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2015 OHSAA Division IV State Final Four Preview

June 3, 2015

 

By Dylan Hefflinger
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

PBR Ohio has all of your high school baseball coverage across the state covered.

The 2015 season has been a great one in the Buckeye State. The regular season showcased some dominant teams throughout the year, but as always the OHSAA Tournament brings out the best in all teams. During the 2015 tournament we have seen numerous upsets including all four State Champions from 2014 getting knocked off along the way, meaning we will be crowning four new State Champions this year at Huntington Park.

To view the other divisions in-depth preview click on the division below:
Division I
Division II
Division III

To view the Regional Brackets please click on the division below:
Division I
Division II
Division III
Division IV
Entire Tournament Bracket

Take a look at the 2014 State Final Four Roundup:
Division I
Division II
Division III
Division IV

Visit our scout blog, which includes velocity, pop times and in-depth scouting reports. The blog will be updated throughout the entire spring, with information on top prospects and top performances, click here.

To view the 2015 Team Rankings, click here.

To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click here.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

Division I State Final Four Preview

Hicksville Regional Pic

Team Name: Hicksville
Coaches Name/overall record: Tim Shock, 37-34
Team Record: 19-10
Final Regular Season Ranking: NR
Preseason Rank: #25

Postseason History:

  • 3rd state appearance (1982, 1978)
  • Won state in 1978

Tournament Trail:



Hicksville's tournament run has been one for the ages, defeating three ranked teams and five teams that have been ranked this season. In sectionals the Aces defeated Fayette 9-0 and Pettisville 6-4 to win the sectional championship. In districts, Hicksville had to go through #18 Defiance Ayersville and # 16 Edgerton, which the Aces did by the same score of 3-1. In regional play the Aces won a 3-0, 10 inning classic against McComb before defeating #2 ranked Miller City 5-1.

Quotes from the head coach Tim Shock:


PBR: Talk about your team advancing to state (from the regular season to the tournament run).

Coach Shock: "If you would have asked me when we were 8-8 I would have laughed at you. These boys never lost faith and began to get on a roll. They are currently playing loose and we have won 11 or our last 13 and the 2 losses were to state ranked teams."

PBR: What has stood out along the way about this team (maybe a turning point in the season or something you saw in the offseason)?

Coach Shock: "The turning point was reeling off three straight wins, capped by a Friday no-hitter by Wes Perry, heading into the tournament draw."

PBR: What does this mean to your school, community and city?

Coach Shock: "It’s been a long time coming for our community and fans. We, our coaching staff, have tried to drill into these kids that they could be real good and it was tough early on. I am just so proud of the players and proud to give back to the community."

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?

Coach Shock: "I just want to give a shout out to all involved in the Hicksville baseball program. The boys have been very coachable, my assistant coaches always have my back and make my life easier, and to my family for putting up with me when times have been tough."

Projected Lineup for the Aces


The Ace's offense is hitting .304 as a club, scoring 175 runs while swiping 105 bases. Hicksville has five hitters over .316 with senior shortstop Phil Karacson (pictured right) leading the way at a .433 clip. Junior 3B Dakota Harvey is the other table-setter at the top of the lineup.

  1. Phil Karacson, .433 BA, 39 H, 34 SB
  2. Dakota Harvey, .320 BA, 31 H, 17 RBIs, 18 SB
  3. Jake Greer, .316 BA, 31 H, 19 RBIs
  4. Jonny Giesige, .387 BA, 36 H, 25 RBIs, 14 SB
  5. Wes Perry, 22 RBIs
  6. Lukas Yoder
  7. Logan Thiel, .351 BA, 12 SB
  8. Jarin Jasso
  9. Mason Hostetler


Top Arms for the Aces

Hicksville has a team ERA of 2.21 while striking out 185 in 193 innings. The Aces are led by a 1-2 punch of junior Wes Perry and talented freshman Jake Greer (pictured above to the right).

