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2024 Spring Team Preview: Massillon Jackson Polar Bears

January 30, 2024
Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Ohio Staff
Editor in Chief/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.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2024 Spring Team Preview: Massillon Jackson Polar Bears

Team Name: Massillon Jackson Polar Bears
Head Coach: Bill Gamble
Division: I
2023 Record: 21-8
2023 Tourney Finish: District Semifinals loss to Massillon Washington
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/4

Coach Outlook: "Jackson returns a multitude of starters and a very seasoned pitching staff. The Polar Bears return 75% of their innings and 17 of their 21 wins from 2023 including Sweetnich (5-1), Thiel (5-0), Pastorius (Walsh U) (3-1), & Doll (Marshall U) (2-0). The offense is led by 3 four year starters in Carter Mottice (BGSU), Wyatt Fether (Clarion), Eric Freetage (2x 2nd Team All Fed) & a host of returning starters. The 2024 Polar Bears will rely on an expirenced pitching staff and roster as they navigate a demanding non-league schedule and the very competitive Federal League."

2024 Team Strengths:

  • Work Ethic
  • Pitching Experience
  • Catching Experience

Top Returning Players:

  • Wyatt Fether C Signed Clarion Transfer Lake Center HS (Portage Trail PoY). 4-Year Letterman 
  • Eric Freetage OF 2x 2nd Team All Federal League .347 BA 20 RBI. 4-Year Letterman 
  • Carter Mottice OF Signed BGSU 1st Team All Federal League 2nd Team ALL NEO District .363 BA 15 SB 16 RBI. 4-Year Letterman 
  • Carson Pastorius 3B/1B/RHP Signed Walsh University 3-1 1.65 ERA .293 BA 14 RBI. 3-Year Letterman
  • Jake Sweetnich 3B/RHP 2nd Team All Fed: 6-1 1.67 ERA .355 BA. 3-Year Letterman
  • Kyle Carey C 3 year starting catcher. 3-Year Letterman
  • Kyle Benson OF Signed Walsh University .297 BA 16 SB .417 RiSP. 2-Year Letterman
  • Jaden Metcalf 2B Signed Tri-C. 2-Year Letterman 
  • AJ Wertz RHP Signed Walsh University 1-0. 2-Year Letterman 
  • Landon Doll LHP Committed Marshall U 2-0 0.57 ERA 2-Year Letterman 
  • Landon Thiel Soph 2nd Team All League 5-0 1.66 ERA. 2-Year Letterman 

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Eric Freetage, OF
  • Izaac Hynes, RHP

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Landon Doll, LHP
  • Layne Keller C/1B
  • Jeffrey Oister RHP
  • Derak Staudt SS/DH
  • Hayden Dietz SS/2B
  • Stephan Hall RHP
  • Dylan Lahr C/1B

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Landon Thiel, LHP (Video Below)
  • Clayton Macaluso, RHP

A Look Back At The 2023 Season:

To view the 2023 Team Previews, click here.

To view the 2023 Ohio Spring HS Report, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

To View the 2023 PBR All-State Teams click below:

    To view the 2023 Preseason All-State Teams, click below:

    To view the Weekly Team Rankings, click below:

      To view the 2023 Ohio Spring Scout Blog, click here.

      A Look Back At The 2022 Season:

      To view the 2022 Team Previews, click here.

      To view the 2022 Ohio Spring HS Report, click here.

      To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

      To View the 2022 PBR All-State Teams click below:

        To view the 2022 Preseason All-State Teams, click below:

        To view the Weekly Team Rankings, click below:

          To view the 2022 Ohio Spring Scout Blog, click here.

          A Look Back At The 2021 Season:

          To view the 2021 Team Previews, click here.

          To view the 2021 Ohio Spring HS Report, click here.

          To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

          To View the 2021 PBR All-State Teams click below:

          To view the 2021 Preseason All-State Teams, click below:

          To view the Weekly Team Rankings, click below:

          To view the 2021 Ohio Spring Scout Blog, click below:

                    A Look Back At What Would've Been The 2020 Season:

                    To view each of the parts to the No 'Last Dance' Series, click below:

                    To view the 2020 Team Previews, click here.

                    To view the 2020 Preseason All-State Teams, click here.

                    To view the 2020 Virtual Ohio High School State Tournament/Preseason Team Rankings, click here.

                    A Look Back At The Last Decade:

                    To view the Ohio High School All-Decade Team 2010-2019, click here.

                    A Look Back At The 2019 Season:

                    To view the 2019 Team Previews, click here.

                    To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

                    To view the 2019 All-State Teams, click below.

                    To view the 2019 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

                    A Look Back At The 2018 Season:

                    To view the 2018 Team Previews, click here.

                    To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

                    To view the 2018 All-State Teams, click below.

                    To view the 2018 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

                    A Look Back At The 2017 Season:

                    To view the 2017 Team Previews, click here.

                    To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

                    To view the 2017 All-State Teams, click below.

                    To view the 2017 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

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