Stark Spartan Baseball

09/24/2026

STARK SPARTANS | GAMEDAY PREGAME

🦈 Stark Spartans vs. Summit Sharks

Today • 5:30 PM
📍 2121 Ashland St., Louisville, Ohio

It’s game day.

Tonight’s group is down to 10 Spartans, which means every at-bat, every defensive opportunity and every pitch carries a little more weight.

The numbers tell us where we’ve been.

Tonight is about what we do with them.

⸻

🔥 AMOS KING

Last 10: .250 AVG | .625 OBP | 1.625 OPS | 1 HR | 3 BB | 3 R

Small sample, yes. But when you reach base in 5 of 8 plate appearances, that’s production.

The home run obviously stands out, but Amos has also shown an ability to get himself on base.

Kent State

The Kent State games were a tougher offensive showing, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

That’s an area where Amos needs to respond.

The ability is there. Now we need the at-bats to match it.

⸻

💪 BEN BRAVIS

Last 10: .000 AVG | .238 OBP | 4 BB | 10 SO

This is an area where we need improvement.

The batting average obviously isn’t where we need it, but the four walks tell us Ben is capable of putting together productive at-bats.

The next step is turning those opportunities into quality contact.

Kent State

Ben went hitless, but defensively he was excellent:

4 chances. 3 assists. 0 errors.

That’s something to build on.

Now we need to see that same confidence in the batter’s box.

Better at-bats tonight.

⸻

🔥 BRIAN DePALMO

Last 10: .278 AVG | .500 OBP | .778 OPS | 5 hits | 8 BB | 5 runs | 6 SB

This is one of the more interesting offensive profiles on the team.

Brian isn’t hitting for a huge average, but a .500 OBP is hard to ignore.

Eight walks in 26 plate appearances means he’s finding ways to reach base, and five runs scored shows that those opportunities have mattered.

He’s also 6-for-8 stealing bases, so when Brian gets on, he can create pressure.

Kent State

This is where Brian needs to be better.

He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Kent State.

So we’re not going to pretend that was a great performance.

But that’s exactly why tonight matters.

The overall numbers say Brian can hit. The Kent State numbers say he needs to make an adjustment.

Tonight, I want to see him attack the right pitches instead of getting caught watching strikes go by.

The opportunity is there. Take it.

⸻

🧠 CARTER KESTER

Last 10: .200 AVG | .500 OBP | .700 OPS | 4 BB | 2 HBP

The .200 average needs to improve.

But the .500 OBP tells a different part of the story.

Carter has shown he can find ways to reach base even when the hits aren’t coming.

The next step is turning more of those opportunities into balls in play and productive at-bats.

There is more offensive production here.

Tonight is a good night to start showing it.

⸻

⚡ COHL BYRD

Last 10: .111 AVG | .304 OBP | 4 BB | 14 SO

I’m going to be straight with Cohl here:

The at-bats need to improve.

The .111 average isn’t where it needs to be, and 14 strikeouts in 23 plate appearances is too many.

But there are positives.

Cohl has still reached base at a .304 clip and is 2-for-2 stealing bases.

Kent State

Cohl walked in his only completed at-bat, giving him a .500 OBP in those games.

Now we need more contact.

Less empty at-bats. More competitive at-bats.

That’s the challenge tonight.

⸻

🧱 JAKE WAGNER

Jake doesn’t have the same statistical sample as some of the other players, so I’m not going to manufacture numbers or pretend we know more than we do.

Tonight is simple:

Compete.

Give us quality at-bats. Stay locked in. Take advantage of opportunities.

When opportunities are limited, you don’t have to do something spectacular.

You have to make the opportunity count.

⸻

📉 KADEN DAWSON

Last 10: .059 AVG | .158 OBP | 1 hit | 12 SO

This is the toughest offensive number on the roster, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it.

Kaden needs a better offensive night.

One hit in 17 at-bats and 12 strikeouts means the bat hasn’t produced enough.

But struggling doesn’t mean incapable.

The answer isn’t trying to become a completely different hitter overnight.

It’s getting back to the basics:

See the ball. Compete. Put the ball in play.

Kent State

Kaden went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.

But defensively:

7 chances. 7 plays. 0 errors.

That’s worth recognizing.

Now we need to find a way to get more production offensively.

⸻

🚨 KAIDEN FOXX

Last 10: .353 AVG | .577 OBP | .930 OPS | 6 hits | 7 BB | 2 SB

One of the better offensive statistical profiles on the team.

And then came Kent State.

⭐ KENT STATE SPOTLIGHT

Kaiden went 0-for-2, but reached base twice via walk.

Then on the mound:

1.0 IP
0 H
0 R
1 K
1 BB
1 HBP
1.000 WHIP
0.00 ERA

That’s a legitimate standout performance.

