LORAIN COUNTY PREVIEW...... pg. 4 WEOL FORECAST MAGAZINE LORAIN COUNTY PREVIEW ...... pg. 7 SPRING 2017 PREVIEW A Publication of AM 930 WEOL LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS Volume 18 Issue 3

Hope on the Horizon after a Strong Finish....pg. 12 Station Manager Tim Alcorn INDIANS Preview...... pg. 14 Editor BASEBALL SCHEDULES Matt Douglass

LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS...... pg. 11 Feature Writers ...... pg. 15 Tim Alcorn Andy Barch WEOL BROADCAST SCHEDULES Tim Gebhardt Joel Hammond KOLCZUN & KOLCZUN DIAMOND DUELS.....pg. 2 Todd Shapiro FROM THE DUGOUT ...... pg. 15 Cover Design BozCorn Productions

Publisher Source3Media

About the Cover: Keystone’s Summer Constable is the 12th Lady Wildcat to capture the Lorain County Miss Softball award. In her senior season Constable .582 with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs and nabbed a team high 20 stolen bases. Her average was the fifth- highest mark in the history of the Keystone softball program. While at Keystone, The Wildcats Shortstop helped her team to a 104-20 record, four Patriot Athletic Stars Division titles, three district championships, two regional championships and a state semifinal appearance.

Clearview’s Antonio Bennett had a dream senior season for the Clippers before being named 2016 Lorain County Mr. Baseball. At the plate the clippers shortstop hit .652 with 35 RBIs and 43 runs leading Clearview to an 18-5 record and a berth in the DII district semifinals. This spring you can find Bennett on the field at the University of Toledo where he is continuing his academic and baseball career.

Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine 1 Welcome Letter, Spring 2017

A wise man once said, ‘baseball is the soundtrack of summer’. Yes, my co-host of the WEOL Morning Show, Bruce Van Dyke, uttered those words of few years ago, and they still ring true today. Welcome to the 2017 spring edition of FORECAST. Inside, you’ll get schedules and the low- down on baseball and softball, from the sandlots to the stadiums. WEOL AM 930 is proud to bring you Cleveland Indians baseball, select games of the Lake Erie Crushers, and a busy schedule for high school baseball and softball games from Lorain County. Thanks to all of our terrific sponsors who make these games possible along with the man- agers, coaches and players from the majors to the minors and high school ballfields.

Play ball! Craig R. Adams Operations Manager/News Director WEOL AM 930

2 Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine 3 2017 High School softball preview By Todd Shapiro both rankings Key- Lorain County softball fans are stone is second-high- some of the luckiest sports fans est ranked team from in the state of . outside the traditional Not only do they get to see warm weather states top-level tournament caliber where softball is a softball played at a ball field year-around sport. right in their back yard on an Senior third base- almost daily basis from late man Sammie Stefan, a March until deep into May, they University of Mary- also get the chance to follow land recruit and a one, or sometimes two, of their first-team National local teams along the tourna- Fast Pitch Coaches ment trail all the way to Akron, Association all-Ameri- the site of the Ohio High School can, is the Wildcats’ Athletic Association State Tour- all-team leading home nament on an annual basis. hitter with 25 In 2016 Keystone made its home runs. Senior 16th appearance at the state pitcher Lauren Shaw, a tournament, crushing Hamilton University of Iowa Ross, 18-0 in the semifinal recruit, had a 23-3 before falling to Hebron Lake- record last year with a wood, 7-4, in the Division II 0.75 ERA, she also bat- state championship game. ted .360 with five Meanwhile, Amherst earned its home runs and 39 first trip to Akron, after winning RBIs. Keystone will have a its first district title since 1999, ANNA NORRIS / CHRONICLE and lost a 1-0, nine heart- couple of milestone Keystone team. wins long before post- breaker to Teays Valley in the season play starts. Keystone is fielder Sarah Miller and the by speedy junior Division I state semifinals. one win away from becoming pitching duo of senior Madison Macy Taylor and senior infielder Both schools are looking to the first program in Ohio with Spataro (10-1, 1.36 ERA) and Dierra Hammons, Elyria is look- make a return trip to Firestone 900 all-times wins and Wildcats sophomore Madison O’Berg (15- ing to repeat as Greater Cleve- Stadium, a number of other coach Jim Piazza is nine wins 5, 1.21 ERA) Amherst is hoping land Conference champions and local teams are looking to either away from win No. 400 in his 15- to repeat as both district and make it back to regionals. In stand in their way or punch their year career. Southwestern Conference cham- 2016, Avon and Midview were own ticket to Akron and AM - As impressive as Piazza’s 391 pions. the Comets’ biggest challengers 930 WEOL will be there every wins are, they are only enough to Coach Lacey Reichert’s team in the SWC and both teams step of the way. rank him third among active went 25-6 last season and in the looks to be strong again this Coming off a 28-5 season with coaches in Lorain County. Elyria Reichert’s first three years at the spring. 12 returning letter winners and Ken Fenik’s has 514 career wins helm of the Comets the team has The Middies are coming off of with nine Division I recruits on and new Vermilion coach Bill a 64-18 record. a 21-9 year, returning nine its roster, Keystone has attracted Mathews won 486 games. Elyria High used to be one of starters. Senior pitcher Lauren preseason attention well beyond The Amherst Comets are those teams that you could pen- Landers was fifth in Lorain the borders of the Buckeye State. another premier program in cil in for an annual trip to Akron, County in wins last season and The Wildcats were ranked No. Lorain County. With eight but since 2014 the Pioneers junior Gabby Shackelford (.417 15 in the USA today preseason returning starters including hon- haven’t made it out of districts. avg., 23 RBIs) orally committed Super 25 and No. 16 in the Max- orable mention all-Ohio out- With seven returning starters led Preps preseason Xcellent 50. In See SOFTBALL, 5

