Lakewood Ranger Varsity Baseball Sets Goals High Experience, Pitching And Defense Buoy Hopes
The Lakewood Ranger Boys Varsity Baseball Team is setting its goals high as it enters the 2013 campaign. Benefiting from eleven returning lettermen, depth in the pitching department and strong defense up the middle, the Rangers enter their inaugural West Shore Conference season looking to contend for the league title and more.
The eighteen-player squad provides senior leadership through no fewer than fourteen seniors. The high school class of 2013 has enjoyed baseball success at every level and is looking for this spring season to be the capstone of their high school years. Returning three-year starters Marquise Tyus and Eric Roder headline the playing experience of the class. Last year’s leading hitter Wayne Naida and starting pitchers Marty Hartsel and Brian Hrdlicka bring additional senior leadership to the squad. Junior Jameson Foran will join Tyus and Naida as tri-captains of the team.
Former Lakewood Ranger and All-State Player (Class of 1985), Mike Ribar returns for his 3rd season as head coach and is counting the days until the 2013 season gets underway. “This squad is loaded with talent and provides incredible versatility to me and my coaches. The difference between winning big and coming up short this season will be a matter of our mental toughness as individual players and as a team.” Assistant coaches Skip Nolan and Tim LaBar return to aid Ribar and the Rangers.
Friday Night Under the Lights (FNUL) returns to Lakewood Stadium for its 2nd installment this spring. Highlighted by exciting baseball play, the event includes a live performance of the Star Spangled Banner, between inning music, and an ovation to one of Lakewood’s travel baseball teams. Friday Night Under the Lights is anticipated to draw big crowds again this season. Six FNUL games are scheduled: April 12 (vs. Trinity), April 19 (vs. Euclid), April 26 (vs. Midpark), May 3 (vs. Westlake), May 10 (vs. St. Ignatius) and May 17 (vs. Benedictine).
The early season Gruss-DiBiasio Tournament also returns to the Lakewood playing surface (Friday and Saturday, April 5 & 6) and neighborhood rival St. Edward Eagles visit the Rangers on Saturday, April 13. Alumni Weekend, a multi-day event celebrating previous Ranger baseball players, will be conducted May 3-5.
Coach Ribar responded to the 2013 schedule by saying, “We intend give our fans lots to cheer about this season. I hope Lakewood students, alumni and residents will come out in force as we have assembled an outstanding group of young men and baseball players combined with an exciting schedule.”
A quick summary of the 2013 Lakewood Ranger baseball team:
Pitchers – Starters Hrdlicka, Hartsel and Foran return after carrying most of the starting pitching load last year. Virtually interchangeable, the three bring consistency and an aggressive strike-throwing approach to this important role. Seniors Eric Kwiatkowski , Jacob Antel and Jesus Denizard will serve as spot starters. In the bullpen Roder will be the closer and senior Tommy Fuller, junior Chase Osterman and newcomer and sophomore Max Lavisky will be called upon to put out any rallies the opposition mounts.
Catchers – Naida hits for both average and power and is viewed as one of the most skilled catchers in Northeast Ohio. Fuller and senior Ryan Giermann will compete for time as the back-up. Giermann has a real chance to see at-bats as the full-time designated hitter.
Infield – The 2012 starting infield returns; Hrdlicka (1B), Osterman (2B), Roder (SS) and Foran (3B). However, stiff competition is being offered by seniors Liam Sullivan, Denizard, Antel and Girman and sophomore Lavisky.
Outfield – Known for his ability to make game-changing catches, Tyus will continue to patrol center field while senior Dylan Breuning and junior Danny Zagaria look to return as starters in left and right field respectively. Seniors Joe Czechanski and Joe Bilinski, however, are looking to shake things up as early season workouts show that they have their eye on gaining considerable playing time.