Even coming off a tough year with a 3-18 record, the Centerburg baseball team is looking to come back full throttle with a team that is healthy for the first time in a dozen years.
“Despite the down year our goals never change,” said Coach Josh Moss. “Every year our goals are to win 20 games, win the KMAC and compete for a district title.”
Moss is encouraged by having a full cast of characters this year, as last year many of their key players were either out or limited to injury for extended time.
“It's a great feeling looking at our roster and seeing 18 out of 25 players are returning players, with 12 of them earning at least one varsity letter,” Moss said. “The hope is that the experience gained last season by players who were forced into roles earlier than expected, pays dividends this season. We have great kids in our program who are focused on goals. We are excited to get the season started.”
Seniors Jesse Rings and and Grayson Reynolds missed or were limited all of last season with injuries. Junior two year letterman Daniel Lemaster missed the first half of the year on the mound due to injuries. Fellow junior Mason Vallance, also a two year letterman, missed 12 games due to injury. Sophomore Vinny Morgan missed two games and was limited to a DH role for the second half of the season due to injury.
Seniors on the team include Gavin Collins, Garrett Belcher, Ryder Scott and Antonio Nichols. Along with Lemaster and Vallance, Jonah Gribben returns for his junior season. Sophomores include Lance Martindale and Aiden Trobridge.
Newcomers to varsity include junior Logan Geiger, and freshman Clarke Redd and Ricky Faught.
“We return the entire roster from last season with the exception of first team KMAC/second team Central District Reese Scott who graduated, while also adding a good sized freshman class,” said Coach Josh Moss.
Moss said their offense will be something they need to work on. The Trojans have only had scrimmages and practice as it is early, but Moss said the team isn’t where they need to be at the plate.
However, having six multi-year starters return to the team is a major strength, and if the pitching staff stays healthy they could have both depth and quality. Moss added that the team’s speed is a plus.
“We should be good on the base paths this season,” Moss said.
Moss is entering his third season as the Trojan skipper, and said he has been influenced in his coaching style by “outstanding coaches” he has been under. He is a coach who tries to keep things simple and apply the same tried and true formula to play the game.
“We want our pitchers to command the strike zone,” Moss said. “We pride ourselves on being clean defensively and as a team we want to have a team first approach in the batter's box and on the base paths.”
Centerburg Trojans 2024 Roster
***Sr. Grayson Reynolds - #6 / SS
**Sr. Jesse Rings - #8 / 2B
**Sr. Gavin Collins - #22 / 1B/RHP
*Sr. Garrett Belcher - #13 / OF
*Sr. Antonio Nichols - #21 / 3B/OF/RHP
*Sr. Ryder Scott - #19 RHP/1B
**Jr. Daniel Lemaster - #7 CF/RHP
*Jr. Jonah Gribben - #5 OF/RHP
*Jr. Mason Vallance - #11 OF/RHP/C
Jr. Logan Geiger - #18 UTL
*So. Vinny Morgan - #4 C/OF/RHP
*So. Lance Martindale - #2 UTL
*So. Aiden Trobridge - #3 RHP
Fr. Clarke Redd - #32 1B/RHP
Fr. Ricky Faught - #23 INF/RHP
(* denotes letter winner)
Regular Season Schedule
3/25 – vs Madison Plains – Game played at Ohio Wesleyan University*, 5 p.m.
3/28 – vs Elmwood (OH) @ Ripken (Myrtle Beach, SC), 9 p.m.
3/29 – vs Hampton (PA) @ Ripken (Myrtle Beach, SC), 6:30 p.m.
3/30 - vs Bowling Green (OH) @ Ripken (Myrtle Beach, SC), 8:30 a.m.
4/1 – vs Danville**, 5:15 p.m.
4/3 - @ Danville**, 5:15 p.m.
4/5 - @ Mount Gilead**, 5:15 p.m.
4/9 – vs Mount Gilead**, 5:15 p.m.
4/10 – vs East Knox**, 5:15 p.m.
4/12 - @ East Knox**, 5:15 p.,.
4/15 - @ Berne Union – Game to be played at Beavers Stadium, 5:30 p.m.
4/18 – vs Cardington**, 5:15 p.m.
4/20 – vs Northridge - Game to be played at Don Edwards, 7:30 p.m.
4/22 - @ Cardington**, 5:15 p.m.
4/24 - @ Fredericktown**, 5:15 p.m.
4/26 – vs Fredericktown**, 5:15 p.m.
4/27 - @ Grandview Heights, 12 p.m.
5/1 – vs Northmor**, 5:15 p.m.
5/3 - @ Northmor** 5:15 p.m.
5/4 – DH w/ Northridge and West @ Centerburg
10:00am – Centerburg vs Northridge
Noon – Centerburg vs West
5/6 - vs Columbus International, 5:30 p.m.
5/7 – vs Johnstown, 5:15 p.m.
5/8 - @ Tree of Life*, 5:30 p.m.
5/10 - vs Lucas*, 5:15 p.m.
* Varsity only game
** KMAC
