Baseball season is still in the early stages for high schools around the Muskingum Valley.
Here are thumbnail looks of each team.
Coshocton
2025 record: 5-22
Head coach: Scott Loomis
Top returners: 1B/P Calan Shaw (junior), 3B/P Dylan Wood (sophomore), OF Champ Haley (junior), OF/P J.J. Herman (senior), 2B/SS Parker Loomis (senior), P/IF Cooper George (junior), OF/C Jace Dickerson (senior), IF/P Logan Lahna (senior), OF Koltin Tidwell (senior).
Top newcomers: C Clayton Watson (freshman), P/IF Jace Coffman (freshman), OF/P Payne Skelton (junior), IF/P Bransyn Dawson (junior).
What we know: Shaw (.325 avg., .421 on-base) had 11 extra-base hits and was second-team All-East District in Division V as a sophomore; Wood, also second-team All-East District, struck out 58 batters in 61 2/3 innings as a freshman, while Haley hit .302 with four extra-base hits as a sophomore. Herman, Loomis, George and Dickerson have two letters each for a team loaded with veterans that Loomis said is determined to put the 2025 season in the past and hopes to compete in the MVL-Small School Division.
From Loomis: “With all of our 2025 lettermen returning, we bring valuable experience and continuityinto this year. Throughout the preseason our team has grown closer, and the players have putin a tremendous amount of work during practices and scrimmages. If we continue to focus on one pitch and one moment at a time, while emphasizing our APE mindset — attitude, perspective, effort — we believe it will propel us to a fast start in the 2026 regular season.”
Crooksville
2025 record: 8-15
Head coach: Shawn Chamberlin
Top returners: OF Eli Sprankle (senior), INF Kyson Riggs (senior), INF/P/C Kam Savage (senior), P/INF Jace Thompson (senior), OF Kale Dennis (senior), INF/OF/P Gavin Mount (senior), OF/P Kyle Lane (sophomore), P/INF Brody Cottrell (sophomore), INF/P/OF Drake Horn (sophomore).
Top newcomer: C/P/INF Joe Bob Pitcock
Outlook: The Ceramics took lumps as one of the MVL’s youngest teams in 2025, but a more experienced team lf by Sprankle, Riggs, Savage and Thompson hopes to be more competitive in 2026. Early results have been mixed, with three losses in four games before a big 6-5 win against West M on April 13. Chamberlin, however, said there is “a renewed sense of optimism and energy” around the team in its quest to take a step forward in the field and at the plate with a veteran roster. It’s one he hopes will be primed for the postseason as underclassmen gain footing.
From Chamberlin: “Emphasis during the preseason has focused on pitching depth, defensive execution and situational hitting — areas that will be critical in close games. If the team can stay healthy, play together and find its rhythm early, it has the potential to compete and make a strong push as the season unfolds.”
John Glenn
2025 record: 7-19 (lost in district opener)
Head coach: Brad Barclay (24th season, lost in 2nd round of district)
Top returners: 2B/P Owen Edwards (senior), UTIL Zane Townsend (junior), P/INF Carter Merry (sophomore), Reid Howard (sophomore).,
Top newcomers: INF Kayden McDonald (soph), UTIL Keegan Halsey (junior).
Outlook: Four regulars graduated in Justin Stambush, Wylie Woodard, Kris Wise and Trent Milliner from a team that was 5-11 in league play. Edwards (.232, 17 runs), Townsend (.370, 27 hits, 13 RBIs), Howard (.272, 22 runs, 11 RBIs) and Merry (.232, 15 RBIs, 17 walks) are linchpins in the lineup as returning starters, with Townsend leading the way after leading the team in average as a sophomore. Merry and Edwards will again serve as key arms and middle infielders as the Muskies try to rebound from an 0-6 start.
From Barclay: “We, as always, have a goal to compete for a league title. We are looking forward to competing against some really good nonleague teams on our schedule.”
Maysville
2025 record: 6-16
Head coach: Pat Gamble (first season)
Top returners: Trevor Hague (senior), Tre Butcher (senior), Jake Deal (senior), Slade Shreve (senior), Kolton Gifford (senior), Kate Riley (junior), Bryce Fisher (sophomore).
Top newcomers: Tripp Hague (sophomore)
Outlook: Hague (.403) was a first-team All-MVL pick, Riley (.391, 15 RBI) a second-team choice, and Deal (4.50 ERA, 41 strikeouts), a second-team pick, lead a team of veterans that took substantial lumps in 2025. They entered play on April 15 at 2-6 following a split with New Lex, but newcomer Bryce Fisher has been a hitting machine with a .458 average to back Hague in the lineup. Gifford has again been the team’s most consistent arm with a 3.40 ERA
From Gamble: “(We expect) to be much more competitive this year due to a complete change in coaching staff, youth and injuries during last year’s season. Our team will lean heavily on our seniors to set the example and provide leadership to the team and adhere to our motto of ‘family’ and ‘team over me.'”
