2015 Warren Panthers Win ‘Timeless’ Division in Ohio MSBL
Ohio MSBL 60+ ‘Timeless’ Division
Warren Panthers 11, Springfield 60’s 1
Front row (L to R): Bernie Novotny (WGH-1968), Tom Boyd (WWR-1969), Ron Warga, Bob Woody (Tallmadge-1964), Dave Irish (Conneaut-1970), Greg Rowland (Champion-1974), and Aden Weaver. Back row (L to R): Bruce Brewster (WGH-1965), Tom McCammon (Youngstown Chaney-1970), Brian Kochunas (WGH-1964), Larry Yoho (LaBrae-1972), Denny Malaska (Toledo Woodward-1970), Ed Martin (Pymatuning Valley-1972, and John Larson (Youngstown South-1971). Missing from picture: Dave Kerestly (New Castle, PA-1968) and Jim Nutt (WWR-1969).
‘Yoho Takes Charge on the Mound and at the Plate’
Submitted by Brian Kochunas, Panthers manager
Recently, a group of 60+ year old primarily local men playing their first season in the Ohio Men’s Senior Baseball League won the championship with an 11-1 victory over the Springfield 60’s, the League Champions in 2014. The Warren Panthers were 12-2 during the regular season and 3-0 in post season play.
In the championship game, which was halted by the 10-run mercy rule after seven innings, LaBrae’s Larry Yoho went the distance to pick up the win. Yoho allowed only one earned run on five hits, while walking three and striking out six.
The Panthers broke open a scoreless game, with three runs in the second inning on an RBI double by Yoho, followed by RBI singles by Ron Warga and Tom Boyd. From that point on the Panthers were in control of the game, scoring two runs in each of the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings, while Yoho held Springfield scoreless until they scored their only run of the game with two out in the seventh. Yoho also led the offense going 3 for 4 with two doubles and two RBI’s. Also contributing with two hits each were Ed Martin, Bruce Brewster, Brian Kochunas, and Tom Boyd, while Kochunas, Warga, and Boyd also drove in two runs apiece.
Naming the new team after the WGH Panthers was the brainchild of Kochunas, Brewster and Novotny, as a way to honor their alma mater where all three were involved in athletics. They adopted the same Harding color scheme in their uniforms and included the traditional panther on their hats.
During the regular season the team had several players leading the way. They were as follows:
Batting Stats
Batting Average (minimum 30 at-bats): Bernie Novotny .635; Larry Yoho .490; Greg Rowland .467; Ed Martin .457; Ron Warga .425; Bruce Brewster .400; Dave Kerestly .356; Tom Boyd .344
Hits: Bernie Novotny 33; Larry Yoho 25; Greg Rowland 21; Ed Martin 21; Ron Warga 17; Dave Kerestly 16
Runs Scored: Greg Rowland 27; Ed Martin 25; Aden Weaver 20; Bernie Novotny 19
RBI: Bernie Novotny 26; Larry Yoho 22; Ed Martin 20; Dave Kerestly 18; Greg Rowland 15; Bruce Brewster 12; Ron Warga 11
Doubles: Dave Kerestly 9; Ed Martin 6; Bernie Novotny 3; Larry Yoho 3; Bruce Brewster 3
Triples: Ed Martin 4; Greg Rowland 3
Stolen Bases: Greg Rowland 14; Aden Weaver 12; Ed Martin 7
Pitching Stats
Winning Percentage (minimum 3 decisions): Ed Martin 3-0 (1.000); Larry Yoho 4-1 (.800); Dave Irish 4-1 (.800)
ERA (minimum 8 innings pitched): Brian Kochunas 0.00; Larry Yoho 2.93; Dave Irish 3.64
Strike-Outs: Larry Yoho 25; Dave Irish 16; Ed Martin 14
Post Season Batting Stats
Batting Average (minimum 7 at-bats): Bruce Brewster .500; Ed Martin .444; Brian Kochunas .429; Dave Irish .429; Tom Boyd .375; Larry Yoho .364; Greg Rowland .333
Hits: Bruce Brewster 4; Ed Martin 4; Larry Yoho 4; Brian Kochunas 3; Dave Irish 3; Tom Boyd 3; Greg Rowland 3
Runs Scored: Larry Yoho 4; Greg Rowland 3; Bernie Novotny 3
RBI: Larry Yoho 3; Greg Rowland 3; Bernie Novotny 3
Doubles: Larry Yoho 3; Bernie Novotny 1
Stolen Bases: Greg Rowland 2; Bruce Brewster 2
Post Season Pitching Stats
Winning Percentage (minimum 1 decision): Larry Yoho 2-0 (1.000); Dave Irish 1-0 (1.000)
ERA (minimum 7 innings pitched): Larry Yoho 1.12; Dave Irish 1.28
Strike-Outs: Larry Yoho 13; Denny Malaska 1