The Northmor baseball team went 21-7 and had a district finals appearance in the Division IV playoffs last season, and this year seniors Grant Bentley and Drew Hammond lead a solid core of Golden Knights in hopes of winning a conference title and making a deep playoff run.
The team lost three key pieces to graduation in Max Lower, Cooper Thomas and Bohdi Workman, and Coach Buck Workman knows there are big shoes to fill as they brought leadership and production to boot. However, the team brings back its entire pitching staff and has a solid defense.
“Pitching is our number one strength,” said Coach Workman, who enters his 24th year at Northmor with a record of 269-283. “We adapt to what we have personnel-wise on a yearly basis. Lately, we've been relying on pitching and defense to get things done. Offensively, we try to manufacture runs any way possible.”
Bentley is coming off a season where he was first team All-KMAC and Central District, and also second team All-Ohio. He has been a letter winner for three years and excels on the diamond, at the plate and on the mound. Bentley plays shortstop, third base and catcher, and had a .416 batting average. On the hill, he went 8-2 with a save and a 0.99 ERA.
Hammond was also first team All-KMAC, Central District and All-Ohio as a pitcher, third baseman and catcher. He batted .398 and on the mound he was 5-1 with a 2.37 ERA and a save.
“Grant Bentley and Drew Hammond are going to push for several of our hitting and pitching records,” Workman said.
Senior Bryce Cooper was second team All-KMAC and first team Central District last year. He went 4-0 with a 2.37 ERA and a save on the mound. He also catches and plays outfield, and had a solid year at the dish hitting .308.
Garrett Harvey batted .333 last year, and the second team All-KMAC player was a catcher and an outfielder who looks to do big things in his senior season.
Fellow senior Caiden Martinez pitches and plays outfield, and is a wizard on the field as a Gold Glove recipient. Isaac Black returns for his senior season, as well. He plays outfield and first base for the Golden Knights.
Trevor Brubaker had an outstanding freshman year where he had a 1.11 ERA with a 4-3 record, and a save. He was first team All-KMAC and Central District honorable mention.
Also returning are juniors Nicholas Armrose (DH/1B/3B) and Cole Cuffman (2B/P), and sophomore Billy Bowlin (OF/1B/P).
Freshmen who could see some playing time include Jack Bowdre (1B/OF/P) and Ethan Hinton (C/3B/P).
“We're excited to get going for real and see what we can accomplish,” Workman said. “We have a veteran group that gels well.”
The regular season starts at home with a double header with Franklin Heights on March 23 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
