Stark Spartan Baseball

09/06/2026

09/05/2026

Three games into the season, the Stark Spartans find themselves looking for a reset.

The Spartans are coming into Game 4 riding a three-game losing streak, but the record doesn’t tell the entire story of this team. Through the early games, Stark is hitting .293 as a team, reaching base at a .476 clip and posting a .808 OPS. There have been flashes of very good baseball. Now the challenge is putting those flashes together for an entire game.

And there is plenty of firepower in this lineup.

Yanni Loukas gets things moving at the top. Yanni has already shown he can create pressure once he reaches base, swiping six bags while continuing to find ways to get himself into scoring position. Behind him is Kaiden Foxx, who is hitting .333 with a .486 OBP. That’s a pretty good combination at the top: speed followed by a hitter who has shown he can make things happen at the plate.

Then comes Brent DePalmo, and Brent has been one of the Spartans’ most productive hitters early. He’s sitting at .385 with a .529 OBP and a .991 OPS, already collecting 10 hits and driving in six. If Stark gets runners on early, Brent is one of the guys they’ll be looking toward to keep the pressure on.

And waiting behind him is Hunter Spencer.

Hunter has been absolutely locked in offensively, leading the team with a .474 average, .545 OBP and 1.019 OPS. Nine hits, 11 runs and six stolen bases have made him one of the biggest offensive catalysts on the roster. If the Spartans can get traffic in front of him, Hunter has the opportunity to change an inning in a hurry.

Brian DePalmo follows in the middle of the order, giving Stark another opportunity to extend innings and bring runners home. Brian has five hits, four walks and three RBI so far, and he’ll have plenty of chances to make an impact with the heart of the lineup hitting ahead of him.

Then you’ve got Kaden Dawson and Cohl Byrd, two guys who can become important pieces in keeping the bottom half of the lineup alive. Kaden’s .500 OBP stands out, while Cohl has already shown his ability to get on base and use his speed when he gets there.

And then there’s a little mystery at the bottom.

Emory Reeves is still establishing himself with the Spartans, while Carter Kester is making his debut. Carter comes into the lineup without a single Spartans at-bat to his name, which means tonight starts a completely new chapter for him. No expectations from the stat sheet. Just an opportunity to step in, compete and show what he can bring.

That’s what makes Game 4 and 5 interesting.

The Spartans have the hitters to score runs. They’ve shown they can get on base. They’ve shown they can create pressure. But now they’re staring at that three-game skid, and eventually somebody has to be the team that says enough is enough.

The question isn’t whether the Spartans have talent.

The question is whether they can put it all together tonight.

09/03/2026

9-2-26

09/02/2026

⚾ Stark Spartans | Game 3 Preview

vs. Clutch Ohio Scout

The Spartans head into Game 3 with a lineup that has plenty of offensive potential. Through the first two games, the team has shown it can get on base, create pressure with its speed, and string together quality at-bats. Tonight brings a new face to the group, with Emory Reeves joining the Spartans for his first game.

🔮 PROBABLE BATTING ORDER

1. Brian DePalmo #12
Brian moves into the leadoff spot tonight. He’s currently hitting .238, but his .385 OBP shows his ability to work his way on base. He has also scored 4 runs and drawn 4 walks.

2. Ben Bravis #10
One of the team’s most consistent offensive threats. Ben is hitting .364 with a .533 OBP and .897 OPS, with 8 hits, 5 RBI and 5 runs. He’s also stolen 8 bases, giving him plenty of ways to create pressure once he’s aboard.

3. Brent DePalmo #9
The lineup’s biggest statistical weapon. Brent is hitting .417 with a .548 OBP and 1.048 OPS. He’s collected 10 hits, driven in 6 and scored 6 runs while going 9-for-10 on stolen bases.

4. Yanni Loukas #2
Yanni brings a strong combination of hitting and speed into the heart of the order. He’s hitting .318 with a .483 OBP and .892 OPS, with 7 hits and 8 runs. He’s also perfect on the bases at 6-for-6 stealing.

