Blue Devils not backing down from challenges
ZANESVILLE – Monday was a tough start for Zanesville, as it fell 4-3 in eight innings to Ridgewood.
Those games will provide learning experiences for the Blue Devils, who lost six players.
Senior pitcher Josh Clark is back after going 7-1 with a 1.59 ERA a year ago, and senior pitcher Zak Parmer, who had a 2.92 ERA, provides a solid second option for veteran coach Dave Balo.
Seniors Heath Cooper and Zach Rutter, junior Braxton Snyder and sophomore Caden Mumaw also pitched a year ago, while senior Colton Curry is new to the group.
Junior infielder Jared Ball, who hit .265, is among other returnees, while Clark, Parmer, Mumaw, Curry and Rutter can play infield, Snyder will start in center and Cooper plays the outfield.
Other newcomers are sophomores Aaron Clark and J.D. Sauder and freshmen Chayce Lundell, Brandon Pritchard and Donovan Stewart.
Along with the East Central Ohio League slate, Zanesville scheduled Dublin Coffman, Grove City, Thomas Worthington and Jonathan Alder, Bloom Carroll and Newark Catholic.
“Young guys and inexperienced guys have to step up and fill those holes and our veterans must provide some leadership,” Balo said. “We will still play a challenging schedule so you either sink or learn to swim.”
Crooksville
The Ceramics were the district runner-ups and bring back several contributors under 14th-year coach Shawn Chamberlin.
“Expectations are very high,” he said. “The team understands we must have a selfless mentality, play with a high level of energy and work towards excellence.”
Crooksville graduated All-Muskingum Valley League and Southeast District selection Dalton Rollison and center fielder Chad Orecchio, but senior ace Chris Sparks headlines the returning letterwinners.
Sparks, who can play first, had 102 strikeouts to 15 walks on his way to earning first-team MVL and Southeast District accolades as well as All-Ohio honorable mention, while senior Steven Taylor, who had 75 strikeouts and 25 walks, will be the second starter and plays third.
The rest of the infield is senior-laden with second baseman Jeffery Patrick, who batted .431, shortstop Cody Harper and catcher Nate Daniels. Seniors Matt Sellers and Chris Willison are back in the outfield.
Newcomers are junior outfielder Blake Wilson, sophomores Dustin O’Neal (infielder), Gunner Lindell (second) and Austin Burgess (first), and freshmen Trey White (pitcher-first), Gavan Rodgers (third), Kevin Taylor (outfield-pitcher), Landon Hinkle (infielder-pitcher) and Hayden Hamilton (catcher).
“The team has been working extremely hard and is very motivated and determined,” Chamberlin said. “How fast we come together as a team will make a big difference in our success.”
John Glenn
A decent core returns for the Muskies, who were 23-5 with MVL and sectional titles last season.
Chase Brown, who went 5-1 with a 2.15 ERA, Parker Evans, a .405 hitter with 22 RBI, and Luke Larson, a .348 hitter with three homers and 17 RBI, are among six losses.
Senior Cameron Roberts anchors the rotation after going 5-0 with three saves a year ago to earn first-team MVL and East District honors.
Senior Corey Wilson, who was 5-1 with a 1.36 ERA, returns as do seniors Luke Klinehoffer, a first-team MVL and district player who hit .395 and scored 25 runs, and Colton Devoll. Wilson and Devoll each hit better than .320 with 12 RBI apiece.
Seniors Tanner Corder (catcher), Dylan Hague (pitcher-infielder) and Ben Van Wey (outfield) and sophomore Matt Stewart also return.
Spring Sports Previews
The Times Recorder will continue running spring sports previews through the next week. Coaches can still submit information by Friday. Results should be reported by 9:30 p.m. each day and can be called in at 740-450-6761, faxed to 740-450-6759 or emailed to trnews@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com.