Division I Team Of The Week: Week 1 - Massillon Jackson

April 4, 2023
Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer

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Division I Team Of The Week: Week 1 - Massillon Jackson

MASSILLON - Kyle Benson had two game-winning hits and Massillon Jackson used 10 pitchers in winning three games at the Prep Baseball Report Ohio High School Invitational over the weekend.

Combined with a 7-3 victory over St. Vincent St. Mary’s and 11-1 and 6-1 wins over Massillon Perry, and the Polar Bears are now 6-0 and the PBR Division I Team of the Week.

“We could have been 0-3 or 3-0,” Jackson coach Bill Gamble said of the three straight 4-3 wins over Ottawa Hills, Clay and Walsh Jesuit. “You have to appreciate the resiliency, grit and fight we showed. That’s the backbone we’re looking for at this time of year. It’s vital to figure out who we are.”

Admittedly, playing three games in two days to close out the week is not easy.

“The hard part for us on the weekend is limited pitch count because of our league,” Gamble explained. “We had to get into our depth, I just kept saying give me two innings. Maybe some played above themselves.”

Five seniors, three juniors, one sophomore and a freshman all pitched in the PBR event, with Jeffrey Oister one of the standouts, throwing three shutout innings with four Ks.

“It’s hard to figure out depth without putting them into the fire,” Gamble explained. “For early in the season it was a tournament atmosphere in all three games. You bring them into that environment and evaluate the arms. We’re very excited with the results and proud of our guys.”

It helped the veteran coach learn a lot about his squad, which this week plays two games with GlenOak before a contest with Strongsville on Saturday.

“Everyone is trying to find their own heartbeat at this time of year,” noted Gamble. “Resiliency, heart, passion. Play for the guy beside you. We want to push ourselves to be better, not bitter.”

One area that Gamble was extremely pleased with is the play of the outfield.

“They did a great job out there,” Gamble said of center fielder Carter Mottice, a Bowling Green commit who was flanked by Eric Freetage, Benson and Aidan Nemet during the week. “Ballhawks are what we need out there. They allowed our pitchers to pitch to contact.”

Benson’s late-game heroics at the plate along with the performance of role player Griffin Cochran and a big pinch hit by Brandon Truex against Ottawa Hills were also huge in the eyes of Gamble, who also pointed to Hogan Sedlock as being a major contributor.

“He’s the straw that stirs the drink at shortstop,” Gamble said of the Jackson senior who reached base six of nine plate appearances at the Invitational. “He hits in the front end of the lineup and is the catalyst for us.”

Playing in the PBR event the first week of the season for the second year in a row drew raves from the Massillon Jackson mentor.

“Both facilities were outstanding,” Gamble related. “It was my first time at Mercy and Clay and both had outstanding environments to play. I was so impressed with all the teams there and the quality of baseball on display.

“It’s our second year coming up there and we’ve had two good experiences. It’s a great level of competition, that’s all you can ask for. We will absolutely be back.”

For now, Gamble’s focus is on keeping the momentum going this season.

“The key comes on the mound,” Gamble said. “”We’re trying to establish a rhythm on the mound and figure out roles, starters and in relief. I like what we saw this weekend. We want to get an identity and rhythm and compliment our defense. That’s our style. Do that, continue barrel balls and put pressure on the other team.”