Which are the best HS baseball programs in NWO historically?
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This articles plans to take an objective look at what schools have the best baseball programs historically, going back to the first state tournament in 1928. This is similar to a previous articles written about the greatest football programs in Northwest Ohio history and the greatest boys basketball programs in Northwest Ohio history.
I seek to answer this question by ascribing points based on playoff results by school. A state championship is worth 10 points, runner-up 5 and final four 3. A single season will not be double-counted. For example, If a team won a state title, they will not also be given points for the final four, just the 10 points. Tie-breaker will be furthest advancement.
Without further ado, here are the top high school baseball programs in Northwest Ohio history.
t-10. Patrick Henry (23 Points)
Patrick Henry won back-to-back state titles in 2008 and 2009, while also making the Final Four in 2002. They edged out Lincolnview on this list due to a tiebreaker on state titles.
t-10. Marion Pleasant (23 Points)
Under the guidance of coach Chris Kubbs, the Spartans made the Final Four in 1999 and took home state titles in 2001 and 2006.
9. Findlay (24 Points)
Findlay brought home Hancock County’s only baseball state title in 1971. Under the tutelage of coach Arvin “Woody” Curlis, from 1970 to 1978 the Trojans took home a state title, a state-runner up trophy and made three other Final Fours.
8. Miller City (28 Points)
Miller City is the smallest school on this list and has continuously punched above their weight. The Wildcats brought home the state title in 1977 and 1984, as well as finishing runners-up in 1983 and making the Final Four in 1985.
7. Lima Senior (31 Points)
From 1960 to 1974, Joe Bowers had the Lima Senior Spartans as perennial state title contenders. The Spartans were runners-up in 1960, 1961 and 1963, while also making the Final Four in 1962. In 1964 they finally broke through to win a state title in an undefeated season. The Spartans added another Final Four in 1974.
6. Minster (38 Points)
Minster baseball has been dominating the diamond since their first state appearance in 2003. Under Coach Mike Wiss, the Wildcats have won 3 state titles and also have a state-runner up and Final Four appearance to their credit.
5. Ottawa Hills (40 Points)
Ottawa Hills has been a consistent winner on the baseball field. The school won a state title in 1986 and has been state runners-up 3 times (1992, 1996, 2001) and made the Final Four 5 times as well (1972, 1988, 2002, 2010, 2023).
4. Toledo Start (41 Points)
Under legendary coach Rich Arbinger, Toledo Start has a a mountain of state appearances from 1987 to 2005. The Spartans were runners-up in 1987, 1997 and 2005, and winning it all in 1994 and 2000. They are one of just three teams to finish the season undefeated with at least 30 wins. The Spartans also have two Final Four finishes to their credit.
3. St. Henry (43 Points)
St. Henry has had multiple sets of dynasties on the diamond. Coach Charles Karcher led St. Henry to back-to-back runner-up finishes in 1945 and 1946. John Dorner then led St. Henry to three state titles in 1999, 2000 and 2003. Now Mike Gast has led St. Henry to the Final Four in 2023.
2. Defiance (46 Points)
Defiance is a baseball kingpin in Northwest Ohio. They won their first state title in 1992 under coach Greg Inselmann. Then legendary Coach Tom Held took the Bulldogs to 2 Final Fours and led them to 3 state titles.
1. Coldwater (117 Points)
With absolutely no doubt, Coldwater is by far the greatest baseball school in Northwest Ohio. The Cavaliers have 7 state titles to their name, all coming from legendary coaches Lou Brunswick and Brian Harlamert. They have also finished runners-up 4 times and have an additional 9 final four appearances.
Top Schools By County
Allen - Lima Senior - 31 points
Auglaize - Minster - 38 points
Crawford - Crestline - 11 points
Defiance - Defiance - 46 points
Erie - Perkins - 6 points
Fulton - Archbold - 15 poitns
Hancock - Findlay - 24 points
Hardin - Kenton - 3 points
Henry - Patrick Henry - 23 points
Huron - South Central - 11 points
Lucas - Toledo Start - 41 points
Marion - Marion Pleasant - 23 points
Mercer - Coldwater - 117 points
Ottawa - Genoa - 9 points
Paulding - Antwerp - 3 points
Putnam - Miller City - 8 points
Sandusky - Gibsonburg - 13 points
Seneca - New Rigel/Old Fort - 18 points
Van Wert - Lincolnview - 23 points
Williams - Bryan - 19 points
Wood - Pemberville - 16 points
Wyandot - none