4 Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine elsewhere in the Stars Division. SOFTBALL Wellington returns junior all-dis- From 4 trict first baseman Hope Diermyer, who hit .427 last year. to Cleveland State after her The Dukes were Division III dis- sophomore year. trict semifinalists last year and Avon (18-7 in 2016) will be hope to be in position to make young this year but can count on another deep postseason run sophomore Tina Clark in the this spring. pitcher’s circle. Clark had 0.75 Black River is coming off of a ERA in her freshman year. Senior season in which it went 16-9 Dani Austinson will also share overall and 14-2 in the PAC and some of the pitching duties for is bringing back eight letter win- Avon. ners led by senior third baseman After a tough 2016 season Bailey Scheck (.356) and junior things can only get better for infielder Grace Spencer (.358). North Ridgeville in 2017. The Brookside and Firelands will Rangers return eight starters and be looking to take different have one of Lorain County’s best paths to the top of the standings. hitters in senior Addison Mease. Brookside, under the tutelage of Mease, a Tiffin University first-year coach Ken Collins, is a recruit, hit .547 with 31 stolen veteran team with 10 returning bases in her junior year. letter winners while Firelands Avon Lake only returns five will look to win with seven fresh- letter winners from last season man on its varsity roster. but coach Buzz Mullen always Over in the PAC Stripes Divi- finds a way to make the Shore- sion Columbia is looking to ANNA NORRIS / CHRONICLE gals competitive in the SWC. repeat as both league and Divi- Elyria’s Macy Taylor. While the Patriot Athletic Con- sion III district champions. The Mathews is the new head coach County’s only Division IV and ference Stars Division is tradi- Raiders return one of the at Vermilion. Mathews, who was only independent team, returns tionally Keystone’s private play- league’s best hitters in junior the head coach for three decades a pair of .400 hitters in junior ground, there is a lot of talent pitcher Allison Bouscher. at Amherst, takes over a Sailors pitcher Hannah Kardar and Bouscher hit .524 last year with team that returns senior pitcher infielder Lynsey Scheneman. five home runs. She also had a Becca Oates and senior catcher The highlight of the regular 1.78 ERA in the circle. Kennedy Shreve is they prepare season will be the Prebis Memo- Oberlin had one of its best for the first year in the Sandusky rial Classic. Seven Lorain County years in recent memory in 2016, Bay Conference. teams — Keystone, Elyria, Mid- going 16-12; and with its top hit- Another team with a new view, Amherst, Avon, Columbia ter, senior catcher Olivia Pfeifer coach is defending Great Lakes and Wellington — will take on (.471, 32 RBIs last year) and Conference champion Elyria some of the best teams from sophomore pitcher Bryanna Catholic. The Panthers have a across Ohio. This year’s edition Revis, who recorded 111 strike- strong senior class led by short- of the Prebis is April 28 and 29 outs as a freshman returning, stop Sam Filiaggi, first baseman with games at LaGrange Com- the Phoenix could be a 20-win Bridgette Pronesti and third munity Park and Wellington team. baseman Olivia Madera. Community Park. There will be a new face in the Lorain is the defending Lake Soon the shouts of “Play Ball” dugout at Clearview as Amherst Erie League champions and will fill the air again so get out grad Amanda Arendt is taking Coach Pam Jackson’s team is and support your favorite team. over the Clippers softball pro- hoping to make another title run Maybe you can even follow them gram. this year. all the way to Akron. ANNA NORRIS / CHRONICLE After spending three years as Open Door Christian, Lorain Keystone’s Sammie Stefan. an assistant at Keystone, Bill

Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine 5 6 Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine 2017 High School baseball preview By Tim Gebhardt year with 30 strike outs and an ERA, three saves), Hunter Cas- 4 by Amherst in the D-I district There’s a lot of anticipation for opponent’s batting average of sidy (C-OF), and shortstop Ryan final last year. Avon has been the the upcoming baseball season in just .196. Evan Shawver (out- Glowacki. Rositano said his team top seed in the district the past Lorain County. field/pitcher) batted .330 with six needs to play good defense two years but were knocked out With the warm February doubles and two triples and had behind the pitching and get by Amherst both seasons. All- spring-like weather, teams have a 2.02 ERA with 35 Ks on the timely hitting throughout the Ohio Ethan St. Clair had the opportunity to get out- mound. He’s headed to Nebraska lineup to be successful. heads the returning cast for doors much earlier than normal on a scholarship. Others to watch AVON: The Eagles, 21-8 a year Coach Frank DeSmit. Right-han- this year. Several teams are very include senior 1b/P Chad Jones, ago, were ranked 18th in the state der Shane Docherty and lefty optimistic entering the spring pitcher Brian D’Andrea (2.03 a year ago but were eliminated 8- Logan Doenges head an experi- season. It’s a short six week ride enced pitching staff. Seniors Tay- through the baseball season in lor Reynolds (3b), Will Kocar (C), , promising to and Tommy Kocar (SS) will bring bring with it, cold, wind, rain and valuable experience to the even snow along the way. Two defense. DeSmit is hopeful his teams with some unfinished senior cast will spell success for business have to be Amherst and the Eagles again this season in a Elyria Catholic. The Comets were very competitive Southwestern eliminated at the Sweet 16 round Conference. while the Panthers, ranked as the AVON LAKE: Kevin Marlow 6th best team in the state in Divi- begins his 6th season as manager sion III, lost in extra in of the Shoremen. Avon Lake fin- the Regional Finals, just one ished 16-10 overall a year ago game from competing at the and will have senior ace south- state tournament for the fifth paw Justin Michlovic back to time in school history. One area anchor the pitching. Outfielder to watch for is the new pitch- Zac Sabol, a Shawnee State com- count rule for high school base- mit, will patrol the outfield while ball. That figures to bring more Brian Pincura, a .340 hitter as a planning and strategy into the junior, will be back at 2b. Dan equation. Theberge (Of/P) and Jaret Kuhar AMHERST: The Comets, 23-9 a (1b) are also being depended year ago, are the defending D-I upon for good seasons. Marlow district champions, having expects his team to compete for defeated Avon, 8-4, in the final at the SWC title. The Pipe Yard in Lorain. Amherst BROOKSIDE: Fifth-year coach lost in the Bowling Green Brad Bomback brings back a Regional semi-finals to Anthony solid core of players from last Whitehouse Wayne. Matt Rosi- year’s 9-11 Cardinals. Senior tano, in his fifth year, sees pitcher/shortstop Tim Ackerman another potentially good Comet and senior 1b Travis Fortney are baseball team. Amherst returns the veterans that Bomback will nine lettermen including senior depend on. Juniors Devin outfielder Mark Harris, who bat- Houdeshell (C), Owen Rozanc ted .422 with nine doubles, two (P/2b), Stephen Williams (3b) triples, a , 24 RBI and and Christian Fields (SS/Of) 18 stolen bases a year ago. along with sophomore Matt Pitcher/3b Xavier Moore, an Ohio ANNA NORRIS / CHRONICLE Thompson (1b/P) are the return- State recruit, had a 1.93 ERA last Clearview’s Dakota Stout See BASEBALL, 8

Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine 7 stolen bases from last season. fourth ranked Canton Central iors Collin Harris, Eddie BASEBALL Other returners include seniors Catholic in the regional semi- DePalma, Antonio Pineda and From 7 Lance Boise (of) and Colton finals at Ducky Schroeder Field Sharad Patel along with juniors Demagall (3b) along with juniors in Massillon before losing in Jake Roach, Cole Bramhall, Ian ing lettermen. Jacob Aniol (SS) and Matt Cara- eight innings to Waynedale, 13-8. Ashby, Jarrett Cromling, Brian CLEARVIEW: The Clippers ballo (1b). Sixth-year coach Bruce Lisicky’s Smith and sophomores Neil were 18-6 a year ago, losing to ELYRIA: The Pioneers compete team finished 24-7 a year ago Robertson, Brayden Snezak and Bay, 1-0, in the D-II district semi- in the grueling and along with Abrahamowicz, Will Cunningham. Dimacchia final. This year, Coach Dennis Conference but Ed Piazza is opti- return seniors Jeff Spencer feels his team has the potential Pihlblad, beginning his eighth mistic with this year’s team. (RHP/3b) and Tony LoParo (SS) for a deep D-IV run in this year’s year with a 110-75 career mark, Elyria was 8-16 a year ago but along with juniors Ryan tournament. hopes his pitching comes returns a solid core of seniors Strittmather (2b) and sopho- LORAIN: Brad Ternes begins together for another good run. including Jordan Reed (RHP), mores Grant McClure (C), Jack his 15th year as head coach in Senior Andrai Wright hit .475 a Jamaris Cook (LHP), Devan Nail Laird (RHP/1b), and Leighton Lorain. He started his career at year ago with 20 RBI and Dakota (SS and Kent State recruit), James Banjoff (Of). If Lisicky can find Southview, replacing his leg- Stout batted .370 with 18 RBI. Spicer (RHP), Javon Harvey some outfield depth, EC could be endary father Dan at the helm. Stout will also be counted on to (RHP), Seth France (C), and Fred- in for a very special season. Lorain was 15-10 a year ago and pitch. He was 4-1 a year ago with die Weimer (LHP). Piazza is hop- FIRELANDS: Dan Ransom won the Lake Erie League with a 42 strike outs. Juniors Jaquez ing the depth of the pitching staff (106-91 career record and third 9-1 mark. Ternes will rely on sen- Moon (.349, 19 RBI), Justin Lilley will reap a rewarding season. season at Firelands) brings back iors Savien Amador (2b), Jayden (.320) and Evan Berrios (.300) will ELYRIA CATHOLIC: With a load of talent for the Falcons Kender (P), Julian Rodriguez also play key roles. Sophomore hard-throwing All-Ohio and this year. Firelands lost to Padua, (SS/P/C), Solomon Villarreal (3b) Avery Cruz is also returning. Nebraska recruit Andrew Abra- 2-1, in the D-II district semi- and junior Michael Clark (Of). COLUMBIA: Justin Ramsey has hamowicz back on the mound, finals a year ago. Firelands will Kender not only was 4-2 on the won 107 games in his nine years the Panthers’ goal of repeating as return seniors Trevor Damron mound with a 2.05 ERA and 34 as manager of the Raiders, who conference championship and a (P), John Gall (Of), Daniel Hribal strike outs in 34 innings but he were 15-9 a year ago. Columbia return to the regional tourna- (P/Of), Nathan Kovach (C) and batted .333. Rodriguez hit .317. returns six lettermen off last ment and beyond a very realistic Clayton Lucki (Of/DH) along Ternes figures his team will rely year’s team including senior goal. Elyria Catholic is the with juniors Evan Lacy (P/Inf.), on its defense having lost 11 sen- pitcher Jared Heidecker (5-1, 2.13 defending D-III district cham- Aaron Myers (P/Inf.), Colin Ran- iors to graduation. ERA). Heidecker worked 48 pion and were one out and som (C/Inf.) and Calvin Stull MIDVIEW: The Middies are innings a year ago with 62 punch maybe one pitch from advancing (P/Inf.) and sophomores Alex coming off an outstanding 17-9 to the last year’s state tourna- outs. Centerfielder Cody Brill (SS) and Austin Urban (2b). season last year under Todd Rat- ment. The Panthers defeated Schwartz hopes to improve on Damron, a Coastal Carolina ica but will have to rebuild with defending state champion and his .392 batting average and 12 recruit, had over 100 strike outs a only five returning lettermen. year ago. Ransom feels the Fal- Jordan Cavanaugh, Derek cons will be a fun team to watch Delumba, Dom Fleming, Sam this spring. Butler and Jamie Myers all have KEYSTONE: The Wildcats have varsity experience. Ratica will put a strong baseball tradition and a premium on good pitching and are champing at the bit to solid defense. improve on last season’s 10-16 NORTH RIDGEVILLE: Matt mark under Bert Fitzgerald. Ponting’s Rangers had a tough 3- Fitzgerald is 76-38 in his five 23 season a year ago but should years at Keystone and returns 10 be very competitive this spring lettermen this year. Seniors with nine returning pitchers. Turner Campbell (Of/P), and Seniors Wade Quintana and Drew Compton (3b/P) were all- Chris Machovina along with jun- county and all-PAC respectively a ior Evan Truelson, Jeremy Jack- year ago. Clay Todd (C), Cade son and Cody Reffert give Christoff (P), and Logan Rising Ponting some versatility and ath- (P) are returning seniors. Junior leticism. Sophomores Cade Riley Austin Able heads up the outfield and Carson Schneller also had while sophomore infielders Matt some varsity experience last year. and Kevin Mealwitz along with New to the team this season are Cameron Emerick and Mike seniors Chris Brown and Bryon Mileski also return. Senior P.J. Shuey, juniors Jerry Vansickle, Prunty is back after missing last Nate Waugamen and Zack Chros- year with a torn ACL. niak and sophomores Ryan LAKE RIDGE: Jason Dimac- Marflake, Liam Sotak, Mike Rich- chia’s Royals are coming off an mond and Nick Birt. 11-9 season a year ago and face OBERLIN: The Phoenix are an ambitious schedule with the hoping to rebound from a 2-17 likes of Midview, Elyria Catholic, season under Lynn Gray. The Keystone, Clearview and Welling- keys will be six lettermen – ton all on the slate. Dimacchia infielder Joe Tatum, pitcher- will depend on a solid core of infielder Chris Palmer, pitcher- returning players including sen- See BASEBALL, 9

