For a small program like the Windham Bombers’ baseball team, injuries suffered in other sports during the fall and winter season can have a huge impact on the spring season. After an injury-plagued season, the Bombers return with a small but talented senior class but are also bolstered by the arrival of a dynamic freshmen group.
“We like our squad,” said Coach Jake Eye. “We are very young. We only have four seniors. We have nine freshmen and probably six of those are going to see a lot of time if not a lot of starting time at key spots. We are excited about our young guys and also excited about the four seniors we have for their leadership, but I really like our team this year. I feel like we can do some damage.”
Despite being dominated by a big group of underclassmen, the third-year coach said that the nine freshmen are wise beyond their years and will add much-needed depth to the program. According to Eye, it is already one of the deepest baseball teams he has coached in his short tenure as the head coach.
He added that this year’s freshman class is just the first in a promising line of freshman classes that will flow into the varsity program from the middle school.
In addition to having a freshman class brimming with talent, Eye said that at least 12 of the varsity players also competed on the football team last fall, which marked one of the most successful seasons in school history. He noted that having that experience will translate well into the baseball season, especially since he also serves as the football varsity coach.
“They are used to my coaching style so that is a plus for them,” he said. “They know what I expect, and they know what to expect. They are not coming into the season with a new coach or a new system. I have been around for a while so they are used to me.”
One of Windham’s returning seniors is starting right-hander Jack Eye, who enters his final year after throwing 30.2 innings to go with a 4-0 record while striking out 56 batters and posting a 2.97 ERA while also hitting .685/.725/1.148, swatting eight doubles, four triples and three home runs.
“Jack is going to be our ace on the mound but where Jack will hurt you is at the plate,” said Coach Eye. “I fully believe he is one of the best hitters in the State of Ohio and I know that is saying a lot but the type of season he had last year and how he has hit the first three scrimmages this year, I truly feel that he is for sure one of the best hitters in Northeast Ohio.”
Joining Jack in the rotation will be returning right-hander Brian King, who tossed a 7.26 ERA over 35.2 innings while striking out 32 batters to go 2-5.
Windham’s rotation will be bolstered by the arrival of freshmen Bryan Smithberger and Keegan Kiser.
“Bryan and Keegan are dynamic players,” Coach Eye noted. “They both can pitch lights out, they have good stuff on the mound, they are very coachable kids.”
Coach Eye also said that Smithberger is expected to handle second base responsibilities when he is not pitching and Kiser will shore up the middle infield by taking over at shortstop.
Catching will be senior Dylan McCune, who returns after hitting .367/.472/.467 last year with three doubles and one home run.
“Dylan is a very savvy catcher,” Coach Eye noted. “He has a very strong arm, he knows the game and he is going to see the field for us and will be our field general. He receives the ball well and he is another solid stick for us.”
Coach Eye also highlighted some talented juniors who will contribute in third baseman Jordan Ridenbaugh, who compiled a .283/.529/.283 batting line last year and center fielder Gavin Kiser, who returns after slashing .257/.458/.286 while hitting one double.
Coach Eye added that freshmen Devin Sherman, Alex Eye and Eliot Kepich will also compliment the freshman class that is expected to lift the program.
While the Northeastern Athletic Conference Stripes Division remains filled with the usual powerhouses in St. John, Bristol and Matthews, Coach Eye said that Windham’s success will be fueled by their offense.
“We are literally pounding the ball right now and really on the mound, it is about throwing strikes,” he noted. “If you are throwing strikes, good things are going to happen. Sure, you are going to make some errors but if you can just preach the routine play, make the routine play and throw strikes, you are going to win more times than not.”
Windham’s season will begin when it hosts Jackson-Milton on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
