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By SETH STASKEY
Times Leader Sports Editor
MARTINS FERRY - In a lot of ways, Martins Ferry had an impressive baseball season in 2021.
But, in a lot of ways, it could have been a lot more memorable, too.
The Purple Riders played in both the OVAC Class 3A and Division III Eastern District championship game only to come up short to Linsly and Barnesville, respectively.
"Last year was a tough pill to swallow," 12th year head coach Anthony Reasbeck said. "It's been a really long offseason thinking about those two games. Having said that, I don't want my players to be consumed with those losses."
Last season's outcomes can't be changed, but they provided learning experiences that the Riders will carry into this season.
"We're extremely worried about the task at hand," Reasbeck said. "We are focused on winning the day, whether that be a workout, practice or game. Just win the day and the rest will take care of itself."
The Riders return a solid cast of contributors from a season ago, including a large senior class that measures nine deep.
On top of the experience, Ferry features one of the top pitchers in the area in senior Colby Shriver, who will be the guy Reasbeck hands the ball to in all of the big games. He was 7-2 last season with an impressive 1.21 earned run average.
"Colby threw against every good team on this side of the state last year," Reasbeck said. "He's very battle tested and does a tremendous job of handling adversity."
Senior Colin Sneadeker is the top returning offensive player for the Riders. He hit .425 and drove in 26 runs. He will handle third base.
Colten Redinger, who hit .328 a season ago, is back in the lead-off spot, but he's transitioning defensively to catcher from the middle infield.
Junior shortstop Conner Probst is one of the finer defensive players in the area. He also swung a hot bat to a tune of .387. Classmate Brayden Maine returns in centerfield after hitting .349.
The balance of the senior class includes Hayden Smith (utility), Jesse Nagel (1B), Dallas Stemkowski (pitcher), Colten Larkins (1B/OF), Jackson Romshack (P) and Kolten Goddard (OF).
Another junior that Reasbeck expects to be in the mix is Joe Green (OF, 2B).
The sophomore class includes: Trey Regis (OF), Joe Rossano (IF), Baron Lucy (2B, P), Mason Redinger (3B, P), Stephen Cole (Inf., P), Turner Kroll (P, Inf.), Travis Trout (3B) and Jakob Carrothers (Inf.).
Freshmen looking to make an impact are Hunter Theil (Inf), Jace Mahoney (catcher), C.J. Wooley (Utility), Alex Reese (P, 3B), Ayden Ludolph (OF, P).
"We have several guys we feel comfortable giving the ball to to eat innings for us," Reasbeck said. "Some of the younger guys are going to get their chance."
The Riders lost Chase Goff, Kam Hughes, Logan Meeker, Logan Smith, Alex Bennett, Noah Duck and Trevor Hanson to graduation.
Reasbeck's coaching staff includes: Sean Zeakes, Tom Probst, Jeremy Plants, Braxton Waleski and Drake Dobson.