Badin coach talks ‘27-game process’
HAMILTON — Brion Treadway said the process it takes to get his Badin High School baseball program in prime shape by the end of the season isn’t always an easy one.
But the 11th-year Rams coach enjoys every aspect of it.
The same will go for the upcoming 2023 campaign, as Badin makes a shift with on-field personnel after reaching the state tournament each of the last two seasons.
“Are we ready? Yes, we’re ready,” Treadway said following Badin’s 11-9 scrimmage win over Hamilton on Wednesday night at Alumni Field. “We’re fired up to play some meaningful baseball and get out on the field.
“It’s a 27-game process to get to the end of the season. You figure it out as you go. That’s what we’re kind of doing.”
Badin, which finished 26-7 and lost to Archbishop Hoban in the Division II state semifinals in 2022, has a mix of returning players and new faces hitting the lineup.
Seniors Nik Copenhaver (4-3, 70 strikeouts), Justin Hoevel (5-2), Aiden Van De Hatert (1-1) and Corbin Ausman (1-1), along with junior Matty Helms (1-0), will make up the bulk of the Rams’ pitching rotation, according to Treadway. They all return from last year’s squad.
Senior shortstop Lucas Moore is back and led the team in hits (32), runs (39) and stolen bases (35) last season. Senior outfielder Brycen Fox (25 hits, 17 runs, .472 batting average) also returns.
“At the end of the day, we’re a long way from hanging a banner (this season),” Treadway said. “But the expectations are there. This is a new group of guys, and it’s just not going to happen on its own. It’s going to be something that they’ve got to earn, and they’ve got to work for it.”
Hamilton coach Joey Lewis said the same for his Big Blue, who are coming off a 13-17 season following a postseason loss to Division I state champion Mason.
“I feel like we have enough hitting, if we’re in the game, that can
give us a shot to win,” said Lewis, who is in his 13th year at Hamilton. “I think that all three of those are coming together for us nicely. We’ve got hardnosed kids and a good group. They like each other, and they’re fighting for each other.
“They’re ready to go,” Lewis added. “We’re ready for the season to begin. We feel good where we’re at.”
Senior Ethan Stone (1-1), juniors Clint Moak (3-5, 74 strikeouts) and Cournell Bennett (0-2), and sophomore Kaleb Powers are Hamilton’s go-to hurlers.
Senior infielders Davis Avery (17 hits, 11 runs, 10 RBI) and Jordan Zapata (17 hits, 10 runs, 13 RBI) are the Big Blue’s top returning hitters from last season.
Other players to watch from around the area:
Cincinnati Christian — Hitting: Nick Minacapelli (21 hits, 14 runs, 13 RBI, .375) and Riley Rooks (22 hits, 16 runs, 13 SB, .355). Pitching: Alex Buschmann, Jonah Wilson (1-0), Jackson Raby, Alex Mullins and Tim Nagel.
Carlisle — Hitting: Brandon Cokeley (24 hits, 26 runs, 24 RBI, .304), Kolby Millard (17 hits, 18 runs, 15 RBI), Brendon Rowe (26 hits, 24 runs, 22 RBI, .400) and Luke Svarda (20 hits, 18 runs, 11 RBI, 12 S0). Pitching: Silas Borders (4-0),
Bryce Gill (4-2), Hampton (4-1, 2 saves) and Rowe (3-1).
Edgewood — Hitting: Colton Hunt (25 hits, 18 runs, .385) and Hayden Simonds (16 hits, 17 runs, 10 RBI). Pitching: Talan Smith (2-3), Will Reece (1-2), Bobby Cook (4-2, 35 SO), Zach Boyle (0-3, 2 saves) and Hunt (1-1).
Fairfield — Hitting: Ty Cunningham (19 hits, 15 runs, .317), Josh Isaacs (17 hits, 23 RBI, 1 HR) and Noah Wagster (27 hits, 25 runs, 12 SB, .333). Pitching: Aaron England (4-3, 85 SO), Lucas Davids (2-2, 23 SO), Josh Isaacs, Erik Ronquist (0-1, 11 SO) and Jacob Boland.
