The Buckeyes don’t know what it’s like to be the nation’s best team when they’re supposed to be. This year, with no reason to be complacent, maybe Ryan Day’s team can be what they’re expected to be. Jeff Gilbert writes for Press Pros....
All Stories
Gilbert: Ohio State Has Decades-Old Narrative To Change
July 23, 2024Bruni Deserving Of Draft Opportunity, Plans to Sign…Minster Classic Baseball Gets High Marks From Outside
After four years at Ohio State, the Buckeyes Gavin Bruni was selected recently in the 17th round of the major league baseball draft. What remains to be seen is whether Ohio State's loss is the Washington Nationals' gain....
July 22, 2024Family, Friends And Baseball: The Simple Things Shine At The Minster Classic
Whole families flooded the vibrant and friendly atmosphere at the 23rd annual Minster Classic, giving kids the perfect chance to fall more in love with America's pastime. New Bemen's 12U Gracie Pape (pictured) pitches to a Russia's 12U batter....
July 21, 2024Reilly: If I Had To Pick Three Bass Baits….
Lazy summer bass need something that either makes noise or motion to make them strike. Spinner baits (above) have worked for generations of fishermen....
July 21, 2024Minster Classic Highlights: New Bremen, Parkway, And Fort Recovery Stand Out
A delightful Friday at the Minster Classic brought a big dose of fun, and a small glimpse into the future of MAC Baseball....
July 20, 2024There Is A Reason To Play At Home…..!
Why community baseball is so important...and why it continues to pay dividends, like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow....
July 20, 2024Minster Classic Serves As Joyful Reminder Of Village’s Character
The Minster Classic pulls back the curtain on the village's residents, revealing their commitment to local youth sports, and relentless positivity....
July 20, 2024Lucky 13?….Justin Haire Makes No Promises In Intro Press Confernce
Making his first public appearance in scarlet and gray at Wednesday's introductory press conference, new baseball hire Justin Haire said all the right things, made no promises, but promised that "development" is always messy. Read more..........
July 17, 2024How Bellefontaine’s Tavien St. Clair Matured Into Ohio State’s Next 5-Star Quarterback
The best class of 2025 player in Ohio didn’t simply rely on his natural talent to become a player the Buckeyes eventually wanted. He worked for it....
July 16, 2024One For Summer, Just For Fun…Do You Remember ‘Pipeline’?
One of the most popular instrumentals of all-time on 45s, it was the only hit for the band that first recorded it...and the signature song of the band that rode it off to stardom. For a good summer listen...do you remember 'Pipeline'?...
July 13, 2024What We’re Losing In Sports…Is What We’ve Lost In Life
In response to Hal McCoy's Wednesday post on Reds baseball, some sharp reaction from area fans who claim that mediocre Reds baseball is better...than no Reds baseball at all....
July 12, 2024First Words From Justin Haire…New Baseball Staff Converging On Columbus, The Future
In our first chance to talk actual baseball, new Ohio State coach Justin Haire shared some of his priorities as the coach of the Buckeyes. Among them...roster, and mending fences, and relationship building. Read more in Friday's Press Pros....
July 11, 2024McCoy: Is That Baseball The Reds Are Playing?
To the fan who wrote yesterday asking for more coverage on the Reds, here's a sample with which everyone in Cincinnati has grown familiar. Casey Stengel (above) once famously said, "Can't anyone here play this game?" He could have said it about the...
July 10, 2024On A Slow Tuesday…Some FAQs From The Readers
Something a bit different from the usual Reader Speaks, we get to some long-neglected questions from Press Pros readers what we do, why we don't do more...and who were the original writers (Hal McCoy, above). And thanks for sharing your time with us...
July 9, 2024Tim Goodwin Turns A Page…Marion Local Seeks Another Chapter
Six years after our last one-on-one with ultra-successful Marion Local coach Tim Goodwin, we check back on the personal and collective success since that 2017 visit. And as good as they were then, they've only gotten better. Read our initial footba...
July 6, 2024July 4th, 2024: Independence Then, Independence Now…..And The Price!
Silent Night...A hundred and sixty one years after the great Civil War to preserve the American union, the modern populous could not be more different than that of the 19th century...for their willingness then to put nation before themselves, and fig...
July 4, 2024How The Stars And Stripes Forever Became America’s Official Song…July 4, 2024
It's a tradition on our national holiday, and bands have played this song for generations - since 1896. But none of them play it better than this recording sent to me recently by a friend who loves the works of composer John Phillip Sousa (above), a...
July 3, 2024What Should Be Said – Written – About Joe Thoma
Sadly, the Piqua community lost a member that solved more problems while you got your watch fixed...than generations of politicians and public figures before him. One of Piqua's most beloved, Joe Thoma, has died....
July 1, 2024Amateur Baseball: Troy’s O’Leary Just Wants To Play…..
One of the area's best of the up-and-coming in amateur baseball, Troy's Brady O'Leary is spending his summer in a car and an on unfamiliar infields to sharpen his skills and make a favorable impression on those at a higher level. Our summer focus on...
June 30, 2024The Reader Speaks…June 29, 2024
Fast and furious, people responded to the change of baseball coaches at Ohio State, more about kids playing community baseball…and what seven divisions of OHSAA sports could mean down the road....
June 29, 2024On What Happened In Texas, And Could It Happen To You…..?