8 Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine tual district champion Lexington, BASEBALL 8-4. Keck is nearing 400 wins as a From 8 varsity coach (394-267 in 30 years – 15 at Vermilion). The Sailors catcher Jackson Schaum, out- will compete in the Sandusky Bay fielder Matt Standfield, infielder- Conference this year and return catcher-pitcher Rex Young and seven starters off last year’s out- infielder Matt Rasmusson. Gray standing team. Vermilion has two figures Oberlin’s defense and outstanding pitchers in seniors pitching will be its strong suits Nik Barkdull and Tristan Mayer. this year. Barkdull has a career 10-4 mark OPEN DOOR: Pitcher Charley for Vermilion and had a 1.80 ERA Lovett has led the Patriots in last year and led the team with wins the past two seasons and 64 strikeouts. When he’s not has a chance to break Open pitching, Barkdull will be at 1b or Door’s career mark for wins. Cur- 3b and at the plate, he hit .333 rently, Lovett needs just two wins with 25 RBI. Mayer, who plays 2b to tie Kyle Beiswenger for the when he’s not pitching, has a school record 12 wins. The Patri- career record of 11-2 and ots were 12-6 last season and in sparkled a year ago with a 0.69 addition to Lovett, return catcher ERA with 54 strike outs. Behind Zach Strouse and 3b Jafet Her- the plate, Nick Ragnoni returns nandez. Manager Matt Loescher with his .389 batting average and will depend on four or five fresh- 27 RBI. Bryce Fisher is a two-year men to start on the varsity this lettermen at 3b/1b/of/C and bat- year. Open Door is coming off ted .361 with 28 RBI. Sopho- STEVE MANHEIM / CHRONICLE three straight winning seasons. mores Mason Montgomery and Amherst’s Mark Harris. VERMILION: Led by veteran Reese Miller both had very good years as a varsity coach, Sasack RBI), Everett Kropff (.377, 19 coach Jeff Keck, Vermilion, 23-3 freshman years with the Vermil- has won 151 games. Wellington RBI), Mason Wright (.325, 15 and ranked 7th in D-II a year ago, ion varsity a year ago. was 12-14 a year ago and returns RBI), Cole McLean, Bailey Mull was the top seed at the Heidel- WELLINGTON: Roger Sasack seniors Austin Goss (.420 bat- and Randy Sizer. Carevic and berg District but were knocked returns for his 15th year as head ting), Max Carevic and Matt Nor- Mull are returning after missing out in the sectional final by even- coach of the Dukes. In his 19 ton. Juniors Tristan Arno (.292, 26 last year with injuries.

Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine 9 10 Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine

Lake Erie Crushers: Hope on the horizon after a strong finish By: Andy “Bull” Barch If it matters more how you fin- ish than how you start, then the Lake Erie Crushers have a lot to look forward to in the 2017 sea- son. The summer of 2016 in Avon was very interesting, and the only constant seemed to be change; but change, as they say, can be a good thing. Not quite halfway through the 2016 season, the Crushers decided to part ways with for- mer manager Chris Mongiardo after what was a wild roller coaster ride to start the season. Newly appointed manager Cameron Roth was hired at the end of June, and after surviving a few bumps in the road early on, he totally transformed the team by season’s end. The remarkable turnaround was one of the finest in the his- tory of the franchise and the . The Crushers were 10 games below .500 (32- 42) on August 10, and by the end of the season, they were back at the .500 (48-48) hump. Not only Submitted photos were they back to .500, but they season, before returning to the son. While he was Lake Erie’s to Lake Erie twice in his career, were not eliminated from the Crushers at the beginning of primary backstop, he showed spending the 2013 and 2016 sea- playoff race until the final day of July. He hit .275 on the season some versatility throughout the sons with the Men of Crush. play in the regular season. The while leading the team with 13 year, making an appearance in Casper is widely regarded as one Crushers went 17-7 from August homeruns in just 76 games. the outfield as well. He turned it of the best defensive middle 11 through the end of the year. Oliver had 81 hits on the season, on offensively towards the end infielders in the entire 12-team Though they will lose some including 29 for extra bases. He of the season, finishing the year circuit. He had 69 hits over 94 key contributors from the team also drove in 40 runs and led the with a .261 batting average with games last season, including 14 that made that incredible run, team with 18 stolen bases. 13 doubles, four homers and 30 doubles and drove in 29 runs. the Crushers will bring back a In addition to Oliver, the RBIs over 73 games. The pitching staff, which good chunk of that core that Crushers will return catcher Lake Erie will also benefit endured a lot of change through- clearly has a lot to build on. One Bryan De La Rosa. De La Rosa, a from the return of Max Casper, out the course of the 2016 sea- of those names is Connor Oliver, former third round pick by the who brings four years of Frontier son, will bring back some instru- who had a terrific 2016 season. Atlanta Braves in the 2012 MLB League experience with him into mental parts as well. Near the The centerfielder had his con- draft, joined the Crushers early the 2017 season. Of his previous top of that list will be 2016 tract purchased by the New York in the season, and really turned four seasons, two were spent Chandler Jagodzinski, who went it on towards the end of the sea- with the Crushers. He was traded Yankees about a month into the See CRUSHERS, 13

