Milton-Union is looking to put together a strong run during the springs sports season where it has athletes across the board who have the potential to make huge impacts in 2022 in the newly formed Three Rivers Conference and the post-season tournaments.
MILTON-UNION BASEBALL:
Milton-Union coach Nate Morter has set the goals and expectations for his Bulldog baseball team to win the inaugural league title of the Three Rivers Conference consisting of fellow members Bethel, Covington, Miami East, Lehman Catholic, Milton-Union, Northridge and Riverside – where all eight teams will face each other twice in a home/away format.
Coming off of a season where the Bulldogs compiled a 7-15 overall record a year ago and finished with a 4-8 record in the Southwestern Buckeye League in 2021, Morter has the talent at his disposal to accomplish his team goals.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs will be senior Nathan Thompson, who had an on-base percentage of .351 a year ago. Juniors Ben Schommer and Nathan Morter also return as Schommer had an on-base percentage of .538 and Morter was second on the team with 24 hits a year ago.
Sophomore Peyton Nichols also returns, who led the Bulldogs in hits with 32 and in extra base hits with 11, as does fellow sophomore Zach Lovin, who only had one error in the field throughout his entire freshman season.
MILTON-UNION TRACK:
Milton track and field coach Michael Meredith has been with the program for over two decades and he knows when he has the talent to put together a special season.
2022 should be a special season on the track for the Bulldogs as Meredith has quality athletes who can make some noise as part of the newly formed Three Rivers Conference.
“Milton-Union is excited to be entering into the Three Rivers Conference with local county schools,” Meredith stated. “Our expectations are to compete for a league title.”
Which is in the cards as the Bulldogs return a 2021 state placer in the long jump and 100 meter dash, junior Blake Brumbaugh. They also return a regional qualifier and state indoor record holder in the pole vault, Carter Tinnernman and regional qualifier in the high jump, Ray Copeland.
For the girls, the Bulldogs return the regional qualifiers in the 3×800 relay – Maddie Stasiak, Ty Parsons and Morgan Quesinberry.
MILTON-UNION BOYS TENNIS:
Milton-Union coach Kevin Brackman has been rebuilding the Bulldog tennis program in his two years as head coach.
“Last year was a huge rebuilding year for us,” Brackman said. “We finished with a record of 7-7 and finished 4th in our conference (SWBL).”
In 2021 Tyler Kress and Cooper Brown made second team All-SWBL as singles players. Mason Gooslin and Carter Berner were voted SWBL Honorable Mention. Tyler Kress and Cooper Brown teamed up and placed third in the Troy sectional as a doubles team, qualifying for districts.
In 2022, the Bulldogs return seven varsity letter winners. Starting from the top with their first singles and district qualifier, Tyler Kress (11). Milton also returns Tommy Ryerson (10), Zeb Hines (11), Joel Benkert (12), Carter Berner (10), and Colin Fogle (10).
“We are excited to get back out on the court and compete this season,” said Brackman. “We return a young core of guys who are eager to play.”
Joining the seven returners are freshmen, Ben Iddings and Titus Kopp.
“We hope to continue to build our competitive culture and grow as a team,” emphasized Brackman.
This season Milton-Union has joined a new league, the TRC, which doesn’t have enough tennis teams to qualify as an official league sport.
Still, the Bulldogs are excited about the new opportunities presented with a different schedule.
“We are excited to add new opponents to our schedule in preparation for the sectional tournament at the end of the year,” said Brackman. “Our program numbers have grown tremendously in the last five years. We have fantastic kids that love playing tennis. They understand the balance of hard work, being a good teammate, but embracing the competitive atmosphere that makes each of them better.”
Yes, Milton-Union tennis is on the rise.
MILTON-UNION SOFTBALL:
Milton-Union finished runner-up to Carlisle in the SWBL (Southwestern Buckeye League) a year ago with a 10-2 conference record and looks to compete in 2022 in the newly formed Three Rivers Conference against the likes of Bethel, Covington, Lehman Catholic, Miami East, Northridge, Riverside and Troy Christian.
Gone are seniors Mackenzie Beam, Madison Brown, Malia Johns, Abby Oaks, Madison Silveria, Kelsie Tomlinson and Madison Jones, who was the 2021 pitcher of the year in the Southwestern Buckeye League.
Senior Madison Baker returns after being a first-team selection in the SWBL, as does sophomore Raegan Fulton, who was a second-team selection in the league. Jenna Booher earned honorable mention in the SWBL last season as a junior. Sophomore Carly Zimmer also earned honorable mention in the SWBL last season as a freshman.
Note: all information on Milton-Union softball was gathered off of the SWBL archives.