Ashland baseball will hunt for Ohio Cardinal Conference title in 2023

ASHLAND — The Ashland High School baseball team was in the hunt last season for the Ohio Cardinal Conference title, and the Arrows are hoping to do the same this time around.

Ashland finished third in the OCC a year ago with a 9-3 record, behind runner-up Mount Vernon (10-2), and champion Wooster (11-1).

"These three teams should battle it out for this year's OCC title," Ashland coach Rick Gough noted. "Also, New Philly is an unknown, and they may factor into it as well."

The Arrows have 10 letter winners back this season in seniors Kamden Mowry (shortstop, pitcher), Wyatt Mohrman (outfield, pitcher), Ethan Truax (third base, designated hitter), Jon Metzger (outfield), along with juniors Luke Bryant (pitcher, first base), Logan Fulk (pitcher, first base), Ethan Bunce (catcher, pitcher), Owen Shade (pitcher), C.J. Cox (second base, third base), and sophomore Alex Grissinger (second base, pitcher),

The top newcomers are seniors Braiden Rhoades (pitcher, outfield) and Colin Hillman (outfield, second base), sophomores Michael Franz (outfield, pitcher), and Tyler Holt (third base, pitcher).

"Our starting lineup will be determined by our starting pitcher, as we have 11 players who will see a lot of playing time," Gough said. "The strength of our team should be pitching and defense. We have 10 players who will see time on the mound."

Fielding will also be a key for the Arrows.

"We also have seven returning starters on defense," Gough pointed out. "For us to be successful, we need to cut down on our strikeouts, and put the ball in play."

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland baseball will hunt for Ohio Cardinal Conference title in 2023