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Champion Golden Flashes

January 19, 2018
Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Editor in Chief

Follow @PBR Ohio 

With the 2018 spring season right around the corner, PBR Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage throughout the entire state. Starting mid-January, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

To view the full list of 2018 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2018 Team Preview, click here.

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

2018 Spring Team Preview: Champion Golden Flashes

Team Name: Champion Golden Flashes
Head Coach: Rick Yauger, 65-15
Division: III
2017 Record: 27-3
Conference Record: All American/Blue, 14-0 (1st)
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/4

2018 Team Strengths:

  • Starting Pitching
  • Leadership
  • Defense
  • Speed

Coach Outlook: "Expect to be competitive in league play, transition period on a few spots expect to be playing our best baseball in May”

PBR Outlook: In 2017, Champion was 27-3 and claimed the state championship in Division III. While doing so, they were one of the most impressive teams I have seen all year, with the play from Michael Turner (now at Kent State) behind the dish and at the plate. The dynamic 1/2 punch of Drake Batcho and Andrew Russell is back and with those two at the top of the rotation, there a solid chance you may see this Champion squad back at Huntington Park later this spring.

Top Returning Players:

  • Drake Batcho, P/OF, 2018, 6-4/200 4-year starter Cincinnati commit
  • Andrew Russell, P/INF, 2019, 5-10/170 3-year starter Ohio University commit - Video Below
  • AJ Meyer, P/INF, 2018, 6-1/210 3-year Starter
  • Noah Gradishar, P/OF, 2018, 6-0/175 2-year starter
  • Nolan Yartz, C/INF, 2019, 6-0/165 2-year starter
  • Abe Bayus, P/OF, 2020, 6-0/155

Top Underclassmen:

  • Andrew Russell, P/INF, 2019, 5-10/170 3-year starter Ohio University commit - Video Below
  • Nolan Yartz, C/INF, 2019, 6-0/165 2-year starter
  • Abe Bayus, P/OF, 2020, 6-0/155

A Look Back At The 2017 Season:

To view the 2017 Team Previews, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

To view the 2017 All-State Teams, click below.

To view the 2017 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

A Look Back At 2016 Preseason Articles:

To view the 2016 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2016 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

A Look Back At 2015 Preseason Articles:

To view the 2015 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.