TRYING TO PREVENT A HIT Hilltops Brady Wagner tries to backhand a groundball headed for the outfield in a game versus Fayette last year
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
The BBC looks to be wide-open this season as several teams return players from last season, including last year’s league champion Montpelier.
After a return to the top of BBC last season, the Locos return several key pieces and add North Central transfer Kenneth Smeltzer to their roster.
North Central will have a senior laden squad this year as they look to build off last year’s run to the regional semifinals for second-year coach Josh Hicks.
Hilltop and Edon both return a solid nucleus and figure to challenge North Central and Montpelier in the hunt for the BBC title.
Below are the team-by-team previews for this season in order of last season’s league standings.
1. Montpelier (12-9, 6-1 BBC; Lost to Edgerton in the Division IV district semifinals, 3-2)
HEAD COACH: Toby Hutchison (13th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Trent Thorp, Easten Richmond, Garrett Girrell
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Landon Fackler (P/SS/C) – .316 avg, 15 RBIs, 5 stolen bases; Jaxon Richmond (P/SS) – .293 avg, 3 doubles, 3 home runs, 15 RBIs, 8 stolen bases; Pitching: 5-2, 0.86 ERA, 40.1 IP, 64 strikeouts, 21 walks; Junior – Kam Smith (P/OF); Sophomores – Griffin Cooley (P/OF/C), Jaxon Stahler (P/2B), Kayden Sharps (P/1B), Joel Dohner (Utility), Johnny Fritsch (Utility)
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Kenneth Smeltzer (P/SS/C) – .409 avg, 7 doubles, 2 home runs, 22 runs, 12 RBIs, 8 stolen bases; Freshman – Wesley Hartsock (P/3B)
STRENGTHS: EXPERIENCE – “We bring back six players from our team and add in a high-quality transfer player from a team that was very successful.”
“We have a good mix of young and old who know the expectations. They have a goal of winning the league, getting out of districts, and making a deep tournament run.”
FLEXIBILITY – “Each of our kids can play multiple positions. We feel that it allows us to have a next man up mentality. If someone has an off night, the next person is ready to go.”
“Almost all of our boys can get up on the mound and compete. Multiple kids can catch or play other specialty positions as well.”
GRIT – “This group of kids are willing to work. The older few have taken over as leaders and the younger group is receptive to coaching. They want to compete and work to push one another.”
“Last season, there was still a bit of nervousness due to inexperience. We feel that this year with as many kids as we are bringing back, the boys will rise to the occasion.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Coming off a 2022-23 season where we went 12-9, winning the Buckeye Border Conference, and having multiple players earn all-league nominations was great for our program, but we as a team still felt like it was a disappointment.”
“Losing out on an opportunity to continue our season in the district semifinal game has left a pretty bad taste in our players mouths.”
“From last season we lost three solid baseball players in Trent Thorp (2nd Team All-BBC), Easten Richmond (Honorable Mention All-BBC), and Garrett Girrell (2-year starter). These boys have been a cornerstone to our program.”
“We bring back six starters on our team, led by seniors Jaxon Richmond (BBC Player of the Year, 2nd Team All-State) and Landon Fackler (2nd Team All-BBC).”
“Both of these boys will play multiple positions for us, bat in the heart of our lineup, and throw a good number of innings for us.”
“In the junior class, Kam Smith (HM All-BBC) will roam the outfield and look to be someone we use on the mound as well.”
“Our three sophomores, Griffin Cooley (HM All-BBC), Jaxon Stahler, and Hayden Sharps, will also be back and look to use their first year of varsity experience to build on another successful season.”
“Our program will be bringing in Kenneth Smeltzer (1st Team All-BBC, HM All-State), a sophomore transfer from North Central as well as freshman Wesley Hartsock who we feel will make an immediate impact on the team.”
“I feel like we will have the best coaching staff in the area. Ryan Yahraus was a former all-state infielder at Bryan, Wes Rickenberg played at the Division I level as a pitcher at BGSU, and Eric Smeltzer has been one of the best coaches we have played against for years at North Central.”
“I feel like many times I’m just showing up to be a manager and I want to thank them for making my life easy.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “We look to continue to compete in the BBC conference each and every day. Our team brings back a good mix of old and new faces with experience.”
“The BBC will be up for grabs, and we just hope to be able to continue last year’s success. As always, the best team that shows up to the field that day will win.”
