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The 2023 PBR Ohio High School Invitational

March 11, 2023
Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Ohio Staff

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The 2023 PBR Ohio High School Invitational

The High School Invitational is designed to bring together eight of the top teams in the state to square off in a single-elimination bracket-play event. This event will test a team's depth and also add a bracket-play format that typically doesn't exist until the OHSAA State Playoffs for most teams. PBR Ohio's full Scout and Media team will be on hand to provide world-class coverage of the event. 

Before we get to the 2023 schedule, let's take a look back at what the inaugural HS Invite had in store for the teams, players and fans.

The Schedule

Schedule Day Time Location Team 1 Team 2
GM 1 Friday 5:00 Mercy Field
 University School
 Central Catholic
GM 2
 Friday 7:15 Mercy Field Marlington
 Walsh Jesuit
GM 3 Friday 5:00 Ousky Ottawa Hills
 Massillon Jackson
GM 4 Friday 7:15 Ousky St. Edward
 Clay
GM 5 Saturday 9:30 Mercy Field WGM1 WGM2
GM 6 Saturday 9:30 Ousky LGM1 LGM2
GM 7 Saturday 11:30 Mercy Field WGM3 WGM4
GM 8 Saturday 11:30 Ousky LGM3 LGM4
GM 9 Saturday 2:00 Mercy Field LGM5 LGM7
GM 10 Saturday 2:00 Ousky LGM6 LGM8
GM 11 Saturday 4:30 Mercy Field WGM5 WGM5
GM 12 Saturday 4:30 Ousky WGM6 WGM6

Team Previews

Clay

Team Name: Oregon Clay Eagles
Head Coach: Jim Phillips
Division: I
2022 Record: 17-12
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/6

Coach Outlook: "This team returns experience at almost every position, and has great depth returning on the mound. If we take care of the little things, through a very challenging schedule this team has the opportunity to accomplish great things."

2023 Team Strengths:

  • Pitching
  • Defense
  • Leadership
  • Offense

Top Returning Players:

  • C.J. Boudreaux P/OF, 2024, 6'1 180, R/R Conference Pitcher of Year as Sophomore, 1st Team All-District, Bowling Green State Commit. Last year stats 6-1 W-L, 1.11 ERA. 69 K, 21 BB
  • Vinny Gallaher P/INF, 2024, 6'0 170, R/L Honorable Mention All-League. 4-3 W-L, 2.90 ERA, 36 K, 10 BB
  • Brendan Hazuda-C, 2023 6'2 215, R/R
  • Jared Hoersten P/OF/INF, 2023 , 6'0 170, R/R, 2nd Team All-Conference, HM All-District, Ohio Dominican Commit. .306 AVG, 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 19 RBI, 16 RS, 7 SB. 2-1 W-L, 2.22 ERA, 34 K, 23 BB
  • Jase Kennedy-P/INF, 2023 5'11 210 R/R Lourdes Commit
  • Christian Mays OF, 2023, 5'8 180, R/R, 1st Team All-Conference and District, .344 AVG, 4 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 34 RS, 17 SB.
  • Kaden Rife P/OF, 2023 6'2 180 L/L Capital Commit
  • Ethan Stager OF/P, 2023, 6'1 185, R/R, Honorable Mention All-League and District, .333 AVG, 5 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 13 RS, 1 SB.
  • Kale Wilkins- INF, 2023, 6'1 190, R/R Owens CC

Class of 2023 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Brendan Hazuda
  • Jared Hoersten
  • Jase Kennedy
  • Christian Mays
  • Kaden Rife
  • Ethan Stager
  • Kale Wilkins

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • C.J. Boudreaux
  • Vinny Gallaher
  • Drake Sekinger
  • Grady Spears
  • Alec Sutton INF/P 2024 6'1 180, R/R

Central Catholic

Team Name: Toledo Central Catholic Fighting Irish
Head Coach: Jeff Mielcarek
Division: II
2022 Record: 10-17
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/4

Coach Outlook: "We are excited for this season after a tough season record wise last year. We are optimistic that Cody Markus ('23) will be able to return this season on the mound and be added to a pitching staff that will include Austin Guerra ('24) who had a great Sophomore season, along with a number of other guys who made appearances on the mound last season."

