Photo/CODY TOMER PICTURED IS the All Times Leader Baseball Team. Kneeling, from left, are Gavin Carpenter (Barnesville), Brody Lollathin (River), Ciaran Flanagan (Bridgeport), Evan White (Union Local) and Colby Shriver (Martins Ferry). Standing, from left, are Colin Snedeker (Martins Ferry), Kyvan Johnson (Barnesville), Ethan McHugh (Buckeye Local), Hayden Smith (Martins Ferry) and Treston Nemeth (Harrison Central).

Despite early season battles with the weather, the prep baseball season yielded all sorts of memories once again this spring.

Several area teams advanced to their respective district tournament, while Martins Ferry claimed the OVAC Class 3A title. Harrison Central was the lone area club to reach the district title game.

Along with the team success, numerous individuals put forth quality campaigns, including the 19 players listed below who comprise the 2022 All Times Leader Baseball Team, which is chosen by the T-L Sports Staff with the help of area coaches.

Harrison Central junior Treston Nemeth, Martins Ferry senior Colby Shriver and Shadyside senior Bryce Amos are the co-captains of the squad.

Here’s a capsule look at the players:

COLBY SHRIVER, Martins Ferry – This senior was absolutely lights out on the mound for head coach Anthony Reasbeck’s squad.

The talented righty finished with a 9-1 record and an earned run average of 0.73. He authored five shutouts in his 10 starts and logged 67 innings. He fanned 83 hitters.

Shriver was named First Team All-Ohio, All-Eastern District, All-Buckeye 8, All-OVAC and played in the OVAC and Eastern District All-Star Games.

“Colby had an unbelievable career for us,” Reasbeck said. “He won a ton of big games. He was a great guy to give the ball to.”

TRESTON NEMETH, Harrison Central – The positive compliments to describe this junior standout still don’t seem like enough.

Nemeth – the everyday catcher for Coach Mike Valesko’s squad – put forth another monster season for which he rang up a myriad of post-season accolades.

At the plate, Nemeth hit at a .538 clip with a .938 slugging percentage. He hit five home runs, produced 11 doubles, three triples, drove in 31 runs and scored 36 times. He also stole 15 bases.

“Treston had another Treston season,” Valesko said. “I’ve said it numerous times, he’s the best high school hitter I’ve ever seen. He does so much for our offense every day, but what people don’t always see is what he does for our defense and pitching staff. He calls every pitch and has a strong understanding of the game. He’s like having a coach on the field.”

BRYCE AMOS, Shadyside – This senior standout shined all season long – on the mound and at the plate – for Coach Shawn Selmon’s Tigers.

Amos finished the season with a 4-1 record on the mound and authored three no hitters. He finished with an earned run average of 0.92 with 55 strikeouts and opposing hitters hit just .100 against him. He allowed four earned runs all season.

Amos played in the OVAC All-Star Game and was named All-Eastern District, All-OVAC and All-MOVL.

“Bryce is probably the most competitive kid I’ve ever coached,” Selmon said. “His competitiveness makes you hate hitting against him and he has great stuff. Throwing three no hitters in a row says a lot. I look forward to watching him play at the next level.”

RYAN FLORENCE, Shadyside – This senior catcher put forth an impressive campaign despite battling a hamstring injury.

Florence was as fine a defensive player as there was in the area. He posted a fielding percentage of .993 and wasn’t charted for a passed ball. He threw out four runners and made only one error. Offensively, he posted a .304 average with a home run and 22 RBI.

“Ryan is a respectful, hard-nosed kid with a great baseball mind,” Selmon said. “In the past two years, he caught a perfect game and seven no hitters and called every pitch. If pitchers stopped shaking him off, there would have been more no nos.”

RHYS FRANCIS, Shadyside – This Tiger senior had another huge season for Selmon’s club on the mound, in the outfield and at the plate.

Francis was the number two pitcher for the Tigers and finished with a 2-0 record and a 0.86 earned run average. He struck out 59 hitters and the opposition hit just .099 against him. At the plate, he hit .348 with four doubles, a triple, home run and 13 RBI. He stole 13 bases.

“We’ve had some great outfielders come and go and Rhys is at the top of the list,” Selmon explained. “He has great instincts and a very good arm. It’s unfair having him play defense against you and that’s not even considering his pitching. He has great stuff and had dominant performances all season.”

MASON VANNEST, Shadyside – This senior played shortstop brilliantly and was a force in the middle of the order for the Tigers and Coach Selmon.