Morgan
2025 record: 6-17 (lost in first round of district)
Head coach: Seth Brown
Top returners: P/1B/OF Witten Schaad (senior), 2B Aaron Baker (sophomore), P Clayton Blackburn (senior), Util Jude Garber (senior), SS/3B/P McGwire Winner (sophomore).
Top newcomers: SS/P Cason Foley (junior), OF Lucas Hager (junior), C/3B/1B Carter Larrick (sophomore), P Carson Steimer (senior).
What we know: Schaad, a burly lefty, hit .360 and compiled 72 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings as a junior, while Baker hit .329 as a freshman starter. Blackburn offers a veteran arm who can play multiple positions; Foley has already made a quick impact as a pitcher and shortstop, while the veteran Garber is another versatile, athletic player who can play up to six positions. Winner, like Baker, was a key player as a freshman starter. The Raiders, in the midst of a six-game losing skid, will be part of a deep group of MVL squads with eyes on the Division IV East District tournament next month.
From Brown: “If we as a team can stay healthy and humble, I believe we have a really good opportunity to compete at a high level this season.”
New Lexington
2025 record: 13-12
Head coach: Dan Morgan (7th year, won district in 2024)
Top returners: P/3B Wyatt Givens (senior), C/OF Paul Stenson (senior), CF Nick Metzger (senior), 2B/SS Gus Pearson (junior), LF Carter Hahn (sophomore), 1B/P Jaxson Newlon (sophomore).
Top newcomers: P/2B Wyatt Barnette (junior), 3B/P Neil Spangler (sophomore), OF Carson McCoy (sophomore), P/1B Dalton Waite (freshman), 2B/SS Hudson Gardner (freshman).
Outlook: The Panthers, having graduated six seniors, have only five upperclassmen in the program and feature 18 freshmen and sophomores combined. It has put Morgan in a retooling mode around veterans Givens, Stenson, Metzger and Hahn, who was a first-team All-MVL pick as a freshman. … Pearson, with a homer, 11 runs and 10 RBIs through seven games, has been a steady two-way player up the middle, but team defense has been an issue with almost three errors per game. Waite (2-0, 2.50 ERA) has been the top pitcher.
From Morgan: “We’re very young at all positions, trying to get up to the speed of high school baseball. They’re working very hard and are a very coachable group. We’re trying to build on what we have been successful at in the past.”
Philo
2025 record: 11-10
Head coach: Michael Bengden (1st season)
Top returnees: SS/P Garrett Tom (senior), 1B/OF/P Jack Lincicome (senior), 3B/P K.J. Philip (junior), OF/P Wyatt Tysinger (junior), 2B/OF Cooper Roush (senior), P/OF Landon Foster (senior).
Top newcomers: Kayden McElfresh (freshman), Adam Philip (freshman), Chase Colborn (sophomore).
Outlook: Bengden has preached day-to-day consistency from his team, and his Electrics’ veteran core has been evident with wins in three of four games entering its April 9 game against rival Crooksville. That included a nine-run comeback against Tri-Valley on April 6. … Tom (.362 BA. .462 OBP, 22 runs, 12 RBIs, 10 steals) was a first-team All-MVL choice in 2025; Philip (.391, 27 hits, 14 runs, 23 RBIs) was a second-team pick and the lefty Lincicome (.378 OBA, 17 hits, 13 RBIs) an honorable mention choice. Foster and Tysinger has been the most consistent arms so far, with the underclassmen already seeing mound time. … Like Morgan, the Raiders will be eyeing favorable seeding for the D-IV East District tourney.
From Bengden: “Our expectations are simple: Compete every day, play the game the right way and represent our program with pride. This team is built on effort, accountability, and toughness. Every player is expected to show up ready to work — whether it’s in practice, the weight room or on game day. Consistency in preparation and energy will define the type of team we become.”
Ridgewood
2025 record: 16-15 (won D-V district title)
Head coach: Chad Lahna, 13th season
Top returners: C Brody Harding (senior), INF Caleb Schultz (senior), P Connor Croy (senior), P/OF Logan Ridenbaugh (senior), INF Jace McQueen (senior), OF/P Jackson Cabot (senior), P/IF Andrew Kinsey (junior), C Jadon Smoulder (junior), P/IF Maison Kiser (junior), P/IF Parker Snyder (junior), OF Wyatt Marlatt (sophomore).