2023 Team Strengths:

  • Pitching
  • Leadership
  • Athleticism

Top Returning Players:

  • Cody Markus RHP/IF, 2023 Only pitched 3 innings last season after being our #1 as a Sophomore before an arm injury
  • Brian "Bucky" Bishop, OF, 2023, .394 last season, 1st Team All TRAC, committed to kick (football @ University of Toledo)
  • Austin Guerra, RHP/IF, 2024, 45 IP, 57 K, 1.40 ERA, 1st Team All TRAC
  • Jaxon Sanchez, IF/ RHP, 2024, .341 last season, HM All TRAC
  • Winston Delp, RHP/IF, 2023
  • Brandon Wells, 2B, 2023, .304

Class of 2023 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Cody Markus
  • Winston Delp
  • Brandon Wells

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Austin Guerra
  • Jaxon Sanchez
  • Kyle Wasserman (Transfer)
  • Madden Bernal
  • Vincent Primas

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Beau Gardner
  • Josh Rahe
  • Tristan Headrick

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Gavin Eckhart
  • Preston Fryzel
  • Dreydan Wardrop
  • Vinny Reamer
  • Sergio Gartee

Marlington

Team Name: Marlington Dukes
Head Coach: Cody Jones
Division: II
2022 Record: 20-5
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 3/5

Coach Outlook: "We can't wait to get this season started in a few weeks. Being a senior dominated roster last year, there will be lots of plate appearances (500+), innings on the mound (105.1) and opportunities to contribute defensively to go around this year. How quickly this group gets acclimated to the speed of the game at the varsity level will have a major impact on our growth as a team. With that being said, we are very excited about this group for 2023! We have some great senior leadership again, we also have a very talented junior class and a very deep sophomore class as well. We expect this group of seniors to lead the way to a great season. Once again, we have an absolutely brutal schedule, by design. We want to be faced with plenty of pressure situations in big games so that when tournament play starts we are battle tested. We hang our hat on throwing strikes, making the routine plays defensively and having a damage first mindset at the plate. We are expecting big things on the mound this year from our pitching staff. Not only from UK commit Tommy Skelding at the top of the rotation, but the other guys that have been waiting their turn. '24 6'6" RHP Drew Simmons is primed for a big year. Juniors Carter Difloure & Dillan Hawthorne are strike throwers and will be counted on to get plenty of outs this spring. The sophomore class has 5 guys that we hope will add to our depth on the mound and be able to get guys out. They include LHP Dylan Heatherington, RHP Sam Yoder, RHP Bryson McCord (Football QB), RHP Travis Hoffmeyer & RHP Isaiah Andrews. Junior, Garrett Martz will be the catcher tasked with handling this staff. Our offense will be led by seniors Caden Bates & Tommy Skelding & Nathan Johnson. Junior Wyatt Dillon will provide some speed and power in the middle of the order for us.The rest of the lineup will depend on who starts off hot swinging the bat and on the defensive side can make some things happen for us. Internal competition should be ratcheted up every day at practice. "

2023 Team Strengths:

  • Starting Pitching - Led by '23 RHP Tommy Skelding & '24 RHP Drew Simmons
  • Pitching Depth - 2 juniors & 5 sophomores that will get chances in scrimmages to prove who can get varsity hitters out.
  • Team Defense - we have a good catcher, solid through the middle infield and we have some outfielders that can go get it.