VanNest, who was named the OVAC 2A Player of the Year, hit .439 with 29 hits. He had four doubles, three triples and drove in 25 runs. An All-Ohioan in track and field, VanNest flashed his speed on the diamond to a tune of 24 stolen bases. At short, he posted a .983 fielding percentage, making just one error in 60 chances.

“Mason played five different positions for us and there’s really nowhere you can’t put him,” Selmon said. “He’s super fast, smart and a very tough out, offensively. He’s a dual-sport athlete who excelled in both.”

TRE REX, Harrison Central – This junior blossomed into one of the top pitchers in the area this spring for Coach Valesko’s team.

A hard-throwing southpaw, Rex was the Huskies’ ace. He fashioned a 7-1 record with 90 strikeouts and a miniscule earned run average of 0.97. Opposing hitters batted just .122 against him.

Rex saved his best stuff for his last outing of the season, too. In a district semifinal against Coshocton, Rex fanned 19 and threw a no hitter. That was his second no no of the campaign.

“Tre had one of the most impressive seasons that I’ve seen from a pitcher,” Valesko said. “In my opinion, he’s the most talented arm in the OVAC. I am excited to watch him grow over the next 12 months and have him on the mound next year.”

BRAYLEN BLOMQUIST, St. Clairsville – This sophomore put forth another brilliant campaign for Coach Tom Sliva’s Red Devils.

Blomquist – the everyday shortstop – batted .427 with 32 hits, including four doubles. He drove in 15 runs and scored 25 runs. He fanned only four times. Defensively, he produced a .936 fielding percentage in 94 chances.

“Braylen was an exceptional player for us this year, both at the plate and in the field,” Sliva said. “Braylen led our team in hitting and in the field, he’s one of the smoothest shortstops in the valley. He loves the game of baseball and is a tireless worker who is looking to improve himself everyday. He’s a true team leader.”

HUNTER HOFFMAN, St. Clairsville – This sophomore blossomed into one of the area’s top pitchers and developed into a solid hitter for the Red Devils and Sliva.

Hoffman fashioned a 7-3 record with an impressive earned run average of 1.54. He allowed only nine earned runs in 42.1 innings of work. He struck out 44 and walked 13.

At the plate, he hit .300 with 21 hits and 16 RBI. He scored 13 runs and drew 14 walks.

“Hunter was outstanding on the mound and was one of the better pitchers in the valley,” Sliva said. “He really worked hard in the offseason and improved tremendously at the plate and on the mound this year. He’s a very hard worker who loves the game of baseball. He spends countless hours in the offseason and works on all aspects of his game.”

COLIN SNEDEKER, Martins Ferry – This senior third baseman was one of the key cogs in the Purple Riders success the last several seasons.

Snedeker hit for a .455 average with 25 runs batted in. He scored 26 runs and hit three home runs.

Snedeker played in the OVAC All-Star Game and was named All-Buckeye 8, All-Eastern District and All-OVAC.

“Colin is the hardest worker I’ve coached in 12 years,” Reasbeck said. “He made himself into a great hitter. We’ll miss him, but we’re sure he will have a great career at West Liberty.”

HAYDEN SMITH, Martins Ferry – This Purple Rider standout made a big impact in his first season in Purple for Reasbeck’s squad.

Smith hit .386 this season with five doubles, two triples and a home run. He drove in 17 runs and scored 22 himself, batting in the two-spot in the order.

“Hayden was the piece in our lineup we needed,” Reasbeck said. “He played a great first base and had a lot of big hits for us.”

GAVIN CARPENTER, Barnesville – This senior put the finishing touches on a brilliant prep career for Coach D.J. Butler’s squad.

Whether it was on the mound, at third or at the plate, Carpenter delivered time and time again.

Offensively, Carpenter hit .333 with six doubles, a home run and 17 RBI.

On the mound, Carpenter finished with a deceiving 3-3 record. His earned run average was 2.10 and he fanned 46 in 40 innings of work.

“Gavin pitched in some really big games … none bigger than getting the win against Minford to send us to the final four in 2021,” Butler said. “He has also been one of our most productive/consistent hitters throughout his career.”

KYVAN JOHNSON, Barnesville – This Shamrocks’ senior was a steady force behind the plate and added a solid pitching campaign to his resume for Butler’s Shamrocks.

Johnson hit .353 with 15 RBI, four doubles and two triples. He logged 26 innings on the bump with 45 strikeouts and a solid 2.12 earned run average. He finished with a 2-1 record.

