Finishing with a successful 19-9 record overall last season, the Norwood Pirates also got a taste of baseball at the highest level when they qualified for the Class 2 Final Four.
For new Norwood Pirates head coach Trent Oxenreider, taking over the reins of an experienced and talented Pirates team is a great way to start a coaching career, as the Pirates are poised and ready to make another run this season.
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”In my first year as head coach, I am lucky to have a returning squad with a ton of varsity experience,” Oxenreider said. “We only lost two players from a team that made a run to the Final Four. With that being said, we return seven starters and nine lettermen.”
While the Pirates return a strong core of players, losing Dalton Rein and Kyler Hyde to graduation is something Norwood will have to replace in a big way. As pitcher’s, Rein and Hyde were responsible for 16 of the Pirate’s 19 wins last season.
Norwood is led by seniors Weston Chadwell and Joel Ogletree and junior Tyler Prichard.
The Pirates will look to Chadwell (All-State Honorable Mention, All-District First Team, All-Conference First Team) to be the leader of the experienced group.
“Weston is our leader,” Oxenreider said. “He is the guy that gets us going. He handles the bat really well, and he can play anywhere on the infield and is a really good base runner.”
Ogletree comes into the season after a stellar junior year that saw him earn First Team All-State, All-District and All-Conference honors. Prichard will also be looked upon to give the Pirates a lift, especially on the mound.
“Joel is an extremely good hitter,” said Oxenreider. “He has big time natural pop and has a very good arm. Tyler is a fantastic outfielder and very streaky hitter. He is very athletic and becoming a key guy on the mound for us.”
Also returning for the Pirates are seniors Levi Mason, Ben Campbell, Matt Davis and Luke Upshaw. Juniors A.J. Barnes and Lukas Brown return as well.
Along with the returnees from last season’s team, senior first baseman/designated hitter Max Malone joins the mix and expects to play a big role for the Pirates as well in his first season of varsity experience.
With the talent the Pirates bring back and the taste of a state championship run still fresh on their minds, Oxenreider expects nothing less than another chance at it this season.
“I expect us to continue our success on the diamond,” Oxenreider said. “I have a very experienced group of kids that work hard every day. If we can compete on the mound, then I look for us to have a chance to have another very successful season. If we continue to play for each other, I believe we will have a successful spring.”
The Pirates begin their season on March 18 when they host the Hurley Tigers.
