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2026 Spring High School Team Previews: Division V

February 2, 2026
Dylan Hefflinger
Editor in Chief/Advanced Scout

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With 2025 now in the past, Prep Baseball Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2026. Starting in February, we began releasing team previews for squads across the state. Ahead, we will have Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings coming your way.

To view the full list of 2026 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2026 Team Preview, click here.

Interested in attending a Prep Baseball Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2026 Spring High School Team Previews: Division V

Spring Team Preview: Beachwood Bison

Team Name: Beachwood Bison
Head Coach: Matt Lamovec
Division: V
2025 Record: 9-16
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost in Sectional Semifinal to Chippewa
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/6

Coach Outlook: "We are excited to have the experience of 6 returning starters in the lineup who have grown a lot over the last 2 years. We also have a few new additions to the lineup this year who are looking to contribute right away."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Starting Pitching
  • Defense
  • Experience

Top Returning Players:

  • Ethan Malek, RHP/SS, 2026, 2nd Team All-Conference
  • Caleb White, OF, 2026, 2nd Team All-Conference
  • Gavi Lappen - RHP/3B, 2026, Honorable Mention

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Ethan Malek, RHP/SS
  • Caleb White, OF
  • Gavi Lappen - RHP/3B
  • Highley Devine - C/OF
  • Henry Strean - C/1B
  • Lucius Venditti - P/OF

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Jonah Greller - 2B
  • Jordan Uria - P/3B

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Eli Ward - P/1B
  • Jack Rindsberg - P/OF/IF
  • Nico Medina - P/OF
  • Liav Perez - UTL

2026 Spring Team Preview: Berskhire Badgers

Team Name: Berskhire Badgers
Head Coach: Craig Barstow
Division: V
2025 Record: 5-15
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost Sectional Final
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/6

Coach Outlook: "We like where this team is at. We’ve built a strong foundation, the kids have bought in, and expectations are high. We believe we can compete for a league title and put ourselves in a position to make a run in the playoffs."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Leadership
  • Starting Pitching
  • Defense
  • Speed
  • Hitting

Top Returning Players:

  • Patrick Brancel, Catcher/RHP 2026 5'-10", 175 lbs. , R/R. 3 year starter, TRI C recruit, Last years stats - .449 avg, 5 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 21 RBI's, 19 R, 9 SB.
  • Sam Barsikoski, OF/1B/LHP, 6' 175 lbs., L/L - 3- year starter, Last year stats - .279, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI's, 24 R, 15 SB.
  • Bear Masink, C/3B 6', 160 lbs., R/R, 2 year starter, Last year stats - .283, 1 2B, 9 RBI's, 9 R, 8 SB.
  • Oliver Miller, OF 5'9", 150 lbs., R/R 2 year starter, Last year stats - .268, 1 2B, 6 RBI's, 10 R, 9 SB.
  • Holden Hedrick, OF/LHP 5'11", 175 lbs., L/L, 1 year starter, Last year stats - .250, 2 2B, 10 RBI's, 3 R, 1 SB.

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Patrick Brancel
  • Sam Barcikoski

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Bear Masink
  • Oliver Miller

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Holden Hedrick

Class of 2029 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Chris Brancel

2026 Spring Team Preview: Centerburg Trojans

Team Name: Centerburg Trojans
Head Coach: Josh Moss
Division: V
2025 Record: 17-9
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost in Regional Semi to Coldwater 
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/3

Coach Outlook: "We return a group that understands how we want to play and how to win games without relying on one tool. We’re built to apply pressure, defend at a high level, and compete every night in a very balanced league. If we execute the little things consistently and bring the same level of discipline to our daily work, we’ll be a difficult team to play against."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Experience/Leadership
  • Speed
  • Defensive flexibility
  • Team Depth

Top Returning Players:

