Veteran Norwalk seeks another league title

NORWALK — Like most programs, Wes Douglas doesn't entirely know what he'll see when his Norwalk baseball team starts the 2021 season. But there is one thing the veteran coach of 25 years at his alma mater knows — and he thinks it will go a long way. "I think we're going to compete every day, that's for sure," Douglas said. "We're in a league (SBC Lake Division) that will likely have a lot of close games against a lot of quality teams, and we're going to see a lot of their top-end pitchers, which can go either way. "But I expect to compete with this group every day," he added. "If we stay healthy and the guys buy in and let us coach them, and let their talent do the work for them, then I think we'll compete." The Truckers seemed primed for a big year in 2020 before it was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic. Norwalk finished 19-9 overall and 7-3 in the Lake in 2019, winning a share of the league championship for the first time in six years along with a Division II sectional title before falling by a run in a district semifinal vs. Shelby. And though Douglas points to the top pitchers the Truckers will have to face, they also boast a strong stable of arms themselves. Ace Thomas Gfell is already signed with NCAA Division III College of Wooster, a regular to the tournament with numerous College World Series appearances. Eli Obringer and Ian Minor are likely the second and third pitchers, with Caleb Sommers a viable fourth option. But with Gfell on the mound, Douglas feels like he has his most complete team. Four-year varsity player and NCAA Div. II Tiffin University commit Nate Adelman will be at first base, while senior Andrew Bundschuh and junior Griffin Peiples will man second base. Three juniors round out the infield. Sommers will play shortstop for the Truckers, while Minor is at third base when Gfell is on the mound, with Sam Battles at catcher. The main outfield trio is expected to be Obringer, and seniors Evan Gaston and Isaac Scheel. Douglas noted that junior Jesse Cole is filling a utility role and will find his way on the field at various positions, with sophomore Brayson Malson and juniors Kelton Chapin and Ryan Ritzenthaler coming off the bench. When he's not pitching, Gfell will shift to third base, as will senior Sam Tokarsky, who is also an option to start some games for the Truckers. Both Cole and Battles could find themselves on the mound this season as well. "Obviously we have some arms ourselves," Douglas said. "When Thomas is on the mound we feel like we have our best team out there defensively, but we have some guys who can play some different positions — and we're going to try and lean on them. "We do have some arms after those four, guys like Sam Tokarsky and Jesse Cole … but really, we have seven or eight guys we feel comfortable with that we can put out there and throw strikes to give us a chance." Douglas said the SBC Lake promises to be as deep as its her been. Vermilion won the district title in 2019 featuring many of the league teams and is up from the Bay Division. The Sailors are anchored by pitcher Jacob Krausher, a Div. I University of Akron commit. Perkins and Bellevue are solid, traditional league threats for the last several decades, while Columbian and Clyde have found their way in league contention in recent years. "Vermilion's second and third pitchers are very good, too," Douglas said. "Without playing last year, it's kind of hard to figure out who has what exactly. But Perkins and Columbian will be solid, and Bellevue is a program that is never to be underestimated. "But I think we're right there with all of them," he added. "We're going to have to handle some hard-throwers. That is going to be the difference. Norwalk, which is celebrating its 50th season this spring, has won 10 league championships, with nine of those as members of the Northern Ohio League. And to get ready for a challenging SBC Lake, the Truckers also have a tough non-league schedule, starting with Saturday's 12 p.m. opener vs. Ontario. The schedule also features traditionally-strong opponents such as Ashland, Shelby, Edison and Defiance among others. Norwalk has had 20 winning seasons in 23 years under Douglas prior to 2020, which included six league titles and 10 sectional championships. "Again, our success will rely on us being able to put the ball in play against the top-end guys and scratch out some runs," Douglas said. "If we can do that with any consistency, then I think we'll be fine." Norwalk 2021 schedule March 27: vs. Ontario, 12 p.m. March 30: at Crestview, 5 p.m. March 31: at Tiffin Columbian, 4:45 p.m. April 3: vs. Lexington (DH), 11 a.m. April 5: vs. Clyde, 4:45 p.m. April 7: vs. Perkins, 4:45 p.m. April 9: at Willard, 4:45 p.m. April 10: at Medina Buckeye, 11 a.m. April 10: vs. Keystone (at Medina) 1 p.m. April 12: vs. Sandusky, 4:45 p.m. April 14: at Vermilion, 4:45 p.m. April 16: at Bellevue, 4:45 p.m. April 17: at Defiance, 12 p.m. April 19: vs. Tiffin Columbian, 4:45 p.m. April 21: at Clyde, 4:45 p.m. April 26: at Perkins, 4:45 p.m. April 27: vs. Huron, 4 p.m. (at Sports Force Park) April 30: at Sandusky, 4:45 p.m. May 1: vs. Edison (DH), 11 a.m. May 3: vs. Vermilion, 4:45 p.m. May 5: vs. Bellevue, 4:45 p.m. May 7: at Shelby, 5 p.m. May 8: at Ashland (DH), 11 a.m. May 11: at Mansfield Madison, 5 p.m.