TEAM RECORD IN 2016
15-9 overall, SCOL co-champs, Loss 1st round of sectional to Turpin
COACH
Dustin James, first year as varsity head coach; three years total all at Wilmington High School
COACH’S RECORD
0-0 as varsity coach
OTHER COACHES IN PROGRAM
John Bruce-Head JV Coach; Brian Roberts-Varsity Assistant; Paul Krause-Varsity Assistant; Bill Davis-Varsity Assistant; Ron Spendlove-JV Assistant; Zach Black-JV Assistant
NUMBER OF RETURNING LETTER WINNERS
10
NUMBER OF RETURNING STARTERS
5
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING
Stephen Krause (Junior)—SS, P, 1B, 2015-2nd team All-SCOL 2016-1st team All-SCOL; Chris Wolary (Senior)-OF, 2 time first team All-SCOL (2015, 2016)
KEY NEWCOMERS
Alex Meyer, Kyler Reed, Josh Piechocki
KEY PLAYERS LOST
Jordan Ianson, Brad Keller, Andrew Davis, Marlyn Frisco, Alex Miller, Brady McCune
ANY OTHER KEY LOSSES
Rick Kneisel, Coach Kneisel underwent hip surgery during the off-season. Although he will not be coaching this season, his experience and wisdom will be utilized in game preparation. As he continues to rehab, he will begin to attend games and help the coaching staff.
RIGHT NOW I LIKE …
The way we are adjusting to the changes in coaching. Players are working hard and improving in every phase of the game. Our seniors have proven to be great leaders and are coaching our younger players well. Our returning varsity players have shown improvement since last season and the coaching staff looks forward to another successful season.
RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO IMPROVE …
We need to continue to focus on our base-running, pitch selection, and throwing strikes. We need to improve on attacking hitters and allowing our strong defense to record put-outs.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT TEAM …
We have great senior leadership and leadership from our returning varsity and JV players. I look forward to having a successful season. It will be important for our defense to play as expected. We have a strong defense with multiple players than can play a variety of positions. With the new pitch count restrictions, we need to make sure our pitchers are throwing strikes and our defense does the rest.
TEAM TO BEAT
Although we were co-SCOL champions last year, Clinton-Massie was able to beat us two times, including the final game of the regular season. Clinton-Massie, along with strong Hillsboro and Washington Court House teams will be on our radar all season.
ROSTER
No. Player Grade Position
1-Zach Wyrick Jr OF, P
2-Ryan Hottinger Sr OF, P
4-Chris Wolary Sr OF
5-Brett Bell Jr OF, P
7-Kyler Reed Jr OF, P
10-Josh Piechocki Sr 1B, P
11-DJ Ames So IF, P, C
12-Jake Vaughan So 1B, P, OF
13-Alex Meyer So IF, P, C
14-Chad Davis Sr 1B, 2B
15-Tyler Wells Sr 1B
18-Nate Lakes Jr IF, P
22-Stephen Krause Jr SS, P, 1B
25-Drew Carey Sr C
SCHEDULE
March
25-@Little Miami 11 am, 1 pm; 28-@Lebanon 5 pm; 29-@McClain 5 pm; 30-@Cincinnati Northwest 5 pm; 31-Hillsboro @WHS 5 pm
April
3-Miami Trace @WHS 5 pm; 5-@Clinton-Massie 5 pm; 7-Washington Senior @WHS 5 pm; 10-East Clinton @WHS 5 pm; 12-@Chillicothe 5 pm; 17-McClain @WHS 5 pm; 19-@Hillsboro 5 pm; 21-@Miami Trace 5 pm; 24-Clinton-Massie @WHS 5 pm; 26-@Washington Senior 5 pm; 27-@Blanchester 430 pm; 28-@Western Brown tournament 430 pm; 29-@Western Brown tournament 10 am
May
3-@East Clinton 5 pm; 4-Chillicothe @WHS 5 pm