Veteran John Glenn baseball coach Brad Barclay returns eight lettermen this spring

John Glenn’s Colt Emerson, takes a swing during a Division II sectional final against host Morgan in McConnelsville last season. Emerson who earned first-team All-Ohio honors by the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association last year returns for his senior season this spring.

NEW CONCORD − John Glenn head coach Brad Barclay returns for his 21st season of leading the Muskies’ baseball program and will welcome eight lettermen back this spring looking to improve on last season’s 15-11 record.

The Muskies advanced to the Division II district semifinals a year ago before suffering a tough 3-1 loss to West Holmes that ended their season.

Leading the way for that group is standout senior Colt Emerson (P/INF), who has already signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Auburn University and is a potential early round selection in the upcoming MLB Draft.

Emerson put up some impressive numbers last spring, leading the Muskies with a robust .459 batting average with 12 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 21 RBIs.

For his efforts, Emerson was tabbed with First Team All-Ohio honors by the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association, along with First Team MVL and Eastern District accolades.

“Colt is the leader of this team,” Barclay offered. “He’s like having an extra coach out on the field, just a very talented ball player.”

Two-year lettermen returning for the Muskies include seniors Gunner Fox (INF/P) and Aydan Thompson (UTL), and junior Noah Winland (P/OF/INF).

Fox finished with a .270 average, with 10 RBIs, Thompson was at .250 with 11 RBIs and Winland checked in at .212 with nine RBIs for the Muskies.

“Gunner keeps everyone loose and from getting too nervous,” Barclay explained. “Aydan is just a competitor that has worked hard to put himself in a position to help us at three positions this year. Noah will be a leader in the outfield and on the mound for us.”

Seniors Bexlee Woodard (UTL) and Aaron Johnson (C/1B) and juniors Roman Gallitz (P/1B) and Gates Thompson (UTL) complete the John Glenn lettermen.

Gallitz worked 32 innings on the mound for JG last year, finishing with a 4-3 record with a 2.84 ERA. Woodard finished with a .444 batting average with a 4-for-9 effort, and on the mound he worked 17.2 innings with a 2-1 record and an ERA of 5.15.

Story continues

“We will rely on Roman for a lot of innings on the mound this year, and we’re hoping to get Bexlee’s arm geared up to help us on the mound” Barclay explained. “Aaron will be our field general behind the dish this year. Gates is in the mix trying to lock down the starting job in center field.”

Rounding out the Muskies’ varsity roster are juniors Connor Coveney (UTL) and Jesse Driskel (UTL), along with sophomores Justin Stambush (UTL) and Wylee Woodard (UTL) and freshman Zane Townsend (UTL).

Team members on the John Glenn JV team include sophomores Zach Boyd (1B), Matt Brandt (C/P), Lincoln Gilcher (OF/C), Walker Hlad (OF), Wyatt Lee (P/3B/1B) and Kris Wise (INF/OF), along with freshmen Dominic Bates (INF/P), Cooper Briggs (INF/OF/P), Reece Brown (C/OF), Owen Edwards (INF/P), Ryder Pennington (INF/P), Noah Shumate (UTL) and Branson Willey (UTL).

Barclay’s coaching staff includes Jamie Emerson, Matt McGee, Jeramy Gatrell and Braeden Young.

John Glenn will host Licking Valley and New Philadelphia in opening day doubleheader action on Saturday, starting at 11 a.m.

kstutton1@gannett.com; @KSuttonDJSports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: John Glenn baseball returns eight lettermen this spring