5. Kaiden Foxx #11
Kaiden gives the middle of the order another quality bat, hitting .360 with a .500 OBP and .860 OPS. He has 9 hits, 7 RBI and 8 runs, along with 7 walks.

6. Cohl Byrd #7
Cohl’s .444 OBP makes him an interesting piece of this lineup. He’s drawn 8 walks and has scored 4 runs. If he reaches base, the Spartans have plenty of speed ahead of him.

7. Kaden Dawson #4
Kaden has shown a strong ability to work counts and reach base, posting a .538 OBP. His 6 walks in limited plate appearances give him a chance to extend innings and turn the lineup over.

8. Emory Reeves #02
The new guy. This will be Emory’s first game with the Spartans, so there’s no established offensive track record to lean on yet. That makes him one of the more intriguing pieces of tonight’s lineup.

9. Jake Wagner #19
Jake rounds out the potential order and gives the Spartans another opportunity to turn the lineup over. A productive at-bat here puts the table right back in front of Brian.

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🔑 THE BIG PICTURE

The Spartans have some serious OBP at the top and middle of this lineup. Brent, Ben, Yanni and Kaiden are all hitting .318 or better, while Brian, Cohl and Kaden all have OBPs that show they can contribute without necessarily needing a hit every time.

And then there’s the speed. Ben, Brent, Yanni, Kaiden and Cohl have all shown the ability to take an extra base and put pressure on the defense.

With Emory making his Spartans debut, Game 3 has a little bit of an unknown factor to it.

08/27/2026

⚾ STARK SPARTANS vs. OHIO TIMBERWOLVES

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP

Game 2 • Thursday, August 27, 2026

The Spartans head into Game 2 looking to build on what has been an encouraging start to the season. Through the games played so far, this group has shown plenty of offensive potential, hitting .325 as a team while finding ways to get on base and create pressure with 80 stolen-base attempts at a 93% success rate.

Game 1 against Clutch Ohio was a tough one, but it also gave us a good measuring stick. Their pitching challenged us with legitimate velocity, and tomorrow gives this group another opportunity to make adjustments, settle in and show what they’re capable of.

Here’s the probable lineup for Game 2. Nothing is guaranteed until the lineup card is turned in, but this is the group currently expected to take the field.

1. Ben Bravis
400 AVG | .538 OBP | 8 H | 4 RBI | 7 SB | 6 BB

Ben starts things off with one of the team’s best overall offensive profiles. He’s getting on base at a .538 clip and has the speed to immediately put pressure on the defense.

2. Yanni Loukas
368 AVG | .520 OBP | 7 H | 1 RBI | 7 R | 6 SB | 5 BB

Yanni brings another high-OBP bat right behind him. Only four strikeouts so far, along with six stolen bases, makes him a tough second hitter to deal with.

3. Brent DePalmo
409 AVG | .536 OBP | 9 H | 6 RBI | 9 SB

Brent enters Game 2 hitting over .400 and has already produced six RBIs. He’s got the combination of contact, power potential and speed that can turn a good inning into a big inning.

4. Hunter Spencer
438 AVG | .526 OBP | 7 H | 5 RBI | 11 R | 15 SB

Hunter currently leads the team in batting average and runs scored. Fifteen stolen bases attempts make him especially dangerous once he reaches.

5. Kaiden Foxx
360 AVG | .448 OBP | 9 H | 6 RBI | 7 R | 11 SB

Kaiden gives the middle of the order another legitimate speed threat. Nine hits, six RBIs and 11 stolen bases make him a player capable of changing the game without needing to hit for power.

6. Brian DePalmo
211 AVG | .348 OBP | 4 H | 2 RBI | 5 SB

The bat hasn’t completely clicked yet, but Brian continues to find ways to contribute. Defensively, he’s been perfect so far with a 1.000 fielding percentage over 28 chances.

