Area high school baseball teams gear up for start
of season
Spring baseball preview Part
II
By Mike D’Agruma
GREATER AKRON — As spring has arrived, high school baseball season has begun.
Last week, we previewed Firestone, Highland, Norton, Revere, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Walsh Jesuit high schools. This week, we will feature Archbishop Hoban, Copley, and Woodridge high schools and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA).
The varsity baseball coach from Buchtel High School did not respond to our request for information by press time.
ARCHBISHOP HOBAN
2005 Record: 21-8
Coach: Ted Guscoff
Key Players: senior Steve Sheeks, second base; senior Brian Makan, first base/pitcher; and senior Travis Sharps, designated hitter/catcher
The Knights bring back a very deep and talent-laden roster with 13 returning letter-winners and six seniors. Guscoff said he stressed to his seniors to come prepared to lead the team, as they have several talented younger players waiting in the wings. Hoban will rely on a strong pitching staff and defense, and Guscoff said they can be a very difficult team to beat if they hit consistently.
COPLEY
2005 Record: 12-16
Coach: Ed Robinson
Key Players: senior Paul Mariotti, outfielder/pitcher; senior Josh Williams, shortstop; senior Jason Borchik, pitcher; and senior Mike Nitz, pitcher
The Indians bring back seven letter-winners from the 2005 season and are loaded with experienced players at key positions. Mariotti and Williams will be looked upon to lead their team with strong performances. After losing eight games last year by one run, Robinson will look for his team to develop clutch hitting to side with a strong pitching staff.
CVCA
2005 Record: 15-11
Coach: Jerry Cowley
Key Players: senior Nate Lance, pitcher; senior Marc Lahr, shortstop; senior outfield/pitcher Drew Sayler; and senior Brandon Fabris, catcher
The Royals return 11 letter-winners and will field five seniors and 11 juniors on the varsity team this season. Cowley is extremely optimistic about their chances for success and has his sights set on not only contending for a third consecutive league crown (which they shared with Manchester High School in 2005), but making a deep run in the state tournament.
WOODRIDGE
2005 Record: 13-15
Coach: Dennis Deper
Key Players: senior Kori Korinek, pitcher/infield; senior Brett Crocker, outfield/pitcher; and senior Eric Browne, first base/second base
Woodridge returns 10 letter-winners, including seven starters from its 2005 team. Deper said he is looking for his players to improve their defense, which is necessary for them to play at the level he says they can. The Bulldogs boast a very strong group of hitters from the one-to-nine slots and a deep and experienced pitching staff. They expect to make a serious play for the league title and have high postseason hopes.
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