Jim Schlossnagle's abrupt departure from Texas A&M to take the Texas baseball job is the foundation for the growing angst about anything that comes with high-stake sports. Because, you hope for something more in people....
June 28, 2024Fishing The Stillwater For Summer Smallmouths….
We come within a mile of Press Pros, itself, to explore one of Ohio's best kept secrets for summer bass. We weren't disappointed....
June 27, 2024Volleyball Encore: Back-To-Back…Bremen Wins Div. IV Again, Beats Tiffin Calvert
In four sets New Bremen knocked out the only team to ever beat the Cardinals in an OHSAA Div. IV championship, captured its fourth overall title in volleyball, and the 152nd for the MAC Conference. Read and remember in an encore presentation on Pres...
June 25, 2024Haire Just The First Step…Buckeye Nation Asks The Old Question
Within 72 hours of hiring Justin Haire as the 13th baseball coach at Ohio State, those who question the commitment to baseball are already calling attention to the past, while hoping for something more. Read more in Monday Press Pros..........
June 24, 2024Haire To Bring Energy, ‘Connectivity’ To The Buckeyes Program…”This Dude Wins”
The early returns on the new coaching hire are a pattern of optimism. Good person, good recruiter, good developer of talent are what people are saying about Buckeyes baseball coach Justin Haire. Read more in Saturday's Press Pros........
June 21, 2024Buckeyes Tab Justin Haire As New Baseball Coach…..
Incoming athletic director Ross Bjork promised immediacy in naming the next baseball coach at Ohio State, and he followed through. Campbell University’s Justin Haire has been named to succeed Bill Mosiello. Columbus, OH – In a surprising...
June 21, 2024The Time I Saw Willie Mays Play At Crosley Field…..
Live and in person, I saw Willie Mays play just once, and he didn't disappoint. Another of our iconic baseball personalities is now gone...and there's no replacements in sight. ...
June 20, 2024“Once They Learn…It’s Harder Not To Like Baseball….”
At the conclusion of Lehman’s three-day June baseball camp 60 young players showed up for instruction and encouragement from Mark Brunswick (above) and his assistants...that if you learn to love the game it will always love you back. Read........
June 19, 2024Bjork: “We Have To Find The Right Guy….”
On the occasion of a summer NIL fundraiser to benefit Ohio State baseball, incoming athletic director Ross Bjork was on hand Monday to hear concerns over the search for a new coach…along with some suggestions that the man he’s looking for might be ri...
June 17, 2024The Reader Speaks…June 16, 2024
Overdue with responding to readers’ opinions, we’re pleased to hear from those who've opined on, among other things…community baseball, Ohio State and college baseball, "what's wrong with beating Otterbein", and…”is anyone noticing in small school fo...
June 16, 2024Mosiello Resigns: Bill, We Barely Knew You…..
Just two years into his contract as the head baseball coach, Bill Mosiello abruptly resigned Friday to pursue other professional opportunities. Some thoughts on the reality of his two years with the Buckeyes, and what comes next....
June 14, 2024Who’s Hot? Fort Recovery and Russia Baseball
Days after their appearance at the OHSAA state tournament, most people take for granted the kind of personal triumph it is to get there, let alone win. Some thoughts on Russia and Fort Recovery....
June 11, 2024Final Thoughts On Baseball, The Tournament, And The Future…..
Fresh back from the state baseball tournament, here's some observations on what we saw, what we heard, and thoughts on the future of this and the rest of the OHSAA tournaments....
June 11, 2024McCoy: Fort Recovery Couldn’t Recover In State Finals
The agonizing reality of baseball...Jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, Fort Recovery never scored again after the first to be overcome by Berlin Hiland in the final two innings. Hal McCoy writes for Press Pros....
June 9, 2024Solid Pitching, Timely Small Ball Propel Heath Past Lake For D-III Title
Heath jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first two innings and rode the pitching of Wyatt Binckley the rest of the way to beat Millbury Lake 3-1 for its third state championship. Steve Blackledge writes..........
June 9, 2024Mason Claims First Title In Baseball, Over Twinsburg
After a stellar season and 37 years of tournament frustration, Mason, beind starting pitcher Michael Bilo (above) finally claimed its first title in OHSAA baseball with an 8-1 win over Twinsburg in the Division I Final....
June 9, 2024West Branch Rallies In 7th To Beat Badin For First State Title
After making a potentially back-breaking error in the sixth inning, Boston Mulinix raced home with the winning run in a wild three-run seventh-inning rally to give West Branch its first state title, sending his retiring father/coach Rick Mulinix out ...
June 9, 2024It Was Almost Perfect…Russia Falls To Berlin Hiland, 2-0
Russia's Braylon Cordonnier deals with the frustration of baseball and the reality of the game giving, and sometimes taking away. The Raiders lost to Berlin Hiland in Saturday's Division IV semi-final game, 2-0. Read more in Sunday's Press Pros....
June 9, 2024McCoy: Fort Recovery’s ‘Recovery Act’…Indians Play For Div. IV Title
That special feeling...Fort Recovery savors the final out in an impressive 3-1 win over Hillsdale in Saturday's Division IV semi-final game at Canal Park in Akron. Hal McCoy writes the story for Press Pros....
