The Highland baseball team lost three key players to graduation, but they bring back a terrific core of players who look to continue their success coming off a strong 2023 campaign where they won the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference with a 13-0 record.
“A 21-5 year in 2023 ended early with a loss to London in the Sectional Final,” said Coach Don Kline, who has a 157-62 record over eight seasons at Highland. “The Scots will need to find ways to score runs as they look to replace three solid offensive players in Brock Church, Layton Shaffer, and Zach Schmidt.”
The team looks to rebuild their infield after losing the gold glove infielder Church, who had only two errors in two years as a middle infielder.
Kort Sears was first team All-MOAC and and Central District. The junior infielder and right handed pitcher batted .325 with 32 RBIs and 29 runs.
“Kort is expected to be one our front end throwers this season and looks to hit in the middle of our lineup after a successful sophomore season,” said Coach Don Kline. “Kort led the team in walks, stolen bases, triples, & RBIs.”
Hayden Kline enters his senior year, and is coming off a season where he batted .369 with 32 runs and 20 RBIs. The first team All-MOAC and second team All-Central District player has had back-to-back seasons with more than 30 hits, and will be primarily in centerfield and middle infield. Kline is a versatile defender and should set the table well at the top of the order.
Fellow senior Jace Brooks is a left handed pitcher who is committed to pitch at Terra State. Last year he was third in innings pitched at 27 innings, posting a 1.037 ERA. He will be the team’s top relief pitcher this spring. Brooks also plays outfield, and batted .254 with 20 runs and 11 steals.
Sophomore Jayden Collins is coming off a year where he was second team All-MOAC, second team All-Central District, and led the team with eight doubles. He is the team’s starting shortstop and batted .346 with 26 RBIs and 20 runs. Collins will also be getting some innings on the mound this season. He is ranked 83rd in the 2026 class by Press Baseball Report (PBR) Ohio.
Sophomore Zach Church plays catcher, infield and also pitches. He was a second team All-MOAC and second team Central District choice for his Freshman year. Church is expected to be the number two starter for the Fighting Scots, and is ranked 49th in the 2025 class by PBR Ohio. Last year he batted .371 with 21 runs, 18 RBIs and six doubles. He also went 7-1 with a 2.13 ERA.
Gavin Wiggand is a utility player expected to play mostly catcher and infield. He will split time with Church behind the plate, and otherwise play corner infield and some outfield. Wiggand is a middle of the lineup bat, and the junior is looking to improve off a season where he batted .206 with seven RBIs and five runs.
Senior Drew Altizer is a first baseman and right handed pitcher. Last year he batted .300 and also had a 3.89 ERA over nine innings.
Senior Evan Johnson is a two year letterman who will be playing first, third and pitcher. Fellow senior Gage Partin is a returning letterman expected to platoon in outfield, and will be competing for playing time.
Newcomers who are expected to get opportunities include sophomores Rhett Russell (OF/DH) and Hendrick Karya (C/INF/RHP), as well as Jacob Garber (UTL/RHP) and Toby Rogers (RHP).
Coach Kline feels that the team’s strength is that it has a high baseball IQ and great team chemistry. The pitching staff is also one to watch out for.
He is, however, concerned about depth as the roster is only 13 players. The main worry about this is due to defense.
The Highland Fighting Scots have stepped it up a notch in recent years. They have a 69-17 record over the last three seasons, and since 2005 the Fighting Scots have won 336 games, 14 league titles, three district title and a regional championship.
“We are blessed to have a rich history, and we consistently remind the boys of past championships and player success,” Kline said. “They have the responsibility of protecting a culture forged by those who have played in these uniforms before us.”
He knows it will be tough this year, with conference foes Ontario (state runner up) and Clear Fork (MOAC runner up) in their way. Shelby, Galion and Marion Harding are also expected to compete for a league championship, and River Valley and Pleasant could be dark horse teams.
Coach Kline has a goal of winning the MOAC title, winning 20 games, and having a successful tournament run following a District Championship.
“Highland has won/shared five consecutive league championships and the Scots should be expected to compete for a sixth consecutive title this year,” Kline said.
Highland hosts St. Francis DeSales High School on March 23 at 11 a.m.
