The Captains

Eli Petho, Linsly

Senior, Pitcher

When the spotlight and the pressure was on this year, Linsly coach Jay Cartwright called one name — Eli Petho. Not only did he take the mound in the biggest games for the Cadets but he performed at the highest level. Petho struck out seven to upend unbeaten Barnesville in the OVAC 3A championship to give the Cadets back-to-back titles. The right-hander’s outstanding campaign earned him OVAC 3A Player of the Year accolades and a spot on the West Virginia OVAC All-Star team. The senior finished the season unblemished with a 7-0 record to go with a 1.70 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings. He also batted .288 and drove in ten runs.

Nate Karaffa, Toronto

Senior, Utility

Nate Karaffa left us with some unforgettable moments in his senior campaign. The right-handed pitcher struck out 12 in the state championship to help lift Toronto to its first title since 1998. The future Buckeye earned Player of the Year in Division IV, first team all-state and was named OVAC 2A Player of the Year after leading the Red Knights to the OVAC title. He finished with 75 strikeouts, a perfect 6-0 record and a 1.67 ERA in 46 1/3 innings. He led the valley in batting average (.595), home runs (6), RBI (42), runs (45) and doubles (16). He was tied for second in both hits (50) and stolen bases (34), while accounting for 30 walks, only four strikeouts and a .703 on-base-percentage.

Anthony Sinicropi, Edison

Senior, Utility

The accolades came pouring in after a brilliant season turned in by Edison’s do-it-all athlete. Anthony Sinicropi was named first team all-state in Division III and was selected as the Eastern District Division III Player of the Year. The senior outfielder also garnered first team All-OVAC, Buckeye 8 and Eastern District honors. The speedster led the Wildcats with a .408 batting average, 40 hits, 36 runs, 21 stolen bases and six triples. He also delivered six doubles. On the hill, he provided a microscopic 1.00 ERA with 66 strikeouts and six wins in 48 2/3 innings. Sinicropi has signed to continue his baseball career at Kent State University.

First Team

Calvin Bickerstaff, Steubenville

Junior, Pitcher

Steubenville coach Fred Heatherington calls his ace “the most dominant pitcher in the valley.” He may be correct. For the second straight year Calvin Bickerstaff has been named to the All-Valley baseball team. The junior pitcher finished second in the valley with a 0.55 ERA. He added a perfect 5-0 record and 43 strikeouts, while only walking six in 37 2/3 innings. His 27 hits, 21 RBI and 26 runs also helped push Big Red to an OVAC championship.

A.J. Clegg, Toronto

Junior, Pitcher

Toronto coach Brian Perkins had no problem handing the ball to A.J. Clegg in the Ohio Division IV State Semifinal against Antwerp. The junior didn’t let him down as he spun a four-hit complete game shutout with seven strikeouts to lift his team into the state championship. He was named second team all-state following his spotless 8-0 campaign. He also fanned 59 batters and turned in a 1.28 ERA in 43 2/3 innings to help Toronto also claim an OVAC title. He batted .337 with 30 hits, 27 runs, 26 RBI, two home runs, nine doubles and 10 stolen bases for the state champion Red Knights.

Jagger Jefferis, Barnesville

Junior, Pitcher

A 16-0 start to the season for the Shamrocks was sparked by a no-hitter from Jagger Jefferis. The Barnesville ace was an all-state honorable mention and collected All-OVAC honors in Class 3A. The junior secured 68 strikeouts to go with a 1.18 ERA and six wins in 47 1/3 innings. He also tallied 28 hits, 23 RBI and eight doubles.

Trey Slider, Paden City

Senior, Pitcher

Trey Slider lit up the K zone this year for the Wildcats. The senior struck out 108 batters to lead the valley. He also led the valley in innings pitched with 69 and was tied for third with seven wins. Slider finished the year with a 1.72 ERA and was named second team all-state in Class A and All-OVAC in 1A. He laced 25 hits for a .298 average and his speed produced 28 runs and 16 stolen bases.

Jared Kernen, Barnesville

Junior, Catcher

Some of Jared Kernen’s home runs this season still haven’t landed. The junior catcher blasted six longballs, including two in one game against Magnolia, on his way to earning first team all-state in Division III. Kernen hit at a .393 clip with 35 hits, 12 doubles, 21 RBI and scored 30 runs to earn All-OVAC accolades in Class 3A. This is his second straight All-Valley appearance.