  • Aiden Trobridge, IF, 2026, R/R. 4 year letterman. Last Year Stats – .310 AVG, 7 2B, 1 3B, 18 RBIs, 22 R, 10 SB.
  • Vinny Morgan, OF/SS, 2026, R/R. 4 year letterman. Last Year Stats – .295 AVG, 5 2B, 25 R, 16 SB, 9 SAC.
  • R. Faught, RHP/OF, 2026, R/R. 3 year letterman. Last Year Stats – .285 AVG, 5 2B, 1 HR, 20 RBIs, 16 R. Pitching – 8–2, 1.65 ERA, 78 K, 24 BB.
  • Clarke Redd, 1B/3B, 2027, R/R.. 3 year letterman. Last Year Stats – .260 AVG, 6 2B, 21 RBIs, 14 BB.
  • Ryan Long, OF/DH, 2027, R/R. 2 year letterman. Last Year Stats – .330 AVG, 8 2B, 2 3B, 24 RBIs, 18 R.
  • Gabe Campos, OF, 2028, L/L. 2 year letterman. Last Year Stats – .425 AVG, 6 2B, 19 R, 8 SB, 6 SAC.

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Aiden Trobridge
  • Vinny Morgan
  • R. Faught

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Clarke Redd
  • Ryan Long
  • Bradley Baker, RHP/CF - Transfer (Big Walnut)
  • Owen Wolford, RHP/UTL
  • Brody Cole, RHP/3B

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Gabe Campos
  • Gavin Snow, LHP/1B
  • Kaleb Rauck, RHP/SS

Class of 2029 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Lincoln Julian, C/1B
  • Dustin Parker, RHP/SS
  • Quentin Bellamy, RHP/MIF
  • Caleb Adams, 2B
  • Graham Smith, C

2026 Spring Team Preview: Coldwater Cavaliers

Team Name: Coldwater Cavaliers
Head Coach: Cory Klenke
Division: V
2025 Record: 28-3
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost in State Semifinal to Apple Creek Waynedale
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4/0

Coach Outlook: "We need to be consistent in everything we do."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Leadership
  • Speed
  • Hitting

Top Returning Players:

  • Karsyn Homan, INF, 2027. Last Year - .409 AVG, 17 SB
  • Braxton Taylor, OF/P, 2027. Last Year - .231 AVG, 19 SB
  • Bennett Spriggs, C, 2027. Last Year - .254 AVG, 10 SB
  • Derek Dues, INF/P, 2027. Last Year - .282 AVG

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Bennett Spriggs
  • Braxton Taylor
  • Derek Dues
  • Karsyn Homan

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Hugh Hemmelgarn

2026 Spring Team Preview: Columbus Academy Vikings

Team Name: Columbus Academy Vikings
Head Coach: Todd Dunkle
Division: V
2025 Record: 18-9
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost to Heath in District Semi
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/3

Coach Outlook: "We are replacing a very experienced senior class with a hungry, athletic group of players."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Leadership will be a plus for the 2026 season. Additionally, our underclassmen are well-prepared for the increased responsibilities they will assume.

Top Returning Players:

  • Dominic Dunkle, OF/LHP, 2026, 5-9/165, L/L, 3-year starter, Team Captain, Denison recruit, Last Year Stats- .432, 5-2B, 1-HR, 28-R, 14-BB, 4-SO, 26-SB. 4-0, 28-K, 11-BB, 1.46-ERA
  • Cooper Leibas, C/RHP, 2026, 6-0/185, R/R, 3-year starter, Team Captain, Otterbein recruit, Last Year Stats - .333, 1-2B, 1-3B, 11-RBI, 6-SB, 3-0, 44-K, 8-BB, 1.79-ERA 

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Dominic Dunkle
  • Cooper Leibas

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • William Donohue, INF/RHP, 2027, 6-2/200, R/R, 2-year starter, Last year stats- .262, 3-2B, 1-3B, 16-RBI, 4-SB, 1-1 17-IP, 25-SO, 15-BB
  • Anthony Penny, INF/RHP, 2027, 5-11/180, R/R, 2-year starter. Last Year Stats - .220, 2-2B. 10-RBI, 18-R, 9-SB, 1-1, 7-IP, 11-K
  • Trey Ransom, INF, 2027, 5-11/160, R/R, 2-year starter. Last year stats - .240, 13-RBI, 21-R, 10-SB
  • Thomas Ruby, Utility/RHP, 2027, 6-0/170, R/R, 2-year starter. Last year stats - .308, 14-R, 11-BB, 7-SB, 1-0, 14-IP, 16-SO, 6-BB

Class of 2029 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Kevin Klingerman, Utility/RHP, 2029, 5-11/175, R/R

