Elyria Catholic Panthers

Tue January 15, 2019
PBR Ohio Staff

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With the 2019 spring season right around the corner, PBR Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage throughout the entire state. Starting in January, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

To view the full list of 2019 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2019 Team Preview, click here.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2019 Spring Team Preview: Elyria catholic panthers

Team Name: Elyria Catholic Panthers
Head Coach: Bruce Lisicky
Division: II
2018 Record: 19-8
Conference Record: Great Lakes Conference, 11-1 (1st)
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/6

2019 Team Strengths:

  • Returning Leadership
  • Starting Pitching
  • Tournament Experience

Coach Outlook: "We have high expectations for the 2019 season returning 8 starters on defense and our whole pitching staff back. Returning are All Ohio CF Leighton Banjoff as well as All Ohio Pitcher Jack Laird.  We should be in the contention for the league title again this season looking for our 4th consecutive conference championship . We got bumped up to Div 2 with the new competitive balancing rules from Div 3 which will make the tournament run this season a lot more challenging. "

PBR Outlook: A move up to D-II will prove a challenge for coach Lisicky and the Panthers, but with the talent on the roster, we can see Elyria Catholic competing with any team in any division. Look for the Panthers to be on the prowl in D-II in 2019.

Top Returning Players:

  • Leighton Banjoff (Video), SS/CF, 2019, 6'1", 205 lbs, R/R, 3-yr starter, Nebraska commit, 1st team All Ohio CF, Stats - .519 ave., .637 obp., 5 HR, 21 rbi's, 42 runs, 26 SB's, 16 doubles, 4 triples. 
  • Jack Laird, SP/1B, 2019, 6'2", 198 lbs., R/R, 3-yr starter, Seton Hill commit, 1st team All Ohio Pitcher, 7-Wins, 0.152 era, 72 K's in 46 innings pitched, 
  • Nate Gawlik, RF/SP, 2019, 6'3", 165 lbs., R/L, .417 ave., .463 obp., 11 rbi's.
  • Gavan Hrobat, LF/2B, 2019, 5'11", 175 lbs., R/R, 2-yr starter,  .356 ave., .472 obp., 23 SB's, 21 rbi's, 24 runs.
  • Jack Walsh, 3B/SP, 2019, 6'1", 184 lbs., R/R, .326 ave., .384 obp., 18 rbi's, 22 runs, 4-wins.
  • Jace Drwal, 2B/SP, 2019, 5'10", 165 lbs., R/R, 2-yr. starter,  .284 ave., .347 obp., 12 rbi's, 17 runs., 4-wins, 2.13 era
  • Max Menner, SP/inf, 2019, 5'11", 180 lbs., R/R, .282 ave., 11 rbi's, 2-wins, 1.50 era
  • Brendan Holley, 1B, 2020, 6'1", 215 lbs., R/R, 2-yr. starter, .280 ave., .365 obp., 2 HR's, 24 rbi's, 17 runs.
  • Cameron Engrish, OF, 2019, 6'1, 190 lbs., R/R, 261 ave., .371 obp
  • Grant McClure, C, 2019, 5'8", 160 lbs., R/R, 3-yr starter, Findlay commit

Top Underclassmen:

A Look Back At The 2018 Season:

To view the 2018 Team Previews, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

To view the 2018 All-State Teams, click below.

To view the 2018 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

A Look Back At The 2017 Season:

To view the 2017 Team Previews, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

To view the 2017 All-State Teams, click below.

To view the 2017 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.