Kaiden showed he could contribute in a completely different way when called upon.

That’s the kind of performance we need to carry forward.

⸻

🆕 LUKE MAXWELL

Luke doesn’t have the same 10-game statistical history as the rest of the group, so we’re not going to invent a scouting report from numbers that aren’t there.

Tonight is an opportunity.

Watch. Learn. Compete.

Don’t press.

One good at-bat. One good play. One good decision at a time.

Make yourself useful to the team.

⸻

⚾ YANNI LOUKAS

Last 10: .160 AVG | .300 OBP | 4 hits | 5 BB | 4 SB

The .160 average needs to improve.

And 14 strikeouts is something that needs attention.

But Yanni has also drawn five walks and stolen four bases without being caught.

The ability to contribute is there.

Kent State

Yanni went 0-for-2 with one strikeout and also committed an error.

So tonight is about the response.

Forget the last at-bat. Get a good pitch. Compete. Move forward.

⸻

🌟 KENT STATE

There were a few Spartans who really stepped up against Kent State and deserve some recognition. Hunter Spencer went 1-for-2 at the plate with no strikeouts, while Brent DePalmo went 1-for-4 and was perfect defensively in his two chances. Kaiden Foxx reached base twice with two walks and then turned in a scoreless inning on the mound, allowing no hits while striking out one. Ben Bravis didn’t get a hit, but he was outstanding defensively, going perfect on all four chances with three assists and no errors. Kaden Dawson was also perfect in the field, handling all seven of his defensive chances without an error. Those performances matter because Kent State gave us a good test, and these guys showed they could still find ways to contribute when the competition stepped up. ⚾

⸻

🎯 TONIGHT’S MESSAGE

We’re not asking for perfection.

We’re asking for better baseball.

If you’ve been hitting, keep hitting.

If you’ve been struggling, make the adjustment.

If you’ve been getting on base without getting hits, turn some of those opportunities into contact.

If you’ve been striking out too much, shorten things up and compete.

And if you haven’t had many opportunities yet?

Tonight might be your opportunity.

Nobody cares what happened in your last at-bat when you walk into the batter’s box tonight.

You get another chance.

That’s baseball.

09/20/2026

9-20-26

09/17/2026

9-16-26

09/17/2026

⚾ STARK SPARTANS GAME REPORT

Stark Spartans vs. Green Bulldogs

The Stark Spartans head into tomorrow’s matchup with the Green Bulldogs looking to turn the page and put together a strong performance on both sides of the ball.

With 11 Spartans available, here is a statistical breakdown of the players taking the field tomorrow. All statistics below are from the last 10 games.

⸻

🔥 BRENT DePALMO
333 AVG | .412 OBP | .745 OPS
5 H | 5 1B | 1 RBI | 2 BB | 5 SO | 3 SB

Brent has been one of the Spartans’ more consistent contact hitters. His .333 average gives him one of the team’s strongest batting averages, while his 65.22% contact rate shows an ability to put the ball in play. He has also provided speed with three stolen bases.

QAB: 30.77% | Contact: 65.22% | BABIP: .533 | RISP: .300 | TB: 8

⸻

🔥 BRIAN DePALMO
273 AVG | .529 OBP | .802 OPS
3 H | 3 1B | 1 RBI | 4 R | 6 BB | 5 SO | 5 SB

Brian’s .529 OBP is among the best on the team. He has also produced a .500 average with runners in scoring position during the 10-game sample. His 1.000 BB/K ratio shows his ability to draw walks while limiting the strikeout damage.

Behind the plate, Brian has handled 26 innings, recording 0 passed balls.

QAB: 41.67% | Contact: 58.82% | BABIP: .600 | RISP: .500 | TB: 6 | 2-out RBI: 0

⸻

🔥 HUNTER SPENCER
100 AVG | .308 OBP | .408 OPS
1 H | 1 RBI | 2 R | 3 BB | 4 SO | 1 SB

Hunter’s batting average doesn’t tell the complete story. His 10-game numbers include a 36.36% quality-at-bat rate and a 57.89% contact rate. He has also produced a .300 average with runners in scoring position.

Defensively, Hunter owns a .900 fielding percentage with six assists.

QAB: 36.36% | Contact: 57.89% | BABIP: .273 | RISP: .300 | TB: 3 | 2-out RBI: 1

⸻

🔥 AMOS KING
500 AVG | .500 OBP | 2.500 OPS
1 H | 1 HR | 1 RBI | 1 R

Amos has an extremely small sample, but he has already made a major impact. His lone hit was a home run, accounting for the Spartans’ only run in Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves.

The advanced sample is only two plate appearances, so there isn’t enough data to establish a larger offensive trend yet. But the power is real and already on the scoreboard.