Chas McCool, John Marshall

Senior, Catcher

As impressive as Chas McCool was behind the plate, he might have been even better in the batter’s box. The senior catcher ranked second in the valley with 50 hits and turned in a .463 batting average this year to earn second team all-state honors. The John Marshall backstop belted a pair of home runs, knocked in 32 runs, scored 22, laced 12 doubles and four triples. He was a threat on the basepaths, as well, swiping 14 bases for coach Mark Cisar. His performance earned him All-OVAC and a spot in the OVAC All-Star game.

Matthew Busby, St. Clairsville

Senior, Infielder

There was not much Matthew Busby couldn’t track down from his shortstop position but his senior year, he did even more damage at the plate. From the leadoff spot, Busby led the Red Devils with a .378 batting average and 45 hits. He turned in five doubles, 34 runs and 18 stolen bases on his way to earning an all-state honorable mention in Division II. Busby was named first team All-OVAC, All-EOBL, All-Buckeye 8 and all-district.

Andrew Clelland

Harrison Central

Junior, Infielder

Numbers don’t lie. Andrew Clelland can hit for average and power. The junior infielder hit at a .410 clip with 32 hits, four home runs and five doubles. He drove in 23 runs and scored 27 on his way to being named an all-state honorable mention in Ohio’s Division II. He received All-OVAC honors and is committed to play at Ohio State.

Kelly Hendershot, Shadyside

Junior, Infielder

The third highest batting average in the valley resides in Shadyside as Kelly Hendershot boasted a .500 average with 36 hits, one home run, six doubles and four triples. The junior knocked in 29 runs and crossed the plate 30 times. He shined at the shortstop position, carrying a fielding percentage of .892 — helping him to collect All-OVAC honors.

Avery Lee, Wheeling Central

Sophomore, Infielder

He might be the youngest player on the All-Valley team but Avery Lee has the poise of a seasoned veteran as he helped propel a young Wheeling Central squad to the state tournament. He was named first team all-state and first team All-OVAC and hit .354 with an on-base percentage of .476 from the leadoff spot. He led the team in hits (35), runs (34), walks (22), stolen bases (14), home runs (1) and was tied for the lead with seven doubles. He also recorded 20 RBI.

Jacob Probst, Martins Ferry

Junior, Infielder

Another strong campaign by Jacob Probst has landed him on the All-Valley team for the second consecutive season. The junior infielder blistered 38 hits for a .439 average that included 12 doubles and three triples. He supplied 31 RBI and scored 28 runs on his way to earning all-state honorable mention and All-OVAC honors.

Trin Scott, Cameron

Senior, Infielder

Trin Scott led the entire valley with 52 hits this season. The senior shortstop ranked second in runs (38), third in doubles (13), fifth in stolen bases (31) and was tied for seventh in triples (3). His .478 batting average also ranked in the valley’s Top 10. Scott’s .567 on-base-percentage from the leadoff spot helped him garner OVAC 1A Player of the Year, second team all-state and All-OVAC accolades.

Klay Cottis, Indian Creek

Junior, Outfielder

Don’t run on Klay Cottis. The junior outfielder threw four runners out at the plate this year and nailed another at third. He was a table-setter from the leadoff spot, as well. Cottis’ .486 batting average was tied for fifth highest in the valley. He supplied 36 hits, eight doubles, one triple, 24 runs, 14 RBI and 15 stolen bases. His performance helped earn him second team All-Ohio and All-OVAC honors.

Garrett Scott, Cameron

Junior, Outfielder

If there were runners on base, Garrett Scott would drive them in (35 RBI) and if the bases were empty, he found a way to round them himself with 33 stolen bases and 35 runs. His .567 on-base percentage and .478 batting average were tops on the team. He laced 44 hits, 11 doubles, four triples and one home run to collect all-state special honorable mention and All-OVAC accolades.

Tyler West, Tyler Consolidated

Senior, Outfielder

Football, basketball, baseball — you name it. Tyler West can do it all. This spring, he made his presence felt in the middle of Rob Jones’ lineup and did not disappoint. He hit at a .560 clip — second in the valley — and also provided a .933 slugging percentage on his way to first team all-state and first team All-LKC.

