Perkins ranked No. 1 in preseason baseball poll

In the grand scheme of things, preseason rankings don't mean much. But, with just one player graduating off of last year's team, Perkins was tabbed the No. 1 team in Division IV when the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association compiled their numbers. The Pirates finished 22-10 last year, losing in the Division IV state championship game to Mentor Lake Catholic, who checked in at No. 9 in the initial poll. Perkins coach TJ Blanton said that loss in mid-June continues to be a motivating factor. "Our ultimate goal is to be No. 1 the second weekend of June," Blanton said. "While we appreciate others noticing the hard work and ability this team has the potential for on paper, everything will be earned, not given. From what the coaching staff has seen, June 15, 2025 continues to serve motivation to this year's team." The Pirates didn't mess around when compiling this season's schedule. Among non-league games, Perkins faces Oregon Clay (Div. II No. 7), Avon Lake (Div. II No. 12), Sylvania Northview (Div. II No. 20), Edison (Div. V No. 4) and Elmwood (Div. VI No. 5). That doesn't include contests against Div. I heavyweight Lakewood St. Edward, perennial Div. V power Eastwood or a two-game trip to Tennessee to take on stiff competition. In the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division, the Pirates will take on Div. IV 13 Bellevue. "I believe we have put together one of the toughest Div. IV schedules in the state," Blanton said. "Currently, 10 of our opponents are ranked in the coaches poll and 12 teams in the Prep Baseball Report rankings. We will be playing up a couple divisions in a lot of non-conference games including two in Tennessee during our spring break games. "That will be our recipe to be prepared come mid-May." Speaking of the Redmen, they return a ton of talent from a team that exited early in the postseason. Bellevue coach Andy Dennings will lean on experienced players like Ike Brown, Blake Sutherland, Cooper Winke and Drew Dennings to compete in the tough Lake Division. The Redmen travel to Perkins on April 15 before hosting the Pirates on May 1. "It just means the people know we have a lot of guys back and the potential to be a good team," coach Dennings said. "The recognition is nice, but we need to go out and earn that ranking." Edison is ranked No. 5 in Division V. The Chargers won the SBC Bay Division last season and return two of their top three pitchers in Bryson Wittmer and Cole Leimeister. Edison has plenty of talent to surround their ace pitchers including Chaz Smith, Tristian Wetherill and Eli Hermes. The Chargers open the season at home Saturday when they welcome in Division VII, No. 1 Tiffin Calvert. Edison also faces Div. V No. 2 Coldwater on April 18 at Wapakoneta High School. "People know we have some talent coming back," Edison coach Sean Hoover said. "But, it's not where you start, it's how you finish. We've got a long way to go to be a top-5 team. "Our only motivation is the fact that we haven't played well as a team in big moments at the end of the past two seasons and that needs to change." Pre-season OHSBCA poll First-place votes in parenthesis Division I 1. Jackson (8), 153 points2. Archbishop Moeller (6), 1483. Olentangy Orange (1), 1164. Medina (1), 995. Mason (1), 956. Perrysburg, 687. Olentangy Berlin, 648. Olentangy (2), 639. Olentangy Liberty, 5410. Springboro, 3911. Beavercreek, 3312. Lebanon, 1913. St. Xavier, 1514. St. Ignatius, 1415. Lakota East, 13 Division II 1. Steele (10), 164 points2. Anthony Wayne (7), 1573. Walsh Jesuit, 984. Loveland, 965. Hudson, 676. Toledo St. Francis, 637. Oregon Clay, 598. Teays Valley, 539. Big Walnut, 5110. New Albany, 4411. Lakewood, 2112. Avon Lake, 1512. Troy, 1514. Highland, 1415. Hoover, 11 Division III 1. Badin (8), 169 points2. University School (6), 1453. Butler (2), 1244. Wapakoneta, 1075. Bishop Watterson (3), 926. Akron Hoban, 587. Cuyahoga Valley Christian, 578. Defiance, 559. Tippecanoe, 3610. New Philadelphia (1), 3011. Canfield, 2512. Gilmour Academy, 2212. Indian Creek, 2214. Wooster, 1815. Dover, 16 Division IV 1. Perkins (7), 150 points2. Jonathan Alder (9), 1493. Hubbard, 894. Cardinal Mooney, 875. Norton, 806. Field, 667. Uniontown Lake, 498. Highland, 469. Mentor Lake Catholic (1), 4310. Cincinnati Hills Christian, 2611. Indian Hill, 2412. Edison, 2213. Bellevue, 1414. Holy Name, 1315. Licking Valley, 11 Division V 1. Waynedale (17), 170 points2. Coldwater (1), 1243. Sherwood Fairview, 934. Milan Edison, 855. Wooster Triway, 736. Keystone, 727. Creston Norwayne, 698. Lynchburg-Clay, 659. Graham Local, 5610. Fairview, 2610. Portsmouth, 2612. Harrison Central, 2513. Ottawa Hills, 1814. Zane Trace, 1215. Columbus Academy, 9 Division VI 1. Berlin Hiland (13), 162 points2. Toronto (1), 1063. West Jefferson (1), 1014. Lincolnview, 1005. Elmwood, 906. Lake Center Christian (2), 897. Reedsville Eastern, 538. Van Buren, 479. Independence, 4310. Fort Recovery, 1710. Hillsdale, 1710. Doylestown Chippewa, 1713. Columbus Grove, 1514. Galion Northmor, 1115. Mechanicsburg, 10 Division VII 1. Tiffin Calvert (7), 154 points2. Newark Catholic (6), 1523. Minster (5), 1314. Montpelier (1), 1045. South Webster, 966. Miller City, 697. Russia, 508. Newton Local, 439. Green, 4010. Mohawk, 3911. Strasburg-Franklin, 2712. Fort Loramie, 2613. Whiteoak, 2314. Kalida, 2115. New Riegel, 17