2026 Spring Team Preview: Coshocton Redskins

Team Name: Coshocton Redskins
Head Coach: Scott Loomis
Division: V
2025 Record: 5-22
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost in Sectional opener to Magnolia Sandy Valley
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 9/6

Coach Outlook: "We return all 11 lettermen from last season, including five who earned their second varsity letter. After two seasons of rebuilding, our program is ready to take the next step toward consistent winning and compete in the MVL Small School Division and the Division V East District Tournament. Numbers are up with 30 athletes in the program, and our players have shown commitment throughout the offseason— putting in work in the weight room, conditioning and in the cages."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Experience - return everyone from 2025
  • Numbers & Competition for spots - 14-15 players competing for starting spots

Top Returning Players:

  • Calan Shaw, 1B/P, 2027, R/L, 2-year starter - .325, .421 OBP, 11 2B, 12 RBI, 12 R, 48 IP, 2 W, 37 K, .971 F% - 2025 HM MVL, 2nd Team East District
  • Champ Haley, OF, 2027, L/R - .302, 13 R, 8 SB, 2025 HM East District
  • Dylan Wood, P/3B-1B, 2028, R/R - .253, 16 RBI, 61.2 IP, 3 W, 58 K, 2025 HM MVL, 2nd Team East District

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Calan Shaw
  • Champ Haley

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Dylan Wood

Class of 2029 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Clayton Watson - C

2026 Spring Team Preview: Crestwood Red Devils

Team Name: Crestwood Red Devils
Head Coach: Chris Stanley 
Division: V
2025 Record: 10-10
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost in Sectionals to Lakeview
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/3

Coach Outlook: "We competed this year. Need to have a better showing versus our non-conference schedule when we pitch our 3, 4 and 5 guys. Defense and scrappy hitting kept us in games. Need more clutch hits, string them together and make routine plays. Doing so gets us over .500."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Defense
  • Smart Hitting

Top Returning Players:

  • 2026 - Jake Eyerman UTIL/P
  • 2026 - Wyatt Januska OF/P
  • 2026 - Kyle Shelhamer IF/P
  • 2026 - Bobby Bradley C/P
  • 2028 - Evan Rhodes IF/P
  • 2028 - Michael Kalista OF/P
  • 2028 - Chris Mory OF/P
  • 2028 - Sam Pausch IF/P

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Jake Eyerman
  • Wyatt Januska 
  • Kyle Shelhamer
  • Bobby Bradley

2026 Spring Team Preview: Eastwood Eagles

Team Name: Eastwood Eagles
Head Coach: Kevin Leady 
Division: V
2025 Record: 21-7
2025 Tourney Finish: District Runner up - Lost to Ottawa Hills 
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/3

Coach Outlook: "As a program we have many athletes going above and beyond to prepare for the upcoming season. A lot has gone on behinds the scenes that we want to make sure we show appreciation for this season. This group has worked extremely hard all year to prepare for 2026. We have a great core returning and are excited to see how we gel throughout the season. Expectations are high for this group, but we understand the work needed to be successful. We will take everything one day at a time! Go Eagles!"

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Defense 
  • Leadership 

Top Returning Players:

  • Drew Luidhardt – Senior - INF Honorable Mention ALL-NBC 2B
  • Cam Schumaker – Junior – OF – Honorable Mention ALL-NBC OF
  • Jack Sensenig – Senior – 1B/DH
  • Erich Hepler – Junior – P/INF Honorable Mention ALL NBC 3B
  • Andy Lautzenheiser – Sophomore – P/C
  • Landon Weemes – Junior – OF/P 
  • Jack Schuerman – Senior – 1B

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Drew Luidhardt
  • Jack Sensenig 

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Erich Hepler 
  • Landon Weemes 
  • Easton Speck 
  • Cam Schumaker 

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Andy Lautzenheiser 
  • Cayden Monaco 
  • Zach Menchhofer

Class of 2029 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Tanner Jenson
  • Xander Lauer
  • Connor Nagy
  • Adam Falardeau 

2026 Spring Team Preview: Fairbanks Panthers

Team Name: Fairbanks Panthers
Head Coach: Josh Rine
Division: V
2025 Record: 9-16
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost first round vs Grove City Christian
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/4

