By Dean Eversole
MaxPreps.com
The New Albany Eagles are a rising star in Division II baseball, climbing the ranks almost as quickly as the town's population. Located to the northeast of Columbus, the town has become a beneficiary of Columbus' booming population. The end result has been a rapid raise in New Albany's student population, pushing the Eagles to D-II and to the brink of D-I.
"The growth hasn't been tough for the baseball team," New Albany coach Bob Talpas said. "We played a lot of bigger schools in the past and have been upgrading our schedule anyhow."
In 2004 the Eagles and Talpas won the school's only state title in D-III. Now in his 20th season, Talpas has his team sitting at 15-2 and considered by most a legitimate state contender in D-II.
"I am kind of surprised at the high ranking and it really has put a target on us," Talpas said.
The Eagles are a well-balanced team with a stable full of pitchers, something Talpas uses to his full advantage. Nate Blankenmeyer, a Cleveland State recruit, leads the staff with a 5-0 record and 32 strikeouts, coming into play this week. Mitch Myers is 4-0 with 40 strikeouts and John Lacorte sits at 3-0 tallying 33 k's on the season.
Talpas has a three-headed monster with the trio and rarely pushes his starter more than four or five innings. By rotating the three, Talpas keeps opponents off balance and his staff fresh.
Offensively, the Eagles are paced by shortstop Tristian Moore, who carried a .509 batting average at the start of play this week with 21 RBI and 13 stolen bases. Joining Moore is first baseman Jordan Chiero hitting .420, and outfielder Derek Goslin with 15 RBI and a .435 average.
Before the season started Talpas set a list of goals for his squad, which included winning 20 games, winning the Ohio Capital Conference, and capturing a district title. It appears the Eagles are well on their way to all three.
Painter Tosses a No No
Parkway Panthers hurler Jensen Painter tossed a no-hitter against the Versailles Tigers and drove in the game's only run helping his team to a 1-0 victory. The Panther righty chalked up nine strikeouts and walked two batters in the victory.
Fastpitch: Jaisa Fox Sets School Record
Fairfield's Jaisa Fox struck out 16 batters in a 6-0 victory over Oak Hills, breaking the school record. The win helped Fairfield extend its win streak to 12 games.
Track and Field: Saine Shuts it Down, Barlage Sets Record
Piqua's Brandon Saine walked away from the track this week. Hampered by injuries, the two-time defending 100 and 400 meter champion will no longer compete on the track.
Saine holds the state record in the 100 at 10.38 seconds and led Piqua to the state football title this fall. He will now turn his attention to Columbus and the Ohio State football team.
Versailles' Amanda Barlage just keeps going up and up and up. The senior pole vaulter recently established a new record in D-III when she cleared 12' 3" at the Ken Beard Invitational, breaking the old record of 12'2" held by Jennifer Oard.
Winning track meets is nothing new for Barlage, who has signed a scholarship to compete at Indiana State next season.
As a freshman she became one of the pioneers in the newly created sport. She qualified for state, finishing seventh, the beginning of a very successful and ground breaking career.
After two state runner-up titles in 2005 and 2006, Barlage is the clear favorite the capture the state title this season.
