Top teams to watch, according to area coaches:
ARCHBISHOP HOBAN (17-9, 10-3 North Coast League)

Coach: Scott Koenig (first season).

Outlook: The Knights have 12 seniors on the roster after finishing as NCL co-champions last season. Seniors Kyle McMillen (RHP/SS), Brent Choban (LHP/OF), Connor Burns (C), Ollie Reed (1B/C) and Matt Bader (3B/P) are the expected leaders along with junior K.C. Wilson (2B/P). McMillen, a Kent State recruit, batted .463 last season. Choban, a Coastal Carolina recruit, compiled a 6-1 record with a 1.13 ERA. Burns, a Savannah College recruit, batted .420 with two home runs and 25 RBI.
CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC (25-7)

Coach: Doug Miller (495-197, 27th season).

Outlook: Seniors Grant McCoury (P/3B), Max Colaner (CF) and Rob Hoagland (RF) return for the Crusaders, who made their fourth regional tournament appearance since 2001 last season. McCoury, an Elon University recruit, batted .402 with six home runs and 38 RBI last season and was 4-1 on the mound. Colaner, a Northern Kentucky recruit, batted .407 with 45 runs scored and 22 RBI. Hoagland (.364, 35 runs, 4 HRs, 28 RBI) and seniors Michael Roman (2B/C), Tyler Weisel (C) and Rudy Donatelli (1B/DH) will be key players with juniors Chris Snopel (P/1B, 5-2), John Lindesmith (Inf.) and Alex Myers (P/Inf., 6-0).
CUYAHOGA FALLS (19-9, 9-5 WRC)

Coach: Jim Farrell (35-20, third season).

Outlook: Seniors Jourdan Leyman (3B/P) and James Mathews (P/2B) return to lead the Black Tigers along with junior Alex Walke (OF/P) in the first season of the Northeast Ohio Conference. Leyman batted .350 with 12 RBI last season, and Walke compiled a 6-0 record with a 1.69 ERA. Seniors Anthony Longhitano (SS), Ryan Roxbury (P/C), Marcus Hardy (OF), Shaun Vineyard (C) and Bryan Pollichicco (OF) are also back, along with sophomore pitchers Bryan Holland and Taylor Paridon.
ELLET (15-10, 12-1 City Series)

Coach: John Sarver (10th season).

Outlook: The Orangemen return two first-team All-City players — seniors Chad Keppler and Isaiah Fridley — from last season's team, which won the City Series regular-season title. Keppler, a right-hander, compiled a 6-3 record and 2.33 ERA and batted .352. Fridley, a left-hander, posted a 4-1 record and 1.24 ERA and batted .366. Each had 18 RBI. Seniors Cory Martin (C), Kelcey Eberle (SS) and Patrick Beha (OF) are also back, along with sophomore Steven Lively (3B) and junior Cory Gravesmill (OF). Junior Cameron McKinney (Inf./P) also should make an impact.
HUDSON (20-8, 8-6 WRC)
Coach: Chuck Schilling (362-172, 21st season).

Outlook: Seniors Chad Opalich (3B/OF) and Issac Charette (RHP) are expected to lead an Explorers team that returns 13 lettermen but has an inexperienced pitching staff. Opalich, a University of Dayton recruit, batted .489 last season with 45 hits and 24 RBI. Charette, an Ohio University golf recruit, compiled a 4-0 record with a 2.52 ERA last season. Ryan Pavlik (CF, .429) and seniors Billy Rillero (SS, .329), Tyler Booth (2B, .313), Aaron Pack (OF/RHP, .292, 24 RBI), Sam Schilling (1B/RHP) and Brandon Finkes (RHP).
JACKSON (23-5, 12-2 Federal League)

Coach: Kevin Miller (85-26, fourth season).

