By Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer/Northwest Scout

No. 11 Cincinnati Christian High School

Cincinnati Christian and head coach Bill Lanphier fell in heartbreaking fashion against Lewisburg Tri-County North 5-4 in 10 innings in the district finals last season. But after a 23-6 record the Cougars are looking to make a long tournament run in 2014. With seven returning starters along with four pitchers, the Cougars are poised to make that long run.

Cincinnati Christian is a senior-laden team, led by Isaiah Haley (6-1, 185-pound, C), Ben Johnson (6-1, 180-pound, 3B), Tanner Begley (5-9, 150-pound, OF), Andrew McGuffey (6-1, 185-pound, SS), Cody Leach (6-2, 190-pound, RHP), Phil Lunt (6-0, 175-pound, LHP).

The Cougars also have a nice nucleus of underclassman that coach Lanphier hopes to contribute. Juniors Matthew Craig (6-0, 170-pound, RHP), Shane McLaughlin (6-3, 185-pound, first baseman), Jacob Kneuven (5-11, 170-pound, C) and sophomores Jason Gundrum (6-1, 180-pound, RHP), Sam Casteel (6-3, 195-pound, C) look to take the next step in 2014.

No. 12 Patrick Henry High School 

Patrick Henry and head coach Shawn Sunderman finished 2013 with an 18-8 record. The Patriots fell to Lima Bath in the D-III district finals, Bath has moved up to D-II, while PH moved down to D-IV in 2014. The Patriots were a perennial power in D-III over the past few season, and now that they are back in division IV the Patriots have their eyes on a long tournament run.

The Patriots are led by Ohio University commit Josh Petersen (5-11, 170-pound, RHP, pictured right). Petersen is one of the top pitchers in D-IV. Unsigned senior Derek Hoops (shortstop, .495 BA, 33 R, 27 RBIs, 1st team All-NWOAL) provides the offense. 

Other key contributors include seniors Kollin Spence (INF, .341 BA), Logan Ziegler (P/OF, .348 BA, 1.44 ERA, 2nd team All-NWOAL) and Brad Breece (OF). The Patriots also have five underclassmen that coach Sunderman is looking to take the next step in 2014. Juniors Lucas Brown (OF), Derek Kolpien (OF/P) Kyler Seeman (3B/C/P) and Neil Storch (OF) and sophomore Joe Nickels (2B).

No. 13 Miller City High School

Miller City and head coach Dusty Pester finished 2013 with a 17-8 record, bowing out in the district finals against Delphos St. John's 3-1.

The Wildcats return six starters and three pitchers, led by one-two punch on the hill of junior Ross Lehman (6-2, 160-pound, RHP/INF, 6-1, 1.62 ERA, 1st team All-PCL) and sophomore Jackson Lammers (6-0, 165-pound RHP/INF, 4-1, 2.81 ERA, .360 BA, 1st team All-PCL).

Other top contributors are Jared Fuka (Sr, third baseman, .296 BA), Adam Niese (Jr, 1B, .333 BA), Adam Drummelsmith (Jr, INF, P, .311 BA) and Logan Duke (So, .441 BA, 2nd team All-PCL).

No. 14 Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School 

Tuscarawas Central Catholic and head coach Jeff Fondriest have high expectations in 2014 after finished 2013 with a 23-7 record. The Trojans fell to eventual state champion Newark Catholic in the regional finals.

No. 15 Steubenville Catholic Central High School

Steubenville Catholic Central and head coach Frank Spence went 17-7 in 2013. The Crusaders fell to Tuscarawas Central Catholic in the district semifinals 7-3 last season. The Crusaders are a perennial power and 2014 shouldn't be any different. Steubenville Catholic Central are led by senior Brenton Colabella, who is a three-sport star athlete and junior pitcher Chris Murphy.