No team summary for this season.
North Baseball Battles to 2-1 Start in Myrtle Beach
Posted on 03/29/2026
The Eastlake North baseball team opened its 2026 season with a strong showing in Myrtle Beach, finishing 2-1 against solid competition while flashing both depth at the plate and promising signs from an inexperienced pitching staff.
After a one-run loss to open the trip, the Rangers bounced back with wins over Tallmadge and Chagrin Falls, scoring 26 runs across the three games and getting contributions throughout the lineup.
“We’re really inexperienced when it comes to pitching,” said Eastlake North head coach Mike Duncan. “I was concerned with them, but they came up big time. They threw really well.”
The offense proved just as encouraging. Drew Morbeto led the way with a huge weekend, collecting six hits and scoring four runs across the three games. Brent Reichard consistently set the tone at the top, while Braylon Rolf, Brady Pennza, and Ethan Grinstead all delivered key at-bats throughout the trip. Billy Murphy and Colin Hutson added timely production, and Vinny Marsico reached base at a high clip, including a three-walk performance in the finale.
“Everybody was battling up and down the lineup,” Duncan said. “If the guy in front of them made an out, the next guy up was really bearing down. We had a lot of guys get a couple of hits, and we had a number of guys get their first varsity hits while we were down here, so that’s great to see.”
With momentum built, North now turns its attention to the Ohio opener on Monday at Mentor.
“I think we just need to keep the same approach that we had down here,” Duncan said. “We just need to grind out our at-bats and keep battling to win the next pitch and take it from there.”
Moore Catholic 6, North 5 (Friday)
North opened the trip with a tough one-run loss despite out-hitting Moore Catholic 9-7.
Morbeto paced the offense, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Reichard added a double, RBI, and run. Marsico chipped in two hits, and Rolf also doubled.
The Rangers battled late, scoring three runs over the final two innings, but fell just short.
On the mound, Gavin Rieder took the loss, while Vince Latini provided stability out of the bullpen, allowing just one run over 4 1/3 innings.
North 10, Tallmadge 8 (Friday)
North responded in a big way Friday night, using a nine-run stretch over the second through fourth innings to take control.
Morbeto stayed hot, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Rolf drove in two runs and scored twice, while Murphy delivered a big game with three RBIs. Sean Tahsler added two runs and an RBI.
The Rangers built a big lead before holding off a late Tallmadge push.
“It was getting late at night, and we had a big lead, so we were giving some other guys a chance,” Duncan said. “That one almost got away from us.”
The game came down to the final inning, where Eddie Kovach-Uzl shut the door.
“He said, ‘Coach, I can finish this,’” Duncan said. “And he did. That was awesome.”
Joey Andolina earned the win with 2 2/3 strong innings in relief.
North 11, Chagrin Falls 1 (Saturday)
North closed the trip in dominant fashion, rolling past Chagrin Falls with a balanced offensive attack and strong pitching.
Hutson led the way with two hits, two runs, and an RBI, while Pennza added two hits, including a triple, and drove in two. Grinstead chipped in two hits and a double, and Marsico reached base four times with two RBIs.
Reichard scored twice and drove in a run, while Murphy and Rolf each added RBIs.
On the mound, Nate Sagendorph earned the win, allowing just one run over four innings, and Morbeto closed it out with two scoreless innings.
North Rangers Baseball
2026 Baseball Preview: North Rangers
Posted on 03/11/2026
After finishing second in the Western Reserve Conference a season ago, the North Rangers enter the 2026 campaign with a veteran core determined to contend for the league’s final championship.
Head coach Mike Duncan returns four starters and eight lettermen from last year’s 9-14 team that went 6-4 in conference play, providing experience and leadership as the Rangers navigate a competitive WRC schedule.
“With a solid core of returners and some high-potential newcomers, I think we will be very competitive this season,” Duncan said. “I don’t see any quit in this team, and we should be able to overcome any adversity in our path.”
Veteran leadership leads the way
Leadership will be a defining trait for North this spring, particularly from a trio of seniors who have been fixtures in the lineup for several seasons.
“Veteran leadership is our strength,” Duncan said. “We have three guys—Brady Pennza, Braylon Rolf, and Ethan Grinstead—who are entering their third season as starters and understand what it takes to win. They have done a great job of leading the team this spring.”
Pennza anchors the lineup and defense from behind the plate. The senior catcher, who will continue his career at Lake Erie College, hit .339 last season with a .963 OPS and two home runs while earning First Team All-WRC and First Team Lake County Baseball Coaches Association honors.
“It’s been very comforting to not have to worry at all about catching for the last couple of years,” Duncan said. “Brady has done a solid job behind the plate and is one of our most valuable hitters. Brady has the potential to do some big things this season.”
