New coach brings high standards

Matt Middleton has high expectations in his first season as coach of the Upper Arlington High School baseball team.

The Golden Bears finished 8-13 overall last season, losing to Reynoldsburg 2-1 in the first round of the Division I district tournament, and went 7-7 in the OCC-Central Division to tie Thomas Worthington for fourth, behind Dublin Coffman (12-2), Hilliard Davidson (11-3) and Hilliard Darby (8-6) and ahead of Central Crossing (6-8), Worthington Kilbourne (5-9) and Westland (0-14).

"Every year my goal is a 20-win season, a league championship and a district championship, and I see no reason why we can't do all that this year," Middleton said. "Right now are we that good? No, but I'm hoping everything clicks soon."

UA last accomplished all those feats in 2003, when it finished 26-5, lost to Reynoldsburg 11-3 in a regional semifinal and was 10-0 in the OCC-Cardinal. The Bears have had only two winning seasons since, finishing 19-11 in 2004 and 13-9 in 2007.

Middleton was hired last summer to replace Barry Keith, whose contract was not renewed after compiling a 21-27 record in two seasons. Middleton coached Jonathan Alder from 2001-03, leading the Pioneers to a BAC championship in 2001 and '03 and a district title in '03, and Kings Mills Kings from 2004-07, guiding the Knights to the Fort Ancient Valley Conference championship in '05 and '06 and their first district title in '06.

Middleton played at Ohio State from 1996-99, starting at third base the last three seasons. He is tied for 12th on the Buckeyes' all-time list in doubles with 43, tied for 16th in home runs with 26 and RBI with 144 and 21st in hits with 208.

"(Middleton) keeps us on our feet," senior outfielder and pitcher Andy Bean said. "Right now, we're just trying to keep up. We're working hard, trying to get better every day."

UA, which opens Monday at Westerville South, returns nine letterwinners in Bean and seniors Robbie Ballinger (C), Kevin Bruce (IF), Wes Cannell (SS), Sam Clark (IF), Matt Gibbs (1B/P), Matt Hennessey (OF), Phillip Jaskot (2B) and Joe McGlumphy (OF). Last year, Cannell played second base and Jaskot played shortstop.

Also on the team are seniors Justin Hicks (IF/OF), Matt Kapusta (P) and Luke Laws (OF), juniors Jon Borchert (1B), Charles Cooper (OF/P) and Michael Jeffers (P) and sophomores Austin Gibson (IF/P) and Eddie Miller (3B/P).

"My style is pitching and defense come first," Middleton said. "In high school, if you don't have pitchers who throw strikes and you don't have guys behind them who can make routine plays, you're in trouble.

"I think we'll be OK in that aspect."

UA struggled offensively through much of last season, as it was held to two or fewer runs in eight games.

"We need to improve in all aspects," Bean said. "Right now, we're focusing on our defense and pitching.

"Our hitting will come around eventually."

March 29 at Westerville South

March 30 vs. Westerville North

April 3 at Hamilton Township with Olentangy

*April 7 vs. Worthington Kilbourne

*April 9 vs. Hilliard Darby

April 10 at Dublin Scioto (DH)

*April 12 at Central Crossing

*April 13 at Thomas Worthington

*April 14 vs. Westland

*April 16 at Hilliard Davidson

April 17 vs. Westerville North and Cincinnati Milford

*April 19 vs. Dublin Coffman

*April 21 vs. Thomas Worthington

*April 23 at Worthington Kilbourne

April 24 at Newark

*April 26 at Hilliard Darby

*April 28 vs. Central Crossing

April 29 at Watterson

*April 30 at Westland

May 1 at Cincinnati Loveland (DH)

*May 3 vs. Hilliard Davidson

May 4 at Pickerington Central

*May 5 at Dublin Coffman

May 6 at Gahanna

May 8 vs. DeSales (DH)

*OCC-Central contest