Top newcomers: P Nathan Lynch (junior), OF Wesson McPherson (junior), P/IF Greyson Schultz (sophomore), P/OF Luke McCombs (sophomore).
What we know: The Generals return six key seniors off a team that played in a regional a year ago and appear primed to make another deep run behind pitchers Croy and Ridenbaugh, as well as a first-team All-Inter-Valley Conference and All-East District shortstop in McQueen. Veteran outfielder Cabot also returns after an All-Ohio basketball campaign, as does Schultz, who, with Croy, was second-team All-IVC.
From Lahna: “We have 15 guys who we feel comfortable putting on the field each night. We will rely on our pitchers to throw strikes and our defense to back them up. We hope to come around a little more offensively from a year ago.”
Rosecrans
2025 record: 13-7
Head coach: Seth Thompson
Top returners: OF/P Nick Bernath (senior), C/IF Coen Grandstaff (senior), 1B Hayden Perdue (senior), INF/P Hayden Omen (senior), 3B Jordan Bonifield (senior) SS/P Jacobie Balo (sophomore)
Top newcomers: OF Carter Fitz (freshman), OF/P Thad Mumford (freshman), C/2B Frankie Palandrani (freshman).
Outlook: The Bishops have high hopes with a strong returning core, led by Grandstaff (.409, 28 runs, 19 steals; 2.10 ERA) and Perdue (.439, 19 RBIs, 16 steals; 2.17 ERA, 65 Ks) as key two-way performers. Balo hit .548 with 23 RBIs and 23 runs as a freshman; he also had a 2.48 ERA with 61 strikeouts. The addition of the freshmen have helped deepen the lineup as the Bishop hope to improve on last season’s fourth-place finish in the Mid-State League-Cardinal Division. They were 5-2 after a April 13 win against Harvest Prep.
From Thompson: “With the six returning starters plus the three freshmen, we feel that we have the talent and experience to compete for the league title along with Fairfield Christian and Berne Union, and a district title which hasn’t been done since 1987. Hopefully, we can avoid the injury bug and rain outs that could compact our 22 game schedule.”
River View
2025 record: 13-14
Head coach: Todd Liberatore
Top returners: 1B/P Maguire Werentz (junior), C/P Layton Massie (senior), SS/P Brogan Shrimplin (senior), CF Reid Johnson (senior), 3B/P Blaze Klein (junior).
Top newcomers: Wyatt Loomis (sophomore), Ben Rayburn (sophomore), Clark Frischen (freshman), John Sneed (freshman), Eric Arnold (freshman), Easton Wesney (freshman), Xavier Shontz (freshman).
Outlook: Five of the returners earned All-MVL mention in 2025, with Werntz (.395, 8 XBH, 25 RBIs; 2-3, 4.00 ERA) and Massie (.355, 16 SB, 13 RBIs) leading the way. Shrimplin is one of the top MVL pitchers coming off a 4-0 season and 3.20 ERA, while Johnson is seeking the school’s all-time stolen base record and Klein is coming off a .289 sophomore season with 12 steals. They entered the week of April 12 at 2-2, even as a host of underclassmen man key roles.
From Liberatore: “We will need to play good D and throw strikes to give ourselves a chance to win games. Being so young, we will have to grind out at bats and figure ways to scratch out some runs. Our D and pitching has been solid in the preseason.”
Sheridan
2025 record: 19-5 (lost in district semis)
Head coach: Josh Coleman (19-5, 2nd season)
Top returners: 2B/P Noah Wamer (senior), P/1B Connor Roshon (junior), OF Logan Jones (senior), C Cole Cashdollar (senior), OF James Solomon (junior), IF/P Camdyn Packer (senior), P/1B Garrett Hannan (senior), OF Logan Hupp (senior), 3B Kyle Gramlich (senior).
Top newcomers: 3B/P Tandon Gramlich (sophomore), Util/P T.J. Connors (junior), OF Kaeden Litsinberger (OF).
Outlook: The steady Wamer, who will play at Wilmington, was a first-team All-Muskingum Valley League and second-team All-Southeast District choice in 2025 after hitting .407 with 33 hits and 19 RBIs to lead a veteran lineup. Roshon is one of the MVL’s top pitchers after a 5-0 record and 2.31 ERA as a junior, while he also hit .281 with a homer and three doubles. Jones (.333 avg.), Cashdollar (.286, 16 RBIs) and Solomon (.309, 23 RBIs, 31 runs) also played key roles. Connors and Packer have been key rotational arms and will be needed for the team to challenge for another postseason push. The Generals improved to 5-0 on April 14 in MVL play after a key sweep of Philo.
From Coleman: “We have a great group of returners mixed in with some newcomers. This group put together one of the best offseasons in recent years and are hoping the hard work pays off. This group expects to compete every night and hopes to be playing its best baseball come tournament time.”