T2. North Central (13-7, 5-2 BBC; Lost to St. Henry in Division IV regional semifinal, 5-1)
HEAD COACH: Josh Hicks (2nd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Quin Burt – .304 avg, 23 runs, 9 RBIs, 9 stolen bases; Kenneth Smeltzer – .400, 2 home runs, 12 RBIs, 23 runs; Clayton Douglass
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Connor Gendron (P/1B/OF) – .397 avg, 3 home runs, 17 RBIs, 22 runs; Cohen Meyers (OF) – .365 avg, 17 RBIs, 15 runs; Ben Pettit (1B/P) – .306 avg, 17 RBIs, 10 runs; Pitching: 5-1, 29 strikeouts, 32 IP, 2.18 ERA; Johnny Hicks (2B/SS/P) – .214 avg; Sam Moore (P/2B/OF) – Pitching: 4-2, 64 strikeouts, 44.2 IP, 1.56 ERA; Jake Turner (OF) – .184 avg, 8 RBIs, 8 runs; Ethan Beard (P/1B/OF) – .174 avg, 7 runs, 8 stolen bases, Pitching: 2-1, 25 strikeouts, 21 IP, 4.33 ERA
NEWCOMERS: Freshmen – Jackson Poynter, Kade Stewart, Alex St. John
STRENGTHS: “We are senior heavy with experience gained from last year’s tournament run. We also have strong pitching depth.”
WEAKNESSES: “We don’t have much playing experience behind the senior class.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We should be very competitive in every game, experience gained from last year should help us in knowing what to expect and not be overwhelmed by the situation in big games. All of those should help us make a tournament run this year.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Our goal is to win the conference and return to the regionals.”
T2. Holgate (8-15, 5-2 BBC; Lost to Leipsic in Division IV sectional semifinal, 6-3)
HEAD COACH: Tim Kelly (13th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Micah Bok, Owen Leaders, Abe Kelly, Isaac DeLong
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Dylan Boecker, Jake Thome; Sophomores – Austin Medina, Matt Healy, Isaac Mendoza, Holden Hartman
NEWCOMERS: Freshmen – Grady Hoffer, Vincent Peck, Zac Boecker
STRENGTHS: Senior leadership
WEAKNESSES: Numbers, inexperience, pitching
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We want to improve as the season progresses and to be competitive in the league.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Montpelier, North Central, Edon, and Hilltop are the favorites to win the BBC.”
T2. Edon (9-15, 5-2 BBC; Lost to Edgerton in the Division IV sectional final, 12-5)
HEAD COACH: Brien Moore (9th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Garrett Skiles, Wade Parrish, Konnor Prince, Ian Hickman, Wyatt Moore, Carter Kiess
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior – Chris Joice (IF/P); Juniors – Kyler Sapp (SS/P), Max Radabaugh (OF/P), Carter Steinke (IF/C), Zayne Oberlin (OF); Sophomore – Christian Owens ((UT/P)
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Aiden Gearhart (OF/P); Freshmen – Corbin Chrisman (IF/P), Lane Brandt (IF/P), Braedyn Wehrle (C/UT), Kadin Stantz (C/UT)
STRENGTHS: Pitching and Defense
WEAKNESSES: Offense and Experience
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We feel like we have an opportunity to be successful this spring. Between a very competitive BBC and non-conference schedule, we feel like these things can prepare us to make a tournament run.”
“We know we have to play our best baseball day in and day out. We have a lot of shoes to fill, but our returners and newcomers are competing every day. We are looking forward to the start of the season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The BBC will be competitive from top to bottom. There are 3-4 teams that have a shot at winning the league. This should be an exciting year for the BBC.”
T5. Hilltop (13-10, 3-4 BBC; Lost to Toledo Christian in Division IV sectional final, 9-2)
HEAD COACH: tony Gerig (15th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Tyzon Pelfrey, Quentin Runkel
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Raace Haynes – .411 avg, 29 runs, 21 RBIs, 8 doubles; Pitching: 6-2, 3.94 ERA, 66 strikeouts; Wade Wagner – .386 avg, 37 runs, 8 doubles, 20 stolen bases; Colton Wood; Juniors – Devin Dempsey – .371 avg, 28 runs, 19 RBIs, Pitching: 3.67 ERA, 64 strikeouts; Cameron Schlosser – .328 avg, 21 RBIs, 19 runs, 2.48 ERA; Zander Runkel – .318 avg, 21 RBIs
NEWCOMERS: Freshmen – Terry Lee Rebeck (IF/P), Cameron Shimp (OF/P/C), Brennan Dempsey (IF/P/OF)
STRENGTHS: “Our batting lineup will have a lot of depth to it. In years past there have been times where we had to rely on the top of lineup to supply all of our run support. This group has the potential to put significant pressure on pitchers and defenses on a much more consistent basis.”
