2024 Spring Team Preview: Fairview Apaches

January 26, 2024
Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Ohio Staff
PBR Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

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With 2023 now in the past, PBR Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2024. Starting in February, we began releasing team previews for squads across the state. Ahead, we will have Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings coming your way.

To view the full list of 2024 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2024 Team Preview, click here.

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Fairview Apaches

Team Name: Fairview Apaches
Head Coach: Andy Singer
Division: III
2023 Record: 12-14
2023 Tourney Finish: Sectionals loss to Evergreen
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/4

Coach Outlook: "Offensively - We have a group of players this year that each bring something positive to the program. We have really changed our focus from an “Outcome Performance” to a “Processual Performance”. The players have bought in and every day we are implementing and seeing more positive results. We hope that the end result gives us what we are looking for. We also understand that change takes time as well. We lost some very talented Seniors last year who left some holes to fill (Jackson Grine, Adam Lashaway, Eli Shininger, Abram Shininger, Kolton Schooley, Bailey Schooley, Brody Retcher). We will be led by our four seniors to begin the season with Jude Shininger (.526 OBP in 2023), Breaven Williams (.470 OBP), Nathan Olinger (.750 OBP) and Jack Karzynow (.364 OBP). Our Juniors bring us speed and high contact percentages with Jesse Coolman, Zane Timbrook, Cash King, and Cole Mack. Our Sophomores and Freshman are right there pushing the upper-classmen with Elijah Arend (So. .432 OBP), Drayden Grinnell-Dennis (So.), Noah Shininger (So. .455 OBP), Gavin Palladino (So.), Gavin Garza (Fr.), Logan Olinger (Fr.), Jonah Shininger (Fr.), Brody Williams (Fr.). With all of these exceptional players, it makes it tough to create a lineup knowing the talent that is not in the lineup at that time. These guys are true team players who will accept their role in trying to make this season one to remember.
Defensively – One of the toughest jobs of a high school baseball coach is finding the right combination of defensive players to put you in the best chance for success. This season on paper is proving to be one of the most difficult. We have 2-3 players per position that will give us everything they’ve got. This makes it tough to select 9 at a time. On the mound, we have to replace our workhorse Jackson Grine (pitching at Owens CC; 46 innings, 66K, 2.61 ERA), and Eli Shininger (27 Innings, 37K). We have 6-7 guys that can be starters for us this season with many others that will get some time on the bump. Senior pitchers: Jude Shininger, Breaven Williams, Jack Karzynow (Short Relief). Juniors: Cole Mack (Jr.) 31 IP, 18K, 12 IP less than 13 Pitches, Cash King, Zane Timbrook. Sophomores: Elijah Arend (So.) 36.3 IP, 39K, 1.93 ERA, 18 IP <13 pitches/IP, Noah Shininger, Gavin Palladino. Freshmen: Gavin Garza, Logan Olinger, Jonah Shininger, Brody Williams. We have a strong and developing group of catchers with Gavin Garza (Fr.), Noah Shininger (So.), and Jesse Coolman (Jr.) Each one specializes in a different proponent of catching. We will be able to rotate these guys and pair them up with the pitchers they work best with. The rest of the defensive positions are still being fought for. The outfield will see Breaven Williams, Karzynow, N. Olinger, Palladino, N. Shininger, Grinnell-Dennis, J. Shininger, Brody Williams, Mack, Coolman, Jude Shininger, and Timbrook. Middle Infielders: Arend, L. Olinger, Mack, Grinnell-Dennis, Jude Shininger, Noah Shininger, Jonah Shininger, Garza, Brody Williams. Corners: King, Timbrook, Jude Shininger, Jonah Shininger, Noah Shininger, Brody Williams, Palladino, Grinnell-Dennis, Mack, and Karzynow.
Leadership – Our four seniors have done an exceptional job thus far this year with helping our coaching staff by taking players under their wing to help instruct, develop, encourage, and reflect on how we can get better. Saying that I am proud of them isn’t enough. These guys realize the importance of success falls in place when the players work together, stay positive, do the “little things” right, and encourage each other. Right now our older baseball players are setting the example that we want our younger players to see day in and day out."

2024 Team Strengths: