Shelby Whippets set sights on league baseball championship
Shelby Whippet baseball returns its core players from last year’s 18-9-1 team in hopes of competing for a league title in the 2024 season.
Nine letterwinners and eight seniors return for the Whippets, who look to battle for a conference championship in the ultra-competitive Mid-ohio Athletic Conference.
Shelby coach Jon Amicone, who is entering his 12th year as skipper for the Whippets, feels this year’s MOAC is the toughest conference he’s ever seen.
“Any team can beat anyone. Highland, last year’s conference champs, brings back their core players,” Amicone said.
Ontario brings many players, including two pitchers who helped get them to a state title game, and Galion brings back a bunch of very good players, Amicone said.
“They were a young team last year and are going to be really good this year,” he continued. “Clear Fork brings back a ton of talent including Luke Schlosser. Harding brings back a bunch of guys including Austin Allen. River Valley and Pleasant bring back their nucleus.”
“This league is loaded,” Amicone said. “I thought the league was a little young last year, but these kids have matured, and it’s going to be one of the toughest conferences in the state.”
The Whippets bring back a bunch of talent as well.
“I love our senior class. They work hard, they love each other,” Amicone said. “They are great teammates and are leaders.”
Nic Eyster will be the No. 1 starter for the Whippets.
Eyster will also play third and may fill in at shortstop.
In 2023, he was a firstteam ALL-MOAC selection and a first-team District 9 selection. He pitched 51 innings last year, sporting a 6-5 record and 3.29 ERA. Eyster also batted .371 and led the Whippets with 39 hits and nine stolen bases.
“Nic will be our ace on the mound this year. He pitched great last year, was an ALL-MOAC and district player last year,” Amicone said.
“He also brings a great bat to the plate. We expect big things from Nic this year,” said Amicone about his junior right-hander.
A senior, Tanner Hartz, a three-year letterwinner, will start his second year behind the plate.
“Tanner played a great second base as a sophomore,” Amicone said. “We asked him to move to catcher last year and did a great job. He’ll catch for us and may have to move to a couple other positions, depending on who’s pitching. Tanner’s a true leader and takes pride in putting on a Shelby uniform.”
Hartz batted .217 last year, led the Whippets with nine sacrifice bunts and swiped seven bases.
Sophomore Quinton Albert will man first base again this year.
“Everyone knows about Quinton’s bat, he can hit, but he’s a great fielder,” Amicone said.
“Quinton takes pride in playing a fantastic first base and is one of the hardest workers you’ll find,” said Amicone.
Albert batted .239 last year and smashed two home runs and had six doubles.
Another senior, Canden Dorsey will handle second base duties.
Dorsey saw limited time at second and left field last year.
“Canden has a very smooth glove and has worked hard getting ready to play second. He’s a gifted player with soft hands,” Amicone said.
Four-year letter winner Alex Bruskotter will spearhead the infield, manning shortstop.
“Everyone knows Alex Bruskotter, one of the best infielders you’ll see. Alex is also solid with the bat. One of the few players to be a four-year starter for the Whippets,” Amicone said.
Bruskotter batted .296 last year, with six doubles and 15 RBI.
A junior, Maverick Noel, will take over at third base.
“Mav is very athletic and will fit in nicely at third,” Amicone said. “He split time between varsity and JV last (season) and is ready for a full-time varsity role.”
Noel batted .386 in 13 at-bats last season.
Issiah Beck, a senior, has earned the left fielder’s spot.
“Beck worked hard over the winter,” Amicone said. “He was at every hitting, lifting/agilities. He worked his tail off during the off-season and is poised to have a big season.”
Beck batted .115 last year with a pair of doubles.
A senior, Garret Sipe, and a sophomore Travis Slone, are battling for center field duties.
“Garret is coming back from missing a season due to injury and is rounding into shape,” Amicone said. “Travis is having a great few weeks of practice. Both should see action in centerfield.”
Karsen Homan, a junior, will play right and handle some catching duties.
“Karsen is a great leader. He gives 110% every play. He’ll do anything asked of him and gives everything he has every play,” Amicone said.
Homan batted .238 for the Whippets with six doubles.
Eli Schwemley will be the designated hitter and may see some time at first base. A second-team MOAC player and an honorable mention District 9 player, Schwemley batted .330 last year, with four doubles and knocking in 16 runs.
Amicone spoke about his lefty DH.
“Eli is a great hitter and ALL-MOAC and district player. Eli had a breakout season last year, and we expect Eli to be a big part of our batting order,” Amicone said.
Hayden Faith and Wil Magers, both seniors, will be role players for the Whippets.
“Hayden knows his role and does a great job. He’s such a great teammate to have on our squad,” Amicone said. “Wil comes back for his senior year. Wil knows his role and will play a little second and catcher. A great kid to have back.”
“We have a few younger guys battling for varsity time, and we’ll see what happens in the next few weeks. Brody Baker, Brock Fisher, Sam Gwirtz and Kaleb Stairs are all players fighting for varsity time,” Amicone said.
Pitching depth may be a cause for concern for the Whippets.
After Eyster, the Whippets lack a lot of varsity pitching experience. Homan was an ace reliever for the Whippets last year, leading the Whippets with a 2.04 ERA. Homan won two games and had four saves last season.
Noel saw some varsity action on the mound last year and will be asked to step up into a bigger role this year.
Dorsey pitched seven innings and should see some time on the mound. Slone should see the bump on the varsity after a solid JV season as a freshman. Hartz, Bruskotter, Gwirtz and Stairs may also be needed on the mound.
Shelby is in an envious, unique spot this year, having 38 players in the high school program.
The Whippets will field a JV A and B squad this year, allowing the younger players to gain a lot of playing experience.
Amicone spoke about having such a large group of Whippet baseballers.
“First, I want to thank the administration for allowing us to have three teams this year,” he said. “It’s going to be great to have so many players playing Whippet baseball.”
“We have a large senior class and freshmen class so this keeps the kids playing in the Whippet program, and that’s what it’s all about,” Amicone added.