Recordpub.com - 2008 PTC baseball preview capsules

Here is a capsule preview of Portage County teams for the 2008 PTC baseball season. Capsules were compiled by Record-Courier staff writer Colin Harris.

FIELD FALCONS
Head coach " Don Coleman.
2007 record " 20-6, PTC Metro Division champions.
Returning lettermen (8) " Cory Yaceczko, Zack McCutcheon, Cody Umbright, Forrest Boggs, Kevin Dile, Matt Eldredth, A.J. Snyder, Gary Abshire.
Lettermen lost (4) " Mitch Gant, Jessie McBroom, Ryan Gearhart, Derek Horning.
Pitching " Coleman views the Falcons' returning pitching as the strength of his team going into the season, led by junior Cody Umbright, a First Team All-Metro Division selection last season. Umbright finished with a 5-3 record with two saves and an ERA of 1.98.
Joining Umbright is fellow junior Forrest Boggs " a Second Team All-Metro Division selection in 2007.
Sophomore Mike Boosinger, Dan Demyan and senior Cory Yaceczko will combine to provide quality depth in the Falcons' rotation.
Outfield " With only two seniors in contention for spots, Field will have a young outfield headed into the season.
"We are very young, but I'm confident about what we can do," Coleman said. "Either way, I feel like our solid pitching should help keep us in the hunt."
Infield " With the loss of First Team All-Metro Division player Ryan Gearhart at second base, the Falcons have a definite question mark as to who can step up to fill his role on the team.
On the left side of the infield, however, Boggs (shortstop) and Yaceczko (third base) will combine to make one of the most formidable duos in the league.
Source of optimism " "Most of the kids we bring back this year have championship experience," Coleman said in reference to last year's title. "What we did last year, we did with a lot of the kids on this year's team getting solid playing time."
Cause for concern " "Our biggest concern headed into the season is our offense's ability to produce runs," Coleman said. "With the loss of four good bats to graduation, we definitely have some questions that we need to answer."
Division outlook " "I think we will all be bunched up at the top of the division," Coleman said. "Norton, Springfield and Kent (Roosevelt) all look solid and Crestwood definitely will be right there in the hunt as well."

GARFIELD G-MEN
Head coach " Beau Norton (fourth year)
2007 record " 14-7, 7-3 PTC County Division.
Returning lettermen (6) " Chris Bicker, Bo O'Bryan, John Hartman, Joe Collins, Jeremy Ross, Kyle Hartman.
Lettermen lost (3) " Brian Gruszewski, Jared Sheehan, Robert Carlisle.
Pitching " Norton says he expects his team's strength to come from its talented pitching staff, led by junior Joe Collins. Collins, a Second Team All-County Division selection his sophomore year, recorded a 6-1 record with a 1.24 ERA as the team's ace in 2007.
Joining Collins on the staff will be returning No.-2 starter Joe Hartman, who is a junior. Also returning are seniors Chris Bicker and Greg Stevens, who look to provide quality depth in the rotation.
Infield " Garfield's infield was hit hard by graduation as four of the five positions are up for grabs. That said, Norton said he is optimistic the new faces have the potential to perform at a very high level. If there is a source of optimism about Garfield's situation, it's that those open spots will be filled primarily by upperclassmen, including senior Bo O'Bryan, who is making the move from centerfield to catcher.
The middle of the G-Men infield is nailed down, as second base will be manned by junior Jeremy Ross, who Norton describes as a versatile and hard-working player. Two players will platoon at shortstop. Depending on which player is needed on the mound, Bicker and Stevens will trade off at the position.
Outfield " With all three outfield spots open, Kyle Hartman will step into the centerfield slot vacated by O'Bryan. Joining Hartman in the outfield will be John Hartman and a platoon of players until the positions are nailed down.
Cause for concern " With the loss of the one through four spots in his starting lineup to graduation, it's realistic to assume that offense will be a concern for the G-Men, at least initially.
"When you lose the players we lost at the top of the lineup, there will definitely be some growing pains," Norton said. "Early on, we'll have to see who can put the ball on the bat, but this team might not have the kind of power that is traditionally expected from G-Men baseball."
Source of optimism " "Our returning talent at pitching should keep us in a lot of games if our hitting hasn't come around," Norton said.
Division outlook " Norton said he feels the returning PTC County Division champion Woodridge Bulldogs should be right back at the top of the heap this season.
"I like our chances (of competing with Woodridge), but they're always a good team," Norton said. "They're the class of the division, but Streetsboro, Windham and Waterloo should also be talented squads."

