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By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

Top 12 Stories for The Year 2014

PBR Ohio started up on May 3rd, 2011 as seen here. From that day, Chris Valentine has had a goal to promote high school baseball in Ohio at the highest level possible. Chris has been able to do this thanks to the help of parents, coaches, and the talented players throughout the state of Ohio.

Chris has also built a staff that has the drive to make Ohio one of, if not the top viewed website for Prep Baseball Report as well as put on some of the best showcases in the nation to help promote the high school talent that resides in the Buckeye State.

Dylan Hefflinger, PBR Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout, along with JD Heilmann, PBR Ohio Director Scouting take a look back at the year in review and put together a list of the top stories for 2014.

To start off the countdown, we chose a piece that touches JD, the Midland Baseball Organization, and the city of Cincinnati at heart, as one of the most well respected men in all of baseball passed away this year.

To follow that up we looked at "The Recruiting Trail" which updates where all the prospects across the state have been visiting, who they are getting attention from, and who they have committed to.

After that we looked at the "Cam Varga Experience" as well as a story about Adam no longer being a "One-Man Wolfpack".

Then we took an in-depth look at a heartfelt story of losing a brother and a great young man. After that was a look at the 26 players from Ohio that were drafted and then a look at the new Scouting Director, JD Heilmann.

Now we start to look at the OHSAA state finals in Columbus.

To start off we looked at the 2014 dominance that was Bloom-Carroll, next was the Division III championship by Coldwater.

Now up is a first time state champion in Massillon Jackson.

Each day we will reveal the next story on the list. A hint for the next story are the words "D-IV Thriller".

A rundown of the stories: Note: We will be conducting a Twitter contest to vote on the top 12 stories for 2014 once the 12 stories have been posted.

• A Tribute To Papa Joe Hayden
• The Ohio Recruiting Trail
• The Cam Varga Experience
• Adam No Longer A "One-Man Wolfpack"
• Montoya ATV Accident Brings Family Closer
• 26 Ohio Players Selected In 2014 MLB Draft
• JD Heilmann Takes Over As Scouting Director
• The Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs Are Dominant In 2014
• Coldwater Wins 6th State Championship In School History

A First State Championship In school history For The Polar Bears

Massillon Jackson began the season ranked as the number five team in Division I within the state. The Polar Bears had a solid senior core (14 seniors) to go along with a mix of talented underclassmen. To view the preseason rankings click here.

Throughout the season, the Polar Bears never fell below 12th in Division I and finished 5th in the rankings, very impressive considering the caliber of competition within D-I. To view the final regular season rankings for Division I please click here.

The 5th-ranked Massillon Jackson Polar Bears advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 1947 (67 years) and advanced to their first state championship ever after defeating two-time defending state champion and 3rd-ranked Cincinnati Moeller to reach the title game as seen here.

The Polar Bears and head coach Bill Gamble knocked off the back-to-back state champions 4-2 to advance and take on the 40th-ranked North Royalton Bears.

In the semifinal against the Crusaders, Massillon Jackson used a one-two punch of Sam Miller (pictured left) and Tim Turner (George Mason commit, pictured right) to hold Moeller's bats in check.

 

 

 

 

 

Miller picked up the win on the mound while going four innings, allowing one run (0 ER) on four hits and two walks while striking out three. Tim Turner started the game, going three innings allowing just one run on two hits and four walks while striking out two. 

For a chance to win a first state championship in school history, the Polar Bears faced off against the Bears of North Royalton, who also were vying for their first title ever.

The Polar Bears used another one-two punch on the mound to hold North Royalton to just one run on six hits in a 5-1 victory. Sophomore Sam Miller picked up the win and Ryan Gusbar (Ashland commit) contributed with three innings on the bump.

Miller picked up the win on the mound, going four innings allowing just two hits and one walk. Gusbar started the game going the first three innings allowing one run on four hits.

The 5-1 triumph gave Massillon Jackson its first ever baseball state championship. To read the whole game story please click here.

The Polar Bears will look to get back to Columbus in 2015, but the mission will be difficult as they lose 14 seniors off of the state championship squad. 

However Massillon Jackson does return Miller, who went 9-0 on the mound in 2014, Nate Rearick (2015, SS), Christian Specht (95th ranked in 2016 class, RHP), Zach Meese (69th ranked in 2015 class, LHP/C, Lakeland CC commit), Jake Pallotta (2016, SS/RHP), Brent Solinger (159th ranked in 2015 class, RHP/1B, Cedarville commit), and Cody Eder (2015, OF/RHP).