QAB: 50.00% | TB: 4 | HR: 1

⸻

🔥 YANNI LOUKAS
250 AVG | .400 OBP | .650 OPS
4 H | 4 1B | 1 RBI | 3 R | 4 BB | 7 SO | 4 SB

Yanni continues to provide a combination of contact, patience and speed. His 46.15% quality-at-bat rate is one of the team’s strongest marks.

He has also produced four stolen bases while seeing significant defensive action at first base and catcher.

QAB: 46.15% | Contact: 52.38% | BABIP: .364 | RISP: .111 | TB: 4

⸻

🔥 CARTER KESTER
222 AVG | .500 OBP | .722 OPS
2 H | 2 1B | 1 RBI | 2 R | 4 BB | 5 SO | 1 SB

Carter’s biggest offensive strength right now is getting on base. His .500 OBP is significantly higher than his batting average.

The advanced numbers also show a .500 average with runners in scoring position, although the sample remains relatively small.

QAB: 28.57% | Contact: 44.44% | BABIP: .500 | RISP: .500 | TB: 2

⸻

🔥 BEN BRAVIS
000 AVG | .167 OBP | .167 OPS
0 H | 2 BB | 5 SO

The traditional numbers don’t tell the whole story with Ben.

His 10-game advanced numbers show a 50.00% quality-at-bat rate, tied for one of the highest marks among tomorrow’s Spartans. His .000 BABIP also highlights how little his current batting average reflects the quality of some of his at-bats.

QAB: 50.00% | Contact: 43.75% | BB/K: .667 | BABIP: .000 | TB: 0

⸻

🔥 COHL BYRD
154 AVG | .312 OBP | .466 OPS
2 H | 2 1B | 1 RBI | 1 R | 2 BB | 9 SO | 2 SB

Cohl has quietly posted one of the strongest quality-at-bat rates on the team. His 52.17% QAB rate ranks second among tomorrow’s available players, behind only Kaiden.

He has also been reliable defensively, posting a .929 fielding percentage with just one error in the recorded sample.

QAB: 52.17% | BABIP: .500 | RISP: .200 | TB: 2 | 2-out RBI: 1

⸻

🔥 KAIDEN FOXX
357 AVG | .526 OBP | .883 OPS
5 H | 5 1B | 1 RBI | 1 R | 4 BB | 8 SO | 2 SB

Kaiden enters the game with some of the strongest offensive numbers on the roster.

His 53.57% quality-at-bat rate is the highest among tomorrow’s players. He has also hit .500 with runners in scoring position and recorded two two-out RBIs, showing an ability to produce in important situations.

QAB: 53.57% | Contact: 42.11% | BABIP: .750 | RISP: .500 | TB: 6 | 2-out RBI: 2

⸻

🔥 KADEN DAWSON
000 AVG | .125 OBP | .125 OPS
0 H | 2 BB | 10 SO

Kaden’s offensive numbers have been difficult in the 10-game sample, but he has received significant defensive opportunities.

He has recorded 32 putouts, 3 assists and 3 errors, producing a .914 fielding percentage.

QAB: 43.48% | Contact: 27.78% | BABIP: .200 | RISP: .200 | TB: 1

⸻

🔥 JAKE WAGNER
000 AVG | .250 OBP | .250 OPS
0 H | 1 BB | 2 SO

Jake has a smaller sample than most of the roster, with seven plate appearances across three games.

His advanced numbers show a 28.57% QAB rate, .000 BABIP and no recorded production with runners in scoring position.

QAB: 28.57% | Contact: 33.33% | BABIP: .000 | RISP: .000 | TB: 0

⸻

📊 THE NUMBERS TO WATCH

Highest batting average:
🥇 Kaiden Foxx .357
🥈 Brent DePalmo .333
🥉 Brian DePalmo .273

Highest OBP:
🥇 Brian DePalmo .529
🥈 Kaiden Foxx .526
🥉 Carter Kester .500

Highest QAB:
🥇 Kaiden Foxx 53.57%
🥈 Cohl Byrd 52.17%
🥉 Ben Bravis / Amos King 50.00%

Best RISP:
Kaiden Foxx .500
Brian DePalmo .500
Carter Kester .500

Most total bases:
Brent DePalmo 8
Brian DePalmo 6
Kaiden Foxx 6
Amos King 4
Yanni Loukas 4

Two-out RBIs:
Kaiden Foxx 2
Brent DePalmo 1
Hunter Spencer 1
Cohl Byrd 1

⸻

⚾ THE STORYLINE

The Spartans have several different ways to create offense tomorrow.

There is contact and speed from Brent, on-base ability from Brian, production with runners in scoring position from Kaiden, quality at-bats from Cohl and Ben, versatility from Yanni, and now a legitimate power threat in Amos King.