Tri-Valley
2025 record: 23-5
Head coach: Marc Hadley
Top returners: CF Ryan Lamonica (senior), 1B Isaiah Cullins (senior), C Blayne Riley (senior)
Top newcomers: OF Jaxson Better (junior), INF/P Braylon Everly (junior), P Carter Merryman (sophomore), INF/OF/P Tanner Henry (freshman), INF/OF/P Grady Lawler (freshman)
Outlook: The loss of ace pitcher and top bat Brady Kaufman, now at Princeton, and a host of other key players leave Hadley’s latest crew in transition mode, as evidenced by a 1-4 start through April 8. But Lamonica, as he was in All-Ohio campaigns in football and basketball, is one of the MVL’s stalwarts after hitting .352 with 2 homers, 8 doubles and 26 RBIs as a junior while serving as ballhawk in center field. Classmates Cullins (.268, 20 RBIs) and Riley (.295, 12 RBIs) also made sizable contributions. Among the newcomers, Henry has already made a big introduction with his bat and pitching arm, while Lawler has been a mainstay in the lineup. Expect this team to be better in the second half of the season than the first.
From Hadley: “We are very young in terms of guys with varsity experience. However, this team is hungry to carry on the Tri-Valley baseball tradition.”
West Muskingum
2025 record: 12-11
Head coach: Tom Crowley (2nd season)
Top returners: INF/P Ashton Ansel (senior), 3B/1B/P Preston Farrell (junior), SS/P Grady Dollings (sophomore), C/OF/P Amari Harris (sophomore), INF/P Connor Lynn (sophomore), IF/OF/P Ethan Loyd (junior), OF/P Braxton Brownrigg (senior), OF/P Silas Kuhn (senior).
Top newcomers: UTIL Cooper West (junior), 1B/3B/P Logan Serdy (freshman), C/OF Dalton Frame (freshman), OF/1B/P Max Higdon (sophomore), 1B/P Dalton Stewart (junior).
Outlook: Crowley likes his team’s pitching depth and feels the lineup is without noticeable holes. He described the veteran Ansel, a first-team All-MVL performer, as “a coach on the field” capable of playing multiple positions. Farrell, another first-team All-MVL and first-team All-East District player, adds another strong pitching arm and steady bat. Kuhn and Brownrigg have been among the team’s most improved players and a staples in the lineup and outfield, while Dollings hopes to build off a strong freshman campaign at shortstop and as a reliable pitcher who commands multiple pitches. They’ll be throwing to Harris behind the plate, who Crowley feels is a strong defensive presence after himself enjoying a strong freshman season. Among the newcomers, West currently leads the team with a .391 average. It adds up to a strong squad that should compete for the Small School title.
From Crowley: “We have exceptional senior leadership and a fairly even makeup of all classes. We have taken the approach to practice and play with P.A.C.E. (Purpose, Attitude, Commitment, Effort). Our expectations are to improve and compete daily.”
Zanesville
2025 record: 9-14
Head coach: Jason Smith
Top returners: Tyson Kimble (senior), SS/P Mahki Murray (senior), SS Solomon Norris (senior), Noah Darnes (junior), Maddox Mohler (junior), Caleb Hollins (sophomore)
Top newcomers: P Kayson Hoff (junior), P Karter Burrell (sophomore), Matthew Rizer (freshman)
Outlook: Two key bats graduated in Canon Mercer, who hit .397, and Avery Mohler (.320). But Kimble (.338 OBP), Norris (.303 BA, 10 RBIs) and Murray (.321 OBP), the top returning pitcher, are three-year starters who have doubled their win totals each year since they were freshmen. Hollins hit .300 as a freshman and is already off to a strong start in his second campaign. All have been cornerstones as the Devils have shown improvement under Smith with a veteran roster in 2026. The rigors of the Licking County League-Buckeye Division will have pitfalls with Granville, Watkins and a defending state champion in Licking Valley among the perennial powers in their way, but they already have wins against Sheridan and West M to their credit in nonleague as it eyes more improvement and, in a few weeks, the Division III East District tournament.
From Smith: “We talk a lot about controlling the things we can control. There are a lot of the game you have to let go of and only a few things that you can really control. We talk about controlling our effort and attitude. Controlling how we get on and off the field, what type of approach we step into the box with. Being present in each situation and having an understanding of the game situation and what needs to be executed. Our expectations haven’t really changed the last couple of years. We are doing everything we can today to be a better baseball program tomorrow.”
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Here’s a look at Muskingum Valley high school baseball teams in 2026
Reporting by Sam Blackburn, Zanesville Times Recorder / Zanesville Times Recorder
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