June 8, 2024Toomey Walks Off Heath Win With RBI Double In 8th
Wyatt Binckley raced home with the winning run on a seeing-eye double by Conner Tooney, allowing Heath to edge two-time defending state champion Apple Creek Waynedale in an exciting Division III state semifinal. ...
June 8, 2024Berlin Meets Its Match, Falls To Twinsburg And Hot Ace In DI State Semi
Olentangy Berlin's remarkable and historic season came to a halt Friday in a stinging 4-1 defeat to Twinsburg. The Bears managed just four hits against Tigers ace Josh Stalnaker (above). Steve Blackledge writes for Press Pros. (Photo by Julie McMak...
June 7, 2024Carmella Breaks Out Of Slump, Powers Badin Over Padua In DII State Semi
Hamilton Badin, Beloit West Branch (above) advance to the Div. II finals with wins in the tournament's first action from Canal Park in Akron. Read Steve Blackledge........
June 7, 2024Stammen Classic: Craig Stammen Comes Home…To Watch Baseball…..
The namesake of the annual Little League Classic in Versailles, Craig Stammen made it home for the weekend, and in time to witness the benefits of his time, commitment, and belief in the values of community baseball....
June 6, 2024Why Baseball Is The Toughest Title To Earn…….
On the eve of this weekend's state tournament finals in baseball, I'll share with you...again...why baseball is the toughest of all the OHSAA titles to win....
June 6, 2024McCoy: The Quirks And Nuances Of Ball Parks
The state baseball tournament is played this weekend in Canal Park, one of our favorite venues for such an affair, because the park dimensions (above) reminds us of some of the old-time parks that were asymmetrical, different, and a little kooky. A ...
June 5, 2024Ray Reilly: Off The Road And Back On The Ohio Lakes
After a three month hiatus to re-educate, I've come home at the perfect time to catch big bluegills in southern Ohio. And what could be better? Ray Reilly returns to write for Press Pros....
June 5, 2024Jerry Kaup Remembers Fort Recovery…Ten Years Ago!
The man who once salvaged Fort Recovery baseball and led them to back-to-back state tournaments in 2015 and '16, is still excited about Indians baseball...and this week's latest appearance in the Final Four. Jerry Kaup looks back in Wednesday's Pres...
June 4, 2024The Reader Speaks, June 4, 2024….
Some amused, and some frustrated by the latest posts about cigars, Ohio State baseball, and disagreement on how to play warmer baseball (and softball) in the spring. Read the first TRS of summer in today's feature.........
June 3, 2024Versailles’ Osborne, Coldwater’s Wendel Chosen For MAC Sponsor Scholar/Athlete Awards
In one of the most competitive fields of recent MAC scholar-athlete applicants for the annual Press Pros sponsors' MAC scholar-athlete awards, Coldwater's Madison Wendel and Versailles' Michael Osborne have been selected as this year's recipients of ...
June 2, 2024Russia Three-Peats As Regional Champs…Will Meet Berlin Hiland In State Semis
Three in a row....Competitive for the first five innings, Russia pulled away at the end to end Troy Christian's dream, and extend one of their own. Their latest regional title gets them shot at redemption and a second state title in three years....
June 1, 2024Haag’s 1-Hit Gem Powers Berlin To First State Tournament
Pitcher Kyle Haag authored Berlin’s second masterpiece in as many days and its slick-fielding defense did the rest as the Bears blanked Hilliard Bradley 2-0 in a Division I regional championship game. Grove City, OH – Not until fall will Olenta...
May 31, 2024Kennedy’s Relief Crucial To Alder Regional Survival
It was sloppy at times and stress-inducing at others -- like when this infield throw on a bunt eluded Jonathan Alder's Cam Potter and allowed Kenton Ridge's Braden Smith to score -- but the Pioneers found a way to shed a pesky rival and defend their ...
May 31, 2024Russia, Troy Christian Punch Tickets For Div. IV Regional Final
#4-ranked Russia and Braylon Cordonnier (above) played through mistakes and eight walks, but scored enough to knock out #3-ranked Northmor...while unranked Troy Christian made Bradford pay for too many free bases with a pair of six-run innings to adv...
May 30, 2024Bednar, Berlin Nearly Flawless In 5-0 Shutout Of Orange
Akron-bound pitcher Taylor Bednar allowed just two hits while teammate Maddux Pulliam socked a pair of bases-empty home runs as Olentangy Berlin steamrolled its way into the regional title game. Grove City, OH – After tossing a masterpiece of a game ...
May 30, 2024Walk-Off RBI Double By Koons Gives Bradley Latest 1-Run Win
Just 22nd seeded in the Central District tournament, Hilliard Bradley kept its magical season alive with a 3-2, 11-inning win over Olentangy Liberty in a regional semifinal. Clutch hitting by Alex Koons and shutdown relief pitching by Diego Contreras...
May 30, 2024Last Word On OSU Baseball (For Now)….And Three Questions
Was the season disappointing? Yes, to some. Is it fixable? Pitching fixes everything in baseball. And how much will they lose to the portal and the draft? The three most-asked questions after a second season of Bill Mosiello baseball....
May 29, 2024McCoy: Huffing and Puffing Away On Cigars
From a man known for two things...his hall of fame career in covering the Cincinnati Reds, and his passion for smoking cigars. Hal McCoy's shares his journey from Marsh Wheelings to Monte Cristo White Labels....
