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By Jordan Chiero
PBR Ohio Scouting Director

We look to bring the Buckeye state top-notch high school coverage throughout the entire state.

We will have the 2016 Scout Blog, Spotlight Games, Inside the Recruitment Articles, Unsigned Senior Spotlights, The Recruiting Trail, All-State Selections, Full Coverage of the OHSAA State Tournament as well as numerous other articles throughout the spring.

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To view the full list of 2016 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2016 spring season visit the 2016 Ohio Scout Blog by clicking here.

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Ohio Spotlight Game: Hilliard Darby vs Westerville North

Hilliard Darby – In a D1 match-up between two Central Ohio teams the Hilliard Darby Panthers took on the Westerville North Warriors.

It’s never fun to hit in sub-35 degree weather, especially when two of the top five uncommitted right-handed pitchers in the 2017 class are on the hill.

Darby’s Cory Brooks and North’s Josh Stover lived up to their billing, both putting together impressive performances on the mound, but it was Brooks who stole the show.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound hurler struck out 14 North batters while scattering 5 hits, and giving up 2 unearned run through 6.2 innings of work. The cold weather had little effect on his performance as he looked dominant throughout the game.

Stover’s stat line isn’t reflective of his performance as he gave up 9 hits and 5 earned runs while striking out 6 Darby batters. A few defensive miscues and seeing eye singles proved to be costly, sparking Darby rallies.

Westerville North opened the scoring in the 3rd sparked by senior utility player, Andrew Kaul reaching on an error. A sac bunt, Brent Todys single, and a passed ball plated Kaul to give North and early 1-0 lead.

The turning point in the game came in the bottom of the 4th with a controversial call at second base. Darby’s Christopher Schultz singled with one out and later attempted to steal second as Stover struck out Morris. Todys threw a strike to second base which looked to end the inning as the throw beat Schultz to the bag.

However, Schultz was called safe bringing senior infielder Nathan Skelskey to the plate.

Skelskey laced a double down the line, bringing in Schultz to knot up the score at 1-1.

Sophomore catcher Clay Strausbaugh singled on the first pitch he saw, bringing in Skelskey to give Darby the 2-1 lead. Darby would tack on three more in the the 6th to stretch the lead to 5-1.

In the top of the 7th a few Darby defensive miscues and a Justin Hrinko double made it interesting, pushing one across and loading the bases. With the score 5-2, North had the man they wanted at the plate in Mount Vernon Nazerene commit Brent Todys.

Darby decided to go to the bullpen, bringing in Skelskey who shut the door by striking out Todys to end the game.

The win improved Darby’s record to 5-0 and the loss dropped North to 1-2. The two teams will meet again this Thursday at Westerville North with a 5 pm start.