will compete with anyone.”
5. Bryan (12-14, 3-4 NWOAL; Lost in Division II district semifinal to Defiance, 3-0)
HEAD COACH: Corey Walker (3rd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Dylan Dominique (IF/P), Taysen Deckrosh (C), Joe Watson (1B), Landon Shilling (P/1B), Ayden Pelz (P), Colbrin Miley (OF/P)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Jase Kepler (IF) – .337 avg, 6 doubles, 19 stolen bases; Noah Huard (IF/P) – .294 avg, 3 doubles, 11 stolen bases; Lazarus Lane (Utility) – .247 avg; Cole Uran (OF) – .299 avg, 4 doubles, 14 stolen bases; Juniors – Carter Dominique (P/IF) – .244 avg, 8 doubles, 18 RBIs; Pitching: 40 IP, 3.50 ERA, 40 strikeouts; Landon Bassett (P), Masen Welling (OF), Hunter Muehlfeld (Utility); Sophomore – Cade Carlin (P/OF)
NEWCOMERS: Seniors – Zaven Alyanakian, Austin Causey; Juniors- Dameon Wolfe, Kole Batt, Elijah Fry, Gavin Pittman, Aaron Williams; Sophomore- Jaymison Longoria; Freshmen- Cam Bukowski, Jacob Uran
STRENGTHS: Experience, infield play, team speed
WEAKNESSES: Experience on the mound, vocal leaders, lineup depth
SEASON OUTLOOK: “With eight returning letter winners and new underclassmen, there will be great competition for playing time. Our focus is on the daily tasks and competing every day to get better.”
“If we can do this, we can compete with anyone on our schedule. We are looking forward to the challenge of guys stepping up to fill in innings on the mound from last year and for guys to take the next step at the plate this year.”
“If we can continue to do the little things well, dominate the fundamentals, and play for each other, we can have a successful season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The NWOAL this year should be extremely competitive top to bottom. Archbold, Liberty Center, and Patrick Henry all bring back a lot of talent from successful seasons last year.”
“All teams within our league can truly knock off another team on any given day. We need to play well and stay focused in every game to have a chance to compete for a league title.”
6. Evergreen (11-15, 3-4 NWOAL; Lost in Division III district semifinal to Archbold, 4-0)
HEAD COACH: Mary Cymbolin (4th Season)
KEY RETURNERS: Seniors – Brady Kanneman (IF/P), Cory Kanneman (OF/P); Blade Walker (1B/P); Juniors – Colton Robertson (OF) – .391 avg, 21 stolen bases; Layne Vance (SS/C) – .407 avg, 20 RBIs; Sophomore – Bryce Bolger (3B)
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We should have good pitching depth this year. We need to improve defensively from last year. We will need to have a few more guys step up other than Vance and Robertson to be better at the plate.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I look for Archbold, Patrick Henry, and Liberty Center to be at the top of the league.”
7. Wauseon (10-14-1, 2-5 NWOAL; Lost in Division II sectional final to Defiance, 13-6)
HEAD COACH: Trent Thomas (18th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Jude Armstrong (1B), Eli Delgado (P/OF), Ryan Marks (P/IF), Keaton Hartsock (P/OF), Kage Little (P/IF)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Kaden Clymer (P/OF), Mason Thomas (P/UTL), Xavier Martinez (OF), Tate Wyse (UTL/P), Cooper Balser (IF/P); Juniors – Braylon Miller (P/IF), Caleb Kissel (C); Sophomore – Kahle Albright (P/OF)
NEWCOMERS: Juniors- Mykale Schneider (P/IF), Max Russell (P/IF); Sophomores – Jack Altstaetter (P/OF), Brady Miller (IF/P); Freshman – Thad Reckner (P/UTL)
STRENGTHS: Leadership, team speed
WEAKNESSES: Varsity experience lacking at many positions especially pitching, hitting for power
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have eight returning letter winners from the 2023 season but not much pitching experience.”
“We will need to have players gain experience and step up to fill everyday roles within our lineup. We will be looking to improve daily in our preseason practices and in our non-league schedule.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “As always, I believe the NWOAL is very competitive from top to bottom. Any team could come out and play well enough to win on a given night.”
“Many teams have top players returning and our hope is that our scrimmages and non-league matchups against some of the best programs in the state, will prepare us for the grind of the NWOAL season as well as a run in the tournament.”
8. Delta (4-20, 0-7 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional semifinal to Ottawa Hills, 7-0)
HEAD COACH: Dustin Stickley (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Bryce Gillen, Brenden Pribe, Will Brown, Aaden Koder, Bradyn Ruffer, Luke Schlatter, Dylan Stricker
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Joel Arroyo-Sierra, Landon Greisinger, Maverick Mercer, Alex Brown, Brody Waugh, Caleb Lantz; Junior – Brady Morr
NEWCOMERS: Junior – Vinnie Maurer
STRENGTHS: Deep bullpen, overall team speed, baseball IQ, increased depth in the program
WEAKNESSES: Small junior class, new staff, offensive power, experience
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Our success will depend on how quickly we can get the sophomores and freshmen ready to contribute at the varsity level.”
“We’re returning our top two pitchers from last season along with four everyday varsity players. If they can produce and bring the younger players along, we should be able to compete.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The NWOAL is one of the toughest leagues in Northwest Ohio and we would like to get back to being in the upper tier.”
