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By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Editor in Chief/NW Scout

With the 2016 spring season right around the corner, PBR Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage throughout the entire state.

Starting February 1st, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

To view the full list of 2016 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2016 Team Preview, click here.

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

2016 Spring Team Preview: Kirtland Hornets

Team Name: Kirtland Hornets
Head Coach: Luke Smrdel
Division: III
2015 Record: 19-10
Conference Record: Chagrin Valley Conference, 7-1
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/4

2016 Team Strengths:

• Leadership, 15 returning players with varsity experience
• Pitching, four returning starters, six returning pitchers with varsity experience
• Speed, 125 stolen bases last year from returning players
• Hitting, returning players had a combined average over .325 last season
• Depth, 49 players from 9-12 grade gives us very solid depth

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Power, only one home run from players returning from last year

Coach Outlook: "Overall we have one returning All-Ohio player, four All-District Players, four All-County Players, and eight All-Conference Players. We play a very tough schedule for D-III, and our guys have experience against some of the top teams in the state, along with a good amount of tournament experience. Last season we won the conference for the third straight season, and were District Runners-Up. We have high expectations for this season. Returning almost our whole line-up and four starting pitchers will give us a shot to once again win the conference. Our hopes are to finally win a District Title, which I believe is a very good possibility, and make a deep playoff run.

We have a very tough schedule again, and should be ready for the playoffs when we get there."

PBR Outlook: The Hornets and coach Fortuna have high expectations coming into 2016 with 15 returning lettermen. With the pitching, hitting, defense, and overall athleticism, the Hornets are a team to watch in Division III.

Top Returning Players:

• Anthony Fortuna, P/3B/1B, 6’4” 200, R/R, returning All-Ohio, All-District, All-County, All-Conference player, Anthony will be one of our top pitchers and hitters. Great size and skills that make him an all around good player. (.420 BA, 34 H, 10 2B, 1 HR, 29 R, 35 RBI, 15 BB / 4-3 W-L, 3.35 ERA, 37.2 IP, 22 K)
• Michael Kmentt (pictured right), P, 5’11” 175, R/R, great velocity and off-speed pitches, Michael should be our ace this upcoming year. All-Conference in 2015. (2-2 W-L, 4.67 ERA, 27 IP, 48 K)
• Joey Bates, OF, 5’11” 200, R/R, great defensive outfielder with great speed and decent pop at the plate. All-County and All-Conference in 2015. (.383 BA, 4 2B, 22 R, 14 RBI, 13 BB, 4K, 18 SB)
• David Allchin, 2B/SS, 5’7” 165, R/R, top defensive infielder and lead off hitter, excellent speed and good bat. (.333 BA, 2 2B, 2 3B, 32 R, 27 RBI, 13 BB. 29 SB)
• Vinny Matticoli, OF/P/C, 6’0” 185, R/R, very athletic player who can play any position on the field. Vinny will be one of our top pitchers along with providing good power at the plate. All-District and All-Conference in 2015 (.329 BA, 4 2B, 16 R, 25 RBI, 7 BB, 10 SB)
• Owen Loncar, 1B/OF, 6’3” 180, L/L, consistent hitter with good pop from the left side. Great size and speed for his age. Will be middle of the order guy for the next two years. All-Conference in 2015. (.337 BA, 3 2B, 28 H, 18 R, 17 RBI, 7 BB, 9 SB)
• Palmer Capretta, SS/2B, 5’11” 160, R/R, excellent defensive SS with good range, good speed on the bases. All-Conference in 2015. (.310 BA, 2 2B, 15 R, 7 RBI, 4 SB)
• Andrew Hutton, OF, 5’9” 165, R/R, consistent hitter with good pop. All-Conference in 2015. (.315 BA, 4 2B, 17 R, 7 RBI) 
• Tyler McCrory, P, 5’10” 170, L/L, will be one of the top pitchers in the program for next three season. Tyler has great command and is a very smart pitcher. Could be a D1 prospect as a LHP for class of 2018. (0-2 W-L, 1.54 ERA, 13.2 IP, 10 K)

Top Newcomers:

• Mike Zueli, C, 5’10” 160, R/R, 2016 transfer from Mentor H.S., will compete for starting catcher role.
• Joey Torok, SS/2B/P, 5’8” 140, R/R, very athletic player with the skills to play any position. Will be a major contributor over the next four years and could be a possible D1 prospect as he possesses all the tools  

 

A Look Back At 2015 Preseason Articles:

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

• Division I
• Division II
• Division III
• Division IV

To view the 2015 Preseason State Rankings, click below.

• Division I
• Division II
• Division III
• Division IV