Clayton Criss, Steubenville

Senior, Utility

Coach Heatherington could always count on his senior catcher to make contact. Clayton Criss only struck out twice in 94 at-bats. Criss delivered 44 hits for a .468 average and drove in 28 runs. His 31 runs scored and nine doubles also helped him garner second team all-state, first team All-OVAC and first team All-Eastern District honors for the OVAC champions.

Trevor Thomas, Wheeling Park

Senior, Utility

It was another trip to the state tournament for Wheeling Park and its star shortstop. Trevor Thomas made first team all-state for the second straight year and he secured All-OVAC honors after hitting .386 with 34 hits, 10 doubles, 20 RBI, 27 runs and an on-base-percentage of .472. He also accumulated four saves for coach Steve Myers’ club. “Tubes” and middle infield partner Jacob Shia put on a show this year, turning 14 double plays.

First Team

P –Calvin Bickerstaff, Steubenville

P –A.J. Clegg, Toronto

P — Jagger Jefferis, Barnesville

P — Eli Petho, Linsly (Captain)

P — Trey Slider, Paden City

C — Jared Kernen, Barnesville

C — Chas McCool, John Marshall

Inf — Matthew Busby, St. Clairsville

Inf — Andrew Clelland, Harrison Central

Inf — Kelly Hendershot, Shadyside

Inf — Avery Lee, Wheeling Central

Inf — Jacob Probst, Martins Ferry

Inf — Trin Scott, Cameron

OF — Klay Cottis, Indian Creek

OF — Garrett Scott, Cameron

OF — Tyler West, Tyler Consolidated

Util — Clayton Criss, Steubenville

Util — Nate Karaffa, Toronto (Captain)

Util — Anthony Sinicropi, Edison (Captain)

Util — Trevor Thomas, Wheeling Park

Second Team

P — George Ash, Edison

P — Caden Burga, Buckeye Trail

P — Isaac Hines, Wheeling Park

P — Adam Murray, Wheeling Central

P — Matt Saxon, Paden City

C –Anthony Coggins, Shadyside

C –Lucas Gulczynski, Toronto

Inf — Nick Fayak, Steubenville Central

Inf — Cade Hannahs, Barnesville

Inf — Hunter Kelley, Linsly

Inf — Cody Morrison, Union Local

Inf — Cole Porter, Bellaire

Inf — Nick Sninchak, Toronto

OF — Angelo Gentile, Wheeling Central

OF — Niko Kausky, Steubenville

OF — Pat Mirandy, Magnolia

Util — Talin Babcock, Monroe Central

Util — Jakob Bailey, Brooke

Util — Jessop Broughton, Cameron

Util — Kyle Storer, St. Clairsville

Honorable Mention

Barnesville — Ayden Hannahs, Aaron Marovich

Beallsville — Wyatt Brown

Bridgeport — Matt Fouty

Brooke — Nick Langley, Mason Thompson

Buckeye Local — Shayne Christian

Buckeye Trail — Dylan Beaver, Creighton Gazda

Cameron — Aidan Lucey, Noah Neely

Edison — Andrew Kinney, Alec McBane

Hundred — Christian Fluharty, Hunter Tustin

Indian Creek — Coy Amis, Josh Speaker

John Marshall — Izac Babiczuk, Shane Dobbs, Josh Schramm

Linsly — Dom Gorence, Alex Papadimitriou

Madonna — Luke Beatty

Magnolia — Jake Gamble, Silas McKeever

Martins Ferry — Drake Dobson

Monroe Central — Jason Reich, Wade Stoehr

Oak Glen — Garrett Brewer, Josh Cline, Jonathon Creese

Paden City — Ryan Cross, Jordan Stackpole, Clayton Thomas

River — Carter Dennis, Hunter Dennis

Shadyside — Korey Beckett, Rhys Francis, Collin Holmes

St. Clairsville — Peyton Drake, Jakob Jarvis

Steubenville — Quinn McCoy, Scott Mitchell

Steubenville Central — Dom Argentine, Matt Bell

Tyler Consolidated — Gage Huffman, Jake Rice, Dylan Seckman

Toronto — Nick Chetock, Tristan Thomas

Union Local — Dakota Hess, Hunter McCort, Ayden Smolira

Weir — Tyler Kelly, Tyler Komorowski, Sebastian Spencer

Wheeling Central — Kyle Newmeyer, Sonny Peluchette

Wheeling Park — Maison Richardson, Jacob Shia, Ben Taylor

Batting average

(.350 minimum, 15 hits):

