North Union’s varsity baseball team is pictured from left, front row, Landon Converse, Caden Potts, Miles Marlette and Ashton Haubiel; second row, Max Ruhl, Braylen Riffle, Evan Beery, Tyler Krebehenne and Bodie Johnson; back row, head coach Nick Blakeley, Conner Lassiter, Mason Bright, Drew Schmidt and assistant coaches Brandon Lowe and Anthony Padovano. Not pictured, John Hughes.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
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Finding the right combination to put on the field should be somewhat easier this year than last season for North Union head baseball coach Nick Blakeley.
Losing just one player because of graduation, the Wildcats return 10 letterwinners, including six seniors, from last year’s squad that finished with an 9-19 record.
“We don’t have to spend time explaining why we are doing things because this group have been together,” Blakeley said. “It is definitely a plus when we do some drills and we don’t have to explain anything.”
Senior catcher Landon Converse returns for a fourth year as a starter.
Other senior returnees include pitcher/infielder John Hughes, first baseman/pitcher Drew Schmidt, outfielder Conner Lassiter, pitcher/infielder Mason Bright and outfielder/pitcher Caden Potts.
Converse has totaled 69 hits in three years and drove in 44 runs. In the last two years he had a batting average of .352 and .390.
Bright had a batting average of .314 last year.
Junior outfielder Tyler Krebehenne is a two-year starter, batting .345 last year and collecting 24 stolen bases.
Other juniors returning are infielder Ashton Haubiel, infielder Miles Marlette and outfielder Evan Beery.
Converse was a first-team selection in the Central Buckeye Conference, while Krebehenne earned a second-team spot.
“Our hitting has potential, but we need to cut down on strikeouts and get people on base,” Blakeley said.
Blakeley admits there is a “lot of work to do” when it comes to the team’s offense. However, he feels he has depth when it comes to the pitching staff.
“We have the depth with a lot of guys who can go on the mound,” Blakeley said.
Bright, Krebehenne and Schmidt each pitched more than 30 innings last year, while Hughes went to the mound for 20 innings.
Bright, Krebehenne and Schmidt each had an earned run average under 4.00. In limited time on the hill, Haubiel had an ERA of 1.54.
Blakeley also feels another strength will be when the Wildcats are in the field.
“I am confident what we can do on defense,” he said. “There is some continuity and they also are interchangeable.”
While feeling his team has a chance to compete, Blakeley knows the job won’t be easy because the CBC has several strong teams.
“The entire league has been tough over the years and this year is no different,” he said.
Indian Lake and Graham tied for the Mad River Division title last year. Jonathan Alder went undefeated during its Kenton Trail schedule.
“Our side (Mad River) is going to be hard and if you don’t bring your best game you will be paying for it,” Blakeley said.