Prep Baseball Report

Ohio Division IV Power Rankings: No. 16 - No. 20



By Chris Valentine and Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Director and Senior Writer 

No. 16 Steubenville Central Catholic

Steubenville Central Catholic fell to Berlin Hiland in the district finals a season ago. In 2013 Steubenville Central Catholic looks to take the next step behind head coach Frank Spence.

No. 17 Fairport Harding High School

Fairport Harding fell to eventual state runner-up Cuyahoga Heights in the district finals a year ago. In 2013, head coach Mike Mohner looks for his team to improve behind seniors Tyson Lautanen, Logan Dennison and Tyler Mitchell.

No. 18 Columbus Grove High School

After a shocking exit in the sectionals a season ago, Columbus Grove looks to build off a 17-9 season last year. The Bulldogs feature 10 returning letterwinners, including eight seniors in Brandon Benroth (IF-C), Blake Hoffman (OF-SS-P), Matt Jay (C-P-3B), Trey Roney (3B-1B- P), Brady Shafer (OF-P), Kody Griffith (1B), Clay Diller (2B) and two juniors Riley Brubaker (OF-P) and Joshua Verhoff (P-IF).

"Offensive production should be the back-bone of the 2013 season," head coach Cory King said of his squad. With 10 returning lettermen we should have strong leadership and depth at most positions." 

No. 19 Berlin Hiland High School

Berlin Hiland reached the state tournament in 2012, falling to Cuyahoga Heights 6-4. The Hawks, which finished with a 25-5 record last season and have reached state three times since 2000, will have to reload after losing some of its top players from last season including top hitter Dylan Kauffman, top home run and RBI leader B.J. Miller, mound ace Luke Burch and lead-off hitter Grant Troyer. Shortstop Kevin Schrock is the top returnee after hitting .370 a year ago.

Head coach Tom Gibson is entering his sixth season with the Hawks with a 116-27 record.

No. 20 South Charleston Southeastern High School

South Charleston Southeastern looks to build on a successful 20-9 season a year ago that ended with a regional semifinal loss to eventual state champion Minster.