.595–Karaffa, Tor

.560–West, TC

.500–Hendershot, Shady

.487–Fayak, SCC

.486–Coggins, Shady; Cottis, IC

.478–G. Scott, Cam

.477–H. Dennis, Riv

.474–Bailey, Brk

.472–T. Scott, Cam

.471–Porter, Bell

.468–Criss, Steub

.463–McCool, JM

.439–Argentine, SCC; Probst, MF

.425–Kelley, Lin

.424–Broughton, Cam

.420–Babcock, MC

.418–Stackpole, PC; Thompson, Brk

.410–Clelland, HC

.408–Gulczynski, Tor; Sinicropi, Ed

.407–Langley, Brk

.406–Chetock, Tor

.404–A. Hannahs, Barn; McCoy, Steub

.402–Brown, Bealls; Rice, TC

.398–Dobson, MF

.397–Creese, OG

.396–Tubaugh, Barn

.395–McBane, Ed; Thomas, PC

.393–Kernen, Barn

.390–Cline, OG

.386–Thomas, WP

.385–Morrison, UL; Seckman, TC

.384–Saxon, PC

.378–Busby, St. C.; Richardson WP

.377–C. Dennis, Riv

.376–Mirandy, Mag

.375–Amis, IC; Shia, WP

.374–C. Hannahs, Barn

.373–Kausky, Steub; Mitchell, Steub

.368–Kinney, Ed; Thomas, Tor

.364–Spencer, Weir

.361–Ash, Ed

.360–Fouty, Bridge

.358–Gazda, BT; Peluchette, WC

.356–Gillette, Weir; Sninchak, Tor

.355–Lemley, OG; Reich, MC

.354–Francis, Shady; Lee, WC; Mattern, WP

.352–Gentile, WC

.351–Hoover, Weir; McKeever, Mag

.350–Papadimitriou, Lin

Hits (25 minimum):

52–T. Scott, Cam

50–Karaffa, Tor; McCool, JM

45–Busby, St. C.

44–Criss, Steub; G. Scott, Cam

43–Chetock, Tor

42–Gulczynski, Tor

40–Mitchell, Steub; Sinicropi, Ed

39–Broughton, Cam

38–Fayak, SCC; McCoy, Steub; Probst, MF

37–C. Hannahs, Barn; Kausky, Steub

36–Cottis, IC; Coggins, Shady; A. Hannahs, Barn; Hendershot, Shady

35–Kernen, Barn; Lee, WC; Morrison, UL

34–Kelley, Lin; McBane, Ed; Neely, Cam; Thomas, WP; Thomas, PC

33–Duggan, Steub; Saxon, PC; Stackpole, PC

32–Babiczuk, JM; Clelland, HC; Jarvis, St. C.; Kinney, Ed; Porter, Bell; Thomas, Tor

31–Gentile, WC; Shia, WP; Sninchak, Tor; Wise, JM

30–Ash, Ed; Clegg, Tor; Cline, OG

29–Babcock, MC; Burga, BT; Creese, OG; De Frances, Steub; Gazda, BT; Marovich, Barn; McKeever, Mag; Mirandy, Mag; Rine, WC

28–Cross, PC; Jefferis, Barn; Mattern, WP; Storer, St. C.

27–Bailey, Brk; Bickerstaff, Steub; Black, JM; Davis, JM; Drake, St. C.; Hess, UL; Hoover, Weir; Kerr, OG; Lemley, OG; Newmeyer, WC; Pompeo, WC

26–Beaver, BT; Dobson, MF; Lucey, Cam; McCort, UL; Zorne, Steub

25–Argentine, SCC; Balgo, St. C.; Merritt, UL; Peluchette, WC; Slider, PC; A. Smolira, UL; Speaker, IC

Doubles (5 minimum):

