​Crooksville senior Grayson Houk, who recently earned his high school diploma, is pictured with his acceptance letter after becoming the first student in the school’s history to gain admission to the Naval Academy. A standout in track, Houk holds the school record in the 400 meters and qualified for the Division IV state meet. He plans to major in either nuclear engineering or aerospace engineering and was one of 1,200 applicants accepted out of more than 16,000. (Sam Blackburn/Times Recorder)
In other prep sports news, the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association unveiled its All-Ohio and All-District selections following the 2026 season, with numerous local players earning recognition. In Division III, Sheridan’s Connor Roshon, a senior who plays first base and pitches, and classmate Noah Wamer, a pitcher and second baseman, earned second-team All-Ohio honors. Tri-Valley freshman Tanner Henry was named to the honorable mention list.
In Division V, Ridgewood’s Wyatt Marlatt, a sophomore outfielder, earned a second-team nod, while West Muskingum’s Grady Dolling, a sophomore pitcher/infielder, received honorable mention. Rosecrans’ sophomore Jacobie Balo was an honorable mention pick in Division VII.
During a late-March contest in West Lafayette, Ridgewood senior Jace McQueen sprinted toward third base as part of a two-run triple during the sixth inning of a 6-0 victory over visiting Zanesville. The milestone win came on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
In related coverage, look for more on top pitchers who led the MVL baseball squads in 2026, Johns’ philosophy on helping Coshocton players realize their potential under his leadership, and a profile of Mariners rookie Colt Emerson, who embodies the grind of the MLB path. Other stories highlight Caden Sheridan’s move west and the portal journey that led him to Arizona.
Notably, Wamer finished the season with a 6-2 record, a 2.90 ERA, and 41 strikeouts across 41 innings, leading the MVL’s Big School Division champions in both pitching and overall contribution. He also batted .457 with a .629 on-base percentage. Henry posted 87 strikeouts and a 1.55 ERA, holding opponents to a .153 batting average across 54 innings, while hitting .283 with two home runs and an .867 OPS at the plate. Roshon, a left-handed two-way threat, punched out 58 batters in 40⅓ innings to claim MVL-Big School Pitcher of the Year honors, also hitting .317 with a .457 on-base percentage and scoring 35 runs.
Dollings boasted a .390 batting average, eight doubles, a .533 on-base percentage, and a team-high 35 runs while going 5-1 with a 1.99 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 38⅔ innings, earning MVL-Small School Pitcher of the Year honors. Balo led his team with a .524 batting average, a .583 on-base percentage, and a 1.154 OPS, in addition to driving in 30 runs and collecting 33 hits. On the mound, he was 4-3 with a 1.22 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 26 innings, also recording two saves.
In a game featuring Rosecrans’ Jacobie Balo, the sophomore tag team included a defensive effort as Balo attempted to tag out a runner at second base during Rosecrans’ 10-0 win over Millersport in a Mid-State League-Cardinal Division matchup at Gant Municipal Stadium in Zanesville on May 7, 2026. Balo’s performance helped secure honorable mention All-Ohio recognition for the season, as the publication continues to highlight standout players across divisions.