All the pieces in place for another title run for BC

CARROLL – After coming so close to winning a state championship in 2013, the Bloom-Carroll baseball team — who had a gut-wrenching 4-3 loss in the 2013 state final against Wheelersburg — finally got over the hump in 2014.

The talented Bulldogs not only won their first state title in 2014 but also dominated the Division II state tournament. They scored 19 runs on 22 hits and did not commit an error.

The Bulldogs dispatched Jonathan Alder 9-0 in the Division II state final a day after run-ruling Sandusky Perkins 10-0 in six innings.

With most of its team returning, Bloom-Carroll is the preseason favorite to make a return trip to Huntington Park and repeat as Division II champions.

“Last year was awesome to finally win it,” Bloom-Carroll senior Roger Danison said. “It was a great accomplishment, but we still have things we want to accomplish, and getting back to the state tournament and winning another title is the goal.

“We still feel like we can improve and we are anticipating a big year. We are excited to get going and see where this ride takes us.”

More than likely, it will take them back to Columbus, mainly because of the Bulldogs’ pitching staff. Of the 193²/₃ innings pitched last season, 188 were thrown by players who return this season.

Bloom-Carroll returns starting pitchers Sam Bordner and Corey Zeller. Stanley and Zeller were masterful all season long, combining to go 21-0. The pair allowed two runs during the entire 2014 postseason run, neither of which was earned.

The Bulldogs will have plenty of depth on the mound with Bailey Freas, Chase Cattran and Tristen Epp.

The 6-foot-6 Bordner, who has committed to the University of Louisville, will more than likely get drafted in June. His is considered as one of the top high school pitching prospects in the Midwest.

“We understand we have a lot of talent returning,” Bulldogs coach Brian Thacker said. “But we have to stay focused and not let the outside stuff factor in. We have to make sure we are in the moment and not looking ahead.

“The fact that we are returning state champions doesn’t matter this year. How we handle ourselves will be the key. But I think our guys understand how hard it is to win and how fragile a season can be.”

While the Bulldogs are loaded with talent on the mound, their lineup also is solid, led by Danison, a Xavier commit. He led the team in 2014 with a .429 average and 28 RBIs.

Junior Seth Paszke was second on the team with 27 RBIs, Epp, Cattran, Bordner, Mitch Lambert and Josh Roach all return and should provide the Bulldogs with plenty of offensive firepower.

“We know we have a solid pitching staff, but we feel like we can really slug it, offensively, from top to bottom,” Thacker said.

Bloom-Carroll also will be gunning for its fifth consecutive Mid-State League-Buckeye Division title as well as its fifth straight district title.

This year’s senior class has a chance to finish their careers with more than 100 victories. During their three years, the Bulldogs have a 78-18 record.

“Our guys don’t like to lose and they want to prove themselves all the time,” Thacker said. “We understand that we have a target on our backs and just about every game we play in is going to be amped up a little.

“But the fact that we have a lot of experience returning and we have been through it really helps.”

twilson@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4358

Twitter: @twil2323