KENT ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS
Head coach " Mike Haney Jr. (sixth year, 57-71).
2007 record " 16-10 overall, 8-6 PTC Metro Division.
Returning lettermen (12) " Nate Beals, Andy Johns, David Williams, Dan Maxwell, Tyler Thomas, Phil Smith, Tyler Lohr, Colby Kehres, D.J. Hickle, Jacob Miller, Jack Maynard, Gabe Safford.
Lettermen lost (6) " Eric Schaffer, Jacob Michel, Andrew Jurovcik, Michael Jurovcik, Brenden Bisnett, Kyle Hunter.
Pitching " Junior Jack Maynard (5-1, 3.60 ERA) will return at the top of the rotation for the Rough Riders. Senior Tyler Thomas, junior D.J. Hickle (2.80 ERA) and senior Dan Maxwell (3-1, 1.00 ERA) will all battle it out to determine the remainder of the rotation.
Providing depth will be junior newcomer Brett Gaj and seniors Nate Beals and David Williams.
Outfield " Roosevelt will return its entire outfield from last season, led by a pair of juniors in left fielder Jacob Miller (.382 batting average, 29 hits, 16 stolen bases) and centerfielder Tyler Lohr (.253, 12 RBIs, 8 SB). Right field will be platooned by senior David Williams and junior Jack Maynard, while juniors Craig Loughry and Justin Spicer will provide depth.
Infield " Similar to the team's outfield, Roosevelt's infield will be manned by familiar faces. Junior third basemen Colby Kehres (.333, 25 RBIs, 19 runs) will provide a solid punch in the lineup, while senior first baseman Thomas (.477, 41 hits, 3 home runs, 37 RBIs) will look to continue what is one of the best offensive careers in Roosevelt history.
Senior Phil Smith (.408, 19 RBIs, 29 hits) is a solid producer at the catcher spot, while senior shortstop Andy Johns (.391 on-base percentage) and senior second basemen Beals will return to solidify the middle in the infield. Juniors Maynard and Kyle Mordew will provide middle-infield depth, as well as juniors Gabe Safford and Hickle at the corner spots.
Cause for concern " "I think any coach would say overall team health is always a concern," Haney Jr. said. "Also, consistent play early in the season can be affected by inconsistent Northeast Ohio weather."
Source of optimism " "Quality experience is our biggest plus this season as last year allowed a lot of kids to learn on the job," Haney Jr. said. "Naturally, they went through some ups and downs, but a strong finish and an offseason built on commitment and hard work has created excitement."
Division outlook " "This is a league that always seems to get overlooked in both divisions," Haney Jr. said. "I truly believe there are several strong teams amongst us. Right now, Field is the team to beat in the Metro (Division) because they return some quality pieces from last year's championship team."

MOGADORE
WILDCATS
Head coach " Chris Mossa (third year).
2007 record " 7-14 overall, 2-12 PTC County Division.
Returning lettermen (7) " Sean Eisentraut, Josh Drennen, Joey Davis, Jeff Owens, Will Lansinger, John Yoho, Matt Traugh.
Lettermen lost (6) " Bobby Shew, Brandon Laughlin, Randy Shuman, Sonny Owen, Tim Russell, Cory Sullivan.
Pitching " Four-year varsity performer Sean Eisentraut returns to anchor the Wildcats' rotation. Joining him will be sophomore Matt Traugh, who will look to build off of a solid freshman performance.
Seniors Cody Destro, Joey Davis and sophomore Zach Glagola will look to provide additional depth on the Mogadore pitching staff.
Outfield " The Wildcats will look to replace departed Second Team All-County Division selection Brandon Laughlin, and if that is to happen, four-year starter senior Jeff Owens will be expected to turn out a solid season from his left field position.
When not pitching, Traugh will lock down the centerfield spot, while junior Kyle Otto and senior Will Lansinger will platoon in right field to complete the Mogadore outfield look.
Infield " A Second Team All-County Division player in 2007, senior shortstop Sean Eisentraut returns to anchor the Wildcats' infield. Joining Eisentrout will be a pair of seniors in Destro at catcher and Josh Drennen at second base, while Glagola will play first base when not toeing the rubber.
Finally, Davis and sophomore Matt Tipton will platoon at third base for the Wildcats.
Source of optimism " "We have a good mixture of experience, youth and overall athleticism on the team," Mossa said.
Division outlook " Mossa said he feels Woodridge will be the team to beat in the PTC County Division.

