As we prepare for our 2014 high school preseason coverage, we are going to take a quick glance at teams from across the state.

Team: Defiance
Class: DII
League: Western Buckeye League
Head Coach: Tom Held
2013 Overall Record: 31-1, DII State Champs
2013 Conference Record: 9-0
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS

Austin Hancock, SS/RHP, 2014 ... Committed to Olney CC. Sits mid 80s with solid offspeed. Plus hitter and runner.
Dom Gentile, 3B, 2014 ... One of the top uncommitted players in 2014 class. Outstanding defensive infielder.
Derek Turner, RHP/INF, 2014 ... Committed to Sinclair CC. Sits mid 80s on the mound and will be a big part in the middle of the lineup.
Adam Schaffer, OF, 2014 ... One of the top hitters, could play college baseball, but is also a big time hockey recruit.
Jacob Green, RHP/OF, 2014 ... Uncommitted senior who sits low 80s on the mound with a plus curve.
Michael Hendricks, RHP, 2015 ... Several D-I offers, sits upper 80s, touching low 90s.
Gage Cordray, C, 2015 ... Solid approach at the plate, becoming a better receiver behind the plate.
Jimmy Bauer, 1B/OF, 2015 ... Squares everything up at the plate, will be in the middle of the lineup.    Wes Detter, OF, 2015 ... Solid three-sport athlete. Starting WR/DB in football and starting PG in basketball.
Garrett Sierra, MIF, 2015 ... Nice approach at the plate, could possibly be the two-hole hitter this season.

YOUNG UP AND COMERS

Shay Smiddy, RHP, 2016 ... 6-foot-4 with a smooth release while sitting low 80s has Smiddy on our radar. 

OUTLOOK:  

Coach Held will look to reload after winning the Division II state championship and losing 10 seniors, who all contributed to the championship. Over the 15 years as head coach for the Bulldogs, coach Held has a total of 386 wins with an average of more than 25 wins per year, including going 61-3 over the past two seasons. With the help of the 2013 Assistant Coach of the Year according to the OHSBCA, Rick Weaver, Defiance looks to continue its success. The Bulldogs are also riding a 68-game Western Buckeye League win streak that dates back to 2006, which is an extremely impressive streak considering all of the talented players that have come through the WBL.

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COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate the strong response so far from high school coaches across the state assisting with our pre-season coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches pre-season questionnaire online by clicking here.