Hamilton produces plenty of star power when it comes to baseball. A combined 28 players from both Hamilton and Badin are shining on collegiate diamonds.
It’s been well stated just how much baseball means to this town. Just look at the banners hanging up at our two high schools to see the history from those programs.
From West Side Little League to Badin and Hamilton, the talent flows through Hamilton like the Great Miami River and oftentimes that talent ventures outside of the city limits. Currently, there are 28 players that graduated from Badin and Hamilton playing college baseball this spring. With the weather starting to break, it might be the perfect time to go out and take in America’s pastime while watching these Hamiltonians.
Hamilton
Maddox Pennington, P, Hamilton ‘21, Wabash Valley College
Last spring, as a senior for the Big Blue, Maddox threw 43.1 innings and had a 2.74 ERA. As a freshman he will look to earn time for one of the best JUCOs in the country. Wabash Valley has had 30+ different ball players drafted over the past decade.
Payton Pennington, INF, Hamilton ‘19, Kent State
Pennington is looking to contribute for the Golden Flashes, after stints at Wabash Valley and the University of Cincinnati. In 2021, Kent State went 30-26.
Jake Pennington, P, Hamilton ‘17, Tarleton State University
After suffering an injury early in his college career, Pennington is a redshirt junior for Tarleton State in Texas. Last year he threw six innings on the mound for the Texan Riders.
Blake Hawkins, INF, Hamilton ‘21, Olivet College
A two sport athlete during his time for the Big Blue, Hawkins earned second team honors in football. He joins a Olivet ballclub that went 6-24 in 2021.
Eric Roberts, INF/ P, Hamilton ‘18, University of Evansville
A two war star for the Purple Aces, in 2021 he hit .270 with three home runs while also throwing 30 innings on the mound. Evansville went 28-27 a year ago. This spring they play four ranked teams including powerhouse Vanderbilt.
Kurtis Reid, INF, Hamilton ‘21, University of Louisville
The three year star for the Big Blue was the 2021 GMC Player of the year after hitting .435 and slugging .783. The shortstop hit six home runs back in 2019 as a sophomore. In his freshman year for the Cardinals he will get to play against the likes of Clemson, Vanderbilt, Michigan, UK and Notre Dame– just to name a few.
Badin
Zac Wilson, C, Badin ‘18, Ohio Dominican
Twice he earned himself All-GCL honors. Now, he is a senior playing D2 for Ohio Dominican just under two hours away in Columbus.
Tyler Hargrove, OF, Badin ‘18, Marian University
As a junior for Marian, Hargrove played in 40 games for the Knights, starting in 19. He played in 27 games as a true freshman back in 2019.
Jared Berger, P, Badin ‘18, Marian University
Berger has taken the mound all three years he has played at Marian. Having pitched in 31 games, the senior will be a major facet in the Knights bullpen.
Andrew Noelker, P, Badin ‘18, Marian University
Noelker originally committed to the University of Cincinnati out of high school but has since made his way to Marian. In his first season since transferring the right handed pitcher threw 46.2 innings and appeared in 11 games.
Seth Klabier, P, Badin ‘18, Stetson University
The right handed pitcher missed the 2021 season while recovering from an injury. In 2022 he will look to play a role for the Hatters on the mound.
Sam Runyan, C, Badin ‘18, Heidelberg University
Catching for the Student Princes, Runyan played in 12 games last season. Heidelberg went 24-16-1 in one of the best D3 conferences in the country.
Sam Mathews, P, Badin ‘18, Marietta University
Mathews was a first team All-American for the Express last spring. Appearing in 24 games and throwing 74 innings, he earned himself the Kent Tekulve pitcher of the year award in the OAC. Which is ironic since Tekulve was a submarine pitcher for the Express who graduated from Badin, just like Mathews. Mathews was also honored with the Rawlings Gold Glove award.
Drew Holderbach, UTIL, Badin ‘18, Marietta University
Selected as a third team preseason All American after starting 43 games at first in 2021 and hitting .373. Holderbach is the anchor of the lineup for an Express team that went 38-6 a season ago. Holderbach was also honored with the Rawlings Gold Glove award.
Daunte DeCello, INF, Badin ‘18, Indiana University Southeast
Two time GCL Co-ed player of the year, DeCello started for the Rams as a freshman. Now, he plays infield for IU Southeast where they went 50-16 and competed in the NAIA World Series.
Luke Tabler, OF, Badin ‘19, Thomas More College
Tabler will follow in the footsteps of several Badin Rams and will play ball for Thomas More in Crestview Hills. As a senior in 2019 Tabler hit .326.
Chase Hopewell, P, Badin ‘19, University of Cincinnati
The lanky right handed pitcher originally committed to the D2 program, the University of Findlay. After successful seasons for the Oilers, Hopewell earned himself a spot on Cincinnati’s roster.
Noah Sackenheim, P, Badin ‘2020, Northern Kentucky University
Sackenheim is in his first season at NKU after a successful stint for the Marian Knights. The right hander started 13 games and struck out 75 in 77.2 innings pitched.
Preston Heintzman, P, Badin ‘20, Edison State Community College
Heintzman will look to help the Chargers in 2021. Edison State hasn’t played a full season since 2019, when they went 25-19.
Josh Hegemann, OF, Badin ‘20, University of Cincinnati
Appearing in 17 games for the Bearcats in 2021, the outfielder will look to play a bigger role in his sophomore season.
Spencer Giesting, P, Badin ‘20, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
In his freshman season for the 49ers the left handed pitcher appeared in 27 games while throwing 52.2 innings. He struck out 73 batters, good for a 12.6 k per nine.
Cade Boxrucker, P, Badin ‘20, Campbell University
Boxrucker contributed to a prominent Camels pitching staff as a freshman, pitching in 13 games. As a sophomore he will look to expand his role.
David Anthony, P, Badin ‘20, Thomas More
He saw six innings on the mound for the Saints, as a freshman. As a two way player, he also earned six at bats.
Noah Tincher, P, Badin ‘21, St. Joseph University
The 6’3 lefty is looking to make an impact as a freshman for the St. Joseph’s Hawks. As a senior for Badin he had a 2.14 ERA, while earning All-conference honors for the Rams.
Luke McLaughlin, P, Badin ‘21, Indiana University Southeast
McLaughlin will join a team that made it to the NAIA World Series a spring ago. He was a two way player for the Rams, where he earned second team honors.
AJ Enginger, INF, Badin ‘21, Thomas More College
The infielder earned player of the year honors in the GCL as a sophomore in 2019. He was a lynchpin at the top of the Rams lineup in 2021. He is already earning time at TMC.
Ryan Kirkendall, P/INF, Badin ‘21, Washington University
The Bears from Washington University in St. Louis are preseason ranked #17 in the country for D3. Joining the team after a World Series run a season ago, Kirkendall will look to help the squad out of the bullpen.
Sergio DeCello, UTIL, Badin ‘21, Charleston Southern
The utility player can attribute anywhere on the field, from catcher to outfield and everywhere in between. The Bucs were 18-26 in 2021 as they play in a lauded Big South conference.