Bellaire baseball experiencing a youth movement

March 31, 2021

By TRACY WATSON For The Times Leader BELLAIRE – Josh Kernik’s first year as Bellaire’s baseball coach never materialized last season, so while it is officially the beginning of his on-field tenure at the school, he, and most of his 2021 Big Reds’ players will be looking to grow together and for the future. Kernik’s roster this campaign will consist of one four-year senior, a three-year junior, another junior beginning his first year of high school baseball, a talented group of eight seniors who didn’t get the opportunity to gain any experience last year and a pair ...

Menendez set to begin tenure as Bellaire softball coach

March 31, 2021

By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer BELLAIRE — David Menendez inherits a Bellaire softball team that is in the rebuilding process. The Big Reds lost eight seniors, but return a pair of starters from two years ago after last season was wiped out due to COVID-19. Back for another season in Red-and-Black are seniors Kaylan Brown (C/INF) and Jayden Lowe (P/INF). The third letterwinner is junior Taylor Menendez (INF). “Kaylan has been the starting catcher since her freshman season,” Menendez said. “Jayden started as a freshman and sophomore at St. John Central before ...

Bellaire track ready for season

March 31, 2021

By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor BELLAIRE — Like all track teams, the Bellaire Big Reds are excited to be back on the oval this spring. As Shawn Valloric prepares his boys and girls teams for the 14th consecutive spring, the veteran head coach likes the make up of his squads, especially a boys team that finished as OVAC runner-up in 2019. “We have a solid core group of returners we feel really good about,” Valloric said. “We should be able to score in more events this year than we have in the past. If the young guys and new guys who are out for us ...

Newhart now guiding the Bridgeport track teams

March 31, 2021

By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor BRIDGEPORT — The Bridgeport track and field program has had a changing of the guard. Robert Newhart has taken over the reins of the program and hopes to get the squad headed in the right direction. “The team is excited to be back,” Newhart said. “I know it was hard on everyone losing last season, but we have used that as fuel to drive us forward. We all have high hopes for this season and we’re grateful for the opportunity to compete again.” The Bulldog boys team has seven competitors, including four ...

Smith now leading Bridgeport softball

March 31, 2021

By KIM NORTH Times Leader Sports Writer BRIDGEPORT — Timmy Smith has been a baseball guy is entire life. He’s about to be a softball guy. The Bridgeport High graduate takes over for Paige Williams as the Bulldogs third head coach in four seasons. Williams, who had a 10-year run at Martins Ferry, was supposed to lead the Black-and-Blue last season before it was shut down due to COVID-19. “I’ve spent four years as a high school summer league baseball coach and six years as an assistant with the varsity team,” Smith said of his previous coaching experience. “This year ...

Bridgeport baseball returns three starters from ’19

March 31, 2021

By TRACY WATSON For The Times Leader BRIDGEPORT – In his third year at the Bulldogs’ helm, Bridgeport Coach Zach Winland welcomes back just three starters from his 2019 baseball team but does have a group of 11 seniors and juniors on a roster that had six players pick up diplomas last year without getting to finish their respective high school careers. “We have three one-year starters coming back, but it really stings that we lost those six kids from last year and lost that season,” Winland said. “This will be my fourth year in the program, so I have built a nice ...