7. Cohl Byrd
188 AVG | .458 OBP | 3 H | 1 RBI | 7 BB

Cohl’s batting average doesn’t tell the whole story. Seven walks have pushed his OBP all the way to .458, showing he’s finding ways to reach base and extend innings.

8. Kaden Dawson
000 AVG | .600 OBP | 6 BB | 3 R | 2 SB

The most unusual stat line on the roster. Zero hits, but a .600 OBP. Six walks have allowed Kaden to consistently get on base, and he’s also perfect defensively at 1.000 fielding.

9. Jake Wagner
167 AVG | .375 OBP | 1 H | 3 RBI | 1 R

Jake has a smaller sample size but has already driven in three runs in six official at-bats. From the bottom of the order, he’ll have opportunities to keep innings moving and bring runners home.

Available defensively: Austin Bravis

Austin is available to contribute defensively but will not hit.

⸻

📊 THE SPARTANS AT A GLANCE

Team AVG: .325
OBP: .494
SLG: .372
Hits: 62
RBIs: 41
Walks: 51
SB Attempts: 80
SB Success: 93%

Game 2 is about adjustment. Take what the pitcher gives us, don’t chase, put pressure on the defense and trust the numbers that got us here.

08/20/2026

⚔️ STARK SPARTANS

TOMORROW IS THE HOME OPENER !

The wait is over.

The preseason work is behind us. The road games, scrimmages, long days at the field, mistakes, adjustments and everything in between have all led to this.

Tomorrow, the Stark Spartans come home.

And they’re bringing a lineup that has already shown it can create problems.

The Spartans enter the home opener hitting .343 as a team, with a .512 OBP and .906 OPS. They’ve drawn 61 walks, stolen 79 bases at a 92.94% success rate, and posted a .902 team fielding percentage.

That’s not one guy carrying the team.

That’s pressure coming from everywhere.

⸻

🔥 THE STARTING LINEUP

1. Jayce Pocock

Jayce gets the first crack at setting the tone. He’s hitting .364 with a .864 OPS, 8 hits, 5 RBI and 6 runs scored. He’s also stolen 15 bases, getting caught only twice.

Defensively, Jayce has handled a lot of responsibility, recording a .914 fielding percentage while also catching 18.1 innings so far.

He’s aggressive, he’s experienced, and once he gets on base, the defense doesn’t get much time to breathe.

The home opener starts with Jayce.

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2. Yanni Loukas

Yanni has been quietly putting together one of the strongest offensive stretches on the roster.

He’s hitting .412 with a 1.095 OPS, with 7 hits, 2 doubles, 1 RBI and 7 runs scored. He’s also drawn 5 walks and stolen 6 bases without being caught.

Defensively, he’s sitting at a ridiculous .966 fielding percentage, with 26 putouts and 2 assists.

Yanni doesn’t need a huge moment to affect a game. He’s the type of player who can turn a routine inning into a problem for the other team before they realize what’s happening.

⸻

3. Brent DePalmo

Brent has been one of the Spartans’ most consistent offensive weapons.
450 AVG. 1.127 OPS. 9 hits. 2 doubles. 6 RBI. 5 runs.

He’s also drawn 4 walks and stolen 9 bases without being caught.

And defensively?

1.000 fielding percentage. 27 putouts. Zero errors.

That’s about as complete a stat line as you can ask for.

Brent brings consistency, speed and production into the middle of this lineup. If the guys ahead of him get on, he’s exactly the guy you want stepping into the box with runners moving.

⸻

4. Hunter Spencer

Hunter has been an absolute problem.

He’s hitting .500 with a 1.088 OPS, 7 hits, 5 RBI and a team-leading 11 runs scored.

And then there’s the speed.

15 stolen bases. Zero caught stealing.

Hunter has also contributed defensively while handling a heavy workload.

When he gets on base, the defense has to start making decisions immediately. Throw over? Hold the runner? Change the pitcher’s rhythm?

That’s exactly the kind of pressure you want from the middle of your lineup.