16–Karaffa, Tor

14–Kausky, Steub

13–T. Scott, Cam

12–Kernen, Barn; McCool, JM; Probst, MF

11–Fayak, SCC; G. Scott, Cam

10–Creese, OG; Fluharty, Hund; Gulczynski, Tor; Mirandy, Mag; Sninchak, Tor; Thomas, WP

9–Argentine, SCC; Clegg, Tor; Criss, Steub; Mattern, WP; McKeever, Mag

8–Babcock, MC; Cottis, IC; Coggins, Shady; Jarvis, St. C.; Jefferis, Barn; Lucey, Cam; McCoy, Steub; Shia, WP; Thomas, PC; Wise, JM

7–Ash, Ed; Bell, SCC; Gentile, WC; Kelley, Lin; Lee, WC; A. Meade, Barn; Milton, Lin; Papadimitriou, Lin; Schramm, JM; Speaker, IC; Thomas, Tor

6–Amis, IC; H. Dennis, Riv; Dobson, MF; A. Hannahs, Barn; Hendershot, Shady; Kinney, Ed; McBane, Ed; Rine, WC; Sinicropi, Ed; Storer, St. C.; Taylor, Lin

5–Black, JM; Busby, St. C.; Clelland, HC; Davis, JM; C. Dennis, Riv; Duggan, Steub; C. Hannahs, Barn; Hess, UL; Loase, UL; Morrison, UL; B. Rominger, BT; R. Rominger, BT; K. Smolira, UL; Tustin, Hund

Triples (3 minimum):

6–Sinicropi, Ed; Waterhouse, WC

5–A. Smolira, UL

4–Hendershot, Shady; McCool, JM; G. Scott, Cam

3–Dobson, MF; McBane, Ed; Mirandy, Mag; Probst, MF; T. Scott, Cam

Home Runs (4 minimum):

6–Karaffa, Tor; Kernen, Barn

4–Clelland, HC

Runs Batted In (20 minimum):

42–Karaffa, Tor

38–Broughton, Cam

36–Sninchak, Tor

35–Kausky, Steub; G. Scott, Cam

34–Cross, PC

32–McCool, JM

31–Probst, MF; Thomas, PC

29–Hendershot, Shady; Mattern, WP

28–Criss, Steub; Fayak, SCC; A. Meade, Barn

27–Gentile, WC; Stackpole, PC

24–Beaver, BT; Dobbs, JM; Dobson, MF; Kinney, Ed

23–Clelland, HC; Creese, OG; Coggins, Shady; A. Hannahs, Barn; Hess, UL; Jarvis, St. C.; Jefferis, Barn; Marovich, Barn; Newmeyer, WC; Seckman, TC

22–Balgo, St.C.; De Frances, Steub; Duggan, Steub; McCoy, Steub

21–Babcock, MC; Bickerstaff, Steub; Gazda, BT; Kernen, Barn; McBane, Ed; U. Meade, Barn

20–Cline, OG; H. Dennis, Riv; Drake, St. C.; Fouty, Bridge; Lee, WC; Merritt, UL; R. Rominger, BT; Schramm, JM; Thomas, WP

Runs Scored (20 minimum):

45–Karaffa, Tor

38–T. Scott, Cam

36–Sinicropi, Ed

35–Mitchell, Steub; Saxon, PC; G. Scott, Cam; Stackpole, PC

34–Busby, St. C.; Kausky, Steub; Lee, WC

33–Mirandy, Mag

32–De Frances, Steub; Neely, Cam; Shia, WP

31–Criss, Steub; A. Hannahs, Barn

30–Duggan, Steub; Gentile, WC; Hendershot, Shady; Kernen, Barn; McBane, Ed

29–Davis, JM; McCort, UL

28–Gulczynski, Tor; Probst, MF; Slider, PC

27–Clelland, HC; Morrison, UL; Patterson, OG; Thomas, WP

26–Bickerstaff, Steub; Burga, BT; Clegg, Tor; Creese, OG; Coggins, Shady; Fayak, SCC; Storer, St. C.

