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By TRACY WATSON
CONNORVILLE - Buckeye Local Head Coach Jeff Patrick welcomes back a veteran group that includes 10 lettermen and a total of eight players who started at some point during the 2021 baseball season.
"Experience is going to be one of our biggest strengths this season," Patrick admitted. "Our improvement throughout the season last year was impressive and we are hoping to continue building off of that and continuing to develop. We lost a handful of close games last year where a timely hit or a defensive stop could have changed the outcome in some situations."
Leading the Panthers will be senior infielder/pitcher Ethan McHugh, a second-team All-District player, who hit .322 with nine extra base hits and a .486 on base percentage last year. Classmate Matt Scott is a catcher/pitcher who recorded a 3.35 ERA on the mound last year while fanning 27 hitters. Senior Corey Olinski will also see time behind the plate while also at first and on the mound as well.
There is a battle at first base/designated hitter between Olinski, junior Aiden Polanski and sophomore Gavyn Romanyak. Both Polanski and Romanyak will also be used on the mound. Sophomore Jesse Meddles will be the second baseman with junior standout Trey Hoover at shortstop, and pitcher. McHugh will primarily be at third base but will move to short when Hoover is on the mound.
A utility infielders spot will go to either junior Braydon Walker, sophomore Noah Jock or freshman Haydn Boyce.
There are a total of six outfielders who will be vying for playing time including senior Hunter Roush, juniors Dylan Palmer and Walker and sophomores Skylar Ebright and Jacob Berry, who started last year in right field as a freshman before a season-ending injury. Palmer and Ebright also have starting experience from last year. Freshman outfielder Wyatt Luyster, who is currently rehabbing a torn ACL from football, could also compete for some at-bats.
The starting pitching rotation will focus around Scott, McHugh and Hoover with Olinski, Romanyak, Polanski, Berry, sophomore Noah Korum, freshman Kaleb Stang and Jock adding depth.
The biggest loss from last season will be the graduated Alan Burkett who was the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter, who hit .414 with 27 stolen bases and 16 runs scored in 2021.
"We will be a pitch-by-committee team after our top three guys," Patrick said. "And we will be young after our first five on the mound. But offensively we return our three through eight hitters, which is a big plus.
"Our players have invested into our program's culture and have been working hard so far this pre-season. The kids practice hard and are hungry for success. We are hoping to play solid/consistent baseball and are confident that we will be able to compete to the best of our abilities every night this season."
Joining Patrick on the coaching staff will be T.J. Jacob, Lukas Vinci, JD Barath, Kyle Solar and Corey Antill.
Buckeye Local will open on March 28 at home against Harrison Central before hosting Barnesville two days later.