May 28, 2024Jaden Rose, JJ Meyer Selected As Shelby County League Scholar/Athlete Recipients
Botkins' JJ Meyer and Fort Loramie's Jaden Rose (pictured) have been selected for the 2023 Press Pros Shelby County Sponsors' Scholar-Athlete Scholarship, and again head a list of impressive applicants destined for success in whatever future competit...
May 28, 2024Memorial Day 2024: Another Chapter Of Understanding
Silent guns at Gettysburg...To fully understand the significance, and the lives honored on Memorial Day, you really need to leave home for a site of the sacrifice at least once in your life. In my case...I make it a yearly pilgrimage. Read more in ...
May 27, 2024Bucks Bow Out Quietly At 29-26…Lose Finale To Nebraska
On a day where the pitching was exhausted, an exhausting season came to a close with a focus on the future. Pitcher Justin Eckhardt reacts to the reality of playing his final game in organized baseball...
May 24, 2024Have We Over-Legislated Baseball For The Sake Of Safety…?
An unfortunate, questionable call at the conclusion of Thursday's Iowa-Illinois game had many of us asking...have we made the rules of the game such that it's hard to stomach baseball?...
May 24, 2024Mason Ace, Slugger Too Much For Troy In District Final
Mason defeats Troy at this stage of the tournament for the second straight year. And the Trojans, who surpassed expectations by making it this far, will long remember that it was Jake Hanley who they couldn't hit and who swung a powerful bat. Caleb ...
May 24, 2024Streaking Liberty Blanks Scioto 7-0 For Another District Crown
After a tumultuous start to the season, Olentangy Liberty has caught fire at the right time. Sophomore pitcher Parker Van Engelenhoven allowed just two hits and got all the support he needed in the form of a five-run fourth inning. Grove City,...
May 23, 2024Sloppy Baseball Costs Buckeyes Bracket Advantage, Loss To Indiana
As well as they played in Tuesday's win over Nebraska, Ohio State did a complete 180 Thursday. "Sloppy baseball" (above) cost them a 14-7 loss to Indiana....
May 23, 2024Indiana A Tough Test For Pitching-Questioned Buckeyes
After a surprising thumping of #2 seed Nebraska in the opening round, the Buckeyes face a wary Indiana group that has some very familiar Ohio talent that chose not to be Buckeyes. Omaha, NE – With Wednesday being an off day, we went sleuthing a...
May 23, 2024Orange Survives Pesky Coffman For 2nd Straight District Title
Olentangy Orange graduated 17 players from its 2023 state runner-up team, but managed to battle its way to another district championship after a three-run fifth inning paved the way for the Pioneers. By Jarrod Ulrey for Press Pros POWELL, Ohio – Duri...
May 22, 2024Kennedy Perfect In 2-0 Alder Win Over London
With precious few land mines to negotiate, Jonathan Alder’s Greg Kennedy struck out 10 in recording his first career perfect game. Ashton Martin hit an RBI double and also scored the team’s other run to give the Pioneers all the offense t...
May 22, 2024Left-Hand Compliments…And The Tree That Falls In The Forest
Some observations about Big Ten baseball awards...and off-the-beaten path encounters with people you meet at the tournament....
May 22, 2024Richardson Pitching, Flohre Hit In 7th Lifts Butler Baseball
Hunter Richardson won a pitchers' duel against Fairmont's Stevie Doty, and Austin Flohre won a seventh-inning at-bat against Doty to send the Aviators to a Division I district final Thursday in Mason....
May 22, 2024Bad Moon Rising…Buckeyes Stun Nebraska In BIG Tournament Opener
Feeding frenzy in Omaha....The surprise of the tournament on opening day wasn't the weather after all, but Ohio State scoring 15 runs on 15 hits to crush #2 seed Nebraska, 15-2. Read more........
May 22, 2024Pitching, Baserunning Guide Fort Loramie To 5-1 Win In District Semifinals
Gabe Hart allowed 1 run in seven innings against Covington, allowing for a mediocre day of batting. The Redskins gained a huge advantage on the basepaths, making Covington pay for even the slightest of mistakes....
May 21, 2024Omaha….And How We Got Here
The mid-terms are over and it’s time for the final exam. How we got to the Big Ten Tournament is a study guide for baseball....
May 20, 2024Memories From The Big Ten Tournament…Sergakis, Dawson, Tully, and Magno
They've made the conference BIG show for the first time since 2019 when the Buckeyes take on Nebraska on Tuesday, hoping to add to some memories from two successful Big Ten Tournaments past. Enjoying reading some blasts (third baseman Nick Sergakis ...
May 19, 2024Bradley Uses Speed, Small-Ball To Edge Tri-Valley 3-2 For District Title
Loghan Cromer twice executed perfect bunt singles to jump start Bradley’s offense while freshman Mickey Moody delivered a clutch two-RBI hit and picked up the save in relief of Jillian Meszaros. Pickerington, OH – In 39 years coaching softball...
May 18, 2024Buckeyes Redeem Season With Series Win At Rutgers…And A BIG Tournament Berth
What many thought couldn't be done three weeks ago...the Buckeyes rebounded to accomplish Friday with a series-winning 11-5 score at Rutgers....
May 17, 2024Impacting Her Sport Beyond The Field
Ohio State junior Kami Kortokrax is a "gamer" in every way, so it's no surprise she's speaking out to preserve future opportunities for the girls who want to grow up and be like her. (Photos courtesy of OSU)...
