By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

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PBR Indiana is eagerly anticipating bringing the best high school baseball coverage throughout the entire state.

Throughout March we will be releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into our Preseason All-State Teams and Preseason Team Rankings.

CLICK HERE to view more 2016 Team Previews. 

2016 SPRING TEAM PREVIEW: Columbus East Olympians

Head Coach: Jon Gratz
Class: 4A
2015 Record: 14-11
Conference (2015 Record/Finish): HHC (2nd Place)
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/2

2016 Team Strengths:

• Defense
• Hitting
• Pitching Depth 

Top Returning Players:

• Nick Andrie, IF, 2016: 6'0" 180 R/R, 3 year starter, Honorable Mention All-HHC. 
• Joey Back, IF/RHP, 2016: 6'2" 180, R/R
• Kyle Weiss, OF/LHP, 2016: 5'10" 165, L/L, 3 year starter, 
• Takahiro Yamada (right), MIF, 2016: 6'0" 185, R/R, 4 year starter, signed to play at Butler next season. 
• Jon Crawford, OF, 2017: 6'2" 180, R/R, Hit .292 as a sophomore. 
• Josh Major, SS, 2018: 5'10" 160, R/R, Hit .283 as a freshman and started 20 games.

Top Underclassmen:

• Josh Major, 2018, SS, 5'10", 165, R/R
• Caleb Burton (right), 2018, C, 5'9", 165, R/R
• Drew Hasson, 2018, RHP, 6'2" 195, R/R
• Jonah Wichman, 2019, IF/RHP, 6'1" 180

Outlook: The Olympians lose five starters off last year's team, but return five, including senior Takahiro Yamada who missed most of last spring with a back injury. The pitching staff is deep and has talent, but lacks overall experience.  Columbus East is always a competitive ball team, and should have the talent to compete towards the top of the conference standings.