Hedden wants overlooked talent zone to take flight in Fremont at Terra State
If a team struggles, you often hear the deck was stacked against it.
Terra State entered its first baseball season with 22 freshmen. Many of its opponents had third-year sophomores on the roster because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It will still face players who take advantage of their eligibility exemption next season. It isn't included among five teams in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference that offer scholarships.
The Titans finished with seven wins in 35 games. They didn't schedule midweek games because the fledgling program has to develop pitching depth.
"They outperformed what I thought we would do," coach Greg Hedden said. "They didn't know what they were getting into. I'm so proud."
Hedden often used each of his 14 pitchers in weekend games.
"You're more cautious," he said.
They defeated Owens 2-1 when it was ranked in the top 10 nationally during the regular season. They trailed in the eighth, before beating Delta 5-4 in the 10th for a victory in their first National Junior College Athletic Association regional game in May.
They lost the next two games.
Terra State batted .243, with a .927 fielding percentage as a team. Those aren't great statistics, but they're viewed with extreme optimism through a prism of inauguration and inexperience.
"We were really good at the end of the season on defense," Hedden said. "The errors were freshman errors, missed bunt rotation. We'd realize we hadn't worked it. I don't blame the kids. They were ill-prepared.
"Part youth, but coaching."
Hedden continues to lean into the Sandusky Bay Conference area to recruit. Those kids are often overlooked by Toledo, Lorain and Owens.
"We're smack in the middle," Hedden said. "Stay home and play baseball. Get your velo up and get more innings."
If an athlete pursues an opportunity with a Division II or III program, they might not play much for a few years. A coach at a four-year program considers whether his juniors will bounce back as seniors, or should they undertake a youth movement.
Having players for two years eliminates any such decisions for Hedden. They're made for him, and the kids get to play.
Hedden had three sophomores last season. Only four of his 25 players were recruited by anybody else.
"That's what I wanted for Terra State baseball and why we started," Hedden said. "There's an empty space and SBC and Ross kids are getting lost. It's a great opportunity for kids in the area to play college baseball, and eventually other sports."
Despite losing its first 13 games, Terra State outhit opponents in 22 of its first 28 games.
"We didn't have enough in the tank to close games on the mound," Hedden said. "We got better. We build something from scratch with a bunch of local kids."
Tiffin's Jaron Gase led the team with a .316 average atop the lineup. Tiffin's Tandon Lemmon batted .308 in the middle of the order and stood out on defense in center field, including three eye-catching assists.
Lemmon made the NJCAA Region 12 tournament team.
Tiffin's Josh Gase (2-2), Toledo St. Francis' Orlando Loyd, Lakota's Austin Nuhfer and Fremont Ross' John Lotycz were among pitchers. Loyd pitched 15 more innings (45) than anyone.
Nuhfer tossed 20 innings and Lotycz added six. Lotycz graduated from high school in 2020.
Hedden didn't hesitate when Lotycz requested a chance.
"He hadn't pitched in two years," Hedden said. "He joined us in January. He built his strength up and got back on the mound. He was around all the time, he wanted to be on the team. That won't happen if we don't start this.
"He graduated. He's a favorite. He joined and bought in as a local product."
The roster includes Danbury's Aerion Gipson, Genoa's Jacob Emerson, Huron's Joey Brown and Sandusky Perkins' Tyler Walton.
Jake Wilson is pitching coach and Ray Neill worked with the team. Hedden prioritizes pitching when recruiting.
"High school pitchers play a position," he said. "If they throw 85 and give you five innings. We recruited pitchers and position players that could help fill voids. You have to fill voids."
Terra State allows students to determine what they want to do with their future. It's less expensive than alternatives.
"It's a great start to figure out your education," said Hedden, who is also athletic director. "They're not sure what they want to go into in the workforce. Why not play baseball, and costs are reduced? Get better, and stay another year."
Hedden enters the second year of a four-year commitment.
"I want it to be a better place and I want there to be community involvement," he said. "It's an opportunity for local kids to earn a two-year degree and play baseball for two years in college. Or, you can come for two years looking for two more somewhere.
"Come get a degree and play college baseball. Twenty kids are on pace to graduate in two years, out of 25."
Hedden lost nearly 20 kids he recruited and who came to campus last year. There will always be attrition because of responsibilities, injuries or unexpected circumstances.
Hedden will schedule 56 games this season, hoping to win at least 30.
"With 20 back, I'd expect us to be .500," Hedden said. "I don't want to talk about next year's players until I see them on the field in the spring."
His program will have better hands. He hopes the Fremont area for SBC kids is a wild card.
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
Twitter: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Terra State makes immediate strides at plate, on defense