May 17, 2024Buckeyes Win A Thriller To Start Final Series
It took ten innings and a dramatic home run by Matt Graveline when hope seemed lost. But Ohio State scored three times to emerge a 6-3 victor in game one of the Rutgers series....
May 17, 2024May As Good A Time As Any To Ponder Buckeye Football Fortunes
Ryan Day talked on the radio Wednesday morning, I listened, thought about the season ahead and typed a few thoughts. Between now and the start of preseason practice let's hope we all find a time and place to relax. Because the 2024 season is coming, ...
May 16, 2024Buckeyes Season On The Line….And In Piscataway, New Jersey?
It comes down to the last three games, and the last three teams vying for the final spot in the Big Ten Tournament...in Piscataway, New Jersey, of all places....
May 16, 2024Grudich Gem Powers Loramie In Opening Tourney Win Over SCC….
Fort Loramie got enough offense to score three in the second, two in the fifth, and two in the sixth (above) Wednesday to win their opening game over Springfield Catholic in the Division IV tournament. Read more in Thursday's Press Pros....
May 15, 2024In Division IV Baseball…Quite The Cluster Within 7 Miles Of Each Other
Russia, Minster and Fort Loramie are rated in the state's top ten in Division IV this week, and all within seven miles of each other. What's it say about area Division IV baseball? Read more........
May 14, 2024Buckeyes Stumble In Quest For Big Ten Tournament…Lose Finale To Northwestern
Head scratcher...Ohio State's tournament hopes took a spill in the Sunday finale, losing to Northwestern, 3-1. Now it remains...three critical games on the road at Rutgers, and a little help, if you please. Read more.......
May 12, 2024Moms, And Mother’s Day……
Like the lyrics from the old Joni Mitchell song, you never know what you've got 'til it's gone...a realization I share with a lot of you on this particular Mother's Day....
May 12, 2024Buckeyes Enjoy A Romp…4 HRs Power A 14-6 Win Over Northwestern
On a hitter's day at Bill Davis, the Buckeyes took full advantage (freshman Isaac Cadena, above), scoring 14 runs on 13 hits in a laugher of a win over the Northwestern Wildcats. Read about it in Sunday's Press Pros....
May 11, 2024Buckeyes Take The First Step With Opening Win Over Northwestern
It was tense for six innings, but Matt Graveline broke it open with a triple in the seventh (above) and the Buckeyes added two more in the eighth to put Northwestern away in game one of their final home series....
May 10, 2024Buckeyes Host Northwestern…Put Up Or Shut Up Time…?
Struggling to qualify for the final spot in the Big Ten Tournament, the Buckeyes get a schedule break this weekend with the last place Northwestern Wildcats come to Bill Davis Stadium....
May 10, 2024The Time I Saw Nolan Ryan Pitch……
It's been fifty years, but the one and only time I saw the great Nolan Ryan pitch is a memory worth sharing, along with an additional backstage experience. A rainy Friday read on Press Pros....
May 9, 2024Minster Shuts Out St. Henry To Claim Share Of MAC Baseball Title
In a matchup befitting champions, Minster's Louis Magoto (pictured) spun a three-hit shutout Wednesday to earn the Wildcats the 2024 MAC title in baseball over St. Henry. Read more in Thursday's Press Pros....
May 8, 2024Sean Allen On Pitching…Throwing Strikes, Velocity, And How To Put A Bad Game Behind You
The pitching coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes shares in insights on one of the most important rudiments of baseball, and baseball at every level - why to some throwing strikes comes easy, and not for others...pitching and velocity...and how to put a ...
May 6, 2024Opportunity Comes Up Empty…Buckeyes Thumped In Illini Finale
Running on fumes by weekend’s end, the Buckeyes' pitching took a beating at the hands of Illinois’ veteran lineup Sunday (background), and along with it the window closed a bit on their post-season probabilities. Read more in Monday's Press Pros....
May 6, 2024Buckeyes Don’t Pitch…Illinois Evens The Series At 1-1
Watching it fly...Tyler Pettorini follows the flight of his second home run of the game, his ninth of the season. Unfortunately, it came in a 10-5 loss to Illinois. Read more in Sunday's Press Pros....
May 5, 2024Bucks Crash The Party…Take Illinois In Weekend Opener
You can't win 'em all if you don't win the first...Buckeyes first baseman Hunter Rosson celebrates the final out in OSU's Friday night 7-5 win over Illinois....
May 4, 2024St. Henry Outlasts Versailles In Extras…Bergman’s Pinch Hit Scores Winning Run
He would later call it the biggest hit in his life...St. Henry pinch-hitter Drew Bergman drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning Thursday as the Redskins scored an 8-3 win over Versailles. Read more about the game in Friday's Press Pros....
May 2, 2024McCoy: Ohio State Survives Slugfest
Who are you going to talk to after Ohio State and Akron combine for 33 runs, 32 hits and use 15 pitchers during the Buckeyes 18-13 win? Certainly you don't talk to a pitcher, but in this case one stood out, Ohio State relief pitcher Colin Purcell....
May 2, 2024Berlin Survives Late Scare, Holds On To Edge Marysville 12-11
In the latest chapter of a somewhat surprising and disjointed season, third-ranked Olentangy Berlin ran its record to 19-2 with a nail-biting win against 13th-ranked Marysville. Delaware, OH – Olentangy Berlin’s baseball season began like a scene fro...