RAVENNA RAVENS
Head coach " Justin Mulheim (fourth year, 48-34).
2007 record " 15-11 overall, 9-5 PTC Metro Division.
Returning lettermen (6) " Brandon Boggs, Shawn Bolyard, Cory Fosnight, Mike Petrone, Corey Trusso, Bobby Clement.
Lettermen lost (7) " Cory Tilden, Sean Meers, Ryan Meers, Mike Ladd, Jared Bowen, Shane Anderson, Mike Adams.
Pitching " Graduation hit the Ravens hard at practically every position on the field, especially in its pitching rotation. With the loss of 85 percent of last season's innings pitched, Ravenna will find itself with a lot of uncertainty during the early part of the season.
Complicating the matter for Mulheim is that senior Cory Fosnight, the most experienced returning arm for the Ravens, is currently slowed by an injury that requires him to wear a back brace. Mulheim said he is optimistic Fosnight would be cleared to play eventually, but couldn't guarantee it.
Outfield " All three outfield positions are vacated because of graduation, and the Ravens will look to create competition to determine roles. Mulheim said time will tell who is able to rise up and grab a starting spot.
Infield " With the graduation losses of seven starting seniors, including First Team All-Metro Division selections in catcher Sean Meers and third basemen Ryan Meers, Mulheim said he sees a lot of opportunities for his younger players to step in and make their mark.
Source of optimism " "We have a good mixture of experience, youth and overall athleticism on the team," Mossa said.
Division outlook " The league will be very competitive," Mulheim said. "I truthfully feel all the teams will be hanging around during the first month of the season and it's then that we will see separation between the top and the bottom."

ROOTSTOWN ROVERS
Head coach " Keith Waesch (fourth year, 63-23).
2007 record " 19-11, 8-6 PTC County Division.
Returning lettermen (5) " Danny Goodpaster, Chad Luckie, Spencer Andrei, Matt Hendrickson, Collin Marozzi .
Lettermen lost (10) " Tyler Rost, Shawn Finch, Chris White, Matt Langston, Steve Marshall, Nick Consolo, Bryan Eads, Ben Edwards, Nick Hartong, Ray Luli.
Pitching " With a 15-2 career record, returning First Team All-County Division selection Chad Luckie is one of the best pitchers in the area and will be counted on as the ace of the Rootstown pitching staff.
Beyond Luckie, there are questions about the rest of the Rovers' staff. Seniors Spencer Andrei, Kyle Veon and James McGall will battle it out for the thus-far unclaimed second spot, while Waesch stated depth as a concern.
Outfield " One of the top outfields in the PTC last season, led by Tyler Rost and Matt Langston (both now playing collegiately), has lost a lot to graduation leaving Waesch with a good deal of uncertainty headed into the season.
"We have yet to find the right combination for our outfield defense," Waesch said. "We'll be looking for that into the early portion of the season."
Infield " If anything is certain for the Rovers' infield, it's that nothing is certain as graduation losses have definitely hit Rootstown hard.
"We will more likely be moving kids around early in the season," Waesch said. "We hope to determine our infield defense after the first couple of weeks of the season."
One of the solidified positions, however, will be held by senior Danny Goodpaster, who looks to return behind the plate for the Rovers and continue what has been a successful career as Luckie's battery mate.
Source of optimism " "Seniors Chad Luckie and Danny Goodpaster are two of the best players in the County Division to build a team around," Waesch said. "In addition, we have several others who are definitely capable of big things."
Cause for concern " Anytime a team graduates double-digits in players, inexperience will be a cause for concern.
"We are going to be playing a handful of student athletes that have little or no varsity experience," Waesch said.
Division outlook " "Woodridge is without a doubt the favorites," Waesch said. "As well as Garfield and Windham, who have established programs and Waterloo has the ability to win a lot of baseball games."