“Kyvan will go down as one of the most improved players at any position during his time in our program,” Butler said. “He’s a tremendous defensive catcher and limited opposing teams’ running games throwing out more than 40% of opposing base stealers. He was very consistent at the plate, improving every year and led the team in most offensive categories.”

COLLIN KROLL, Monroe Central – This senior standout put together a final prep season to remember for Coach Chris Leasure’s club.

Kroll hit a robust .452 with 33 hits. He had 12 doubles, a home run, drove in 21 and scored 17 runs. He posted a highly impressive 1.016 OPS en route to earning a myriad of accolades such as Second Team All-Ohio, All-Eastern District, All-OVAC and All-MOVL.

He played in the OVAC All-Star Game and had three hits.

“Collin was everything you could ask for as a senior,” Leisure said. “While not a ‘rah-rah’ type of leader, he was cerebral and intentional with everything he did the moment he got onto the field. He was constantly working on something that would benefit his teammates.

“He gave me, the coaching staff and most importantly his teammates everything he had. I couldn’t have asked for more out of him.”

PEYTON BLUE, River — This talented freshman had no trouble adapting to varsity baseball.

Blue was one of the top hitters in the Ohio Valley, regardless of class. He swung the bat to a batting average of .509 with an OPS of 1.497. Breaking down his offensive production a bit more, he had 27 hits, including 12 doubles, a triple and a home run. He drove in 35 runs and scored 21. He stole 11 bases. On the mound, he was more than effective with a 3-1 record and a 1.59 earned run average.

“Peyton led us in almost all offensive categories,” River head coach Tim Blue said of his son. “When we needed a hit, Peyton would come through most of the time with a double. Many times, he was walked, intentionally walked or hit by pitch as teams pitched around him.”

BRODY LOLLATHIN, River — This junior had a huge season for the Pilots and head coach Tim Blue.

Lollathin hit .463 and posted a 1.197 OPS. He pounded out 31 hits, including 10 doubles and a trple. He drove in 11 runs and scored 24. He drew 12 walks and when he got on base he was quickly on the move. He was successful on 29 of 30 stolen base tries.

“Brody was our lead-off hitter and when he got to first, it was a double because of his speed and base-running savvy,” Blue said. “He has great baseball knowledge.”

JAKE HEATHERINGTON, Bellaire – This junior was one of the legitimate ace pitchers in the area for Coach Josh Kernik’s team.

Heatherington worked 38.2 innings on the bump and fanned 58. He had an earned run average of 2.90 and led the Big Reds to a sectional tournament victory.

“Jake is a high-character young man who happens to be a stud on the diamond,” Kernik said. “Any coach who plays us knows his name and what’s capable of. He is a leader, driven, competitive and a student of the game. He’s yet to reach or even see his ceiling. He has a bright future on and off the diamond.”

ETHAN MCHUGH, Buckeye Local – This senior had an impressive season for Coach Jeff Patrick’s squad.

McHugh was the Panthers leader at the plate and on the mound. As a pitcher, he logged an impressive 41.2 innings, posting a 3.86 earned run average with 31 strikeouts.

Offensively, he hit at a .381 clip with a 1.142 OPS. He logged seven doubles, four triples, two home runs and drove in 22. He also scored 18 runs and swiped nine bases.

“Ethan is a great player and leader,” Patrick said. “He was our best player this year. He pitched in big games and came up with many big hits throughout the season. I am thankful to have coached a player like him the last two seasons. We wish him the best of luck as he continues his playing career at Bethany.”

CIARAN FLANAGAN, Bridgeport – This Bulldogs standout had an impressive season at the plate, in the field and on the mound for Coach Zach Winland’s team.

Flanagan batted at a .350 clip with 17 RBI. He swiped 11 bases and struck out only three times. He also served as the Bulldogs’ ace pitcher.

“Ciaran was a three-year starter and improved each season,” Winland said. “He demonstrated every day how the game should be played and always left it all on the field.”

EVAN WHITE, Union Local – This sophomore catcher put forth another impressive campaign for Coach Wade Smolira’s club.

White led the Jets in RBI once again with nearly 30. He also hit at a .350 clip en route to earning All-Buckeye 8 and All-OVAC.

“Evan has led our team in RBI the last two seasons and has really improved defensively,” Smolira said. “He’s the guy we want up (to bat) with runners on (base) and defensively he really does a good job of keeping the ball in front of him.