St. Paul seeks more of the same in 2026

NORWALK — The model of consistency is set to continue. From 2015 to 2026, the St. Paul baseball team averaged an overall record of 18-8 and a Firelands Conference record of 11-3. Over that 10-year stretch, the Flyers have also won 10 consecutive sectional championships, been to five district title games, and won four FC titles. With the majority of its pitching and six regulars back in the field, St. Paul appears poised for another solid spring in what is shaping up to be a competitive FC race. St. Paul was 13-11 overall and 8-6 in the FC last season. The Flyers finished two games out of first place and fell to Tiffin Calvert in a district championship game. The Flyers, who open the season at 1 p.m. Saturday vs. Port Clinton, lost four seniors from that team and have five seniors this season. "I really like the leadership and camaraderie of this team," St. Paul head coach Aaron Fries said ahead of his seventh season at his alma mater. "I think as the season goes on, we have a chance to be a very good team. We just need to fill some spots and get those guys comfortable there." St. Paul had two first-team FC selections last season with seniors Landon Fries (infield) and catcher Gabe Snyder. Fries batted .356 with four doubles, one triple, and 20 RBIs. He also stole 21 bases. Snyder hit .271 with a double, 14 RBIs, and 17 runs scored. Freshman pitcher Alex Marsh, the team's No. 1 starter, was FC second team after he finished 8-2 with a 1.32 earned-run average along with 88 strikeouts and 32 walks. When Marsh is on the mound, he will be throwing to Gabe Snyder, while Landon Fries shifts from second base to shortstop this season. Senior Izaac Snyder (.256, four doubles, two triples, 15 RBIs) will be at second base, while junior Isaac Kalizewski (.266, three doubles, 11 RBIs) will be in center field. Sophomore River Couch, who hit .304 with one double, one home run, and four RBIs in 10 games last season, will be in left field, and junior Nate Griffin is in right field. Senior Brady Fritz (nine RBIs in 18 games) will primarily be at first when Marsh pitches, while freshman Casey Fries will play third base. "Offensively we have the kind of experience that will do a good job of making pitchers work," Fries said. "We excel in our bat-to-ball skills as well as having a few kids who can hit for power. "That said, we still need to be more efficient with runners in scoring position," he added. "I feel if we can execute better in small ball situations and get a few more two-out hits, we could be really dangerous." "We have three new spots to fill on the infield, and that's really what we're working hard on right now," Coach Fries said. "But we are strong up the middle defensively with a three-year starter at catcher and a four-year starter in the middle infield, along with a fast, experienced centerfielder. "We want to get everyone confident for when we rotate. I feel good about having most of our pitching back, and we've thrown really well in the preseason." St. Paul graduated just 15 1/3 innings of the 156 1/3 pitched last season. Behind Marsh will include Izaac Snyder (28 strikeouts in 21 innings), Griffin (22 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings), Landon Fries (16 strikeouts, 3.71 ERA in 17 innings), and Kalizewski (8 1/3 innings). But Coach Fries noted that last season was a "trouble spot" for the Flyers when Marsh didn't pitch, which showed in the numbers. He won eight of the team's 13 games. "And it wasn't always because of pitching, but the rotations because of who was pitching," Fries said. "We didn't always play well with that No. 2 on the mound, and this year I feel like we're a lot stronger there. That will give us an opportunity to be more successful." Last season, South Central won a tight FC race with a 10-4 record. Plymouth was 9-5, and the Flyers, along with Crestview and Monroeville, were each 8-6. The Trojans had just one senior last season and are led by ace pitcher Wes June (9-1, 1.79). The Big Red brings back FC Pitcher of the Year Jarrett Burrer (6-3, 2.41). Still, the goal for the Flyers will be what the last 10 years has produced. "It will be really competitive like it was last year," Fries said. "Across the FC, this is a strong senior class that will lead to good, competitive baseball. I wouldn't be surprised if three or four losses wins it again. "I think South Central is probably the favorite with the experience they have, and I think those kids do a nice job and are mentally tough. I give them the edge right now, but if you don't show up with your best most days, you can get beat by just about any team."