Gabe Powers appears cut from the same cloth as legendary as Ohio-born and bred Ohio State linebackers Randy Gradishar, Chris Spielman and A.J. Hawk. But before becoming a Buckeye he will serve as the cornerstone of Marysville High School’s hopes for an extended playoff run his senior season.
Baseball games on the fourth of July used to be a matter of routine and tradition. Now, they’re something to be taken more seriously…with colleges, scholarships, and futures on the line. You never know who’s watching, and they may be watching you! Read why so many kids are playing this weekend in today’s Press Pros.
Baseball players from around the state aren’t shy about expressing an opinion on lost time due to Covid. Some are frustrated, while others (Dublin’s Patrick Joyce, below) are already considering their options. In the meantime…they play as much as they can, while they can.
It was wide open for five innings, and then Elder made it interesting. But New Albany coach Dave Starling had it pegged about right. His starter delivered, his offense produced, and his bullpen finally nailed down the 2021 Division I title in a wild finish.
After a nervous start…great pitching, great defense, and timely hitting powered New Albany to reliever Brady Conley (below, middle) and past favored Walsh Jesuit to play in Sunday’s Division I final. Read about the game on Press Pros.
Hilliard’s three high schools are rivals, but when it comes to baseball they’re often teammates with the Colts Elite. The Elite are one of the many 18U, 16U and 15U teams taking their swings at the Best of Ohio Wood Bat Classic this weekend at various sites around the Miami Valley. Greg Billing writes.
Things in and out of its control conspired against New Albany for the last two seasons, but the Eagles were tired of waiting for a trip to the state baseball tournament’s final weekend and made it happen Saturday against OCC rival Olentangy Orange. Bruce Hooley writes for Press Pros.
It’s rare air that Westerville Central’s Justin Braun (below) is breathing with his sprint triple, highlighting a dominant performance by Central Ohio track and field stars, including a D-I team title for Pickerington Central’s boys thanks to a clutch effort from Steven McElroy. Steve Blackledge writes for Sunday’s Press Pros.
Saturday’s races got a great preliminary boost with Friday’s state tournament action. Long jumpers and pole vaulters got a lot of attention with some big efforts. Steve Blackledge writes for weekend Press Pros.
Two scintillating semifinals in an All-Ohio Capital Conference Central Regional went down to the wire, setting up an Olentangy Orange vs. New Albany final for a berth in the state’s final four. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Mike Munden)
Despite the rotten weather and cold temps, Westerville Central’s Justin Braun opened eyes by taking the 100, 200, and 400mm sprints at the Division I regional tract meet at Pickerington North, part of an impressive tease to next week’s state track tournament. Steve Blackledge writes for Press Pros.
Cel-e-brate good times….It took almost thirty years, but Westerville South finally clinched a long-awaited district title in baseball Wednesday with a 3-2 win over Hilliard Darby. Columnist Steve Blackledge writes for Thursday’s Press Pros.
Accustomed to competition and expectation, Bishop Hartley’s Kami Kortokrax makes it look easy as one of the top players in the country. And she doesn’t get it from strangers. Steve Blackledge writes about her in the latest Press Pros.
Jace Middleton says he was born on a baseball diamond, and seems destined to follow in the steps of his father as a Buckeye recruit and as far as his talent and pedigree will take him. Steve Blackledge writes for today’s Press Pros.
According to survey, the percentage of coaches favoring playoff expansion to those who don’t is about 50-50. But the inconsistencies between stories, and demographics, and regions of the state lead one believe that we might never know the truth. Steve Blackledge shares perspective from central Ohio.
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary threw off its first half doldrums to storm past Columbus DeSales for the Division II title. Steve Blackledge writes for Press Pros.
More about heart than size…Westerville Central and Tasos Cook (below) used speed and determination to knock out Cleveland St. Ignatius in the Division I semifinal Saturday night at UD Arena. Steve Blackledge writes the story for the latest Press Pros update.
DeSales proved to be better on both ends of the court, and Davidson recruit Desmond Watson (below) was the offensive catalyst as the Stallions moved past Chaminade-Julienne to the Division II championship final.
Junior DJ Moore ended it with the “biggest shot of my career”, as Worthington Christian knock Taft out of the Division III tourney on a last-second shot. Steve Blackledge writes for Press Pros.
Down by double digits in the second half, Columbus Grove’s fourth quarter surge breaks the hearts of New Boston Glenwood in the Div. IV semi-final. Steve Blackledge writes the story for Press Pros.