“This will allow our pitchers to not feel as if they have to be perfect. We also feel as if we have six guys that can compete on the mound against varsity level competition.”
“Lastly, we feel very confident about the defensive talent that will take the field behind our pitching staff. This combination of strengths put together will make for a very exciting season of Hilltop baseball.”
WEAKNESSES: “There will be some underclassmen that will be relied upon to play significant roles on this team. Their ability to handle those responsibilities will play a large role in our ability to reach the lofty goals the guys have set for themselves.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “To say we’re excited about this year’s season would be an understatement. We feel as if this could be the most talented group of guys to ever wear the Hilltop baseball uniform at the same time.”
“Unfortunately, talent only goes so far. We know that we’ll be right in the mix for a league title if we play up to our capabilities, but nothing will be handed to us.”
“Our motto for the season is details, and our attention to detail will be the determining factor if we reach the lofty goals we’ve set as a group this season or not.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “In the BBC, we believe that Montpelier, North Central, and Edon will be our biggest obstacles to winning our first league title since 1993.”
“Those schools have a lot of talent, and it will take our absolute best effort to defeat them. We must be dialed in every pitch, and if we are, then we’ll be right in the mix.
T5. Stryker (6-15, 3-4 BBC; Lost to Montpelier in Division IV sectional final, 12-2)
HEAD COACH: Austin Nickells (2nd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Mateo Villanueva, Levi Barnum
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Daniel Donovan – .345 avg; Austin Batterson – .175 avg; Lennon Capps – .100 avg; Jacob Cadwell – .200 avg; Jacob Myers – .224 avg; Gavin LaBo – .200 avg; William Donovan – .279 avg; Eli Capps – .100 avg
NEWCOMERS: Michael Donovan, Carl Glenn, Samuel Gonzalez, Chandler Lloyd, Shawn Buehrer
STRENGTHS: “We bring back a lot of starters from last year. We are more of a family than a team, so we play for each other.”
WEAKNESSES: “Replacing key spots that can make or break us.”
7. Fayette (5-11, 1-6 BBC; Lost to Hilltop in Division IV sectional semifinal, 11-1)
HEAD COACH: Matt Maginn (6th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Skylar Lester, Chase Moats
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Shane Maginn, Hawk Brehm, Braxton Jacob, Gavin Figgins, Wyatt Mitchell, Jacob Rose, Caden Leininger, Dane Andrews, Carter Lavinder, Zach Oehlers
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I am hoping that with the returning lettermen we are more competitive and build on last season’s won total.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I think the league should be very competitive. With our returners I hope we can win some of the close games we lost last year.”
8. Pettisville (0-19, 0-7 BBC; Lost to Edon in Division IV sectional semifinal, 10-3)
HEAD COACH: Paul Bishop (19th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Luke VanDenBerghe
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior – Kaleb Wyse; Juniors – Caden Bishop, Rylan Warner; Sophomores – Creighton Aeschliman, Luke Horning, Aiden Crawford, Quinn Ripke, Sebastian May; Nathan Davis; River Vajen
STRENGTHS: “We gained a lot of experience last year at numerous key positions and we also had a good summer ACME season.”
“Rylan Warner, Caden Bishop and Luke Horning, our top three pitchers from last year are all returning, will provide us three quality pitchers throughout the season.”
“Consistency out of those three on the mound will be a key for our season. When not pitching they will give us experience at shortstop, first base and outfield respectively.”
“Creighton Aeschliman, sophomore, returns at catcher. Creighton learned a lot last year as a freshman. He will provide good leadership from behind the plate. Quinn Ripke (shortstop) and Kaleb Wyse (outfield) also return, providing valuable experience for a still very young team.
WEAKNESSES: “We will have youthful experience at most positions. We only lost one senior, but we still only have three returning upperclassmen. Our pitchers will need to be around the plate with consistency and make big pitches to limit the big innings.”
“When the ball is put in play we will need to make the routine plays, which was a big achilles heel for us last season.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We still have a very young team, with just one senior and only two juniors on the roster. For all our games, two-thirds of our lineup will be freshmen and sophomores.”
“With the returning players we have, we hope to come out and be more competitive this year. The growth and experiences these young guys get early in the season will help tremendously later in the season and future years.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “There are multiple teams that can win the league this year.”