Outlook: The Polar Bears won the Federal League last season and will seek to defend it behind a strong senior class and experienced pitching staff. Seniors Alex Caghan (SS) batted .413 last season and Jimmy Cooperider (3B) batted .337. Seniors Matt Anderson (6-1, 2.45 ERA), Tyler Chapman (4-1, 2.75 ERA) and Kevin Storch (2-0, 1.37 ERA, three saves) are Jackson's top pitchers. Anderson also batted .302 with three home runs and 24 RBI. Seniors Russ Fink (OF, .308) and Jared Bushman (C) are also back along with junior Jon Cheyney (P, 1-1).
KENMORE (15-7, 10-3 City Series)

Coach: Joe Nauer (10th season).

Outlook: The Cardinals return four first-team all-City Series players — juniors Ryan Harris and Dusty Newberry and sophomores Mike Massaro and Matt Massaro — from last season's team, which won the City Series Playoff Championship game at Canal Park. Mike Massaro is the catcher and Harris, Newberry and Matt Massaro are pitchers/infielders. Junior infielder Brett Mudd and senior outfielder Aaron Bond are also back.
LAKE (20-10, 8-6 Federal League)

Coach: Bud Householder (third season, 39-18).

Outlook: Senior Bo Lorenzo (1B/P) and junior Michael Chack (OF) lead a group of eight returning lettermen. Lorenzo, a Walsh University recruit, went 2-0 as a pitcher last season and hit three home runs and had 21 RBI. Chack batted .369 last season with 26 runs scored. Seniors Colin Broughton (P, 3-1 and 2.52 ERA), Micah Stair (OF/P), Anthony Frank (OF) and Chad Knoche (DH) will also be pivotal players along with juniors Kyler King (2B) and Joe Piporo (SS/P, .312).
SPRINGFIELD (17-9, 10-4 in the Portage Trail Conference)

Coach: Andy Ritch (third season)

Outlook: The Spartans return eight seniors — five are pitchers — from last season's runner-up PTC Metro Division team. The solid senior core includes Dan Ritch (P/C/OF), who was was first-team All-PTC last season after batting .453 with three home runs and 20 RBI. On the mound, he was 5-2 with a 1.77 ERA and 51 strikeouts. Second-team All-PTC player Ryan Honaker (P/OF. 5-3, 3.00 ERA, 37K, .288 avg.) returns, as do Mark Mollohan (C/1B, .340) and Doug Warner (3B, .338).
STOW (23-6, 13-1 WRC)

Coach: John D. Daymon (first season)

Outlook: Senior right-handed pitcher Alex Loftin returns to anchor the Bulldogs' pitching staff. The University of Akron recruit was named Player of the Year in the Western Reserve Conference after compiling a 6-0 record with an ERA of 1.14 last season. He totaled 75 strikeouts in 491/3 innings. Seniors Alex Haines (P), Mike Burrowbridge (OF), Matt Marino (Inf.) and Brandon Wallin (P/Inf.) also are back.
TALLMADGE (21-7, 12-2 Suburban)

Coach: Kenny Linn (133-115, 10th season).

Outlook: The Blue Devils return seven starters and nine lettermen. All-district senior outfielder Jon Campriana, a Tiffin recruit, will lead the offense after batting .474 with five home runs and 39 RBI. Senior Ryan Mace (P/Inf.) is expected to anchor the pitching staff after compiling a 5-0 record with 57 strikeouts in 45 innings. Juniors Joe Cochran (P/Inf., 3-1, .367), Paul Pakan (Inf., .365), Jake Patrick (RF, .345), A.J. Williams (SS, .302) and Matt Keen (2B, .310) also will be key contributors for Tallmadge, which won the Division II state title in 2002.
WADSWORTH (8-15, 4-10)

Coach: Brian Madigan (17-35, third season)

Outlook: The Grizzlies hope to rebound this year after two subpar seasons in the Suburban League. Wadsworth has an experienced senior class, led by infielder Dru Jones, a Mercyhurst College recruit. Seniors Scott Saylor (C/Inf.), Brian Solitario (Inf.), Joe Goddard (Inf.), Matt Fritz (P/Inf.), Brett Cline (OF/Inf.) and Nate Wilson (Inf./OF) should also be key players. Solitario has committed to play at Youngstown State University.
WALSH JESUIT (24-5, 5-2 Cuyahoga River Baseball Conference)

