With a predominantly freshmen cast in 2015, they had a team batting average of .263 while going 10-17. With many of the same players back, their average dipped to a ghastly .206 last season.
“Some of our better players had slumps — sophomore slumps, if you will,” Metzger said. “We had some sophomores that started as freshmen and didn’t put up the numbers they did two years ago.”
Dominic Catanzaro led the team with a .296 average in 2016 and earned second-team All-Ohio Heritage Conference honors for the second straight season. But more was expected after he batted .406 as a freshman.
“Last year, as we struggled, he started to press a little bit. He didn’t feel as comfortable at the plate as he tried to do more than he needed to,” Metzger said.
The hitting woes were contagious. As the losses mounted, the players tightened up.
Connor Impson went from .421 to .295, and Dominic DeWitt dropped from .351 to .211.
But Metzger hasn’t seen any carryover from last year. The Irish, who open with a double-header Saturday at Houston, are swinging freely again in practice.
“They’re tough kids,” Metzger said. “They worked hard. They’re very coachable. They’re ready to prove to other teams that we’re better than last year. They have short memories and look forward to what’s ahead of them.”
Catanzaro will be the catcher and a starting pitcher. Impson will pitch and play multiple positions, while DeWitt will be the primary centerfielder.
Senior Cossy Catanzaro, Dominic’s older brother, will pitch and play outfield and first base. He batted .279 last season while being named honorable mention all-conference.
Those four will form the heart of the batting order, while the other returning regulars include seniors Mathis Amidon and Gavin Taber and juniors Gunner Weaver, Sean Alexander and Dylan Castle. Freshman John Kennedy also has made an early impression and will see playing time.
Metzger doesn’t have a set lineup. Positions can change from week to week or game to game.
“I tell the guys, ‘Be ready for anything,’” he said. “A lot of guys are pretty versatile. They embrace the challenge of playing anywhere and doing whatever is best for the team.”
Participation down: Like other sports at Central, Metzger is dealing with low numbers with only 12 players in the program, though he’s not discouraged.
“They all got a lot of playing time last year, and they’ve all grown a lot,” he said. “Physically, they’ve grown. As baseball players, they’ve grown.
“I wish I had more guys, but I’m happy with the ones I’ve got.”
Staying busy: Metzger, 27, served as an assistant in the program for five years before moving up. He works in Dayton as a salesman for Southern Glazer’s, a wine and beer distributorship.
“It’s a nice job for me to have,” he said. “I’m on the road during the day and that allows me to come back and coach in the evening.”
New members: The OHC has added Madison Plains and Fairbanks this year and has split into two divisions. Central is in the North with Triad, Mechanicsburg, Fairbanks and West Liberty-Salem.
Triad won the league last year and reached the Division IV state title game.
“They’re the team to beat,” Metzger said.
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