Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Gibsonburg baseball team graduates a talented senior class, but 22nd-year head coach Kyle Rase said the team returns a strong nucleus with potential for a strong season.
“Every year you have to find a way to try to replace the people from the year before,” Rase said. “And the five seniors we lost were very big contributors to our program's success. It’s just kind of how soon can we replace them and how soon can players step up and step into maybe some different roles and bigger roles?
“I do feel we have a nucleus that's returning that's experienced that can help us lead in that direction. I just want to keep improving as the season progresses, and I think we have a good mix to be successful.”
The five graduates from last year’s team, which went 20-7 overall and 12-6 in SBC play, are Grant Dawson, Brady Hill, Thomas Hockenberry, Nolan Hoover, and Spencer Waugaman. The group led the Golden Bears to a Division VI district final before falling to Evergreen.
Hoover and Dawson both hit over .400. Hoover also pitched nearly 70 innings while registering a 1.94 ERA. Rase said he finished with several school records, and the other guys were starters.
Conversely, Gibsonburg returns four starters, including Aiden Morant, Reece Walby, Chuy Rodriguez, and Tristan Pacak. Among them, Walby batted .395 with 41 runs, 18 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. Rodriguez hit .324 with 24 RBIs and 20 runs, and he also posted a 3.41 ERA over 51.1 innings with 92 strikeouts.
Rodriguez, who served as the team’s No. 2 starter behind Hoover last year, will elevate into the top spot this year. Walby had the third most innings last year with 20.1 while compiling a 1.38 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
“We lost a lot of innings with Hoover,” Rase said. “Chuy will absorb some more. Reece will absorb some more. Tristan will absorb more.”
Hoover’s younger brother, Evan, will also be in the mix for some innings as a freshman, and he’ll also see some time in the lineup while playing the left side of the infield.
Rase considers Rodriguez and Walby as his top offensive returners, as well. Walby will likely move into the middle of the lineup after leading off last year, while Rodriguez will likely remain in the cleanup spot, but nothing is set in stone yet.
Senior Luke Foster was a surprise addition to the roster, as well, in a utility role.
“He’s a good athlete and a good kid, and he’s going to be in the mix somewhere,” Rase said.
Juniors Ayden Egbert (utility) and Lorenzo Smith (outfield) will also be in the mix, as well as sophomore Mason Hoffman (catcher). Chase Ramirez, who was injured last year as a freshman, is back and ready to contribute at second base, while junior Miggy Torres will help the team at catcher and second base.
Rase has led the Golden Bears to a 310-195 record in 20 seasons. While he begins his 22nd year, he enters his 21st coaching the team as there was no season in 2020 due to Covid.
