Loaded with talent, Wynford hopes to defend league title and make a deep tournament run
HOLMES TOWNSHIP - Last year was one to remember for Wynford baseball.
The Royals won their first Northern 10 championship since 2016 and made a run to the district semifinal before falling to eventual state runner-up Edison. Wynford was named the top returning team in Crawford County this year along with boasting the No. 1 male athlete in the county in junior Grant McGuire who was a first team All-Ohioan and most recently named to the Ohio's Best returning baseball players in 2023.
Five seniors are gone from last year's squad, but a strong core returns including the best 1-2 punch on the mound in the greater area.
Senior Sam Collene (9-0, 64 K's, 1.91 ERA) was honorable mention all-state and junior Spencer Miller (7-3, 1.64 ERA) immediately give the Royals an edge every single night they step up to pitch. And there's quality depth to back them up in sophomore Drew Johnson, junior Kaiden Blair and senior Dylon Robinson.
Junior Brett Crall is a new face this season, he'll slot into the vacant catcher's position with Johnson joining him in the infield at third.
McGuire (.495 avg., 45 hits, 50 RBIs, 38 runs, 10 stolen bases) returns at first, Collene (.366 avg., 30 hits, 29 RBIs, 26 runs) will be at second when he's not on the mound and Miller (.416 avg., 37 hits, 35 runs, 11 stolen bases) at short when he isn't pitching. In the outfield will be senior Cainen Allen (.381 avg., 32 hits, 18 RBIs, 23 runs), Robinson (.463 avg., 38 hits, 36 RBIs, 27 runs) at center and Blair (.329 avg., 28 hits, 13 RBIs, 25 runs, 18 stolen bases) in right.
"We have three all-state guys returning in Sam, Grant and Dylon," coach Tom Smith said. "Sam Collene will be critical to our success on the mound and playing second. Grant will play third, first, and handle clean-up duties trying to repeat as the triple crown winner. Dylon was in the top five in all offensive categories last year and he will be our utility guy again and probably pitch more.
"Spencer may be our most valuable player. Batting third, great pitcher and shortstop. Cainen finished as a top 10 hitter in the league last year and will start in the outfield. Kaiden will bat lead-off and start in center or catcher. Drew will start at third and add pitching depth. Brett will try to fill the catcher position vacated by Avery Langenderfer. Wes Prenger, Collin Hulsmeyer, and Brayden Horner are expected to contribute and fill the last starting OF spot."
Wynford won 20 games last season and it wouldn't shock anyone to see that happen again.
"In addition to being a class team on and off the field we want to be a smart team that competes every pitch," Smith said "It will take a lot of effort and team chemistry to stay focused every pitch. If we stay focused wins and losses will take care of themselves."
The Royals' first goal of the season is to defend their league title and it's going to be as difficult as ever with two teams nipping at their heels and anyone capable of beating anyone on any given night.
"I think the league is solid top to bottom this year," Smith said. "Upper Sandusky is the favorite with Wynford and Seneca East in contention."
After that, this is a team that wants to make a deep postseason run. And with the talent on this roster, they're more than capable of doing that.
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Twitter: @Zachary_Holden
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Wynford baseball has sky high expectations this season
