Buckeye Local baseball returns 10 lettermen

March 30, 2022

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.” ...

Harrison Central baseball features solid cast

March 30, 2022

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 ...

Linsly baseball off to strong start

March 30, 2022

By SETH STASKEY Times Leader Sports Editor WHEELING — Linsly owns one of the top baseball traditions in the Ohio Valley. There’s no reason to believe the Cadets won’t field one of the top squads again this spring. Head coach Jay Cartwright begins his 16th season at the helm with a squad that returns a solid nucleus from a team that won the OVAC Class 3A title last season. However, some key pieces graduated, too. Included are Dylan Hill, Kobe Hill, Hunter Kelley and Zac Taylor. “Those guys were all competitors who expected the most from themselves every day,” ...

Martins Ferry baseball looks to take next step

March 30, 2022

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 ...

Leasure now in charge of Monroe baseball

March 30, 2022

By TRACY WATSON WOODSFIELD – Monroe Central graduate Chris Leasure takes over a good situation at his alma-mater heading into the 2022 high school baseball season with the Seminoles returning seven starters and 11 letterwinners from a season ago. There are a pair of quality starters gone from last year’s squad in Wade Stoehr and Austin Hogue, both qualities leaders both on and off the baseball field, but there is still plenty to be excited about for Leasure and Monroe Central. Senior Kade Demcheck, a four-year starter, is back at second base and will be looked upon as one of ...

River baseball has five returning lettermen

March 30, 2022

By TRACY WATSON For The Times Leader HANNIBAL – River will be a young team in 2022, having lost five seniors and its top four pitchers from last year’s squad. But there is still talent for second-year Head Coach Tim Blue and his staff led by a pair of seniors, four juniors and a group of underclassmen who have the capabilities of helping build a strong team right away. “We have a very young team and are expecting a rebuilding year after the loss of six seniors to graduation a year ago,” Blue commented. “We have a pair of good senior athletes on the roster however, ...