Friday, March 31, 2000
Baseball Preview: Div. I
Elder top baseball team, but GMC top conference
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Defending state champion Elder edged St. Xavier for the No.1 ranking in The Enquirer's Division I preseason baseball poll. But if the coaches are on target ranking the top 10 teams, it appears the Greater Miami Conference may be one of the toughest leagues in Ohio.
Six of the top 10 teams are members of the GMC: Hamilton (3), Fairfield (4), Sycamore (7), Colerain (8), Lakota West (9) and Lakota East (10).
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DIVISION I POLL
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1. Elder (10) 194
2. St. Xavier (8) 190
3. Hamilton (2) 167
4. Fairfield (3) 143
5. Moeller (3) 142
6. Mason 105
7. Sycamore 64
8. Colerain 58
8. Lakota West 42
10. Lakota East 40
Others: La Salle 41, Anderson 36, Harrison 33, Glen Este 31, Oak Hills 31, Princeton 9, Amelia 3, Milford 2, Western Hills 2, Hughes 2.
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Here's a look at the top 10:
1. Elder: “Offensively and on the mound we should be very good,” coach Mark Thompson said. “We have five returning pitchers and 10 returning letterwinners.”
Thompson's only concern is the infield.
“Infield defense is a big question mark,” Thompson said. “We lost the entire infield to graduation.”
Dan Bachman and Kyle Robbins head the pitching staff with catcher Aaron Brown (.420 batting average), Richie Jones (.540) and Jeff Lammers (.415) the top offensive threats.
2. St. Xavier: The Bombers are strong offensively behind Steve Sollmann (.429 batting average), Keith Jackson (.423), Eric Scheidt (.398), Dan George (3.13) and Pat LeMasters (.312).
But Randy Newsom (5-1) is the only proven starting pitcher, and that could pose a major problem for the Bombers in the tough Greater Catholic League.
3. Hamilton: Pitching and defense are the strengths for the Big Blue, a team that reloads each year.
Coach Dan Bowling has the solid pitching duo of Terry Stone (5-0 record) and Lewis Jones (3-1) to build around.
The Big Blue also will rely on Adam Grissom (.467 batting average), Ryan McGuire (.370) and Jay Stitsinger (.306) to spark the offense.
4. Fairfield: The Indians are led by Ryan Pettit (.417), Adam Reed (.339), Mike Newton (.318), Everett Hubbard (.473) and Bryan Carpenter (.492).
But coach Ralph Smith will rely on an inexperienced pitching staff that includes two veterans — Kevin Shelley (6-1, 1.77 ERA) and Hamilton transfer Jason Bowlin.
5. Moeller: Coach Mike Cameron (584-265 career record) should reach the 600-win mark this season with a team that has solid hitting and pitching.
Justin McNeeley (.383) and Tyler Tabler (.341) should emerge as two of the best offensive players in Cincinnati with Jason Ranz (8-1) the top returning pitcher.
“We have two to three pitchers who look to be capable,” Cameron said. “Our weaknesses are team speed, pitching depth and inexperience in the outfield.”
6. Mason: Pitching is the strength of a Comet team that lost six starters to graduation.
Matt Davis (7-3, 2.31 ERA) and Paul Hammond (9-1, 2.30 ERA) will anchor the pitching staff while Todd Hoffert (.389) is the only returning proven hitter.
“We have two solid Division I pitchers but we must replace the entire lineup except Matt, Paul and Todd,” said 25-year coach Ken Gray. “I feel the new players are capable of having a successful season.
7. Sycamore: A team loaded with seniors, the Aviators should be improved with four returning starters, including pitchers Matt Dolan (2-1, 2.22 ERA) Mike Morgalis (4-1, 2.72 ERA) and Justin Butler (3-2, 5.25 ERA).
Mike Shrimpton (.472), the son of coach Chris Shrimpton, should be one of the best offensive players in Cincinnati.
“The tornado hurt us last year,” Shrimpton said. “We had no field to play or practice on and many of the players were hurt by the storm.”
8. Colerain: The Cardinals have depth in the pitching department.
Coach Chris Newton returns six players (David Novosel, Mike Ferris, John Fiasco, Ed Ducey, Mike Klotz, Jon Szary) who hit .325 or better, along with pitchers Ed Ducey (3-0) and Kyle Funk (2-4).
9. Lakota West: The Firebirds should be tough to handle if the pitching staff develops.
Catcher Josh Romero (.335 batting average, who signed with Indiana, will lead an offense that includes Justin Mundt (.418) and Andy Dunn (.331).
Fairfield transfer Roddy Steiger, Aaron York, Mundt and Ryan Gilley will lead the pitching staff.
10. Lakota East: First-year coach Ray Hamilton, 197-64 in 11 years at Ross, inherits a team loaded with experienced pitching and solid hitters.
Rob Drozd, Tim Day, Brian Porada, Matt Riley, Nathan Tyahur and Rob Shaul will handle the pitching duties.
“Pitching will definitely be our strength,” Hamilton said. “With six returning starters, we'll be experienced along with having good team speed.”
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