At shortstop, Rolf returns after a standout junior campaign in which he hit .396 with a 1.025 OPS. The senior, who is committed to Ashland University, earned First Team All-WRC, First Team LCBC, and News-Herald Honor Roll recognition.
“Braylon has been Mr. Consistency for us since the day he stepped on the field as a sophomore,” Duncan said. “He has an outstanding glove as a shortstop, a very strong arm, and has improved every year with the bat. I envision him having a great year for us and continuing that on into college.”
In the outfield, Grinstead returns in right field after batting .288 with a .708 OPS while earning First Team All-WRC and Second Team All-Lake County honors. Grinstead will continue his career at Adrian College.
“Last year, Ethan progressed from never having played the outfield before to being a very good outfielder for us,” Duncan said. “Ethan has worked very hard in the offseason, and I believe we will see great results from that work this year.”
Balanced lineup with experience and newcomers
North’s lineup features a mix of experienced seniors and promising newcomers.
Senior Gavin Rieder returns at first base after injuries limited his playing time last year.
“Gavin suffered a series of injuries last year that really limited his playing time,” Duncan said. “Hopefully, that is all behind him. Gavin is a very good fielding first baseman; very few throws or ground balls get past him. He should be a very valuable contributor to our team this year.”
At second base, Nate Sagendorph returns after hitting .238 with a .595 OPS last season and showing improvement late in the year.
“Nate came on strong last year toward the end of the season,” Duncan said. “He was a very valuable contributor to our team in the stretch run. I would expect that improvement to continue this year and look forward to Nate having a great season.”
Sophomore Vince Latini steps into the starting role at third base and is one of the program’s most intriguing newcomers.
“We are looking for big things from this newcomer,” Duncan said. “Vince has shown great range at third and a solid glove. We don’t think the step up from JV pitching to varsity pitching is going to faze him at all.”
In the outfield, senior Vinny Marsico returns in left field after hitting .217 with a .597 OPS last season.
“Vinny is a very good outfielder with good speed,” Duncan said. “He’s a left-handed hitter that makes good contact and should be on base a lot.”
Junior Colin Hutson takes over in center field and is another player the Rangers believe could make a big impact.
“Colin is one of our newcomers that we are expecting big things from,” Duncan said. “He has all the tools that you’re looking for in a centerfielder. He’s got good speed, a great glove, and a strong arm.”
Senior Joey Andolina, who is committed to Hiram College, will serve as the designated hitter after batting .333 with a .742 OPS last season.
“Joey is a big guy with a big bat,” Duncan said. “When he makes contact, the ball jumps off the bat. I see the potential of hitting the gaps with line drives coming off of his bat.”
Rebuilding the pitching staff
North’s biggest question mark entering the season is replacing four pitchers who graduated from last year’s team.
“The biggest challenge will be in our pitching staff,” Duncan said. “We lost four good pitchers to graduation. The remaining pitchers, as well as some newcomers, will have to step it up to replace the guys we lost. From everything we’ve seen so far, they are ready to do that.”
Rieder is expected to lead the rotation after going 1-2 with a 6.40 ERA last season.
“Gavin had appearances last season where he was absolutely dominant,” Duncan said. “He has a good fastball and effective off-speed pitches. He has the potential to be an outstanding pitcher.”
Hutson and Andolina are also expected to play key roles on the mound. Andolina posted a 3.50 ERA last season and will also pitch for the Rangers before heading to Hiram College.
“Joey has a great arm and very good movement on his pitches,” Duncan said. “He has the ability to dominate hitters when he is at his best.”
Junior Drew Morbeto and Latini round out the projected rotation.
“Drew didn’t have the opportunity to pitch for us last year, but we are expecting him to be a major contributor this season,” Duncan said. “He has very good control and stays ahead of hitters, enabling him to use his effective off-speed pitches.”
“We are very excited about the addition of Vince to our pitching staff,” Duncan added. “He is showing great velocity and control. He has unlimited potential and will be a huge part of our success this season.”
Another Ranger set to continue his baseball career is Billy Murphy, who will also play at Hiram College after graduation.
Chasing the final WRC title
With the Western Reserve Conference set to dissolve after this season, the Rangers have extra motivation to compete for the league’s final championship.
“I expect that we will be in the thick of this final WRC race,” Duncan said. “The competition is incredibly good in the conference, but I believe we are up to the challenge.”
If North’s pitching staff develops and the experienced core continues to lead the way, the Rangers believe they have the pieces to make a run this spring.
“First of all, our pitchers need to stay healthy,” Duncan said. “Pitching in Northeast Ohio springs can be tough on the arms. If we can keep them injury-free, I believe they will throw well enough to win ball games for us.”
North Rangers Baseball HQ