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Rootstown Rovers

January 23, 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: Rootstown Rovers

Team Name: Rootstown Rovers
Head Coach: Keith Waesch
Division: III
2018 Record: 19-3
Conference Record: Portage Trail Conference County Division, 9-1 (1st)
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/4

2019 Team Strengths:

  • Pitching is our strength as we have had back-to-back seasons with a team ERA around 2.00
  • We have a solid five or six bats at the top of our lineup with better than average power and speed.

Coach Outlook: "We have the bulk of our team back from a 19-3 season a year ago. We are capable of winning our third straight league title and making a tournament run."

PBR Outlook: The Rovers may be a team to watch in 2019 with a majority of their team back from a 19-3 2018 season. The experience from last year should prove valuable for the Rovers in 2019. Keep an eye on Rootstown in D-III.

Top Returning Players:

  • Thayne Ocel, C/DH, 2019, 5-11/185 pounds, R/R, 2-year starter, 2nd team All-Ohio catcher, Div. II recruit, Last year's stats: .468 avg., 9 2B, 2 3B, 29 hits, 33 RBI, 16 runs, 10 BB, 3 K
  • Matthew McGrath, 3B/OF/P, 2019, 6-2/195 pounds, R/R, 3-year starter, Div. II recruit, Last year's stats: .362 avg., 14 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 25 hits, 19 RBI, 30 runs, 12 SB, 10 BB, 11 K
  • Ben Shank, P/OF, 2019, 5-11/170 pounds, R/R, 3-year starter, Last year's stats: .394 avg., 26 hits, 31 runs, 14 SB, 16 BB, 6 K, Pitching record: 4-0, 25 IP, 27 K, 6 BB, 1.40 ERA, .960 WHIP
  • Adam Beery (Video), P/OF/1B, 2021, 5-10/165 pounds, L/L, started as a freshman, Last year's stats: .322 avg., 19 RBI, 16 runs, 8 SB, Pitching record: 4-1, 1 Save, 33 IP, 1.061 ERA, 49 K, 13 BB

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.