Members of Fairbanks’ varsity baseball team are from left, front row, Noah Rausch, Jake Stewart, Nathan Combs, Taylor Andrews and Cole Justus; second row, Brice Phelps, Ethan Kise, Grant Rausch and Evan Blumenschein; third row, head coach Josh Rine, Max Snyder, Ryker Beaty, CJ Swartz and assistant coach Travis Rinehart. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)Fairbanks’ junior varsity baseball team is pictured from left, front row, Hayden Queen, Zavier Payne, Jacob Woody, Alex Galesterer and Aidan Luellen; second row, Cody Reams, Dane Madison, Chase Shope, Blake Gorton, Drew Rausch and Madden Ungerer; back row, coach David Grant, Wyatt Stice, Eli Thrush, Mike Rogers and coach Scott Thrush. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
It has been said the bumps and bruises a young team experiences will benefit as the group grows older.
Fairbanks High School baseball coach Josh Rine hopes that’s true.
“Last season, we were a very young and inexperienced team and also had to deal with some injuries early in the season,” he said. “That created some obstacles.
“I was proud of how our underclassmen overcame adversity and battled throughout the season.”
The Panthers finished slightly under .500 with a 12-15 record, but were competitive in most games.
FHS lost only one senior last season and returns a great deal of experience.
Alex Blumenschein, who was the lone fourth-year man, was the Panthers’ most consistent pitcher.
“Hopefully after having a year of experience and growth, our returning guys will all help fill that void,” said Rine.
Returning hurlers include Noah Rausch (three victories in 2021), Evan Blumenschein (two wins) and Max Snyder (a pair of triumphs).
“At times last season, we were inconsistent with command on the mound,” said Rine.
“Our defense also had inconsistent moments.”
The coach said he saw improvement in those areas during the preseason.
“I am hopeful a year of experience and growth will help our team overcome some of the weaknesses we displayed last season,” he said.
Members of the pitching staff can also play different positions.
Rausch hit .299 with a pair of homers as a first baseman.
CJ Swartz, who can also pitch, was honorable mention in the Ohio Heritage Conference as a third baseman. He hit .380 with 12 stolen bases.
Evan Blumenschein was also a catcher and earned second-team conference accolades.
He hit .383 in 2021.
Other veterans include outfielder Grant Rausch (second-team OHC), .368; second baseman Brice Phelps, .300; shortstop Ryker Beaty (first-team conference and Central District) .481; outfielder Nathan Combs .395; outfielder Ethan Kise, 10 stolen bases; and catcher Cole Justus.
Pitcher-utility player Taylor Andrews and outfielder-pitcher Jake Stewart, each played on the JV team a year ago.
“We have a group of student-athletes who are all great young men,” said Rine. “Our baseball parents are great people who are very supportive and helpful toward our program in a lot of different ways.
“Our student-athletes do a terrific job in the classroom and they all seem to really enjoy baseball and being around one another,” said the coach. “I am thankful to have the opportunity to coach these young men and I am looking forward to watching them compete.”
The Panthers will battle teams such as West Liberty-Salem and Mechanicsburg for top honors in the OHC.