The numbers also reveal something important: batting average alone doesn’t tell the entire story of this team.

Several Spartans have significantly better OBP, quality-at-bat or RISP numbers than their batting averages would suggest.

After a tough loss Wednesday, the Spartans get another opportunity tomorrow.

Stark Spartans vs. Green Bulldogs.

09/16/2026

⚾ Stark Spartans Gameday

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 6:00 PM

Stark Spartans vs. Ohio Timberwolves

The SMARTS Fall Frenzy may not have gone the way the Spartans wanted, but it gave this team a pretty clear picture of what needs to change moving forward. There were flashes of good baseball, including some strong individual performances, but the bigger lesson was that this team needs to become more locked in from the first pitch to the last.

The Spartans need to play more as a team. Communicate. Stay engaged. Pick each other up. Bring some energy to the dugout and onto the field. At times during the tournament, the effort and focus simply weren’t where they needed to be, and it showed on the scoreboard.

The tournament also showed that there are plenty of pieces here to work with.

Brent DePalmo was a standout offensively, hitting .500 during the tournament. Brian DePalmo wasn’t far behind at .400, and the two accounted for six of Stark’s ten total hits. Yanni Loukas hit .286 and continued to find ways to get on base and create opportunities. Kaiden Foxx hit .250 while also reaching base consistently, and Ben Bravis and Hunter Spencer each showed the ability to contribute even when the hits weren’t falling.

And then there’s Carter Kester, a newer Spartan who has played in limited games. Carter showed some patience at the plate during the tournament, reaching base three times via walk and scoring a run.

But tonight isn’t about individual numbers.

It’s about putting everything together.

The Spartans have been talking about being more aggressive at the plate, and that remains a major part of the equation. During the tournament, Stark struck out 27 times while collecting just 10 hits. Being aggressive doesn’t mean swinging at everything. It means being ready to attack when the right pitch comes.

And just as importantly, this team needs to be present.

We’re playing against teams that live and breathe baseball. Meanwhile, we’re sometimes lucky enough to get everybody together for one practice one day a week, and simply getting everyone to show up for games can be a struggle.

That’s not an excuse. It’s just the reality this team is dealing with.

Chemistry doesn’t appear magically when the game starts. It gets built through practices, games, conversations, effort and simply spending time together as a team.

The good news?

There is a lot of baseball left to play.

The Spartans have plenty of time to tighten things up, build that chemistry and turn some of these lessons into better baseball. The tournament is behind them. Tonight is another opportunity to show what this group can look like when everyone is locked in and pulling in the same direction. DON’T BE SURPRISED IF YOU SEE SOME POSITION CHANGING GOING ON THIS EVENING. 

Wednesday night. 6 PM. Stark Spartans vs. Ohio Timberwolves.

09/11/2026

⚾ SMARTS FALL FRENZY

Saturday is a chance for the Stark Spartans to hit the reset button.

The team comes into the weekend having lost five straight, but none of that matters once Saturday starts. The previous games are over. The record is what it is. This is a new day, a new tournament, and a new opportunity to show what this group can do.

There isn’t a lineup to predict, either. These are simply the ten Spartans who are available Saturday: Ben Bravis, Brent DePalmo, Brian DePalmo, Cohl Byrd, Emory Reeves, Hunter Spencer, Jayce Pocock, Kaden Dawson, Kaiden Foxx and Yanni Loukas.

And there’s plenty of firepower in that group.

Hunter has been one of Stark’s biggest offensive producers, consistently finding ways to get on base and create runs. Kaiden has continued to swing a productive bat, while Brent brings a steady approach and the ability to keep an inning alive.

Ben has quietly become one of the team’s best at getting on base, and that’s the kind of player who can change the complexion of a game without needing to hit the ball over the fence. Yanni brings experience and production, while Jayce has already shown he can deliver a big hit when Stark needs one.

Brian has continued to battle and find ways to reach base, Cohl brings another competitive at-bat to the group, and Kaden and Emory give the Spartans two more players ready to step into whatever role the day demands.

That’s what makes tournament baseball interesting.

You don’t know who’s going to become the guy.

Maybe it’s a big hit from somebody who hasn’t had the spotlight. Maybe it’s a pitcher settling into a groove. Maybe it’s a defensive play that changes an inning. Maybe Stark simply puts together four or five innings where everything finally clicks at the same time.

Saturday gives them that opportunity.

The Lake Erie Tritons are waiting at 11 AM.

Then comes the Southwest Aztecs at 1 PM.

Two games. Two chances to change the story.

Five straight losses are part of the story right now.

They don’t have to be the ending.

So the question heading into Saturday is pretty simple:

What happens when the Spartans finally put it all together?

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