Southeast Pirates
Head coach " Dave Clegg (23rd year, 182-159).
2007 record " 7-19 overall, 5-9 PTC Metro Division.
Returning lettermen (8) " Greg Lemke, Zach Steele, Matt Bright, Alex Blake, Andy Hartman, Anthony Cianci, Taylor Simyak, Nick Hopkins.
Lettermen lost (4) " George Daugherty, Richard Hedrick, Steve Yenulonis, Corey Rau.
Pitching " Returning to the mound for the Pirates is the team's No.-1 starter: Junior Zach Steele. Steele logged 40 2/3 innings during his sophomore campaign " the most of any player on the team.
Steele in the rotation will be senior Matt Bright, who will split time between the mound and the infield. With the departure of the team's second and third starters from last year, Bright will be looked upon to provide more than the 19 innings of work he logged last year.
Infield " The Southeast Pirates will be returning one of the best players in the Metro Division in senior first basemen Greg Lemley. On the strength of a .342 average and four home rums, Lemley was a First Team All-Metro Division selection his junior season and will look to build on that this season.
Splitting time between third base, first base and pitcher will be Bright, who hit .256 during his junior year, but has the highest on-base percentage of any returning player on the squad (.418). The middle of the infield will be manned by senior shortstop Alex Blake, who Clegg singled out as the team's best infielder and junior Anthony Cianci.
Catcher will be a battle between a pair of sophomore newcomers in Eric Fleming and Nathan Boston.
Outfield " Senior Andy Hartman and junior Taylor Simyak will return in the outfield for the Pirates, who figure to break in some new names at key positions.
With the loss of Second Team All-Metro Division selection Richard Hedrick, a group of new faces in sophomore Travis Smith and juniors Tyler Young and Steve Coss will look to battle it out for the open spot.
Cause for concern " "I am approaching this season in a cautiously-optimistic fashion," Clegg said. "We have players with a lot of varsity experience that have not performed up to their full-athletic potential. We need to be more consistent on the field."
Source of optimism " "If this group binds together as a cohesive unit and play throughout the season to their full potential, I feel they can be somewhere toward the top of the league standings by the season's end," Clegg said.
Division outlook " "I look for Norton and Field to be tough again this year in the Metro Division," Clegg said. "Roosevelt, Ravenna, Crestwood and Coventry will also be competitive. With a few positive breaks, any of these teams could find themselves in the hunt for a division title."

WATERLOO VIKINGS
Head coach " Jim Conley (first year).
2007 record " 11-12 overall record.
Returning lettermen (4) " Joey Adelman, Kyle Frame, Kurt Hamilton, Klinton McBroom.
Lettermen lost (8) " Eric Feciuch, Bryan Jones, Kevin Klodt, Greg Knapp, Caleb Lenham, Jason McCurry, Matt Trainer, Mike Williams.
Pitching " Senior Kyle Frame and junior Dylan Wartluft will form a one-two punch for the Vikings at the top of the rotation. Both players are accomplished talents at other positions in addition to pitching, and will look to equal that success on the mound.
Beyond the two aces will be a platoon of other players who will see innings for Waterloo, led by sophomore Jon Pusateri, who Conley cites as a source of optimism for his rotation's success.
Outfield " Second Team All-PTC County Division selection McBroom returns to the outfield as the team's lone returning starter. Conley says the remaining two outfield slots will be open for competition and that he is hoping someone will step up and solidify a spot headed into the season.
Infield " The Vikings return four of the five starting positions in the infield, including Second Team All-County Division selection Frame at third base. Sophomore Adam Allen will be the team's lone new face in the infield as Conley expects him to be a solid utility performer for the team.
According to Conley, the lone spot of concern headed into the season is the vacated first base position, which he hopes one of his players will make a claim for before play begins.
Cause for concern " While Waterloo has two solid players at the top of the rotation, quality performances from the rest of his staff has Conley's attention headed into the season.
"The depth of our pitching staff is a definite concern at the early part of the season," Conley said.
Source of optimism " Hitting, hitting and more hitting is what Conley said he expects his Vikings will be known for this season as he cites his returning starters' performance at the plate as the unquestioned strength of his team.
"The five returning starters here have a combined batting average of .477 with seven home runs," Conley said.
Division outlook " "Woodridge is definitely the team to beat this season, no question," Conley said.