Top Returning Players:

  • Tommy Skelding, 2023, RHP/1B, 6'3 185 R/R 3 Year starter, Kentucky Commit - .415 AVG, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 32 RBI 21 R, 4 SB, 8-1, 1.14 ERA, 68 K, 25 BB
  • Caden Bates, 2023, MIF, 5'11" 180 R/R 3 Year starter, Bowling Green Commit - .282 AVG, 6 2B, 2 3B, 12 RBI, 19 SB, 25 R, .469 OBP, 23BB
  • Drew Denham, 2023, *Injured* MIF, 5'11" 180 R/R 3 Year starter, Akron Commit - .455 AVG, 5 2B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 35 R, 21 BB, 20 SB
  • Nathan Johnson, 2023, OF 5'9" 165 R/R, 1 Year starter, Hiram Commit
  • Wyatt Dillon, 2024, OF, 5'10" 175 R/R
  • Drew Simmons, 2024, RHP/CIF, 6'6" 205 R/R
  • Garrett Martz, 2024, C/OF, 5'9" 170 R/R

Class of 2023 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Tommy Skelding
  • Drew Denham
  • Caden Bates
  • Nathan Johnson

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Wyatt Dillon
  • Garrett Martz
  • Drew Simmon
  • Dillan Hawthorne RHP 6' 180 R/R
  • Carter Difloure RHP 5'9" 180 R/R

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Garett Dillon 3B/OF 5'10" 170 R/R
  • Travis Hoffmeyer RHP/OF 5'11" 165 R/R
  • Dylan Heatherington LHP/1B/OF 6'4" 175 L/L
  • Sam Yoder RHP/UTL 6'6" 185 R/R
  • Isaiah Andrews RHP 5'8" 155 R/R

Massillon Jackson

Team Name: Massillon Jackson Polar Bears
Head Coach: Bill Gamble
Division: I
2022 Record: 20-8
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4/1

Coach Outlook: "This team returns a multitude of high level starters including: Garrett Wright (BGSU ‘23), Carter Mottice (BGSU '24) and Eric Freetage (uncommitted, 2nd All League). The 2023 Polar Bears will rely on this experience as we navigate a demanding non-league schedule and the very competitive Federal League."

2023 Team Strengths:

  • Athletic
  • Competitive
  • Young

Top Returning Players:

  • Garrett Wright: BGSU, 1st Team All Federal League, All District .408, 29/71,14SB, 4 2B, 2 3B, .583oB%, 9 RBI, .409 Risp.
  • Carter Mottice: BGSU 2024: Honorable Mention All Federal League: .346, .462 OB %, 11RBI, 14SB, .391 BaRiSP.
  • Eric Freetage 2nd Team All Federal League: .392, 18 RBI, 5 2B, .529 Ba Risp, .444 Ob%

Class of 2023 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Aiden Castile, (McDaniel College Maryland) LHP
  • Ian Blood RHP (U Mount Union)
  • Hogan Sedlock SS
  • Griffin Cochran 1B/DH
  • Garrett Wright
  • Nick Zito

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Carter Mottice
  • Eric Freetage
  • Jake Sweetnich
  • Kyle Carey
  • Kyle Benson
  • Kyle Andrews
  • AJ Wertz
  • Zach Woit

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Layne Keller
  • Jeffrey Oister
  • Stephan Hall
  • Landon Doll
  • Hayden Dietz

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Landon Thiel
  • Lucas Ecrement
  • Max Cowles

Ottawa Hills

Team Name: Ottawa Hills Green Bears
Head Coach: Chris Hardman
Division: III
2022 Record: 26-7
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 2/1

Coach Outlook: "We graduated 14 Seniors, but return a promising group!"

2023 Team Strengths:

  • Hitting
  • Cohesiveness

Top Returning Players:

  • Sebastian Stevens, P/OF 5'10" 185
  • AJ George, OF 6'2" 215

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Sebastian Stevens

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Reddick Pillarelli
  • Jackson Snyder
  • Jay Breed

St. Edward

Team Name: Lakewood St. Edward Eagles
Head Coach: Jim Clark
Division: I

University School

Team Name: University School Preppers
Head Coach: Rob McNerney
Division: I
2022 Record: 23-8
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/6

Coach Outlook: "Excited to see how we can bounce back after a tough loss in the regionals. Our eight seniors and three captains have meant a lot to this program. Under their leadership the team has won 40 games in two seasons, including our first District Championship in 30 years. Moving up to the Division 1 level is a big challenge and the coaching staff is looking forward to seeing our guys embrace that."