May 1, 2024The Reader Speaks…May 1, 2024
Letters from back home (Press Pros readers) on criticism of officials and umpires...a vote for area high school baseball coaches (above)...and is there a chance that high school baseball will be played in warm weather? Read. and enjoy!...
April 30, 2024Tipp Cruises Past Self-Destructing Stebbins – Devils Improve To 13-6
In another example of culture versus the lack of priority, Tipp cruised to its 14th win of the season over Stebbins, standing now 8-4 in MVL Miami Division. Read about it in Tuesday's Press Pros....
April 29, 2024Buckeyes Salvage Important Finale Win…Over MSU
A day after playing one of their worst games of the season, the Buckeyes reversed their performance Sunday in an important finale win over Michigan State. Hunter Rosson (above) struck a big blow with his home run in the sixth. Read more about the g...
April 29, 2024Spartans Take Series, Thump OSU 17-12 In Saturday Matinee
For the second day in a row the Buckeye failed to pitched and paid a price. Michigan State hung 17 runs and 16 hits on them in a 17-12 series-winning effort....
April 28, 2024Mason Welsch Tosses Shutout in 10-0 win over Russia
The top-ranked Coldwater Cavaliers rode Mason Welsch's one-hit shutout (above), cruising to a 10-0 win against Russia...while the Cavs' bats simply overpowered Russia's formidable pitching....
April 27, 2024Lousy Start To The Weekend…Bucks Drop Opener To Sparty, 11-4
It didn't start well...Trey Lipsey watches a second inning home run by Michigan State leave the park - part of an 11-run, 17-hit offense by MSU in Friday's 11-4 win. Read more.......
April 26, 2024The Most Interesting Prospect…Can Russia Three-Peat The Division IV Final Four?
A blowout 15-1 win over Houston Thursday highlighted the talent and experience of Russia in Division IV, and a no-hit performance by Ben Rinderle (above)...as well as the disproportionate priority for baseball in too many communities across Ohio. Re...
April 26, 2024Versailles Bursts Coldwater Bubble…#1 Cavaliers Shut Out For First Loss Of Season
Playing the high-scoring Coldwater Cavaliers in the rain and slop, Versailles AJ Griesdorn (above) did what no other pitcher has even come close to in 2024...shut out the #1-ranked team in Division III, 4-0. Read about it in Wednesday's Press Pros....
April 23, 2024Veterans Brunswick, King Blueprint The Lehman Baseball Rebuild
Two seasons removed from a 4-win season, Mark Brunswick and Dave King have the Lehman Cavaliers on path to a winning season and a return to their not-so-long-ago days of being Division IV contenders. Sophomore Turner Lachey drove in the clinching ru...
April 22, 2024Fact And Opinion: How OSU Dropped Finale, Series To Michigan
Opinion...for five innings they had the pitching from freshman Gavin DeVooght (above) and enough hitting to win most games. But facts intervened over the final four innings to cost the Buckeyes the finale of the Michigan series, as well as the serie...
April 21, 2024Buckeyes’ Morin A Throwback To ‘Less Is More’
He's been around long enough to have learned that knowing how to pitch is his advantage. And the Buckeyes' Jacob Morin rarely disappoints....
April 21, 202416 Runs, 16 Hits…Buckeyes Pummel Michigan In Game 2 Of Series
Gavin Bruni (above) pitched 1 run, 1 hit baseball through the first five innings Saturday, setting the the Buckeyes for an eventual 16-1 win in game two of their series with Michigan. Read more....
April 20, 2024Piqua Plays Through Early Mistakes…Improves To 10-2 With Win Over Greenville
After a sloppy start, Piqua and Mickey Anderson (above) hammered the baseball, scored four runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and put Greenville away with eight more in the sixth to stay unbeaten in MVL play. Read more....
April 19, 2024McCoy: Ohio State-Wright State Play Wild One
Ohio State scores 11 runs in the first two innings, but has to hold off Wright State after the Raiders barged back to tie it. forcing the Buckeyes to score an unearned run in the eighth inning to score a 14-13 non-league victory. Henry Kaczmar (pict...
April 17, 2024Moving Week For The Buckeyes….
At two games over .500, overall, and 4-3 in league play, the Buckeyes are at that point of making their move against the 'elites' of the league, for a spot in the Big Ten Tournament...and whatever impression they can make about an at-large NCAA oppor...
April 16, 2024Buckeyes Find Some Added Pop In Blowout Win Over Iowa…Take Series, 11-1
Home runs were the highlight of the day...the possible emergence of freshman Gavin DeVooght as a third starter...and what we've all waited to see - how far Ryan Miller (above) can hit a baseball....
April 14, 2024What’s The Best Country Song…A Reader Asks
Amazed at the number of people who respond to articles about songs and song writers, this one was my pick as the best in country, and it'll come to a surprise to George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and Merle Haggard....
April 14, 2024Buckeyes Drop A Tough One…Fall To Iowa, 3-2
Game two of the weekend series with Iowa came down runners in scoring position with Henry Kaczmar at the plate with two out. It just didn’t work out. Columbus, OH – This one hurt. Notwithstanding that it’s baseball…and baseb...
