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By SETH STASKEY
Times Leader Sports Editor
CADIZ - At some schools, baseball is taken very seriously.
Harrison Central is one of those places.
The Huskies have a strong tradition, including a state tournament appearance almost a decade ago, and now they'll play in one of the premier facilities in the state of Ohio this spring with a completely refurbished Mazeroski Field inside Sally Buffalo Park.
Throw in some talented returning players and head coach Mike Valesko, who is set for his seventh season, is extremely excited for what lies ahead.
"I love how close this group is and I believe we will have great team chemistry," Valesko said. "We have four good pitchers that we'll lean on and we're very fortunate to have one of the best players in the state behind the plate."
Indeed.
The Huskies strength is definitely at catcher where junior Treston Nemeth - a First-Team All-Ohioan last spring - returns. The University of Dayton commit hit a robust .526 with eight home runs en route to a bevy of accolades.
He will be on the receiving end of pitches from the likes of junior Tre Rex, senior Caleb Blawut, senior Trace Rutter and junior Kaden Jurosko.
Blawut had five wins in 49 innings of work, while Rutter was a four-game winner with 49 innings pitched. Rex, a 6-5 southpaw, is a transfer from Union Local.
With Nemeth batting in the middle of the lineup, the Huskies offense figures to give their pitching some run support.
Junior Jace Madzia returns at second base after hitting .327 last season. Cabot Arbaugh is back and will play all over the infield. When he's not on the bump, Jurosko will move to shortstop after playing in the outfield last season.
Seniors Jacob Mattern and Johnny Vermillion are returning starters in the outfield. Valesko is also high on freshman utility player Tucker Snyder, who will see plenty of varsity action.
The balance of the roster includes: seniors Joenus Jones, Todd Stringer, Zane Ziegler, junior Wyatt Pierce, sophomores Ryan Arbaugh, Aubrey Wood, freshmen Anthony Pelegreen, Cole Saiter, Brady Elliott, E.J. Keener, Reed Arbaugh, Kayden Dunkle, Leyland Lopez and Caleb Shaw.
Valesko is being assisted by A.J. Barsch, Brian Gossett, Brandon Mitchell, Derek Madzia, Clayton Crosier and Phil Reed.