Prep Baseball Report

Ohio Division III Power Rankings: No. 11 - No. 15



By Chris Valentine and Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Director and Senior Writer 

No. 11 Versailles High School

Versailles finished 24-8 and placed first in the MAC at 7-2 in 2012. Head coach Mitch Hoying and the Tigers are led by senior Dominic Richard and junior Damien Richard (6-3, 185, 3B/RHP) who were both 2nd-team all MAC a season ago when Versailles advanced to regionals before falling to Hamilton Badin in the semifinals. Another key player expected to help out the Tigers is senior Kyle Niekamp.

No. 12 Milan Edison High SchoolAdam Wroblewski

After a 20-10, 7-7 Sandusky Bay Conference record in 2012 the Chargers are returning six starters and four pitchers and look to finish atop the SBC and make a successful tournament run. Edison is led by junior honorable mention All-Ohio LHP Adam Wroblewski (6-2, 195). Wroblewski went 8-4 with a 1.30 ERA last season as a sophomore. Seniors Trenton Emody (6-0, 180, .311, 19 RBIs) and Alex Bixler (6-0, 175, .295, 23 RBIs)are expected to take over  leadership roles. Juniors Austin Uttler (OF/P, 6-1, 195, .311 AVG, 2.47 ERA) and catcher Tristen Ball (5-10, 210) along with talented sophomore LHP Adam Wolf (6-4, 170) are others that the Chargers are counting on in search of taking it to the next step.

No. 13 Orrville High School

An 18-10 season ended with a region semifinals loss to Orrwell Grand Valley has Orrville Trevor Kerrexcited for its 2013 season. With 10 lettermen returning the expectations are understandably high this year. Seniors Trevor Kerr (P/1B) and Kyle Johnston (SS/P) along with juniors Stuart Schley (1B/P), JT Perez (UTIL/P), Kyle Ritchie (OF), Chad Harrison (2B), Layne Scheufler (C), Wes Stauffer (P/OF), Mason Birkbeck (P) and Chandler Smith (OF) bring plenty of experience and talent to this year's edition of the Red Riders.

 

 

No. 14 Youngstown Ursuline High SchoolSam Donko 

The Fighting Irish finished 2012 with an 18-5 record, bowing out in the regional finals to Orwell Grand Valley 12-11. Ursuline and head coach Sean Durkin look to get back to Columbus which they have reached five times since 2000. The Fighting Irish are led by senior Iowa Western recruit Sam Donko (6-1, 235, RHP). Joel Hake (5-8, 145, SS) is a talented looking middle infielder and RHP.

No. 15 Lima Central Catholic

State runner-up in 2012, LCC lost to Wheelersburg 1-0 in a thrilling finals read the story here. The T-Birds finished with a 22-9, 8-1 Northwest Conference record last season and have six starters back. Head coach John Schnieders is in his 11th season at the school with an overall record of 140-95. Senior Nick Watkins (6-3 record, 0.95 ERA) is back after giving up one run on two hits in the state finals. Defense should be a huge strength with talented junior Colin Stolly (.425) at shortstop, senior Connor Dee (.375) behind the dish and senior Sam Huffman (.339) in center field. It gives the T-Birds plenty of hope for a NWC title and another successful tourney run.