Prep Baseball Report

JJHuddle/PBR Ohio Division III Power Rankings: No. 11 - No. 15



By Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer/Northwest Scout

No. 11  Millbury Lake High SchoolJayce Vancena

Millbury Lake and head coach Greg Wilker are always one of the top teams in Northwest Ohio, and the 2014 season shouldn't be any different. Lake was upset in the sectional finals by Genoa Area 3-2 a year ago and the Flyers are looking to get past sectionals and make a long run in 2014.

Lake has one of the best pitchers in the state of Ohio, as well as all of the PBR states combined in Jayce Vancena (6-4, 220-pound, RHP, ranked 3 in Ohio and 13 overall, pictured right). Vancena, a University of Michigan commit, sits low 90s with the fastball.

No. 12  Coldwater High School  

Derek ThobeThe Coldwater Cavaliers and head coach Brian Harlamert finished last season with a 22-5 record, falling in the sectional finals to Lima Central Catholic 5-1. Coldwater was co-champs with Minster in the Midwest Athletic Conference.

The Cavaliers return seven players from their impressive 2013 campaign. The seven players are a mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen. Seniors Mitch Heyne (6-0, 180-pound, 1B), Drew Otten (5-9, 170-pound, 2B), Adam Klosterman (6-1, 180-pound, SS) and Grant Muhlenkamp (RHP/OF) look to provide the experience and leadership for the Cavaliers in 2014. Malave Bettinger

The junior class is loaded with pitchers Derek Thobe (6-2, 175-pound, RHP, ranked 97 in 2015 class, pictured left), Greg Gilliland (6-4, 200-pound, RHP, ranked 93 in 2015 class) and Brandon Kunk (LHP), while the sophomore class is compiled of some athletic and dynamic bats of Malave Bettinger (6-1, 215-pound, 1B, ranked 18th in the 2016 class. pictured right) and Aaron Harlamert (C/SS). Another interesting prospect is Brody Hoying (OF)

No. 13  Gilmour Academy

Gilmour Academy and head coach Jay Fowler fell in the district semifinals to Garfield 7-6 in 2013, but after an impressive 17-5 season a year ago and seven starters returning, the Lancers are poised for a long run in 2014.

The Lancers return some explosive hitters, with three returning batters hitting over .400 a year ago. Seniors Benny Clark (6-1, 170-pound, CF, .426, .500 OBP, 9 SB, 27 R, 3 triples) and Peter Dolan (5-9, 170-pound, 3B/RHP, .414 BA, 21 RBIs) look to provide leadership as the seniors while Ethan Pawlak (5-11, 165-pound, MIF/RHP, .453, 512 OBP, 22 RBIs, 21 R) looks to take the next step in his junior season.

On the mound, the Lancers have a lot of experience in seniors Zach Korman (LHP), Peter Hurley (RHP) and Brandon Jaces (RHP/1B) as well as junior Nick Marquette (RHP) and sophomore Connor Lesko (RHP/MIF).

Other top hitters for Gilmour Academy include Nick Regalbuto (LF/RHP), Grant Zarrinmakan (OF), Patrick Mohorcic (C) and Matt Botek (1B/LHP).

No. 14  Waynesville High School 

Waynesville and head coach Tommy Begley are coming off an impressive Troy Black23-3, 12-0 SWBL campaign in 2013. However, the Spartans fell to Bishop Fenwick 4-1 in the district semifinals.

The Spartans return six starters from last season ball club led by juniors Troy Black (6-2, 210-pound, SS/RHP, .385 BA, 32 runs, 24 RBIs, leadoff hitter, pictured right), Bryce Linkous (6-1, 190-pound, RHP/2B, 5-0, 0.47 Wyatt MyersERA, 30 Ks, 30 innings), Jeremiah Stilwell (5-11, 205-pound, catcher, .333 BA, 10 doubles, 24 RBIs) and Andrew Magoto (6-0, 165-pound, OF/C, .300 BA).

Seniors Wyatt Myers (Tiffin University commit, 6-1, 200-pound, LHP/1B, 5-1 in 41 innings, pictured left) and A.J. Lezotte (6-2, 175-pound, RHP) look to provide a lot of innings on the mound and leadership on and off the field.

No. 15  Lima Central Catholic High School

Two years ago, LCC was the D-III state runners-up and in 2013 the T-Birds fell to Genoa Area in the regional semifinals. After a 19-13 season in 2013, the T-Birds look to get back to Columbus.

The T-Birds return five starters from last years team, but with very good lower level teams, LCC looks to be one of the top teams in D-III.

LCC is led by unsigned senior Colin Stolly (5-11, 170-pound, RHP/SS, HM All-Ohio). Other top seniors include Drew Jennings (6-2, 155-pound, INF) and Trevor Hoff (6-0, 190-pound, RHP).

Three underclassmen return to the starting lineup just like last season. Juniors Jacob Judy (5-10, 165-pound OF), Brad Stolly (6-0, 220-pound, catcher) and sophomore Ethan O'Connor (6-2, 180-pound, RHP/INF) are talented ball players, that look to take the next step in 2014.