Coach Outlook: "The Ohio Heritage Conference has been a very talented baseball conference for the past several years. In baseball, our conference has produced anywhere between 1-3 district champions every year since we joined the conference in 2017. I expect it to be a very deep and talented conference again in 2026. We will have to play well in all phases of the game and minimize mistakes in order to compete. I am thankful to have the opportunity to coach these hard working young men and I am looking forward to this season."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Leadership
  • Defense
  • Pitching Depth

Top Returning Players:

  • Mason Rausch, C, 2026, 5'9" 160
  • Nolan Baker, 3B/RHP, 2027, 6'0" 185
  • Owen Woody, IF/RHP, 2027, 6'0" 185
  • Carson Reames, CF/LHP, 2027, 5'6" 145 (2nd team all conference & 1st team all district- P)
  • Carter Sites, IB/RHP, 2027, 6'3" 155
  • Liam Rhea, SS/RHP, 2028, 5'10" 160

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Mason Rausch

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Nolan Baker
  • Owen Woody
  • Carson Reames
  • Carter Sites

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Liam Rhea

2026 Spring Team Preview: Fairview Apaches (Sherwood)

Team Name: Fairview Apaches (Sherwood)
Head Coach: Andrew Singer
Division: V
2025 Record: 28-4
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost in D-VI State Semifinals 4-2 vs. Berlin Hiland
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/7

Coach Outlook: "We have a lot of returning players that have gained great experience making a long tournament run last season. We have to replace great seniors from last year but we have a solid core of returners that will lead that charge. We have a lot of kids that just love to compete. They have bought into the WIN philosophy that stands for What's Important Now, which puts the team before the individual to do what is needed to succeed."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Leadership throughout all grade levels.
  • Pitching Depth - 3 main starters, 3 middle relievers, 3 late inning relievers
  • Offense - We have 238 hits returning from last year and an OBP of .496 coming back.
  • Solid Defense - We will be solid through the middle, on the corners, and in the outfield
  • Speed - We have speed on the bases as well as speed on defense in positions that need it

Top Returning Players:

  • Elijah Arend, MIF/RHP, 2026, R/R, 3-year Letterwinner, 1st Team All-State SS. Last Year Stats - .446 AVG, 54 Hits, 9 2B, 2 HR, 37 R, 36 RBIs. 7-1, 41 IP, 2.56 ERA, 36 K, 12 BB.
  • Anthony Singer, UTIL/RHP, 2028, R/R, 1-year Letterwinner, Honorable Mention All-State UTIL. Last Year Stats - .408 AVG, 42 Hits, 6 2B, 1 HR, 22 R, 34 RBIs. 7-1, 29.2 IP, 0.71 ERA, 48 K, 13 BB, 0.74 WHIP. 
  • Shady Fritch, OF/1B/LHP, 2028, L/L, 1-year Letterwinner. Last Year Stats - .411 AVG, 39 Hits, 4 2B, 41 R, 29 SB.

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Elijah Arend
  • Gavin Palladino - OF/1B/LHP, Owens Community College commit, .333 AVG, 5 2B, 2 3B, 17 RBIs.
  • Noah Shininger - OF/C, .292 AVG, 2 2B, 11 R.

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Logan Olinger - MIF/RHP, .301 AVG, 6 2B, 1 HR, 24 R, 22 RBIs
  • Jonah Shininger - UTIL/RHP, .263 AVG, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2.72 ERA, 19 K
  • Gavin Garza - OF/C, .333 AVG, 9 R.
  • Brody Williams - MIF/RHP

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Anthony Singer
  • Shady Fritch
  • Hunter Miller - C
  • Ethan Wonderly - RHP

Class of 2029 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Calvin Kepler - UTIL/RHP
  • Josiah Shininger - C/RHP

2026 Spring Team Preview: Fostoria Redmen

Team Name: Fostoria Redmen
Head Coach: Brad Bowser
Division: V
2025 Record: 3-23
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost sectional final 4-0 to Edison
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 9/6

Coach Outlook: "We're a young team who gained a lot of experience last year. We're looking to build on our first tournament win in nine years."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • We'll hang our hat on doing simple things better. We'll utilize our athleticism to create opportunities both defensively and on the basepaths.