⸻

5. Ben Bravis

Ben comes into the home opener hitting .421 with a .963 OPS, 8 hits, 4 RBI and 4 runs scored.

He’s also walked 5 times, giving him a .542 OBP.

Defensively, he’s recorded 14 total chances, including 7 putouts and 4 assists.

Ben has shown that he can extend an inning and force pitchers to work. If he gets comfortable at the plate, the guys behind him are more than capable of making the other team pay for it.

⸻

6. Kaiden Foxx

Kaiden brings some serious firepower into the sixth spot.

He’s hitting .391 with a .873 OPS, 9 hits, 6 RBI and 7 runs scored.

He’s also stolen 11 bases, successfully converting 84.6% of his attempts.

That’s a lot of pressure packed into one player.

Kaiden doesn’t need three hits to change a game. A walk, a single and a stolen base can suddenly put the defense in a completely different situation.

And that’s exactly what you want from a player in this part of the lineup.

⸻

7. Hudson Woods

Hudson might be one of the more dangerous bats that doesn’t get enough attention.

He’s hitting .429 with a 1.071 OPS, including 3 hits, a double and 3 RBI. His .500 OBP shows that he’s finding ways to get on base even when he doesn’t square one up.

Defensively, Hudson has posted a .900 fielding percentage, with 6 putouts and 3 assists.

He’s already shown he can contribute on both sides of the ball.

And guys like that become extremely valuable once the games start getting tight.

⸻

8. Brian DePalmo

Brian’s offensive numbers are still developing, sitting at .222 with a .586 OPS, but there are other numbers worth paying attention to.

He’s got 4 hits, 2 RBI, 4 runs scored, 3 walks and 5 stolen bases.

Then there’s the defensive side.

27 putouts on 28 total chances.
1.000 fielding percentage.

Brian has also handled 13 innings behind the plate, with one passed ball and one caught stealing.

The bat will continue to come around. In the meantime, he’s giving the Spartans something extremely important: reliability.

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9. Cohl Byrd

Cohl enters the opener at .188, but don’t let that number tell the entire story.

He’s drawn 6 walks, giving him a .435 OBP, and he’s already recorded 3 hits, including a triple.

He’s also scored 4 runs.

Defensively, Cohl has recorded 4 putouts and an assist with a .833 fielding percentage.

The hits haven’t fallen as consistently as he’d like, but he’s still finding ways to get himself into the game. The next step is turning those opportunities into production.

And the home opener is a pretty good place to start.

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10. Kaden Dawson

Kaden is the perfect example of why the batting average column doesn’t always tell the story.

He’s currently 0-for-3, but he’s drawn 6 walks.

That gives him a ridiculous .667 OBP.

He’s also been flawless defensively, with 8 putouts and a 1.000 fielding percentage, including a double play.

Kaden has already shown he can contribute without needing a hit to do it. Now he gets the opportunity to help set the tone in the home opener.

Sometimes the guy at the bottom of the lineup is the guy who starts the next rally.

⸻

📊 THE SPARTANS BY THE NUMBERS

Through the games leading into the opener:
343 Team Batting Average
512 Team OBP
906 Team OPS

61 Walks

79 Stolen Bases

92.94% Stolen Base Success
902 Team Fielding Percentage

And that’s the identity starting to emerge.

Get on base.

Put pressure on them.

Run.

Make the routine play.

Then let the next guy do his job.

The Spartans don’t need one player to carry the game. They’ve already shown they can get production from different parts of the lineup.

⸻

🧱 DEFENSE WINS GAMES

The Spartans have accumulated 125 putouts and 23 assists while maintaining that .902 fielding percentage.

Several players have been especially reliable:

* Brent: 1.000
* Brian: 1.000
* Kaden Dawson: 1.000
* Yanni: .966
* Jayce: .914
* Hudson: .900

And behind the plate, Jayce and Brian have combined for more than 31 innings of catching experience already this season.

That’s important.

Because baseball isn’t always going to give you 11 runs.

There are going to be games where the bats go quiet.