  • Wes Perry, RHP, 2016, 8-1, 1.02 ERA, 62 IP, 59 Ks
  • Jake Greer, RHP, 2018, 4-4, 1.99 ERA, 56.1 IP, 64 Ks
  • Logan Thiel, LHP, 2017, 3-2, 2.43 ERA, 31.2 IP, 21 Ks

#10 Berlin Center Western Reserve

Team Name: Berlin Center Western Reserve
Coaches Name/overall record: Ed Anthony, 108-40-2
Team Record: 22-5-1
Final Regular Season Ranking: #10
Preseason Rank: NR

Postseason History:

  • Back-to-back state appearances (only appearances in school history)
  • 22 wins is a school record

Tournament Trail:


The Blue Devils of Western Reserve are returning to state for the second year in a row, ourscoring their competition along the way. The Blue Devils defeated Mineral Ridge 14-3 in 5 innings to claim a sectional championship. In districts Western Reserve defeated Warren John F. Kennedy 5-3 and Jackson-Milton 3-1. During regional action the Blue Devils faced some stiff competition in #17 New Reigel and #12 Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, coming away as the regional champs thanks to 2-0 and 9-3 victories.

Quotes from the head coach Ed Anthony:


PBR: Talk about your team advancing to state (from the regular season to the tournament run).

Coach Anthony: "We had high expectations this season after advancing to the state tournament last season. Last season was kind of a shock winning the regional and making it to state, but this year our kids were hungry to get back and wouldn’t settle for anything less than a return trip."

PBR: What has stood out along the way about this team (maybe a turning point in the season or something you saw in the offseason)?

Coach Anthony: "The work that our kids put in during the offseason was crucial for us to get where we are. The seniors did a great job of leading us during off season workouts and getting everyone there and holding each other accountable. Also the fact that we have really come together as a team during the last month of the season is very important. There was a point early in the season where something would go wrong and we would point fingers and blame, but now our players are to the point where they know something bigger is at stake and try to do everything in their power to help each other out and stay positive. Being positive goes a long way with teammates at this stage in the game."

PBR: What does this mean to your school, community and city?

Coach Anthony: "It means a ton. We are part of a small community and the support we have had over the last two seasons from parents, past players, and community members means the world to our team."

Projected Lineup for the Blue Devils

  1. Wyatt Larimer, SS/P, 2017: 25-81, .309 BA, 4 2B, 1 3B, 10 RBIs, 30 R, 16 SB
  2. Walker Marlowe, SS/2B, 2016: 30-87, .345 BA, 4 2B, 1 3B, 20 RBIs, 26 R, 19 SB
  3. Jake Clark, 1B, 2016: 20-57, .351 BA, 3 2B, 1 3B, 9 RBIs, 14 R, 5 SB                
  4. Jeep DiCioccio, 3B, 2017: 23-72, .319 BA, 9 2B, 1 3B, 15 RBIs, 19 R, 5 SB
  5. John Clegg, P/RF, 2015: 23-84, .274 BA, 5 2B, 2 HR, 25 RBIs, 12 R, 2 SB
  6. Evan Nesbitt, CF, 2015: 27-86, .314 BA, 10 2B, 18 RBIs, 21 R, 13 SB
  7. Drew Slaven, DH/2B, 2016: 17-59, .288 BA, 4 2B, 10 RBIs, 11 R, 2 SB
  8. Zach Smith, C, 2015: 8-39, .205 BA, 4 RBIs, 8 R, 1 SB
  9. Ryan Demsky, 2B, 2018: 2-7, .286 BA, 2 R


Other Key Contributors:

  • Lance DeZee, LF, 2016: 9-39, .231, 2 3B, 2 RBIs, 6 R
  • Ian Hames, 2B/RF/DH, 2015: 10-46, .217, 9 RBIs, 4 R

Top Arms for the Blue Devils

  • Wyatt Larimer, RHP, 2017: 7-0, 48.1 IP, 55 K, 15 BB, 1.15 ERA
  • John Clegg, RHP, 2015: 5-3, 41.1 IP, 47 K, 24 BB, 4.23 ERA
  • Lance Dezee, RHP, 2016: 3-0, 3 SV, 31.2 IP, 32 K, 9 BB, 2.87 ERA
  • Walker Marlowe, RHP, 2016:  2-0, 2 SV, 10.1 IP, 11K, 6 BB, 2.71 ERA
  • Ian Hames, RHP, 2015: 2-0, 25.1 IP, 24 K, 5 BB, 1.93 ERA

 