Top Returning Players:

  • Emmanuel Jimenez-Reza, INF/P, 2026
  • Blake Hernanez, DH/1B, 2026
  • Boston Trent, 3B/P, 2027
  • Amarius Velazquez, P/INF, 2027
  • Barrett Hernandez, OF/C, 2027
  • Dawson Smith, OF/P, 2027
  • Rey Varela, INF/OF, 2027
  • Mason Cooley, C/OF/P, 2028
  • Xzavier Willmarth, C/OF, 2028
  • Jayden Sirmons, P/1B, 2028

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Emmanuel Jimenez-Reza
  • Blake Hernandez

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Boston Trent
  • Amarius Velazquez
  • Dawson Smith
  • Rey Varela
  • Barrett Hernandez
  • Aidan Stewart - P

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Xzavier Willmarth
  • Mason Cooley
  • Jaden Sirmons

Class of 2029 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Matthew Sirmons
  • Carlito Hernandez
  • Logan Meddles

2026 Spring Team Preview: Garaway Pirates

Team Name: Garaway Pirates
Head Coach: Justin Elmore
Division: V
2025 Record: 15-12
2025 Tourney Finish: Lost 3-0 to D6 State Champ Hiland in District Final
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/5

Coach Outlook: "The Pirates return a lot of from a team that fell in the District Final last year. We have a lot of talented arms from last year and the core of our defense also returns. We return everyone up the middle which should hep us out a ton. We are moving up to D5 this season which will be a new challenge in itself. If we can figure out how to score runs consistently, I feel our pitching and our defense will allow us to be in every game that we play."

2026 Team Strengths:

  • Pitching
  • Defense

Top Returning Players:

  • Cooper Gintz, 2026 C - 2 year starter - .346 avg, 2 2bs, 2 3bs, 1 HR, 11 RBIs, 24 Runs
  • Colson Keller , 2026 - 1B -2 year starter - .347 avg., 8 2bs, 3 3bs, 3 HRs, 23 RBIs, 23 Runs
  • Lofton Numbers , 2026 - OF - 2 year starter - .306 avg., 4 2bs, 10 RBIs, 15 Runs
  • Kory Yoder, 2026 - OF/P - 29.2 Innings - 0.94 ERA, 4-0 / 4 Saves, 28 Ks, 13 BBs
  • AJ Miller, 2027, SS/P - returning starter - .290 avg., 1 2b, 11 RBIs, 10 Runs, 2-3 1 Save, 2.20 era, 37 Ks, 16 BBs
  • Brody Hartzler, 2027, OF - returning starter - .250 avg, 4 2bs, 11 RBIs, 10 Runs, 6 SBs
  • Ethan Miller, 2028, IF / P - 16.2 innings, 0-3 / 5.46 era
  • Trey Miller, 2028, OF/P - 30 Innings, 4-1, 23 Ks, 20 BBs

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Cooper Gintz

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • AJ Miller
  • Brody Hartzler

Class of 2028 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

  • Ethan Miller
  • Trey Miller

A Look Back At The 2025 Season:

To view the 2025 Ohio Spring HS Report, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

A Look Back At The 2024 Season:

To view the 2024 Ohio Spring HS Report, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

A Look Back At The 2023 Season:

To view the 2023 Ohio Spring HS Report, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

A Look Back At The 2022 Season:

To view the 2022 Ohio Spring HS Report, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

A Look Back At The 2021 Season:

To view the 2021 Ohio Spring HS Report, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

          A Look Back At What Would've Been The 2020 Season:

          To view each of the parts to the No 'Last Dance' Series, click below:

          To view the 2020 Team Previews, click here.

          To view the 2020 Preseason All-State Teams, click here.

          To view the 2020 Virtual Ohio High School State Tournament/Preseason Team Rankings, click here.

          A Look Back At The Last Decade:

          To view the Ohio High School All-Decade Team 2010-2019, click here.

          A Look Back At The 2019 Season:

          To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

          To view the 2019 All-State Teams, click below.

          To view the 2019 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

          A Look Back At The 2018 Season:

          To view the 2018 Team Previews, click here.

          To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

          To view the 2018 All-State Teams, click below.

          To view the 2018 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

          A Look Back At The 2017 Season:

          To view the 2017 Team Previews, click here.

          To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

          To view the 2017 All-State Teams, click below.

          To view the 2017 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

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