Strongsville Baseball Team Prepares for Opener and Beyond

This year's Strongsville Mustangs baseball team has a kaleidoscope of unique traits that just may form one of the best teams the Mustangs have ever put on the field.

This defensive-minded group of guys has the combination of well-balanced talent, brains and the desire to work hard to get to the top.

The 'Stangs' varsity roster is full of talent, according to eighth-year head coach Josh Sorge.

"Many of our junior backup players would be starting on most high school teams in the area," Sorge reports.

The roster is full of players, as well -- 26 varsity players will suit up for the green and white this season. Although they have not taken the field yet this year, Sorge states that this squad has as much, if not more, talent than his 2006 state championship group.

Only time will tell if they will gel into the same caliber squad as some of the past Mustang teams.

 Last year's graduation took a bite out of the Mustang pitching staff, but starters include three juniors and a senior. Sorge is comfortable with this rotation because the three juniors were large contributors last year as sophomores.

While the team consists of many juniors, three seniors stand out as much needed team leaders.

"Having seniors Colin Houdek, Justin Jakubik and Nate Langhals on the squad is like having three more coaches," Sorge says. The three are reported to be the "come early, leave last" type of players that coaches hope to have.

Sorge is also blessed with "players with brains." Since 2005, the Mustang baseball teams have had G.P.A.s of 3.45 or higher, and this year is no exception. According to the last grading period, this present group of ball players boasts a 3.52 G.P.A. 

The team has only been able to practice outside twice so far this spring due to poor weather conditions. Skills and strategy have been the main focus for the team's indoor practices, and Sorge is hopeful that it won't take long for this group to get up to speed once the players can get outside, especially with their opener just a few days away (Tuesday, March 29 at Brush).

As many teams in the state use the Strongsville Mustangs as a measuring stick regarding talent, the team's talent has also not gone unnoticed by colleges. Four players from this year's team have earned college scholarships to Toledo, Cincinnati, Tiffin, and Owens College.  Some D-3 colleges have also shown interest in a few of the other Mustang players.

The battle for bragging rights all begins Tuesday as the Mustangs open at Brush, then have their home opener on Wednesday against Mayfield.  Their schedule is a tough one, but that's how you get to be the best.

 The 2011 varsity roster includes Aaron Caputo, Colin Houdek, Austin Legate, Dan Stewart, Forrest Perron, Nick Depalma, Will Cicerchi, Anthony Maurer, Nate Langhals, Brennan Singleton, Anthony Morino, Kory Hall, Justin Jakubik, Nolan Schultz, John Sabolik, Brian Genco, Kyle Toma, Connor Ryan, Austin Pritchard, Kyle Thomas, Sam Clarke, Pat McEvoy, Dan Regrut, Dan Kasian, Jeremy Fine, and Brian Mastellar.