X-Factor: Baseball Preview
Maturity and experience could make a difference for the baseball team this year.
The Worthington Christian baseball team is coming off an 8-13 season last year, but second-year coach Michael Kraynak believes the Warriors have an x-factor to help them improve on that finish.
In Kraynak’s debut season, Worthington Christian defeated Grove City Christian 13-0 in the first round of the Division III Central District tournament but lost to eventual district runner-up West Jefferson 6-3 in a sectional final.
However, Kraynak’s optimism is largely due to the return of seniors Hunter Doran, Jameson Colley, Jackson Ressler, Cyrus Nip, and Michael Watson.
“(Having that kind of leadership) is something you can’t quantify,” Kraynak said. “I’ve been so proud of those guys. One of the things that didn’t come easy to them was the vocal leadership. We challenged them in the offseason to step up and lead the team. They’ve done that.
“Every offseason activity, whether it was weightlifting or skill sessions, they’ve been there, and they’re the hardest workers. They set the standard and hold the other guys accountable.”
Colley, who earned second-team All-Central Buckeye League honors last season, said he is excited for one last go-round with the Warriors.
“I’m looking forward to this season,” said Colley, who batted .306 last season with seven doubles, seven stolen bases and 11 runs batted in. “It’s my last season with the guys I’ve gotten to know over the last four years. I’m excited to see how competitive we are as a team this year.”
Leading the way for the Warriors will be senior Hunter Doran, who splits time between pitching and playing shortstop and has signed with Taylor University. Doran, a first-team all-CBL selection with graduate Hobie Raikes, batted .333 last season with three doubles, a triple, and a home run. As a pitcher, Doran compiled a 2-3 record overall with a 2.739 earned run average with 58 strikeouts.
Kraynak called Doran “one of the best players in the area.”
“I’m just glad he’s on our team,” Kraynak said. “In high school baseball, any time you have good pitching, you have a chance. Any time Hunter is on the mound, I feel extremely confident we’ll be in the game at the end.
“He is just so talented. His leadership qualities have really grown. It’s been fun to watch him mature, take on leadership, and continue to get better.”
Kraynak said his team’s lineup is currently in flux, with many players shifting from one position to another.
In addition to Doran, Kraynak expects the pitching rotation to include Colley, juniors Chase Crawford, Austin Wrobbel, Jacob Linard, and Jackson Price, and sophomores Asher Doran, Curtis Crager, Leo Bernardo, and Caden Demmer, and freshman Nolan Schoonover. Senior Nip, juniors Crawford and Wrobbel, sophomores Belcher, Bernardo, Demmer, and Asher Doran, and freshmen Evan Beal and Eli Kraynak are vying for time in the infield. Sophomores Beckett O’Neil and Gibby Belcher will be splitting time at catcher.
Crawford, who batted .321 and was second on the team with 16 RBI, was second-team all-league, and Wrobbel, who was 4-1 overall as a pitcher with a 2.625 ERA, was an honorable mention.
“That collection of guys will primarily take a lot of the infield innings, but we’ll just have to see how that all shakes out,” Kraynak said.
In the outfield, look for seniors Colley, Ressler, and Watson, junior Linard and sophomores Asher Doran, Curtis Crager, Riley Hutcherson, and Bryson Lanker, and freshman Schoonover to compete for spots.
“Colley played centerfield and Ressler was in left most of last year,” Kraynak said. “We have a bunch of guys who can play the outfield. That right field spot is one we’re still trying to figure out but we’ve got a lot of options there.”
Worthington Christian will be challenged again in the CBL. Last year, the Warriors finished in the middle of the pack with a 6-6 record, finishing behind champion Buckeye Valley (12-0) and runners-up Columbus Academy (8-4) and Grandview (8-4).
The Barons outscored league opponents 127-15 with five shutouts. However, a third of the runs Buckeye Valley gave up in CBL competition came against Worthington Christian. The Warriors were the only team to come within three runs of Buckeye Valley in a 4-1 loss on April 10 and were the only team to score more than three runs against the Barons in a 13-4 loss on April 25.
Worthington Christian also seemed to learn from its mistakes against Academy and Grandview.
The Warriors split with the Vikings, losing 3-2 on April 5 and winning 6-4 on April 8. They also lost to the Bobcats 3-2 on April 19 and won 3-1 on April 22.
“Buckeye Valley was extremely talented,” Coach Kraynak said. “But for the most part, our league was super competitive.
“Last season was a learning process. We had some close losses, but those disappointments will teach you and motivate you to come back and do better the next time.”