12 Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine after starting the season on the CRUSHERS disabled list and posted a 3.54 From 12 ERA along the way. He was used in a variety of roles throughout 3-3 with a team high 14 saves, the year, but ended the season in and posted an ERA of 2.37. Lake the rotation. He was the winning Erie acquired him in a trade from pitcher in the 2016 season finale, the Normal Cornbelters prior to tossing seven strong innings, last season. The Crushers closer allowing just a pair of runs on was a workhorse, appearing in 48 four hits while fanning five. games throughout the season. Perhaps the biggest change, Steve Hagen, a product of however, does not involve play- Brecksville, Ohio, is expected to ers, or personnel. After eight sea- return as well. Over the first half sons of referring to the ballpark as of the 2016 season, Hagen was All Pro Freight Stadium, or “The lights out, and because of his Freight”, the 2017 season will incredible first half, Hagen earned mark the first year that the ball- the honor of starting the 2016 park will be known as Sprenger Frontier League All-Star game for Health Stadium. The Crushers the Eastern Division. He finished announced the new name at a the season with a 7-6 record with press conference on January 4. a 3.48 ERA. He led the Crushers The terms of the naming rights with 111 innings pitched. deal were not released, but co- Another key component in owners Tom and Jacqueline 2016 was right-hander Juan Kramig stated in a release on the Caballero, who made a dozen team’s website “It is an honor to ANNA NORRIS / CHRONICLE starts throughout the year, and be partnering with Sprenger Max Casper totaled 81.1 innings pitched. Health Care Systems on this nam- has a long and distinguished his- Nannini is Lake Erie’s new Caballero posted a 5-1 record ing rights agreement. Sprenger tory of serving the residents of pitching coach. He spent parts Northern Ohio, and we are of 10 seasons playing at many thrilled to call Sprenger Health levels of affiliated ball after Care Stadium our new home." being selected in the first round While Crusher Manager Cam of the 1998 draft by the Houston Roth will begin his first full sea- Astros. The Detroit, Mich., native son at the helm, he will have a retired in 2015 and will take over couple of new faces with him on a pitching staff that tied for the the coaching staff. He’ll return Frontier League lead in Team Emmanuel Quiles, who will serve ERA (3.77). as the third base coach, and add The 2017 season begins at both Austin Gallagher and Mike home for the Crushers, as they Nannini. play host to the , Gallagher will serve as the hit- the defending Eastern Division ting coach. He’s a native of Lan- Champions, on Friday, May 12 at caster, Pa., and he’s a former third Sprenger Health Stadium. The round pick of the Los Angeles first pitch on opening night is Dodgers. The former first base- scheduled for 7:05 PM, and it man spent six years with the begins a six-game homestand to Dodgers organization, before start the season. Ironically, the joining the Windy City Thunder- regular season ends against bolts. He played 78 games in the those very same Joliet Slammers Frontier League with the Thun- on Labor Day weekend. The reg- ANNA NORRIS / CHRONICLE derbolts in 2015, hitting .338 with ular season will finish in Joliet, Bryan De La Rosa 16 home runs. Ill., on Sunday, September 3.

Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine 13 Cleveland Indians 2017 season preview