25–Gazda, BT; C. Hannahs, Barn; Holmes, Shady; Rine, WC; Sninchak, Tor; Wise, JM

24–Cottis, IC; Merritt, UL; Newmeyer, WC

23–Kelley, Lin; B. Rominger, BT; Wietfeld, IC

22–Francis, Shady; Jarvis, St. C.; Lemley, OG; Marovich, Barn; McCool, JM; Zorne, Steub

21–Cline, OG; H. Dennis, Riv; Drake, St. C.; Richardson, WP

20–Berger, Tor; Gillette, Weir; Gorence, Lin; Thomas, PC

Stolen Bases (12 minimum):

35–Mirandy, Mag

34–Karaffa, Tor; Saxon, PC

33–G. Scott, Cam

31–T. Scott, Cam

26–Gulczynski, Tor

24–C. Hannahs, Barn

21–Chetock, Tor; Sinicropi, Ed

19–Neely, Cam; Sninchak, Tor

18–Busby, St. C.; Stackpole, PC

16–Patterson, OG; Slider, PC; Thomas, Tor

15–Cottis, IC; Fayak, SCC

14–Fouty, Bridge; Francis, Shady; Lee, WC; McCool, JM

13–Lucey, Cam

12–Herrick, Tor; Komorowski, Weir; Matyas, Tor; Morrison, UL; Thomas, PC

Pitching

Earned Run Average

(2.50/25 IP minimum):

0.46–Burga, BT

0.55–Bickerstaff, Steub

0.63–Murray, WC

1.00–Sinicropi, Ed

1.15–Hines, WP

1.18–Jefferis, Barn

1.28–Ash, Ed; Beckett, Shady; Clegg, Tor

1.40–G. Hannahs, Barn

1.47–Helmuth, BT

1.48–Thomas, Tor

1.50–Bell, SCC

1.52–Peluchette, WC

1.67–Karaffa, Tor

1.70–Petho, Lin

1.72–Slider, PC

1.94–Brewer, OG

2.18–Foster, WC

2.25–Hummel, WP

2.39–Fluharty, Hund

2.40–Cline, OG; LeFever, SCC; Wise, JM

2.44–Yocum, WC

2.45–Porter, Bell

Strikeouts (50 minimum):

108–Slider, PC

98–Saxon, PC

88–Fluharty, Hund

86–Gamble, Mag

75–Karaffa, Tor

72–Broughton, Cam

71–Stoehr, MC

70–Huffman, TC

68–Jefferis, Barn

66–Sinicropi, Ed

62–Cline, OG

61–Burga, BT

60–Brewer, OG

59–Clegg, Tor

58–Neely, Cam

50–Bell, SCC; Porter, Bell

Victories: (5 minimum):

8–Clegg, Tor; Kausky, Steub

7–Kelly, Weir; Neely, Cam; Petho, Lin; Slider, PC

6–Ash, Ed; Bell, SCC; Broughton, Cam; Jefferis, Barn; Karaffa, Tor; Sinicropi, Ed

5–Bickerstaff, Steub; Brewer, OG; Hines, WP; Holmes, Shady; Kinney, Ed; Komorowski, Weir; Storer, St. C.; Sutton, Steub; Swift, JM; Tonkovich, St. C.; Wise, JM

Innings Pitched

(25 minimum):

69–Slider, PC

67–Broughton, Cam

61–Saxon, PC

60–Bell, SCC

55–Neely, Cam

54–Ash, Ed

53–Gamble, Mag

50–Cline, OG

49–Petho, Lin

48–Sinicropi, Ed

47–Jefferis, Barn

46–Karaffa, Tor

45–Burga, BT; Huffman, TC; LeFever, SCC

44–Fluharty, Hund

43–Brewer, OG; Clegg, Tor; Wise, JM

42–Swift, JM; Thomas, Tor

41–Amis, IC; K. Smolira, UL

38–Hess, UL

37–Bickerstaff, Steub; Morrison, UL; Yocum, WC

36–Hines, WP; Kinney, Ed

34–Bailey, Brk; Porter, Bell

33–Helmuth, BT; Murray, WC

32–Custer, WC; Peluchette, WC

31–Hill, Lin; A. Meade, Barn; Hummel, WP

30–Dailey, OG; Holmes, Shady; Wright, IC

29–Bartrug, Hund; McVicker, BT

28–Lemley, OG; McCort, UL

27–Beckett, Shady

26–Speaker, IC; Toepher, WC

25–Foster, WC; G. Hannahs, Barn; Thompson, Brk

— STATS PROVIDED

BY COACHES[gallery ids=”934669,934670,934671″