2025 Spring Team Preview: University School Preppers

February 13, 2025
Dylan Hefflinger
Prep Baseball Ohio Editor in Chief/Advanced Scout

Follow on Twitter- @PrepBaseballOH
Follow on Twitter- @PrepBaseOHScout
Follow on Instagram- @prepbaseballohio

With 2024 now in the past, Prep Baseball Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2025. 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 2025 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2025 Team Preview, click here.

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

2025 Spring Team Preview: University School Preppers

Team Name: University School Preppers
Head Coach: Rob McNerney
Division: III
2024 Record: 21-6
2024 Tourney Finish: District Semifinals loss to Hoover
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/7

Coach Outlook: "The 2024 senior class finished off the best four-year run in University School baseball history, with 21 more wins, finishing their career 85-34. Joey Zigman, Riley Penn and Tommy Blossom will be greatly missed. Not only did they have tremendous on-field production, but all three young men were instrumental in carrying the leadership torch from previous classes.

As is the case with most teams, questions about the 2025 season focus on the pitching mound. Aaron Moss returns for his senior year, this time as the true ace of the staff. Aaron has thrown 128 innings in three seasons going 14-6 with 100 strikeouts to just 18 walks. The Kenyon commit will be the most experienced starting pitcher U.S. will have. We look for a big jump from junior Crew Bellan. The 6'4" - 200 pound righty, threw 16 innings on varsity last spring, going 3-0 with starts against West G, Berea-Midpark, Eastlake North and Walsh Jesuit. Crew has all the physical potential in the world and we are excited to see him put it all together. Senior Slater Schoaf will move from the bullpen to the starting rotation this spring. Last year, Slater threw 18 innings with 3 wins and 3 saves. The rotation will likely be rounded out by junior James Bucci. James burst onto the pitching scene last summer with Ohio Elite, throwing 36 innings with a 5-0 record.

Offensively we return two of the best power hitters in Northeast Ohio. Senior Tucker Greer (a Case Western commit) has 18 extra-base hits and 40 runs batted in the last two seasons. He will man first base for the third season in a row. Junior Deacon Nelson (a Virginia commit) has accounted for 22 extra-base hits and 55 runs batted in during his first two years. Both young men have added a ton of strength this off-season and are primed for big seasons. Senior Bryce Fielding returns as our lead-off hitter. One of the season's biggest surprises in 2024, Bryce hit .370 with 27 hits, 29 runs scored and 23 walks en route to earning our program's Most Improved Player award.

Defensively, we are lucky to have three of the best shortstops in the area with Moss, Bucci and Nelson. With Moss and Bucci set to be in the rotation, and Nelson in the bullpen, we are excited to see who can step up as a utility infielder. Schoaf, fellow senior Justin Gilbert and sophomore Johnathan Pleasant are the early contenders. Sophomore Jack Nelson returns for year two in the outfield. Jack had 20 hits as a freshman and is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. Behind the dish, junior Cayden Zelenak and sophomore Bobby Berglund will share duties leading our staff."

2025 Team Strengths:

Infield Play
Senior Leadership
Offensive Lineup (combination of plate discipline, gap to gap power, contributions from all)

Top Returning Players:

Bryce Fielding, OF/LHP, 2025, 5'11'/160, L/L, 2-year starter. Last Year Stats: .370 AVG, 27H, 12RBI, 29R, 10SB.
Aaron Moss, SS/RHP, 2025, 5'8"/170, R/R, 4-year starter, team captain, Kenyon recruit. Last Year Stats: .357 AVG, 25H, 6 2B, 16RBI, 17 R, 10SB. 5-1, .940 ERA, 33K, 4BB.
Deacon Nelson, INF/RHP, 2026, 6'1"/180, R/R, 3-year starter, team captain, Virginia recruit. Last Year Stats: .311 AVG, 23H, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 21RBI, 20R.
Tucker Greer, 1B, 2025, 6'3''/210, R/R, 3-year starter, Case Western recruit. Last Year Stats: .303 AVG, 20H, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2HR, 25RBI, 20R.
Slater Schoaf, INF/RHP, 2025, 6'3"/175, R/R, 1-year starter. Last Year Stats: 3-0, 3 SVs, 20K, 10BB, 2.63 ERA.
Crew Bellan, RHP, 2026, 6'4"/200, R/R, 2-year starter. Last Year Stats: 3-0, 18K, 10BB, 3.00ERA.

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On: