Baseball Roundup: Unioto tops Chillicothe

Unioto 10, Chillicothe 4

J.T. Turner went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored for Unioto Tuesday in a win over Chillicothe. Clay Edler and Isaac Wheeler each had two hits and an RBI and Wheeler scored three runs.

Edler picked up the win for Unioto, striking out seven, walking one and giving up seven hits in six and one-third innings. Nick Ooten pitched in relief.

Jack Busch went 3-for-4 with three RBIs for the Cavaliers. Jeff Webb took the loss, giving up eight hits and nine runs in four and one-third innings, with three strikeouts and no walks. Nate Lechner and Nick Hall pitched in relief.

Cuyahoga Heights 13, Westfall 4

Dustin Kaiser had a double and two RBIs, Tyler Armentrout doubled and Dalton Cline had two RBIs and two runs scored for host Westfall Tuesday in a loss to Cuyahoga Heights.

Robert Lawler took the loss for the Mustangs, striking out four, walking five and giving up four hits and five runs in three innings. Sam Frazier and Kaiser pitched in relief.

T. Selig had three hits for Cuyahoga Heights and M. Johnson had two hits and three RBIs.

Piketon 6, Northwest 1

Zane Barker went 3-for-3 and Riley Harris had a hit and two RBIs for host Piketon Tuesday in the Redstreaks’ win over Northwest. Colton Blakeman pitched seven innings for the win, striking out four, walking one and yielding four hits and no earned runs.

Adena 8, McClain 0

J.D. Blevins pitched a seven-inning two-hit shutout for host Adena Tuesday, striking out 10 and walking one.

Collin Cory went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and three stolen bases for the Warriors. Braden Wilburn went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, Jonathan Thomas had a double, an RBI and a stolen base, and Tommy Preston had an RBI.

Waverly 2, Southeastern 1, 8 innings

Justin Dye went 2-for-3 for Southeastern Tuesday in a loss at Waverly. Tanner Popp took the loss, striking out eight, walking three and giving up six hits and one earned run in eight innings.

Drew Harris went 2-for-4 for Waverly and Bailey Pennington went 2-for-3 and had the game-winning RBI.

Fisher Catholic 4, Zane Trace 1

Pierce Mowery went 2-for-3 and Tanner Doles had a double for Zane Trace Tuesday in a loss at Fisher Catholic. Losing pitcher Trey Davis pitched five and one-third innings, striking out four, walking one, and giving up five hits and two earned runs.

 Derrick Webb, Reporter8:24 p.m. EDT March 24, 2016

CHILLICOTHE CAVALIERS

2015 Record: 9-12 (3-11 SCOL)

Head Coach: Todd Seymour, 2nd season

Key Returners: Leo Woods, Jeff Webb, Jack Busch, Gage Jones, Dylan Conley, Jordan Valentine, Noah Jackson

Player Spotlight: At the top of the order, senior Jack Busch will set the pace for the Cavaliers' offense. Busch was vital to Chillicothe's success last year as he hit .339 with four doubles and 10 RBI. Busch also scored 18 runs, second to only Caleb Price and Matt Valentine.

Outlook: The Cavaliers lost their top hitter in center fielder Caleb Price and top pitcher in lefty Nick Rinehart. So, as expected, question marks surround this team. A conference title may be a lofty goal but if Chillicothe can hit its stride at the right time, a postseason run could be in the works.

ADENA WARRIORS

2015 Record: 19-4 (14-0 SVC)

Head Coach: Tom Barr, 1st season

Key Returners: Jonathan Thomas, Collin Cory, Hayden Henness, Gunnar Free, Bo Dratwa, JD Blevins

Player Spotlight: With JD Blevins at the top of the Warriors' pitching rotation, Collin Cory will spend a lot of time at second base this year. However, when he's on the hill, Cory is poised to be dominant. During his junior year, Cory was 2-0 with a 2.72 ERA in 18 innings. If it wasn't for Blevins, Cory would be the team's ace.

Outlook: It's really simple: the Warriors just have to continue to do what they've done. One question surrounds this team however in whether or not they have that 'killer' instinct. They won 19 of 23 games last year but lost to an SVC opponent in the first round of the postseason. They have the talent to get over the hump but will they?

HUNTINGTON HUNTSMEN

2015 Record: 9-16 (3-11 SVC)

Head Coach: Brian Smith, 3rd season

Key Returners: Brian Smith, Hunter Henneberger, Billy Doyle, Devon Byrd, Merfel Conley, Jacob Pugh

Player Spotlight: Senior Billy Doyle will be counted on to capitalize with runners on base this season for the Huntsmen. Doyle hit .370 one year ago and drove in 10 runs while scoring 12. This season, he should be moved up in the lineup. But with that move comes responsibility. Look for him to embrace his new role.

Outlook: Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. The Huntsmen had virtually none last year. But with another year comes more experience so who knows what will take place in 2016. Brian Smith will be the leader of this club, followed by Doyle. Those two have to take charge and make their teammates better one by one.

PIKETON REDSTREAKS

2015 Record: 6-17 (4-10 SVC)

Head Coach: Gene Bumgardner, 8th season

Key Returners: Riley Harris, Jacob Chester, Colton Blakeman, Ethan Crabtree, Zane Barker, Tyler Brown

Player Spotlight: Anchoring Piketon's pitching rotation will be senior Jacob Chester. As a junior, Chester hurled 37 innings and allowed 20 earned runs for a 3.78 ERA. While striking out 24 and walking just nine, Chester went just 1-3 as he suffered from a lack of run support. Piketon will look to change that in 2016.

Outlook: Both Ethan Fremder and Zack Jordan have graduated while Talon Osborne transferred to Waverly. The Redstreaks are now left with young talent and will rely on veterans Riley Harris and Colton Blakeman to rally the troops. Piketon played in a plethora of close contests last year. Gene Bumgardner's club has to be optimistic heading into this weekend.

dwebb@chillicothegazette.com

Twitter: @dw1509