By Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer/Northwest Scout

No. 16  Portsmouth West High School

Portsmouth West and head coach Chris Rapp are coming off a 16-7 record and looks to take the next step after falling to eventual state champion Wheelersburg 4-2 in the regional semifinals.

The Senators return eight starters from their 2013 ball club, led by seniors Luke Morgan, Brady Knittel, Travis Smith, Todd Galloway and Austin Howard. Juniors Trevar Welch, Wesley Book and Josh Sheets and sophomore Patrick Bays look to get the Senators past regionals and to Columbus.

No. 17  Independence High School  

Mark Echstenkamper and the Independence Blue Devils finished 2013 with a 20-5 record, falling to Elyria Catholic in the district semifinals.

The Blue Devils return six starters from last season led by a five seniors. Mike Martin (unsigned senior, 6-0, 185-pound, RHP, 2.71 ERA, 45 Ks, pictured right) and Brett Teare (6-4, 195-pound, RHP/3B, 1.85 ERA, .424 BA, 28 RBIs, 1st team All-CVC, HM All-Ohio) are the one-two punch on the hill while Brycen Wise (5-9, 170-pound, catcher, .433 BA, 11 doubles, 26 RBIs, 17 caught stealing, 1st team All-CVC, 2nd team All-Ohio), Alex Scotton (6-0, 215-pound, OF, .344 BA, 1st team All-CVC) and Darren Krolikowski (6-0, 195-pound, LHP/1B, .390 BA, 31 Ks, 5-0) look to add a lot of versatility and talent to the Blue Devils 2014 team.

Junior Nick Niro (6-3, 215-pound, pitcher) is one to watch down that road as he is supposedly sitting upper 80s with the fastball. A couple of other underclassmen include Austin Buck (Jr, 3B) and Tyler Wilson (So, RHP)

No. 18  Versailles High School

The Versailles Tigers and 1st year head coach Ryan Schlater look to improve on a 23-7 record in 2013, while looking to rebound after getting knocked out of the state tournament in the district finals at the hands of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

The Tigers have an experienced ball club with seven starters returning for the 2014 season, led by unsigned senior Damien Richard (6-4, 200-pound, RHP/SS, .450 BA, 3 HRs, 26 RBIs, sits mid 80s, pictured left) and Mitch Gigandet (Sr, 5-10, 160-pound, OF, .313 BA, 8 doubles).

Other key contributors include Mike Davidson, Jake Wenning, Jace Barga and Dan Borchers.

No. 19  Archbold High School 

The Blue Streaks are looking to rebound after a devastating loss in the sectional finals to Sherwood Fairview. Archbold and head coach Dick Selgo finished 2013 with a 20-6 record and 6-2 in the difficult Northwest Ohio Athletic League.

Archbold will be led by their ace on the hill and University of Dayton commit Tyson Schnitkey (6-4, 165-pound, RHP/SS, 55 Ks, 41 innings, pictured right).

The Bluestreaks have a senior laden team along with Schnitkey, led by leadoff hitter Jase Grosjean (5-7, 135-pound, CF, .479 BA, 17 SB, pictured left) and Evan Wyse (5-11, 180-pound, catcher/RHP). Other seniors include Micah Bernath (2B/RHP), Jacob Wagner (OF), Emerson Radabaugh (INF) and Chandler Wyse (1B/RHP).

A few underclassmen to keep an eye on are juniors Matt Sevey (5-10, 145-pound, OF, Jeff Sparks (INF) and sophomores Ben Bucklew (RHP) and Derek Walker (SS).

No. 20  Ottawa-Glandorf High School

The Ottawa-Glandorf Titans and head coach Nick Miller look to continue their success that they started last season after a 16-5 record in 2013. The Titans fell to Lima Central Catholic 3-1 in the district semifinals and only went 5-4 in the difficult Western Buckeye League.

The Titans return some talented ball players, including five returning starters, led by University of Cincinnati commit Tanner Schimmoeller (6-5, 200-pound, RHP, 4-0, 1.36 ERA, pictured right) and unsigned senior Tyler Zender (6-2, 195-pound, OF, .528 BA, 13 doubles, 2 HRs, 29 RBIs, All-State).

Other top contributors include Brad Croy (5-11, 160-pound, SS/RHP, .365 BA, mid 80s on mound, pictured left), Matt Warnecke (RHP/3B, 6-2, 2.42 ERA), Drew Schierloh (OF/P, .300, 4 HR) and Ben Dietering (C/RHP).

A couple of underclassmen to keep an eye on are sophomores Austin Verhoff (RHP) and Austin Williams (OF).