April 13, 2024Spring Game: Ohio State Coaches Talk About The Depth Needed For A Playoff Run
Head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly didn’t say whether Will Howard has won the starting quarterback job and didn’t say who will be the fifth starting offensive lineman. But they talked about the need for more depth in...
April 13, 2024Buckeyes Follow Mo’s Script…Take Game One From Iowa
Efficient pitching...timely hitting (Nick Giamarusti, above)...and tight defense contributed to the Buckeyes' impressive series-opening win Friday over Iowa. Read about in Saturday's Press Pros....
April 12, 2024At The Halfway Mark, OSU Meets Iowa Challenge
A game over .500, the Buckeyes face a critical test this weekend...an Iowa team that's standard to the test before them...a glimpse of what's necessary to make Big Ten Tourney, and beyond....
April 12, 2024Mom…There Was Hardly Anyone Like Her (1928-2024)
It's never easy to lose a parent - and your mom - but remembering what made her impactful in your life is a gift that you'll carry with you for a very long time....
April 11, 2024The Reader Speaks…April 11, 2024
The latest from readers here and there, near and far...on coaches we missed for COTY, tournament basketball, Big Ten umpires, and are we still kicking the can down the road with spring baseball?...
April 11, 2024Okuley, Buckeyes Feast on Morehead State Pitching
Nine Morehead pitchers served up 12 hits, including three home runs, and Ohio State scored 13 runs to win their third straight and get to one game over .500. Columbus, OH – Ohio State senior outfielder Mitchell Okuley knows the flavor of pitches he l...
April 11, 2024The Doctor Is In: The Importance Of Your Nervous System, And Healing Injuries….
As part of our continuing series on sports injuries and the methods by which they heal, Dr. Dillon Huffer, in Dublin, Ohio, reminds that your nervous system is the great conduit towards the body healing itself....
April 10, 2024Lipsey Homers To Complete Buckeyes Comeback
Trey Lipsey's two-run homer in the eighth inning pushed Ohio State past Bowling Green and made coach Bill Mosiello happy for his leadoff hitter....
April 9, 2024Butler Flashes Its Pitching To Blank Troy In MVL Division Play.
Vandalia Butler showed pitching (Hunter Richardson, above) and the ability to break through late, handing Troy a 9-0 loss Tuesday. Read about it in Wednesday's Press Pros....
April 9, 2024Okuley’s Grand Slam Caps Off Game 3 Win Over Nebraska
Finishing it in grand fashion....Mitchell Okuley created all the excitement in the top of the ninth with his first home run of the season, and his first grand slam as a Buckeye. "It was a huge hit for our season." said Bill Mosiello....
April 7, 2024Lost Day In Lincoln…6-Run Fifth Sinks Buckeyes In Game 2
They're now 2-6 since the home opener at Bill Davis, and Saturday proved to be the perfect storm of what's ailing the baseball Buckeyes...despite Josh Stevenson (above) launching his third home run. Read more....
April 6, 2024Buckeyes Shut Out, Shut Down, By Nebraska’s Sears
In one of the most dominating college pitching performances in recent memory, Nebraska's Brett Sears (above) shut down the Buckeyes on just two hits in the opening game of the three-game series in Lincoln....
April 6, 2024The Difference In Ohio State Baseball and Ohio State Basketball
A chance meeting in the airport with a Buckeye fan sparked consideraton of which Ohio State team, baseball or basketball, will be first to achieve national success....
April 5, 2024Buckeyes Take 2-1 Big Ten Record To Lincoln, Meet Huskers In Weekend Series
As stern a test as they could get at this point in the Big Ten schedule, the Buckeyes and Landon Beidelschies (above) go on the road to Nebraska to take on the 20-6 Huskers....
April 4, 2024Kelly’s No. 1 Job: Bring Back The Running Game
Chip Kelly's experience and offensive genius label will serve the Buckeyes well if his leadership can make the Ohio State running game relevant again and the foundation to an explosive and high-scoring offense....
April 3, 2024Siegel, Cordonnier Our Area Basketball Coaches Of The Year…..
It really comes as no surprise...Fort Loramie's Carla Siegel and Russia's Spencer Cordonnier reprise history as our Press Pros area basketball coaches of the year....
April 1, 2024Weekend Finishes On A Downer…Buckeyes Drop Finale To Purdue
It's hard to win when you only get three hits and your freshman pitchers battle the batting order and the strike zone. Both gave rise to the Buckeyes dropping the series finale to Purdue....
March 31, 2024What A Win…Lipsey’s Walkoff In The Ninth Beats Boilermakers
Hero's welcome....Left fielder Trey Lipsey is engulfed at home plate following his walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to beat Purdue. The Buckeyes secured the series with a 12-10 win and seek the sweep on Sunday....
March 30, 2024Buckeyes Start The Ten With A Win…Beidelschies Throttles Purdue
Nick's big night....OSU's Nick Giamarusti is taking his gloves off before he even reached home following his fifth inning home run Friday against Purdue. Giamarusti finished with four hits in five at bats, eight total bases, and a pair of RBIs in an...
March 30, 2024Baseball: And What The Buckeyes Must Do Against Purdue…
At 10-11 Bill Mosiello and the Buckeyes find themselves in a position they expected to be better entering Big Ten play. And with two-thirds of the season still ahead they face a pivotal weekend....
March 27, 2024Battle, Buckeyes’ Run Come Up Short Against UGA….