Team Name: Fort Recovery High School
Coaches Name/overall record: Jerry Kaup
Team Record: 25-5
Final Regular Season Ranking: #5
Preseason Rank: NR

Postseason History:

  • 2nd state appearance (1953, finished 2nd)
  • 25 wins is a school record

Tournament Trail:


The Indians of Fort Recovery cruised to regionals with wins over Waynesfield-Goshen 12-0, Marion Local 4-0 and Minster 7-2. Regionals boasted a different kind of challenge as the Indians had to face two of the top teams in the state, #13 Sidney Lehman Catholic and #11 Cincinnati Country Day. Fort Recovery defeated Lehman Catholic 5-2 before capturing a regional title with a 11-9 win over Cincinnati Country Day.

Quotes from the head coach Jerry Kaup:


PBR: Talk about your team advancing to state (from the regular season to the tournament run).

Coach Kaup: "We had to replace 5 really good seniors from last year’s team that set a record with 21 wins. I knew we would be good, just not how good. Our seniors this year are a great group of kids who care more about others success than their own."

PBR: What has stood out along the way about this team (maybe a turning point in the season or something you saw in the offseason)?

Coach Kaup: "Our turning point was when we beat Coldwater for the first time in 35 years. We then knew we could beat any team in Ohio."

PBR: What does this mean to your school, community and city?

Coach Kaup: "It has united our community and re-energized our youth. We now have young kids wanting to be like the kids on varsity."

PBR: Anything else you would like to add?

Coach Kaup: "After our win over Coldwater, we went 5-5 our next 10 games before tournament. We weren’t used to being the hunted. We were always the hunter. So we realized that other teams were bringing more energy than us and wanted to knock off the top team in the state. So, we now know that we have to bring the energy each and every game and each and every pitch."

Projected Lineup for the Indians

  1. Mitchel Stammen, SR
  2. Cole Wendel, SR
  3. Jackson Hobbs (pictured above to right), JR
  4. Jacob Homan, JR
  5. Derek Backs, SR
  6. Kyle Schroer, JR
  7. Nate Lochtefeld, SR
  8. Ben Will, SR
  9. Chase Bruns, JR
  10. Cade Wendel, FR


Other Key Contributors:

  • Ross Homan, JR, Utility guy who can play anywhere.
  • Will Homan, FR, Pinch Runner
  • Ben Homan, FR, Pinch Runner

Top Arms for the Indians

  • Jackson Hobbs, JR, 11-1
  • Cole Wendel, SR, 6-1
  • Chase Bruns, JR, 3-1
  • Cade Wendel, FR, 1-1
  • Jacob Homan, JR, 4-1

#7 Newark Catholic

Team Name: Newark Catholic
Coaches Name/overall record:
Team Record: 20-11-1
Final Regular Season Ranking: #7
Preseason Rank: #1

Postseason History:

  • 15th state appearance (2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1980)
  • 7-time state champion (2013, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1989, 1988)
  • 3-time state runner-up (2010, 2006, 1987)
  • 10 district titles in a row

Tournament Trail:



The Green Wave of Newark Catholic are a perennial power in Division IV and showed that during their tournament run. The Green Wave cruised through districts, winning its first four games 31-2. They defeated Plain City Shekinah Christian 1-0, Sugar Grove Berne Union 10-0 (5 innings), Millersport 10-2 and Lancaster Fisher Catholic 10-0 (5 innings). In regionals, the Newark Catholic would face off against Bainbridge Paint Valley and the top ranked team in Division IV Berlin Hiland. The Green Wave got past Paint Valley 2-1 (9 innings) and Hiland 5-4 (10 innings).

Team Notes:


The Green Wave probably plays the most difficult schedule of all Division IV teams and they show each year that come tournament time, no matter their record, they are poised to make it to the state final four. 

Top Players:

  • Rob Engle (Muskingum commit, pictured above to the right), SS/RHP, Preseason player of the year in Division IV
  • Gabe Morris (Capital commit), RHP/DH
  • Mitch Lohr, C, 2016, ranked 167th in 2016 class
  • Tanner Lake, INF, 2017
  • Nick Halloy, 3B/DH, 2015
  • Jack Wollenburg, 2B, 2016

Top Headlines for the Buckeye State