JJHuddle/PBR Ohio Division II Power Rankings: No. 21 - No. 25

March 28, 2014

By Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer/Northwest Scout

No. 21 Mansfield Ontario High School

Ontario and head coach Dan Gorbett had a successful 2013 campaign, finishing the season with a 27-4, 13-1 NCC record. The Warriors fell to Bloom-Carroll in the regional semifinals 4-1.

Coach Gorbett has a 93-19 record at Ontario, but 2014 could be a challenging one as the Warriors lose their top three pitchers and also move up to division II from division III.

Ontario does return five starters from last season which include:

Kyle Pasheilich, Sr. 3rd, 5'10, R-R, 3-yr letterman, hit .405
Brad Dretzka, Sr. OF, 5'10, R-R, 3-yr letterman, hit .408
Tyler Gorbett, Sr,1B, 6'2, R-R, 3-yr. letterman, hit .300
Paul Homan, Jr., SS, 6 '0, R-R, 3-yr letterman, hit .394
Aaron Baker, Jr, OF, 5'10, R-R, 2-yr letterman, hit .343
Vinnie Large, Sr, pitcher, 6'2, R-R

A few underclassmen that coach Gorbett feels can contribute in 2014 include:

Mason Goodwin, Jr, Pitcher ,6'2,180, R-R
Ridge Jackson, So, Pitcher/OF, 6'0, 170,L-R
Luke Gorbett, So, Pitcher/1B, 6'5, 205, L-R
Alex Vredenburgh, So, utility, 5'10, 167, R-R

No. 22 Newark Licking Valley High School

Licking Valley and head coach Adam Arcuri return eight starters and five pitchers from a ball club that went 16-12. The Panthers fell to Bishop Watterson in the district semifinals.

The Panthers projected lineup is: Colt Caughenbaugh

1 Colt Caughenbaugh, LF, '16, 5'11-175, L-L (ranked 15th in 2016 class, pictured right)
2 Tyler Nethers, 2B, '15, 5-11-175, R-R
3 Jacob Dennis, RF, '16, 6'0-190, L-L
4 Drew Morrison, P, '15, 6'1-195, R-L (ranked 38 in 2015 class, pictured left)
5 Justin Holman, C, '14, 5'10-175, L-R
6 Austin Skeese, 3B, '14, 6'2-180, R-R
7 Derek Carr, CF, '16, 6'1-170, L-L
8 Craig Prince, 1B, '14, 6-1-215, R-R (ranked 160 in 2014 class)
9 Cody Dennis, SS, '16, 5'11-140, R-R

Coach Arcuri feels the Panthers main strengths for the 2014 season is its pitching and defense, here is their projected rotation:

1 Drew Morrison, LHP, '15, 6-1-195
2 Jacob Dennis, LHP, '16, 6-0-190
3 Derek Carr, LHP, '16, 6-1-170
4 Craig Prince, RHP, '14, 6'1-215
5 Austin Skeese, RHP, '14, 6'2-180
6 Jaqui Van Meter, RHP, '16, 5'11-260

No. 23 Columbus Bexley High School

The Bexley Lions and head coach Tom Marker finished 2013 with a 20-8, 10-4 Mid-State Ohio record, falling to Jonathan Alder in the district semifinals.

Coach Marker feels the Lions are an experienced team that will have a deep pitching staff with solid outfield defense. Five of the Lions nine starters this year have started every game for the past two years.

The Lions projected pitching rotation is:

1 Drew Elliott, P, JR, 6'4"-190, RHP (5-1 as a soph; Has been 80+ this offseason, one to watch)
2 Josh Shapiro, P, JR, 5'10"-175, LHP (1st Team All MSL, 1st Team All District, 6-1, 1.78 ERA, 61 Ks, 51 innings)
3 Marshall Drewry, P, SR, 5'10"-180, RHP (3.20 ERA)
4 Teddy Bruning, P, SR, 6'4"-205, RHP
5 Tate Hughes, P, SR, 6'0"-175, RHP (2nd Team All MSL, 2nd Team All District)

At the plate the Lions projected lineup is as followed:

1 Ethan Bredemeier, LF, JR, R-R
2 Alex Eikenberry, CF, SR, R-R (Has started 80 games for Bexley, All State Soccer player)
3 Tate Hughes, SS, SR, R-R (Everyday starter at shortstop for the past two years)
4 Marshall Drewry, 3B, SR, R-R
5 Josh Shapiro, P, JR, L-L
6 Teddy Bruning, 1B, SR, R-R
7 Chase Roddy, RF, JR, R-R
8 Will Davis, C, SR, R-R (Has started the last 56 games behind the dish for Bexley)
9 Eric Callahan, 2B, SO, R-R (pictured right)

No. 24 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Ian Dillard

The Fighting Irish fell to Medina Buckeye 8-7 in the sectional final last season, but have some talented players for the 2014 season that are looking to make a long tournament run.

Some of the top St. Vincent-St. Mary players include seniors, Corey Whaley (ranked 148 in 2014 class and is still unsigned) and Jeff Dehnke. Juniors Ian Dillard (pictured right) and Jason Large look to provide some offense for the Fighting Irish.

No. 25 Lima Bath High School

Lima Bath moves up to division II after being in division three in the past. The Colin Gossard Wildcats fell to Lima Central Catholic 1-0 in the district finals to finish 16-13 in 2013.

In 2014, the Lima Bath Wildcats may get off to a slow start thanks to a long tournament run in basketball which two of their top pitchers (Collin Gossard, pictured right and Taren Sullivan, pictured left) were apart of.

Some of the top players for Bath include:

Colin Gossard, P, Sr, 6'3/180lbs, R/R. Unsigned senior that is a solid two-way prospect. 8-2, 2 SV, 2.20 ERA, 68 Ks, ranked number 110 in 2014 class.
Eric Jordan, P/1B, Unsigned Sr, 5'10/170 lbs, L/L, 4-3, 2 SV, 2.64 ERA, 54 Ks, .358 BA, 28 RBIs, 6 2B
Eric Heffner, CF, Unsigned Sr, 5'10, 165 lbs, R/R, .357 BA, 6 2B, 6 SB
Taren Sullivan, P, Sr, 6'5, 190 lbs, R/R, 1-1, 3.50 ER. University of Findlay commit for basketball.
Hunter Weis, P, Sr, 5'9, 200 lbs, L/L
Jared Davis, OF, Jr, 5'6, 155 lbs, R/R, .314 BA

A few underclassmen that could contribute in 2014 are juniors Cameron Jenkins (catcher), Luke Niebel (OF) and sophomores Cam Clark (SS) and Andrew Renner (P/INF).