2023 Team Strengths:

  • Leadership
  • Starting Pitching
  • Experience

Top Returning Players:

  • Evan Shapiro, RHP, 2023, 6'7", 230, R/R. 3 year starter, team captain, Kent State signee. Last year stats: 9-1, 64IP, .979 ERA, 90K, 22BB.
  • Aaron Moss, SS/RHP, 2025, 5'9", 160, R/R. 2 year starter. Last years stats: 4-3, 44IP, 3.00ERA, 33K, 6BB; .359 AVG, 33H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 16RBI, 27R, 10SB.
  • Ben Elliott, SS/RHP, 2023, 5'10", 150, R/R. 3 year starter. Last years stats: 3-0, 1 SV, 14IP, .000 ERA, 13K, 4BB; .400 AVG, 36H, 14RBI, 25RBI, 10SB.
  • Ryan Pattison, OF, 2023, 6'1", 195, R/R. 3 year starter. Last years stats: .329 AVG, 30 H, 72B, 2 3B, 26R, 28RBI, 17SB.

Class of 2023 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Evan Shapiro
  • Ben Elliott
  • Ryan Pattison
  • David Faremouth - C

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Riley Penn - OF/LHP
  • Joey Zigman - INF/C

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Aaron Moss
  • Tucker Greer - 1B

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Deacon Nelson - SS/RHP - Virginia commit

Walsh Jesuit

Team Name: Walsh Jesuit Warriors
Head Coach: Joe Bowers
Division: I
2022 Record: 25-6
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/3

Coach Outlook: "Walsh Jesuit Baseball returns a strong nucleus of players from the 2022 Regional-Final team led by a very deep Senior class."

2023 Team Strengths:

  • Pitching
  • Senior Leadership
  • Experience
  • Hitters

Top Returning Players:

  • Joey Canzoni- SS 5-11/180, 3 Year Starter, Cincinnati University Signee, .337 AVG, 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 23 RBIs, 30 R
  • Mason Eckelman- C 6-0/205, 3 Year Starter, OSU Signee, .430 AVG, 5 2B, 4 HR, 26 RBIs, 27R
  • Ryan Piech- RHP 6-3 185, 3 Year Starter, Xavier University Signee, 7-2, 1.02 ERA, 77 K, 22 BB
  • Drew Erdmann- RHP 6-3/190, 3 Year Starter, Cincinnati University Signee, 5-2, 1.19 ERA, 47K, 25 BB
  • Jon Simecek- 3B/RHP 6-1 200, 2 Year Starter, St. Xavier University Signee, .351 AVG, 5 2B, 2 HR, 25 RBIs, 15R
  • Justin Bremner- OF 5-11/185, 2 Year Starter, Canisius College Signee, .316 AVG, 3 2B, 1HR, 2 RBIs, 7 R
  • Alejandro Covas-OF 6-0/180, 3 Year Starter, YSU Signee, .278 AVG, 4 2B, 2HR, 15 RBIs, 17R
  • Jack Paulus- RHP 6-6 200, 2 Year Starter, Miami University Signee
  • Topher Salek- 1B/C/OF 6-0 185, 2 Year Starter, John Carroll University, .279 AVG, 4 2B, 1HR, 13 RBIs, 17R
  • Kevin Holland- LHP 6-1 175, John Carroll University
  • Nick Herbele- OF 6-0 180, .429 AVG, 2 2B, 2 RBIs, 7R
  • Ryan Deperro- 1B 6-1 190
  • Gabe Gardner- MIF 6-0 180
  • Matt Serdinak- INF/C 6-2 190, Ohio Northern University
  • Sam Pece- OF/LHP 6-2 180
  • Connor Romanini- C 6-0 175
  • Harper Lann- RHP 6-2 200

Class of 2023 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Joey Canzoni
  • Mason Eckelman
  • Ryan Piech
  • Drew Erdmann
  • Jon Simecek
  • Justin Bremner
  • Alejandro Covas
  • Jack Paulus
  • Kevin Holland
  • Topher Salek
  • Nick Herbele
  • Ryan Deperro
  • Gabe Gardner
  • Matt Serdinak

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Sam Pece
  • Connor Romanini
  • Sam Weber

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Harper Lann
  • Alex Ramon-Johnston
  • Zach Swiderski

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Shawn Sullivan RHP 6' 170

A Closer Look At The HS Classics

 

Below you will see each of the matchups for the 2023 PBR Ohio High School Classics. Team previews for each of the teams will be provided once we get closer to the season.

