Wet Weather Has Impeded Hoover Baseball, Softball Seasons

Solid senior leadership and six returning lettermen for give seventh-year head coach Jeff Hite reason for optimism in turning around a 12-15 record from last season. It's still pretty early on, but he already says he likes the makeup of his team.

"The kids are working very hard," Hite said. "We hope to compete day in and day out."

The basics of success in baseball usually boil down to the same thing — pitching and hitting — and Hite feels this season is no different.

"We need to get good pitching and timely hitting to be competitive," Hite said.

The pitching staff is led by senior pitchers Rocco Chirumbolo, Chad Feinberg and Joey Housos. Juniors Eric LePage and David Botschner should also see considerable action on the mound as well.

Newcomers Connor Jarvis (transfer from Canton Central Catholic) and Dom Iero should help bolster a batting order that includes sluggers Zach Haasz and Ryan Sarbaugh.

GlenOak and Jackson, Federal League co-champions from last year, should be the top two teams to chase in the Federal League race this season. Hoover High baseball is off to a 4-1 start on the young season.

Other members of the Hoover baseball varsity include: Jack Kastor, Weston Zernechel, Austin Feinberg, Max Huffman, Sterling Metzger, Jacob VanDyke, Austin Okray, Josh McDearmon and Jeffrey Hite.

remains a young team, returning only three seniors to a squad that finished 27-3 last season. But head coach Jerry Goodpasture (seventh year) has 11 returning lettermen.

Senior Ashley Hall anchors the pitching staff along with sophomore Caley Russo. Third baseman Rachel Harris leads the hitting attack for the Lady Vikings.

Sophomores MacKenzie DiPietro, Ally Farrah and Kristina Eckelberry, along with Russo, return to play key roles after gaining valuable on-the-job training last year.

Goodpasture's forte is pitching and the fortunes of his team will revolve around that component of the game.

Fellow Federal League foe Perry claimed the Division I State Title last season and Goodpasture's team will be looking to unseat them. The Lady Vikings are off to a 4-0 start.

Other Hoover varsity softball team members are:  Sarah Wechter, Sam Jones, Riley Kiesling, Sarah Nist, Erika Warren, Jenna Lilley, Kelly Dillow, Jordan Stump and Victoria Brayer.