WINDHAM BOMBERS
Head coach " Brian Kiser (third year, 26-15).
2007 record " 13-6 overall record.
Returning lettermen (6) " Cody Apthorpe, Kyle Cooper, Sean Kellar, Dave VanSteenberg, Zach Fincham, Jesse Burns.
Lettermen lost (4) " Brent Fincham, Cody Fincham, Matt Heller, Dave Rininger.
Pitching " Senior Cody Apthorpe returns at the top of the rotation for the Bombers and will be joined by Kyle Cooper, as they look to fill the hole left by departed First Team All-County Division selection Brent Fincham.
Behind the two aces will be a battle between junior Sean Kellar, Tyler Herndon and freshman newcomer Kyle McManus.
"I'm looking for those three players to really step up their game," Kiser said. "If they turn things up and are successful, then that's a good thing for our team."
Outfield " Kellar returns to the outfield where he will look to improve on his All-County Division Honorable Mention selection last season. Joining him will be Zach Fincham, while four other players will battle it out for time in right field. Jesse Burns, Kyle Herman, Dave Rickey and McManus will all see an opportunity to step up and claim the spot in right field for themselves in the early part of the season.
Infield " Windham returns an infield that is deep in numbers and has the ability to put up solid numbers across the board.
Apthorpe will return to first base, where he earned a Second Team All-County Division award a year ago. When called on to pitch, he will be spelled by either Herndon or Josh Simmons, who are battling it out for the backup spot.
The middle of the infield will be manned by Cooper at shortstop and second baseman John Frankowiak, while Dave VanSteenberg (third base) and a combination of Allen Blake and Adam Angus at catcher round out the infield look for the Bombers.
Source of optimism " "We have seen a fantastic turnout for our squad, as far as numbers are concerned," Kiser said. "Having a lot of kids who can play means there will be a lot of competition for playing time and that will push our players to be their best."
Cause for concern " "Replacing our departed seniors will be a challenge," Kiser said. "All four players were four-year starters and major contributors to the success we have had the last few years."
Division outlook " "The division will be very tough from top to bottom," Kiser said. "All the teams in the County Division return starters and there won't be any nights off this time around.
"If I had to pick a top team, however, I would have to go with Woodridge," Kiser said. "They're definitely at the top of the list."

WOODRIDGE
BULLDOGS
Head coach " Dennis Dever (ninth year, 140-83).
2007 record " 27-3, 13-1 PTC County. PTC County Division Champions.
Returning lettermen (11) " Nick Jones, Dave Krusinski, Mike DeBord, Andy Fay, Joe Lewandowski, Jordan Wilhite, Anthony Western, Tom Barracato, Mathew Volchko, Joe Painter, Rick Cavanaugh.
Lettermen lost (4) " Allen James, Mike King, Fred Guerra, Nick Johnson.
Pitching " The Bulldogs return their entire pitching staff, which ranked as one of the best in the area last season.
Leading the way will be a pair of First Team All-County Division players in senior Jordan Wilhite (8-2, two saves) and senior Dave Krusinski (7-0).
For his performance last season, Wilhite also earned Associated Press All-Ohio Honorable Mention status.
Providing critical depth in the rotation is senior Nick Jones (5-1, 1.70 ERA) and sophomore Anthony Western (5-0).
Outfield " Returning to centerfield is senior Nick Jones, an AP All-Ohio First Team selection last season. Jones will anchor the outfield with his speed and strong arm, while seniors Jordan Wilhite and Andy Fay will be strong contributors at right and left field, respectively.
Infield " The Woodridge infield will feature returning First Team All-County Division selection at first base in senior Joe Lewandowski. Joining him will be a fellow First Team selection in senior catcher Mike Debord, who earned AP All-Ohio Second Team recognition for his performance last season.
The left side of the infield will be manned by senior Tom Barracato at third base and Krusinski at shortstop.
Cause for Concern " Dever stated a lack of consistency at second base and overall lack of depth in the middle infield as a concern.
Source of optimism " "We have great pitching depth and are a very experienced team," Dever said. "In addition, I feel we have a very potent offense and an above average defense."
Division outlook " "We expect to compete for our third consecutive County Division title along with Garfield, Rootstown and Waterloo," Dever said.

Editor's Note: Team officials from Crestwood and Streetsboro did not return information in time for publication. Their team previews will run at a later date.