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By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

Top 12 Stories for The Year 2014

PBR Ohio started up on May 3rd, 2011 as seen here. From that day, Chris Valentine has had a goal to promote high school baseball in Ohio at the highest level possible. Chris has been able to do this thanks to the help of parents, coaches, and the talented players throughout the state of Ohio.

Chris has also built a staff that has the drive to make Ohio one of, if not the top viewed website for Prep Baseball Report as well as put on some of the best showcases in the nation to help promote the high school talent that resides in the Buckeye State.

Dylan Hefflinger, PBR Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout, along with JD Heilmann, PBR Ohio Director Scouting take a look back at the year in review and put together a list of the top stories for 2014.

To start off the countdown, we chose a piece that touches JD, the Midland Baseball Organization, and the city of Cincinnati at heart, as one of the most well respected men in all of baseball passed away this year.

To follow that up we looked at "The Recruiting Trail" which updates where all the prospects across the state have been visiting, who they are getting attention from, and who they have committed to.

After that we looked at the "Cam Varga Experience" as well as a story about Adam no longer being a "One-Man Wolfpack".

Now we have a heartfelt story of losing a brother and a great young man.

Each day we will reveal the next story on the list. A hint for the next story are the words "Spiky Hair".

A rundown of the stories: Note: We will be conducting a Twitter contest to vote on the top 12 stories for 2014 once the 12 stories have been posted.

• A Tribute to Papa Joe Hayden
• The Ohio Recruiting Trail
• The Cam Varga Experience
• Adam No Longer A "One-Man Wolfpack"

Montoya ATV Tragedy Brings Family Closer

After capturing back-to-back state championships in 2012 and 2013, the Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller Crusaders were poised and hungry for a third straight state title.

Moeller headed into the OHSAA tournament as the third-ranked team in the state and the number one team in SW Ohio as seen here.

The Crusaders were determined to get back to Columbus despite all the impressive teams they were matched up against along the way. Moeller won its first game 8-4 over Walnut Hills, but then after that, the Crusaders were in some nail-biting contests. In the district semifinal they beat Loveland 2-1, before defeating Centerville 2-1 in eight innings to capture the district championship.

Then came regionals, where Moeller shut out Beavercreek 3-0 before topping Mason 4-3 in a nine inning classic to claim the regional crown.

Moeller again looked ready to make it a third straight championship.

However, just a day before the state semifinal against a talented Massillon Jackson squad tragedy struck the Crusaders as junior catcher Bailey Montoya lost his younger brother, 15-year old Levi Montoya, as a result of an ATV accident.

The Crusaders, playing with heavy hearts, were unable to overcome the tragedy or the outstanding play by Massillon Jackson as they fell to the Polar Bears 4-2 as seen here.

According to Bailey, "We did not lose because Levi lost his life, Massillon Jackson was just better than us on that day and showed they were the best team in the state".

In the game, Montoya started at catcher and played five innings before being replaced due to some line-up changes.

A few months after the passing of his brother, Bailey chose where he was going to play baseball at the next level - the University of Dayton.

When asked why he selected Dayton, Bailey said: "First of all let me say Dayton chose me. I am honored to be part of this program. After my little brother (Levi) died this summer I told my parents that I would hope to find a school close to home that I could still play baseball."

Family is obviously something that is very important to Bailey. The type of values learned as a family member are also significant in athletics while a member of a team, be it high school, college or beyond. The type of relationships that you build while participating in sports are lifelong and many become a family of their own.

That being said, in a Q&A piece found here, Bailey wanted to thank his family for all they have done.

Said Bailey: "I have mentioned that I lost my brother Levi Montoya a couple of times in this interview. I would like to take a moment and say thank you to those that have been there for me the past five months. First off my coaches Tim Held, Andy Nagel, Tony Maccani, Mike Maundrell, Mike Cameron, Ron Roth, Ken Robison and the whole staff at Moeller. Thank you to Ohio Elite Ray Noe and staff, and Chris Valentine. I also want to thank all my teammates and all those that we played against. Baseball at this level is very competitive and somehow during tragedy we all seem to realize what is important. I miss Levi with all my heart and my baseball family has been supportive. Thank you".

From all of us at Prep Baseball Report we wish Bailey and his family continued strength after the loss. We also wish Bailey the best during his senior year of high school as well as all of his future endeavors.