By Chris Valentine
PBR Ohio Scouting Director

10. St. Xavier’s Jordan McDonough Recovers from Cancer

In retrospect, this should probably be our top story. A little over a year ago, St. Xavier’s Jordan McDonough was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. The talented catcher, who issued an early verbal commitment to The Ohio State University, is recognized as one of the top players in his class in the Midwest. After several months of treatment, McDonough is cancer free and back to working out in preparation for his senior season. As a rising junior, McDonough was selected to the East Coast Pro team for the Midwest region. Here is to a healthy 2014 for McDonough as he takes the field again.

9. Emergence of ’16 Chris Machamer

At the beginning of the year, the buzz out of Walsh Jesuit High School had nothing to do with a slew of talented senior prospects committed to Division I programs. Instead, the talk revolved around then freshman phenom Chris Machamer, who was sitting in the upper 80’s off the mound and displaying equally impressive skills at the plate and in the field. One professional scout described Machamer as the most talented player on the Warrior roster. After an outstanding appearance at the Top Prospect Games and Midwest Futures Games as well as a strong summer and fall in the travel circuit, Machamer has positioned himself as one of the top players in his class nationally. (*Machamer transferred to Massillon Washington this fall, following his summer coach.)

8. Zach Shannon Transfers

As a sophomore, Zack Shannon (Ohio State recruit) was an integral part of the Moeller offense, which went on to win the Division I state championship in 2012. Although the Crusaders managed to repeat as Division I state champions again this June, they did so without the presence of the nationally recognized prospect. Due to eligibility issues, Shannon was unable to play or participate with Moeller in his junior campaign and has since transferred to Anderson High School. With a fastball that reaches into the mid 90’s and big time power from the right side, Shannon is regarded as one of Ohio’s top high school draft prospects come June of 2014. 

7. Napoleon River Bandits Advance to American Legion World Series

After being crowned as district champions and state champions, the Napoleon River Bandits continued a whirlwind summer by winning the American Legion Great Lakes Regional Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana. The River Bandits, based out of Northwest Ohio, defeated Edwardsville Post 199 (IL) 3-1 in the regional finale. Later that week, the River Bandits made the trek to North Carolina for the 2013 American Legion World Series, where they fell short in their campaign to become national champions.

6. Three of Ohio’s Top High School Prospects are Drafted

In 2012, Solon southpaw Matt Smoral (UNC recruit) was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and later forewent his collegiate career by signing a professional contract. In 2013, Midview southpaw Eric Lauer found himself in a similar situation on day one and two of the MLB draft. With first round money on the table, Lauer elected instead to attend nearby Kent State, despite the departure of then head coach Scott Stricklin, and instead learn under the tutelage of pitching coach Mike Birkbeck, one of the top pitching coaches in the nation. In addition to Lauer, Maderia OF Andrew Benintendi (Arkansas recruit) was selected in the 31st round by the Cincinnati Reds and Mason RHP TJ Zeuch (Pittsburgh recruit) was selected in the 31st round by the Kansas City Royals.

5. Vanderbilt’s Impressive Haul of Wilson, Day, and Duvall

In the summer of 2013, Canton South’s DJ Wilson ended his recruitment early as he issued a verbal pledge to Vanderbilt and head coach Tim Corbin. However, the Commodores didn’t stop with Wilson, who is ranked No. 1 in Ohio for the Class of 2015. They later picked up a commitment from Watkins Memorial RHP Chandler Day, the No. 2 ranked prospect in Ohio’s Class of 2015. Then, on December 10^th, Vanderbilt struck again as Lebanon 2016 catcher TJ Duvall became the latest player from the Buckeye state to make future plans for Nashville, Tennessee.

4. Northmont Upsets No. 1 Mason

Coming into their regional semifinal matchup with Northmont at Marge Schott Stadium, Mason seemed primed for a regional matchup with the defending Division I state champions, Cincinnati Moeller. With an undefeated record and a trio of Division I pitching recruits (Zeuch/Pittsburgh, McDonald/Virginia Tech, and Hutchison/North Carolina), the Comets seemed unbeatable. But, Northmont senior LHP Tom Stoffel (Virginia Tech recruit) allowed one run on six hits and struck out eight in a complete-game performance.

2. College Coaching Carousel Continues

Ohio’s college coaching carousel continued in the summer of 2013. First, the University of Cincinnati dismissed Brian Cleary as the head coach of the Bearcats’ program. By the middle of July, Indiana assistant coach Ty Neal took over the reigns becoming UC's new head coach. Soon after the news broke in Cincinnati, then head coach Scott Stricklin announced that he was leaving Kent State for the University of Georgia after being pursued by several programs over the past few years. Within weeks, Purdue assistant coach Jeff Duncan took the job at Kent State, and equally as important, pitching coach Mike Birkbeck decided to stay at Kent, despite the opportunity to coach in the SEC. Similar to Stricklin, Rob Cooper, formerly the head coach at Wright State, had been pursued by programs from coast-to-coast due to his success with the Raider program. This summer, he finally pulled the trigger as he was named the new head coach at Penn State. His protégé, Greg Lovelady, was quickly named as the new head coach at Wright State. And, to wrap things up, Dan Simonds, formerly the head coach at Miami University, left to join his long time friend Tracy Smith at the Indiana University. Xavier assistant coach Danny Hayden was named the head coach of the Miami University Redhawks within weeks.

1. History is Made at Huntington

The 2013 version of the Ohio High School State Baseball Championships will go down in the record books, for the time being. In Division I play, the Moeller Crusaders defeated Cleveland St. Ignatius 7-1 behind a two-hit performance from then junior Zach Logue (Kentucky recruit). The back-to-back state titles is the first time in 17 years for a Division I program. In Division III play, Wheelersburg rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning to defeat Bloom Carroll 5-4 and capture back-to-back titles as well. Wheelersburg senior Derek Moore picked up the win and ended his high school pitching career 36-0, the longest winning streak in OHSAA history. Meanwhile, in Division II play, Defiance beat Jonathan Alder 8-2 as senior southpaw Weston Rivers (Lincoln Trail recruit) struck out 15 batters in seven innings of work. Lastly, in Division IV play, Newark Catholic defeated New Middletown Springfield 2-1 behind a complete game from senior RHP Mitch Cox (Ashland recruit). This marked the Green Wave’s seventh state championship and fifth since 2002.