Game winner, season ender...Georgia's Noah Thomasson launches the winning jumper over the block attempt of the Buckeyes' Devin Royal Tuesday night to stop Ohio State's NIT run and bring an end to the 2023-'24 basketball season. Read more about the g...
March 26, 2024Reflections On The Weekend…Who Hired The Right Coach…And Dayton Didn’t Keep That Many Fans Away
What we saw, and what we've heard already about the state basketball finals weekend, Ohio State and Michigan hiring new basketball coaches...UD Arena as host of the OHSAA Finals...and is video review justified in college baseball?...
March 25, 2024“You Could Write A Book”…Offense AWOL, Buckeyes Swept By Georgetown
Another day of offensive frustration. OSU's Mitchell Okuley (above) is thrown out at the plate in the third inning, a critical run lost in a 4-2 win by Georgetown to sweep the series. ...
March 24, 2024St. Ignatius Runs Away From Centerville, Captures 1st State Title Since 2001
Cleveland St. Ignatius used two runs in the middle quarters to seize control, then used its depth to wear down cold-shooting Centerville in the Division I state championship game. Dayton, OH – When Cameron Joyce was hired to head up the Cleveland St....
March 24, 2024Alter Players Make Their Own History, Beat Maysville For Division II Title
Playing a finely honed all-around game, Kettering Alter — with four double figures scorers — defeated Maysville 68-54 to capture its first state title in 23 years. Dayton, OH – As if the players needed another reminder about Kettering Alter’s rich h...
March 24, 2024Harvest Prep Runs Into Roadblock, Falls To Lutheran East In DIII Title Game
Coming in averaging close to 76 points per game, Harvest Prep met its match in the form of a talented and ferocious Lutheran East defense. The Falcons repeated as state champion and won their third title in four years. Dayton, OH – Harvest Prep scor...
March 24, 2024Richmond Heights Joins Elite Group With Third Straight DIV Title
The outcome was never in doubt. Richmond Heights used its ferocious full-court pressure to devour Berlin Hiland 62-35 in the small-school championship game. The Spartans scored 28 points off turnovers and 25 came on fast break baskets. Dayton, OH – ...
March 24, 2024Battle 17-of-18 At Line, Lifts OSU Past Va Tech
The beat rolls on for Diebler, Buckeyes...it was physical, nasty at times, and a challenge for one team to beat the other, and the three officials. But Jake Diebler moved his record to 8-2 Saturday with a second round 81-73 NIT win over Virginia Tec...
March 24, 2024Defense, Experience Power Centerville To Easy Win Over Whitmer
For the fourth straight year, Centerville finds itself in a position to take home a trophy. The Elks were state champions in 2021, runner-ups in 2022 and lost in a semifinal a year ago. Next up: A rematch against Cleveland St. Ignatius for all the ma...
March 23, 2024Buckeyes Lose Offensive Touch In 8-5 Loss To Georgetown
For a second day in a row the Buckeyes fail at the plate and at opportunity's doorstep. They drop the series to Georgetown, 8-5....
March 23, 2024Hayes Can’t Handle Press Late, Falls To Tall, Talented St. Ignatius In DI Semi
In its first state tournament appearance, Delaware Hayes had perennial power Cleveland St. Ignatius on the ropes, but was doomed by costly turnovers down the stretch and lost to the Wildcats 55-54. Dayton, OH – Fully aware of the herculean task ahead...
March 23, 2024McCoy: It’s All Over Now For UD Flyers
The basketball season came to a crashing conclusion Saturday afternoon for the University of Dayton basketball team, a 78-68 second round loss in the NCAA tournament to the No. 2 seed Arizona as this time the Flyers could not quite extricate themselv...
March 23, 2024Five-Point Sequence Helps Maysville Outlast Shelby In DII Stalemate
Jordyn Watson scored 26 points, Alex Bobb 22 and Gator Nichols 18 as Maysville broke through in the final two minutes to reach the state title game for the first time. The game featured 15 lead changes and 10 ties. Dayton, OH – Six-thousand, eight-hu...
March 23, 2024Alter Comes Out Blazing, Blows Out Ursuline In DII State Semi
Shooting lights out all day long, Kettering Alter jumped to a 20-4 lead and trounced Youngstown Ursuline in state semifinal. R.J. Greer scored 24 points to pace the tradition-rich Knights, who are seeking their first state title since 2001. Dayton, O...
March 23, 2024Lutheran East Jumps To Huge Early Lead, Overwhelms Preble Shawnee In DIII Semi
Ronald Taylor and Jesse McCulloch combined for 37 points and 18 rebounds, powering defending champion Lutheran East to an easy win over out-manned Preble Shawnee. The Falcons will shoot for their third state title in four years. Dayton, OH – Coach Sa...
March 23, 2024Season 142 Opens Soggy, And Something Less Than Anticipated
Hoping to show some of the thunder and lightning of their West Coach successes, the Buckeyes fell victim to a better baseball team Friday in the home opener, losing to Georgetown....
March 22, 2024Harvest Prep Foils Final Shot By Attempt By White, Knocks Off Ottawa-Glandorf 61-59
After repelling numerous comeback attempts by Ottawa-Glandorf, Harvest Prep hung on to beat O-G and reached its fourth state title game. Adonus Abrams was magnificent for the Warriors, scoring 26 points and making six steals. Dayton, OH – Coaches Tys...
March 22, 2024