March 25th at Ross Park

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
11:00 AM Springboro St. John's Jesuit
2:00 PM
 Roger Bacon
 Monroe
5:00 PM
 Chaminade-Julienne CHCA

March 31st/April1st HS Invite in NW Ohio (Mini 3 game/8 Team Tourney)

Teams
 Team 2
Ottawa Hills Massillon Jackson
Clay St. Edward
Central Catholic  University School
Marlington Walsh Jesuit

April 8th at Toronto High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM Clay
 Canfield
12:15 PM
 Toronto
 Norton
2:30 PM St. Clairsville
 Marlington
4:45 PM Harrison Central
 Carrollton

April 8th at Wapakoneta High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM Minster Fort Loramie
12:30 PM Fairmont
 Wyoming
3:00 PM St. Xavier Wapakoneta

April 15th at Defiance High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM St. John's Jesuit
 Hoban
12:15 PM
 Defiance Eaton
2:30 PM
 Eastwood Chaminade-Julienne
4:45 PM Lima Central Catholic
 Ottawa Hills

April 15th at Grove City High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM Grove City Orchard Lake St. Mary's (MI)
12:15 PM Milford Orchard Lake St. Mary's (MI)
2:30 PM Olentangy Berlin Tallmadge
4:45 PM Dublin Coffman Medina

April 15th at Chillicothe

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM Watkins Memorial
 Jackson
12:30 PM Jonathan Alder
 Licking Valley
3:00 PM
 Wheelersburg
 Portsmouth
5:30 PM Olentangy
 Fairfield

April 22nd at Gilmour Academy

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM Brunswick
 Avon
12:30 PM Gilmour Academy
 Triway
3:00 PM
 Marlington
 GlenOak

April 22nd at Chillicothe

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM Cincinnati Christian
 Ironton
12:30 PM CHCA
 New Albany
3:00 PM Madison
 Worthington Christian
5:30 PM Mount Vernon
 Milford

2022 Jesuit Classic - April 22nd-23rd

Teams Included 
Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
TBD St. John's Jesuit St. Ignatius
TBD Walsh Jesuit St. Xavier

April 29th at Defiance High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:30 AM  Coldwater Liberty-Benton
12:45 PM
  New Albany Wapakoneta
3:00 PM
 Chardon
 Northview
5:15 PM Defiance Bellefontaine

April 29th at Thurman Munson (Two Fields)

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 PM
 Canton McKinley
 Akron Ellet
12:15 PM
 Massillon Jackson
 Mayfield
2:30 PM Strongsville
 Avon Lake
4:45 PM St. Edward
 Canfield
7:00 PM Stow-Munroe Falls Massillon Washington
Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
12:15 PM
 Hiland
 Ottawa Hills
2:30 PM North Royalton
 Green
4:45 PM Whitmer
  Firelands

May 6th at Archbishop Moeller High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM St. Xavier Centerville
1:00 PM Moeller
 Hilliard Darby
4:00 PM Milford
 Troy

May 6th at Perrysburg High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM Perkins Findlay
12:15 PM
 Perrysburg
 Fremont Ross
2:30 PM Ottawa Hills
  Lima Bath
4:45 PM
 St. Johns Jesuit
 St. Edward

May 6th at Olentangy Orange High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
10:00 AM Harrison Central
 Saline (MI)
12:15 PM
 Dublin Coffman
 Kettering Fairmont
2:30 PM Mason
 Marlington
4:45 PM
 Wynford
 Marion Pleasant

May 13th at Vandalia Butler High School

Time
 Team 1
 Team 2
12:00 PM Troy St. Xavier
2:15 PM
 Russia
 Indian Lake
4:30 PM Tippecanoe
 Madison
6:45 PM
 Vandalia-Butler
 Moeller

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