By: Joel Hammond It still hurts, of course. The Cleveland Indians, down two starters for much of the stretch run, a catcher for long periods and one of their best hitters for nearly the entire season, almost pulled off the unthinkable: They ran away from the pack in the American League Central, then steamrolled big-money Boston and Toronto in the American League Division and Championship Series, respectively. But their bad luck finally caught up to them: The Tribe, up 3-1 in the World Series against yet another big-money team – the Cubs, who won 103 games in the regular season – ran out of gas and lost in the 10th inning of Game 7 of an all-time-great World Series. pat: The club pulled off the coup of pleting the deal for Encarnacion OPS; Jose Ramirez, meanwhile, So yeah, it hurts. the offseason, patiently waiting out was to Napoli, whose presence in morphed into Michael Brantley. But pride remains. the market for the top hitter of the the clubhouse was crucial and who The unheralded one-time utility “You’re disappointed, because offseason, Edwin Encarnacion – they were unable to bring back player not only seized the third you want to win. But when the then waiting out the market for after the deal. And while the sign- base job midway through the sea- game’s over you talk to the players. one of the best lefty relief special- ing drew plenty of attention in the son, but also took the league by When I was by myself, when I ists on the market, Boone Logan. offseason -- and ticket sales, as the storm at the plate, becoming one could think – we were disap- Add it all up -- $60 million guar- Indians Season Ticket base is at of baseball’s best hitters in the pointed, but pride won out,” said anteed over three years for Encar- levels the club hasn’t seen in about clutch. Overall, he led the team Terry Francona, who won the nacion and another $5.5 million seven years – the club’s strength with a .312 average and had 176 American League Manager of the guaranteed for Logan -- and the will remain in its core players. hits, while also knocking 46 dou- Year award for guiding the team to Tribe will carry a record payroll You know the players: Corey bles. the World Series. “Everything we and lofty expectations into the Kluber finished third in AL Cy Add to that Encarnacion’s power asked our guys to do, they did. We 2017 season as they look to finish Young voting after going 18-9; he and ability to put the ball in play went up against really veteran the job. went 4-1 in the postseason and while maintaining a relatively low likely would have been the World strikeout rate for a power hitter – teams and beat them. The Cubs "I think there were four or five Series MVP had the Tribe held on. and, potentially, Brantley, and you were a really good team. When (additional) teams that had inter- He started Games 1, 4 and 7, the have an offense that could be even Rajai (Davis) hit that homer, lesser est in me, but I made the decision to come here because here I have latter two on short rest, as the better than last year’s, which was teams would have folded. But the Tribe dealt with injuries to Carlos fifth in baseball in runs. Brantley, the opportunity to win the World Cubs didn’t and they deserve credit Carrasco and Danny Salazar. who underwent a second surgery Series,” said Encarnacion, who hit for that.” , a first-time in August, at deadline for this pub- 42 homers and drove in 127 runs The temptation, of course, was All-Star like Kluber, won the AL lication was participating in simu- there to stand pat -- to bring the last season for the Blue Jays. Gold and Platinum gloves at short- lated games at the team’s complex same team back that nearly won "They look great and they have stop and hit .301 with 5.7 WAR – and building up toward his debut the title without making significant great young talented players. They among the top players in the in spring games. additions. After all, the thinking will have a lot of opportunities to league. His middle infield tag team And despite losing Rajai Davis – went that Carlos Carrasco and be in the World Series again and partner, Jason Kipnis, had a career the AL steals leader who signed Danny Salazar and Yan Gomes and win it." year with career highs in homers, with Oakland – the Indians say maybe, just maybe, Michael Brant- Encarnacion replaces Mike runs and more. they’ll maintain their aggressive ley all would be back at full Napoli, who had a career year; Carlos Santana hit 34 homers, approach on the basepaths. The strength for another run. Francona and others within the also a career high, and set career And yet the Tribe didn’t stand organization’s first call upon com- highs in slugging percentage and See INDIANS, 15

14 Spring 2017 Forecast Magazine INDIANS From 14 Tribe, led by Davis’ 43 steals, led the AL with 134 stolen bases. "We're going to preach the same thing we did last year," Kipnis said. "We want to run often, run early and don't come back with your tail between your legs just because you got thrown out once or twice. We want guys to still be aggressive, and to still kind of push it on the offensive side." While the Tribe’s offense was a surprise last year, the club’s pitch- ing staff lived up to its billing as one of the AL – and all of baseball’s – best. Carrasco had a 3.32 ERA and struck out 150 in 146 innings before an ill-fated comebacker by Ian Kinsler ended his season on Sept. 17. Salazar, like Lindor and Kluber, was a first-time All-Star who battled elbow soreness that in innings and wins. Indians president of baseball oper- Allen (No. 9), and Yandy Diaz (No. limited his impact late in the sea- Oh, and there’s the small matter ations. "We weren't just going to 10) all have impressed, as has No. 2 son. of the bullpen, which was the AL’s sign a guy because he was left- prospect, catcher Francisco Mejia. In their absence, Josh Tomlin second best and which now will handed. In fact, we wanted to try Pitchers Ryan Merritt, Shawn Arm- and Trevor Bauer were key contrib- have Andrew Miller for a full sea- to identify pitchers who we strong and Mike Clevinger all con- utors down the stretch and in the son and Logan – against whom thought could help us. Boone, we tributed to the big-league club in postseason; Tomlin dominated the lefty batters hit .142 last year – feel, is that guy." 2016, while younger pitchers such Red Sox at Fenway Park, the Jays in added to Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, The present, then, is promising. as Triston McKenzie, Brady Aiken Toronto, and the Cubs at Wrigley Dan Otero and others. The future has been on display in and others are on their way. Field before falling in Game 6. "What we tried to do is find the camp, too: Outfield prospects “To say that the future is bright,” Bauer, meanwhile, set career highs right guy to complement our Bradley Zimmer (No. 1 prospect Francona said, “is probably the bullpen," said Chris Antonetti, the according to MLB Pipeline), Greg understatement of the century.”

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