Franklin — Hitting: Kevin Denry (21 hits, 13 runs, 21 RBI), Tyler Murray (16 hits, 11 runs), Tressel Gibson (16 hits, .308), Jaxon Rudd (22 hits, 16 runs, 19 RBI) and Bryce Swoll (28 hits, 25 runs, 22 SB, .346). Pitching: Levi Davidson (1-2), Denry (0-1) and Jordan Hipsher (2-4).
Lakota East — Hitting: Braedyn Fry (25 hits, 24 runs, 19 RBI, .338), Sam Pennix 16 hits, 16 runs, 13 RBI,
Badin junior Matty Helms sends a warmup pitch to the plate during a scrimmage against Hamilton on Wednesday at Alumni Field. .340), Dylan Rieck (15 hits, 14 runs) and Drew Tower (18 hits, .300). Pitching: Carson French (4-1), Connor Munro (2-3), Michael Rothchild (1-0) and Tower (2-0).
Lakota West — Hitting: Mitch Bolden (20 hits, 16 runs), Adrian Smith (17 hits, 12 runs) and Jacob Asbeck (23 hits, 15 runs, .319). Pitching: Smith (1-2, 22 SO), Trace Hilderbran (1-1, 20 SO) and Scott Binder (1-0).
Lebanon — Hitting: Jack Cecil (36 hits, 21 runs, 18 RBI, .330), Kyle Koch (28 hits, 23 runs, 15 RBI, 10 SO) and Jaden Upper (19 hits, 13 runs, .352). Pitching: Colton Hartman (4-3, 114 SO), Cecil (1-1) and Jesse Dunlap (3-0).
Madison — Hitting: Lane Byrd (27 hits, 19 runs, 1 HR 23 RBI, .333), Grady Combs (26 hits, 19 runs, 13 RBI, 12 SB, .333), Carter Young (20 hits, 13 runs, 11 RBI, .286), Rocky Millsap (15 hits, 13 runs, 11 SB) and Austin Harden (13 hits, 13 runs, .289). Pitching: Ethan Gadd (5-5, 60 SO), Austin Harden (0-2, 17 SO), Damon Grody, Connor Robertson
and Rocky Millsap (1-2, 11 SO).
Middletown — Hitting: Joe Kirby (18 hits, 11 runs, 11 SB), Braylon Bailey (15 hits, 16 runs) and Lucas Dingledine (10 hits, .323). Pitching: Joe Kirby (2-4, 28 SO), Isaac Stamper, RJ Anderson (2-1, 19 SO), Bailey (2-2, 37 SO) and Jamarkis Shilligford.
Monroe — Hitting: Aiden Sargent (25 hits, 13 runs, .357), Alex Bemis (22 hits, 19 runs, 1 HR, .297) and Brady Heagen (18 hits, 14 runs, .295). Pitching: Bemis (4-2, 40 SO, 2 saves), Heagen (2-1, 14 SO), Trey Lambert, Aiden Sargent (2-1, 17 SO), Dylan Snyder and Landen Wynn (21 SO).
New Miami — Hitting: Nate Hundley (12 hits, 26 runs, 17 SB, .324) and Josh Woods (12 runs, 13 SB, .346). Pitching: Hundley (0-1) and Mason Stephens (1-1).
Ross — Hitting: Ben Voegele (30 hits, 27 runs, 19 RBI, .417), Ryan Davis (18 hits, 16 runs, .353), Nate Bray (.393) and Austin Farris (13 hits, 14 runs). Pitching: Aiden Vanderbilt (2-1), Ty Graf (1-0) and Ian Busch (1-0).
Talawanda — Hitting: Noah Prewitt (32 hits, 34 runs, 20 SB, .438), Eddie Tanner (26 hits, 17 runs, 18 RBI, .333), Max Mesler (23 hits, 21 runs, 16 RBI, .343) and Blake Detherage (20 hits, 16 RBI, 12 runs, .323). Pitching: Conner Brosey (3-1), Eddie Tanner (0-1), Noah Prewitt (3-1), Nathaniel Iden and Derek Hacker.