PERRYSBURG – Mark Delas has been a big part of Perrysburg’s baseball program for the last four years.
As a freshman, Delas made critical pinch-hit appearances in the state semifinals and state finals,
recording a seventh-inning doubles in both.
Now a senior, Delas faces a task that might prove to be even more pressure-laden. He will be the face and
leader of a team coming off a 27-4 season, which included a 13-1 Northern Lakes League record, good for
a league title.
Delas batted .408 a season ago with 31 RBI, and is one of nine returning letter winners, including five
returning starters. The Yellow Jackets advanced to a regional semifinal last season.
"Mark is going to have to realize that without somebody sitting behind him in the lineup, he’s not
going to see anything to hit. If they throw him a fastball, they are crazy," said Perrysburg coach
Dave Hall, who is entering his 29th season at the helm of the Yellow Jackets.
Therein lies the problem of graduating four starters that provided stability in the lineup. But Delas and
the rest of the ‘Jackets have confidence that somebody will step in to provide protection for one of the
league’s top players.
"We’ve got a lot of hard working guys. … We’re all going to work hard to try to get that
title," Delas said.
Delas, who will move from third base to catcher this year, also posted a 6-1 mark on the mound with a
1.58 ERA and three saves a season ago.
Senior A.J Stockwell and Delas will be Perrysburg’s top two pitchers. Stockwell finished 7-0 with a 2.15
ERA and three saves last year.
Hall said it is vital for the ‘Jackets to develop their pitching depth early in the season in order to be
contending for a league title in the final week of the season.
"They’re going to have to do things they haven’t done before," Hall said of Stockwell and
Delas. "They’re going to have to be a little bit better than last year.
"Our goal every year is to go into the last week of the season with a chance (for the league title),
and to get to the districts and see what happens," Hall said. "Our kids buy into the tradition
and the last few years we’ve been blessed with that."
With the NLL as deep as ever, according to Hall, Perrysburg knows a league title will not just be handed
to it.
"It could be a year that four losses will get you a title," Hall said.
"I just see parity again," he added. "Not that you want to lose four (games), but 10-4 and
winning the league is much more fun."
One advantage Perrysburg has is its seniors’ ability to lead. That leadership towards the new varsity
players and freshman will be one of the most important pieces to a successful season.
"That’s one thing we like to build on over the years in the tradition," Hall said. "Part
of it is the older kids taking ownership of the younger kids."
Stockwell agreed: "Perrysburg baseball is a culture. Every year there is a group and we try to show
them how we do things. We try to lead by example as best as we can."