The sun is shining, the weather is warming up, the grass is green once more and baseball season is imminent. The Cards are rebounding from a disappointing 11-16 season last year, which was their first full season without the legendary Coach Stephen Gussler.  In just his second year of being a varsity head coach, Anthony Leahy has no shortage of talent to replicate Gussler’s success.

Offense

With the exception of leader Jace Komminsk, who now plays for Ohio Dominican University, the offense consists of returning athletes including seniors Jaret Gerber, Anthony Falks and Tommy Parish as well as juniors Trent Castle, Caleb Struewing, Joey Pichel and Andy Caddas. Each hitting over .375 on JV during the 2014-15 season, senior Tim Kallas and sophomore Nick Kendig are new additions hoping to give an offensive boost. On the basepaths, Castle, Falks, Gerber, Kendig, junior Joey Pichel, and indoor track State-qualifier senior Brennen Chiodo all have the ability to steal a base.

Pitching

It seemed as if the Cards would have a shallow staff this season as Caleb Struewing is be the only regular starting pitcher to return; however, that changed in a big way with the addition of sophomore transfer Spencer Kheil. Kheil throws in the mid to high 80s and has an excellent curveball to go along with it. Add high velocity pitcher Castle to the mix, and there are three pitchers that no team in central Ohio wants to go up against. The bullpen also projects to be solid with key contributors Gerber, Falks and Caddas. Also, seniors Andy Ferguson and Nick Skeen will likely make some appearances as starters and from the bullpen.

Defense

A baseball team’s defense will always be fluid, and the Cards are no exception, but some positions are locked down. Gerber returns as the shortstop and Castle stays in center field. The Cards have two solid catching options in Caddas and Parish, who both boast solid pop times with exceptional arms. Tt appears as if Falks will start the year at second base with Pichel at third. They face competition from juniors Vincent Armstrong and Matt Harrison as well as Kendig. Left field and right field appear to be up for grabs between the speedy Chiodo, Kendig and  sophomore Niles Mantor as well as big hitting juniors Elijah Lawson and Caddas as well as Kallas and Parish.
Leahy expects that the team will “be competing in the OCC/Districts just as we did the 3 years prior.” With such a loaded roster, that certainly seems like a possibility.