Bolts hope to defend division title

CLAYTON — Northmont’s varsity baseball team is gearing up for another competitive season in the Central Division of the Greater Western Ohio Conference.

Last year Northmont won the Central Division championship with a 7-3 division mark and an overall record of 19-12. The Central Division turned into a four team race that went right down to the wire in 2015 and Northmont Coach Chuck Harlow expects this season to be even tougher with Fairmont, Wayne, Beavercreek and Centerville giving the Thunderbolts a run for their money.

“The Central Division is flat-out loaded this year,” Harlow noted. “Fairmont is returning a bunch of players, Beavercreek has two great left handed pitchers, Wayne has a pitcher that can throw it 90-plus miles per hour, and Centerville is always tough. Last season it came down to the last week of play. There were four teams that could have won the division. Fairmont and Beavercreek split, Wayne got swept by Centerville and we swept Springfield to win the division outright. I look for this year’s race to be a really big battle.”

Returning players this year include seniors: third baseman / pitcher Brenden Jewsikow, right fielder Tanner Lee, centerfielder Brandt Cronebach, all three of which saw action every game. Other returning players who saw varsity action last year include senior pitcher and first baseman Austin Kossoudji, senior pitcher and first baseman Jake Monnin, pitcher and outfielder senior Cameron Reaman, junior shortstop and third baseman Thomas Walsh and junior first baseman Will Ludington who will also pitch.

New varsity players this year include senior catcher Tyler Liddy, senior infielder Kamden Rottgen, senior pitcher / infielder Landon Hill, senior pitcher / outfielder Garett Lee and senior outfielder Anthony Ragan. Also joining the varsity are junior pitcher / infielder Tyler Defibaugh, infielder / outfielder / pitcher Collin Hobert and sophomore catcher A.J. Staley.

“We’ve got a few experienced players and lot of guys that have been kind of waiting for their turn to play,” Harlow said. “It’s a good group. They are working hard and we are definitely making progress. We’ve had three scrimmages and I feel like we are making headway every day.”

The Thunderbolts will open regular season play Saturday, March 26 at home, 1 p.m. vs Fairborn.

Northmont Varsity Baseball 2016 Schedule

March 19 noon Home vs Xenia (Scrimmage)

March 21 4:30 p.m. Home vs Bethel (Scrimmage)

March 22 4:30 p.m. at Tippecanoe (Scrimmage)

March 26 1 p.m. Home vs Fairborn

March 28 5 p.m. at Fairmont

March 29 5 p.m. Home vs Fairmont

March 32 5 p.m. at West Carrollton

April 11 5 p.m. Home vs Wayne

April 12 4:30 p.m. at WSU vs Wayne

April 15 5 p.m. Home vs Springboro

April 16 11 a.m. Home vs Chaminade-Julienne

April 18 5 p.m. Home vs Beavercreek

April 19 5 p.m. at Beavercreek

April 22 5 p.m. Home vs Piqua

April 23 11 a.m. at Bellbrook

April 25 5 p.m. Home vs Centerville

April 26 5 p.m. at Centerville

April 29 7 p.m. at Butler

April 30 11 a.m. Home vs Tippecanoe

May 2 5 p.m. at Springfield

May 3 5 p.m. Home vs Springfield

May 5 5 p.m. at Troy

May 6 4:30 p.m. at 5th/3rd Field vs Greenville

May 7 11 a.m. at Miamisburg

May 9 5 p.m. at Sidney

Jacob Monnin delivers a pitch during Northmont’s scrimmage Thursday with Springfield Shawnee.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_JacobMonnin-1.jpgJacob Monnin delivers a pitch during Northmont’s scrimmage Thursday with Springfield Shawnee. Photo by Ron Nunnari

Cameron Reaman scores a run as Brandt Cronebach looks on.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_CameronReaman-1.jpgCameron Reaman scores a run as Brandt Cronebach looks on. Photo by Ron Nunnari

Northmont Head Coach Chuck Harlow tosses the ball to Tyler Defibaugh who came on in relief of Brenden Jewsikow.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_PitchingChange-1.jpgNorthmont Head Coach Chuck Harlow tosses the ball to Tyler Defibaugh who came on in relief of Brenden Jewsikow. Photo by Ron Nunnari

Brandt Cronebach prepares for a pitch.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_BrandtCronebach-1.jpgBrandt Cronebach prepares for a pitch. Photo by Ron Nunnari

Collin Hobert dodges “chin music” on a pitch delivered high and tight.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_CollinHobert-1.jpgCollin Hobert dodges “chin music” on a pitch delivered high and tight. Photo by Ron Nunnari

First baseman Will Ludington makes an unassisted out against Springfield Shawnee.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_Will_Ludington-1.jpgFirst baseman Will Ludington makes an unassisted out against Springfield Shawnee. Photo by Ron Nunnari

Brenden Jewsikow fires a pitch to the plate against Shawnee.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_BrendenJewsikow-1.jpgBrenden Jewsikow fires a pitch to the plate against Shawnee. Photo by Ron Nunnari

Tyler Liddy settles into the batter’s box.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_TylerLiddy-1.jpgTyler Liddy settles into the batter’s box. Photo by Ron Nunnari

Coaches Mike Birdsall and Chuck Harlow have a light hearted discussion with their players during the scrimmage against Springfield Shawnee.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/03/web1_BaseballConference-1.jpgCoaches Mike Birdsall and Chuck Harlow have a light hearted discussion with their players during the scrimmage against Springfield Shawnee. Photo by Ron Nunnari

Reach Ron Nunnari at 684-9124, via email Rnunnari@civitasmedia.com or on Twitter @Englewood_Ind