By Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer/Northwest Scout

No. 16 Russia High School  

Russia finished 2013 with a 23-7 record, falling to Convoy Crestview 4-1 in the regional finals. The Raiders are led by senior Isaiah Counts (6-1, 190-pound, RHP/SS) and junior Nolan Francis (6-2, 170-pound, LHP/OF, pictured right).

No. 17 Toledo Christian High School 

Toledo Christian finished with an underwhelming 12-15 record a season ago. The Eagles fell to Northwood, who has since moved up to D-III, 10-3 in the sectional finals last season.

Despite a 12-15 record last year, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the Eagles and first year head coach Tab Greenlee in 2014. Bowling Green State University commit Dakoda Brown (6-1, 165-pound, LHP, pictured left) looks to help the Eagles make a long tourney run.

Along with Brown, the Eagles have Jordan Adesi (Jr, 6-4, 165-pound, RHP), Kyle Kempton (Jr, 6-1, 175-pound, INF, .412 BA), Brett Freeman (Jr, 6-0, 210-pound, third baseman), Andrew Gast (Sr, 6-3, 165-pound, INF/OF/RHP) and Judd Nearhood (Jr, 6-0, 140-pound, INF/RHP). Sophomore catcher Caleb Johnson looks to step in behind the dish in 2014.

No. 18 St. Mary Central Catholic High School

Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic looks to improve on a 17-7 record in 2013. The Panthers fell to Colonial Crawford 6-2 in the district semifinals last season, but head coach Ben Stover feels the Panthers can make a long tournament run in 2014. With seven returning starters and three solid pitchers, no reason for coach Stover to feel any different.

The trio on the hill are unsigned senior Brett St. Clair (RHP/1B, 1st Team District 9, 1st Team SBC, .303 BA, 49.2 IP, 51 Ks, 1.28 ERA), unsigned senior Lucas Will (Sr, RHP/3B, 1st Team District 9, 1st Team SBC, pictured left) and Trevor Fitzhum (Jr, SS/RHP).

The same trio will provide a lot of pop at the plate, and will be accompanied by Kyle Feyedelem (Sr, INF, HM District 9, 2nd Team SBC, .359 BA), Lincoln LaRose (Jr, C/1B), Caleb Severance (Sr, OF, .324 BA), Tanner Roth (Sr, OF), Michael Lamb (Sr, OF), Nathan Schwerer (Jr, DH/RHP).

No. 19 Minster High School

Minster and head coach Mike Wiss are coming off a 21-3 season in 2013. The Wildcats fell to Convoy Crestview last season in the district semifinals 10-2. Coach Wiss is entering his 20th season at the helm of Minster with a 331-149 record.

In 2014, Minster is looking to reload after losing lots of key contributors. The Wildcats lost Adam Niemeyer, Devon Poeppelman, Jay Eilerman, Andrew Knapke and Ethan Wolf (Graduated early for football). Each of them were major contributors to Minster's back-to-back state championships in 2011 and 2012.

Minster does have a lot of seniors to carry the load for the Wildcats. Seniors Brandon Hoying (INF/RHP, 22 IP, 2.23 ERA, 22 Ks, HM all-MAC), Clay Brown (LHP/1B/OF, 14 IP, 2.00 ERA, HM all-MAC), Brad Walterbusch (1B), Jacob Wuebker (OF), John Baumer (INF/OF), Max Huber (OF) and Garrett Hogenkamp (OF) all look to provide senior leadership. Juniors JR Nixon (1B/RHP), Matthre Trushaw (RHP/INF, 28.2 IP, 5-0, 2.69 ERA), Drew Ripploh (RHP/INF) and sophomore Josh Nixon (SS/RHP, .429 BA) look to provide athleticism and excitement for the Wildcats.

No. 20 Ayersville High School

The Ayersville Pilots and head coach Chad Donsbach are looking to improve on a 15-9 record in 2013. The Pilots went 5-3 in the Green Meadows Conference last season, but looks to compete for the title in 2014. Ayersville fell to league rival Tinora 11-8 in the district finals last season.

Ayersville returns six starting position players as well as all of their pitchers from last season. A one-two punch of unsigned seniors Luke Lawson (6-1, 180-pound, RHP/SS) and Matt Engel (6-3, 155-pound, LHP/1B) look to lead the Pilots. Lawson sits mid-to-upper 80s with the fastball while Engel is a craft lefty who had 66 Ks in 52 innings last season.

Offensively after Lawson, the Pilots have seniors Gage Odom (5-9, 165-pound, OF, .368 BA, 15 SB) and Zack Clark (5-11, 160-pound, third baseman, pictured right). Sophomore Jack Goonan (6-2, 210-pound C) looks to step in the middle of the lineup and provide some thump.