http://www.stowsentry.com/sports/2016/03/20/stow-baseball-looks-to-move-up-in--suburban-league

Year one of the Aaron DeBord Era of Stow-Munroe Falls baseball saw both progress and frustration from the Bulldogs.

Stow finished 9-16 last season -- nine of those losses were one-run defeats. The Bulldogs finished 1-9 in the now defunct Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division.

"The league took a toll on us last year," DeBord said. "The transition for us as coaches was implementing our plan. I think we implemented it really well, we just couldn't finish games. We've got a great group of kids who are buying into the process."

"Last year, we needed the small ball because we didn't hit the ball very well," DeBord said. "You have to base your plan on what your kids are capable of."

If anything, league play could be even tougher on the Bulldogs this year, as Stow opens play in the Suburban League's National Conference. DeBord agrees with the assessment that the National Conference -- which includes Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Nordonia, North Royalton, Stow, Twinsburg and Wadsworth -- could be the toughest in the state.

"We've got a brutal conference, but we like that," DeBord said. "If you're serious about making a postseason run like we are, you've got to have a conference that tests you.

"The first goal is to win league games this year," he added. "We need to compete. We need to get above .500. If we can get above 15-plus wins this year, we know we're making progress."

Stow will have to overcome the loss of nine seniors to graduation, including multi-year starters Tyler Hallam, Andrew Groves, Justin George and Parker Henderson.

"We lost a couple big pieces to the puzzle," DeBord said. "We've got five sophomores and one freshman on the varsity roster right now. The best guy plays. I got that from Coach D [Woodridge coach Dennis Dever]."

DeBord's coaching staff includes returning varsity assistant Andrew Payne, while former Copley standout Tyler McCormick takes over as pitching coach. Kevin Pratt will lead the junior varsity squad with assistance from Eric Browne and Adam Smith.

"He's gotten stronger," DeBord said. "He's put a ton of work in the offseason. He's gained some velocity."

Dohar will start in center field when not on the mound.

Senior right-hander Jeremy Parton also is back, after going 2-3 with a 3.65 earned run average in 30.2 innings pitched.

Parton will start at third base when not on the mound.

DeBord called sophomore Collin Lang "a Saturday guy" pitching-wise. Lang likely will be Stow's starting shortstop.

"Collin is a ball player," DeBord said. "He's a big part of what we've got planned."

Freshman Evan Bainbridge also could see starting time, as DeBord called the 6-foot-5 freshman the hardest thrower on the team.

Seniors Frankie Peck and Logan Huffman will see time out of the bullpen, as will sophomore Eric Schilling, who could also start at first base. Sophomore left-hander Brett Rhodes also will see time in relief.

DeBord is looking for a big season from his captain: Senior catcher Owen Fankhauser, who will start for the third straight year.

"He's fantastic. He's been the anchor of the team," DeBord said. "He's got a plus arm. Owen hit the ball every time he was up."

DeBord said Fankhauser hit a ton of balls right at defenders last season, which accounts for his .247 batting average. He led the team with two home runs and 10 RBIs while stealing nine bases.

"If he swings the bat that way this season, he'll hit .400 plus," DeBord said.

Speaking of bats, senior Scott Swango will serve as backup catcher, but also will see time at first and as designated hitter. Swango is Stow's top returning hitter after batting .378 last spring.

"He's a bat we need in the lineup every day," DeBord said.

Sophomore Drew Bradley also will see time behind the plate.

The platoon of Schilling and Swango will start at first base.

Junior Nick O'Verko returns to start at second base, hoping to improve on last year's effort at the plate.

"As a sophomore, he was in the lineup everyday last year," DeBord said.

DeBord describes sophomore Max Stillisano's defense as "fantastic." He will see time at shortstop along with Lang.

At third base, Parton hit .317 last season. He will split time with Bradley at third.

Sophomore Thomas McLaughlin will serve as Stow's utility man.

Dohar will anchor the Bulldogs' outfield after hitting .250 last season, while junior Matt Conger looks to get the nod in left.

Juniors Jordan Jolly and Nick Kollar will compete for the starting right field spot, while senior Nick Kilway and sophomore Brett Rhodes also will see time in the outfield.

The schedule makers didn't do Stow any favors.

The Bulldogs will open the season March 26 with a doubleheader at Walsh Jesuit. First game is set for 7 p.m.

Stow will open its National Conference schedule with home-and-home series with Wadsworth, which finished the regular season undefeated in 2015. Stow travels to Wadsworth March 29 and hosts the Grizzlies March 30. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m. both days.

"Just like last year, out of the gate, we're ready to roll," DeBord said.

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