HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL | Area teams at a glance

WEST BRANCH
League: Northeastern Buckeye ConferenceCoach: Lynn Grove, sixth year, 79-50.2005 record: 15-8.Players lost to graduation: Marcus Passage (2nd team NBC, NEOBC), Andy Todor (Honorable Mention NBC), Tad Gaspar, Jim King, Gibson, Jeremy King, Brett Braden.Returning letterwinners: Josh Winans (sr., IN-P, 3-year starter), Matt Catania (sr., OF-P), Willy Graham (jr., P), Steve McNeely (sr., IF)Promising newcomers: Shane Young, Dave Kester, Gregg Shadle, Adam Denlap, Shawn Linder, Jarrod Harris, Alex French, Tyler Newhart, Trent Woods, Jacob Baddeley, Evan Campbell.Team's outlook: The Warriors are young but enthusiastic who love the game. Inexperience is a weakness.League outlook: With a wealth of returners, Canton South looks strong but Alliance and Louisville will challenge.
LORDSTOWN
Coach: Tedd Gozur, first year.2005 record: 2-13.Players lost to graduation: Max Gibson, .382.Returning letterwinners: Zack Sutliff (sr., SS-P, .356), Brandon Wickline (sr., P-OF, .350), Ben Gibson (sr., IF-OF-P, .225), Jimmy Taylor, sr., 2B-P), Nate Rech, so., 1B-C), Keith Simpson (so., CF-P, .520), Jake Schofer, so., 3B-P).Promising newcomers: Hobie Platt (so., C-P), Matt Daracha (jr., OF-1B), Bill Novotny (sr., OF-P), Donny Cooke (sr., OF).Team's outlook: Good core group of returning regulars who should play decent defense and OK offense. There are only 11 players on the squad so depth is a concern.
MATHEWS
League: Northeastern Athletic Conf.Coach: Dan Kennedy, 3rd year, 27-18.2005 record: 16-9.Players lost to graduation: Matt Weymer (1st team NAC pitcher), Drew Turner (1st team NAC SS), Adam Amodio (honorable mention all-league).Returning letterwinners: Ben Mackall (CF-P, 1st-team all-league), Cory Fiest (3B-P 2nd-team all-league), Aaron Cyphert (OF), Adam Collier (RF-P), Tim Jones (2B).Promising newcomers: Phil Ciprian (1B-P), Mike Price, Tarin Brown, John Scudier, Josh Collier (SS), Luke Weymer (IF-P).Team's outlook: Despite losing eight seniors and five starters, the Mustangs look to remain competitive.
League outlook: The league race should come down to Mathews, Maplewood, Pymatuning Valley and Badger.
GROVE CITY
Coach: Pat Forese, 19th year, 224-123-1.2005 record: 18-5, Region 5 champs, District 10 champs.Players lost to graduation: Jesse Alfreno.Expected Regulars: Bob Revesz (P), Andy Geibel (P), Scott Moore (C), Dan Keil (1B), Derek Forese (1B), Ryan Devine (3B), Beau Fisher (SS), Jesse Alfreno (OF), Dan Sonntag (OF), Brandon Jones (OF).Team's outlook: The coach feels the team will be competitive again in league play and hopefully in the district.
UNION
Coach: Gene DiGennaro, 2nd year, 20-3.2005 record: 20-3.Players lost to graduation: John Warren, John Izzu, Bob Burkes, Mike Williams, AJ Bryant.Returning letterwinners: Jon Hedland (sr., C), Marcus Allen (so, OF), Mike McCoy (sr., P).Promising newcomers: Matt Tyson (so, I), Charles Hedland (so., C).Team's outlook: The strenghts will be pitching and defense but the offensive production could be a question mark.League outlook: Rochester looks to be at the top of the league for now.
SHARON
League: PIAA District 10 Class AA.Coach: Bill Dorfi, 3rd year, 23-16.2005 record: 14-8.Players lost to graduation: Jason Squatrito, Phil Williamson.
Returning letterwinners: Wally Carpenter (sr., SS), Zach Revale (sr., P-1B), Cory Johnson (so., P-3B-1B), Mike Snyderwine (sr., P-OF-IF).Promising newcomers: Todd Rearnick (fr., P-OF), A.J. Johnson (jr., P-IF), Jeff Gavin (jr., P-IF-OF).Team's outlook: Dorfi says the Tigers will hit the ball well and have good speed and experienced pitchers.
Includes information from coaches who responded to preseason questionnaires.