Marysville’s varsity baseball team is pictured from left, front row, Clark Aden, Isaiah Brooks, James Hackworth, Luke Bankes, Griffin Michael, Mason Springs, Gavin Betts and Rocco Marchetti; second row, Derek Moyer, Damon Wade, Griffin Scheiderer, Max Freeman, Braiden McMahan, Aiden Tillman and Canyon Gladstone; third row, assistant coach Matthew Belt, assistant coach Jordan Blake, Jake Fisher, Tate Martino, Tyler Kesterson, Jackson Dempsey, head coach Nick Blake and assistant coach Zach Bott.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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Marysville High School’s baseball squad will look to improve on its 8-10 record from the 2023 campaign.
The Monarchs tallied a 2-7 mark during Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division games.
That left them in sixth place.
Veterans include seniors Damon Wade (infield), Tyler Kesterson (outfield-pitcher) and pitcher Luke Bankes.
Juniors on the roster are Griffin Scheiderer (infield-pitcher), Jackson Dempsey (pitcher-utility), Tate Martino (pitcher, outfield-first base) and Jake Fisher (first base-infield).
Newcomers to the roster include Griffin Michael (infield), Derek Moyer (outfield), Max Freeman (infield-outfield), Aiden Tillman (first base), James Hackworth (pitcher-outfield-first base), Rocco Marchetti (catcher), Gavin Betts (catcher), Clark Aden (outfield-pitcher), Canyon Gladstone (infield-outfield), Braiden McMahan (third base-pitcher), Isaiah Brooks (outfield-pitcher) and Mason Springs (infield-pitcher).
Monarch head coach Nick Blake likes his squad’s pitching.
“That’s going to be one of our strengths this spring,” he said.
Kesterson, Bankes, Dempsey, Scheiderer and Martino will lead Marysville’s mound core.
The defensive side of the diamond will be filled with a number of letter winners.
“Our defense is going to be strong, as will our overall team chemistry,” said Blake.
The Monarch coach said Olentangy Berlin should be among the top teams in the OCC Cardinal Division.
“They won the league last year and bring back most of that team,” said Blake. “Dublin Jerome has the No. 1 player in the state, who will likely be a Major League draft pick.
“Hilliard Darby has a Division I pitcher and is always solid,” he said. “Olentangy returns most of its team from last year and Thomas Worthington has a large senior class.”
Just what can the Monarchs do this spring?
“With such a young team, finding a way to win games early while getting acclimated to the varsity level will be key,” said Blake.
“We are solely focused on ourselves,” he said. “We feel if we are solid in terms of controlling the controllables, we have a chance against anyone.”