Coach: Chris Kaczmar (267-60, 12th season)

Outlook: The Warriors, the 2007 Division II state poll champion, return 18 lettermen with the clear objective of matching the state titles won by the 2006, 2004 and 1999 teams. Senior shortstop Ross Brunello and left-handed pitcher Brannon Belair are Kent State recruits and will provide leadership. Brunello batted .337 last season with five home runs and 24 RBI, and Belair had a 3-2 record. Senior left-hander David Starn (4-1, 2.51 ERA) and sophomore right-hander Tyler Skulina (3-0, 1.07 ERA) will form a solid trio of pitchers with Belair. Junior catcher James Toland (.293) also returns with senior outfielders Tom Charles (.354) and Alex Ferrara (.281) and senior infielder Kevin Emmendorfer (.338).
WOODRIDGE (27-3, 13-1 PTC County)

Coach: Dennis Dever (140-83, ninth season).

Outlook: The Bulldogs return a talented group that will be looking to go farther than the Division III regional semifinal, a spot where their season has ended the last two years. Seven starters and 11 letter-winners return, including seniors Nick Jones (OF/LHP, .478, 43 hits, 33 RBI, 5-1, 1.70 ERA), Mike DeBord (C, .468, 44 hits, 40 RBI) and Jordan Wilhite (RHP/OF, 8-2, 2.73 ERA, .404, 26 RBI). Seniors Dave Krusinski (RHP/SS, 7-0, 2.26 ERA, .366, 32 RBI), Joe Lewandowksi (1B/RHP, 2-1, 1.17 ERA, .417, 38 RBI), Andy Fay (OF, .333) and Tom Barracato (3B) are also back with sophomore Anthony Westren (OF).
ADDITIONAL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Marc Adams Louisville, Sr., OF; Rudy Arney, Copley, Sr., OF; Nick Ball, Manchester, Sr., C; Bobby Butvin, Crestwood, Jr., 1B/DH, .571; Joe Corfman, Revere, Sr., SS, .500, 28 RBI; Anthony D'Attoma, Sr., C; Andrew Destefano, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Sr., 3B/1B/P, .411; Sean Eisentraut, Mogadore, Sr., SS/P; Cory Fosnight, Ravenna, Sr., RHP; James Georgiades, North Canton Hoover, Sr., DH/1B; Josh Gessel, Waynedale, Sr., LHP/1B; Mitch Grubb, Norton, Sr., P; Kevin Haramis, Norton, Sr., OF; Doug Holmes, Twinsburg, Sr., OF; Cory Johnston, Highland, Sr., LHP; Jonathan Kienzle, Firestone, Sr., RHP/INF., .354, 16 RBI; Brian Klinger, Green, Sr., C, .385.; Mike Lee, Barberton, Jr., 3B/C/1B; Kevin McIntyre, Firestone, Sr., Inf./OF, .365; Jeff Meek, North Canton Hoover, Jr., Jeremy Perry, Norton, Sr., RHP/SS; Mike Petrone, Ravenna, Sr., C, 3B; Tyler Robinson, Norwayne, Jr., CF; Neal Seaman, Louisville, Jr., P/1B, 5-2, 1.08 ERA; Ben Stoll, Barberton, Sr., SS/P; Ronnie Stout, Medina, Sr., SS; Justin Suddeth, Garfield, Jr., C/CF, .327; T.J. Sutton, GlenOak, Soph., Inf.; Clay Swigert, Louisville, Sr., OF; Scott Tipton, CVCA, Sr., C, .380, 29 RBI; Samuel Trecaso; St. Vincent-St. Mary, Jr., SS/3B/P, .400; Micah Yoder, Waynedale, Sr., RHP/OF; Bob Zupke, Firestone, Sr., RHP/OF.

— Compiled by Michael Beaven and Jonas Fortune
from information provided to the Beacon Journal