There are going to be innings where a pitcher gets into trouble.

There are going to be balls hit into the gap, runners on base and pressure building.

That’s when the defense has to answer.

⸻

🏟️ NOW WE COME HOME

We’ve spent the preseason finding out what this team can do.

We’ve seen the good.

We’ve seen the ugly.

We’ve watched guys figure things out.

We’ve watched guys struggle and come back the next day.

We’ve watched the lineup evolve.

We’ve watched the team learn how to play together.

And now…

We finally get to do it at home.

No more preseason.

No more wondering what this team might look like.

The lineup is set.

The numbers are there.

The work has been put in.

Now it’s time to step between the lines and make the home opener count.

⚔️ WELCOME HOME, SPARTANS.

THE FIELD IS OURS.

08/16/2026

⚔️ STARK SPARTANS | PRESEASON / SCRIMMAGE RECAP

The Stark Spartans have officially wrapped up their preseason/scrimmage portion of the 2026 fall season, and the early results have given the coaching staff plenty to be excited about.

Through 7 preseason games, the Spartans went 5-2, including wins over the Pink Panthers, The Ville 14U and Ohio Reds, while also getting valuable experience against a variety of opponents.

📊 PRESEASON RECORD

7 Games | 5 Wins | 2 Losses

Wins

* 11-3 vs. Pink Panthers
* 8-3 vs. The Ville 14U
* 16-4 vs. Ohio Reds 15/16U
* 7-4 vs. Pink Panthers 16U Fall
* 11-8 vs. The Ville 14U

Losses

* 7-8 vs. Ohio Reds 15/16U
* 5-8 vs. Venom

The Spartans scored 65 runs across the seven games, showing an offense that has consistently put pressure on opposing pitching.

💥 OFFENSIVE NUMBERS

Through the current GameChanger statistics:

Team:

* .343 batting average
* .512 OBP
* .393 SLG
* .906 OPS
* 61 hits
* 53 RBI
* 79 stolen bases
* 92.94% stolen-base success rate

The Spartans have shown that they can do more than just swing the bats. Plate discipline and aggressive baserunning have been two of the biggest strengths of this group.

🔥 LEADING HITTERS

Among the full-time players:

Hunter Spencer500 AVG | .588 OBP | 7 H | 5 RBI | 11 R

Brent DePalmo450 AVG | .577 OBP | 9 H | 6 RBI | 5 R

Hudson Woods429 AVG | .500 OBP | .571 SLG | 3 H | 3 RBI

Ben Bravis421 AVG | .542 OBP | 8 H | 4 RBI

Yanni Loukas412 AVG | .565 OBP | .529 SLG | 7 H | 1 RBI | 7 R

Kaiden Foxx391 AVG | .481 OBP | 9 H | 6 RBI | 7 R

Jayce Pocock364 AVG | .500 OBP | 8 H | 5 RBI | 6 R

And the most recent scrimmage against The Ville was a perfect example of the offensive potential this team has. Jayce Pocock went 3-for-4, while the Spartans rallied from a 7-6 deficit to win 11-8.

⚾ WHAT WE’VE LEARNED

The biggest purpose of these games wasn’t simply winning and losing. It was finding out who this team is going to be when the games start counting.

We’ve been able to evaluate players in different positions, give multiple arms opportunities on the mound, experiment with lineups and, most importantly, get these guys comfortable playing together.

The Spartans have shown three things very clearly:

1. We can hit.
A .343 team average and .906 OPS gives us a pretty good foundation.

2. We can run.
79 stolen bases at a 92.94% success rate is a serious weapon.

3. We compete.
The 11-8 win over The Ville was particularly encouraging after giving up the lead and having to battle back.

Now the preseason work is essentially done.

The evaluation period is over. The real thing is coming.

The Spartans have gotten the reps. They’ve taken the lumps. They’ve figured some things out.

Now it’s time to put it all together.

⚔️ NO MERCY. WE LEAD THE CHARGE.

08/16/2026