Chagrin Falls enters the 2025 season already banged up, but the Tigers remain optimistic for the new season.
“We have had three major injuries to starters already to start the season along with other injuries,” said Chagrin Falls coach Michael Sweeney. “We are working hard to overcome those injuries and are trying to figure everything out. We always have great kids who listen and work hard to get better. It could take some time because of the inexperience to figure everything out. We will have to play some kids on the varsity level who would probably benefit from some JV experience, but unfortunately, we won’t be able to have that happen.”
The Tigers, who finished 11-18 overall last season, return six starters including five who earned All-Chagrin Valley Conference honors last spring.
Senior outfielder/pitcher Brandt Stevens was a first-team All-CVC selection as a junior.
The right fielder batted .25 with four doubles and 15 runs batted in last season.
“Brandt is a relentless worker and has steadily gotten better and better,” Sweeney said. “Brandt has turned himself into an excellent outfielder with a strong arm and is a middle-of-the-order hitter for us.”
Junior center fielder/pitcher Henry Cimperman was a second-team All-CVC selection and honorable mention all-district honoree after hitting .292 with four doubles, 25 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases.
“Henry has turned into an excellent all-around player,” Sweeney said. “Henry is an excellent defensive center fielder. He gets great jumps on the ball and can go get it. He is probably our most consistent hitter. Henry has a chance to be one of the better hitters in the area.”
Senior catcher/shortstop/pitcher Finn Johnson and sophomore shortstop Will Murray were honorable mention All-CVC last season.
Johnson was 3-1 on the mound last spring with a 2.864 earned run average and 31 strikeouts in 29 innings.
“Finn has made huge improvements each year as he does an outstanding job wherever we put him in the field,” Sweeney said. “He has become a tremendous all-around catcher. He does an excellent job of framing, blocking, and throwing out runners. Finn is also an excellent shortstop. Finn has improved steadily as a hitter and as a pitcher.”
Murray, a shortstop/pitcher, posted a 1.5 ERA last spring and collected 15 hits, 10 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.
“Will had a great start to his high school career,” Sweeney said. “Will has tremendous hands and is an outstanding shortstop. After struggling at the beginning of the season, Will finished strong as a hitter and hit .224 with 15 hits, 10 RBI, and 10 SB. Will also turned into an effective relief pitcher as he made eight appearances, had a save, and an ERA of 1.5.”
Rounding out the projected starting lineup are second baseman Eric Nemunaitis, first baseman Mason Hart, left fielder Joey Tenebria, catcher Nathaniel Newton, and Rice Johnson, Noah Schaefer, and Dylan Pribancic, who will compete at third base.
Newton will help the Tigers in a multitude of ways.
“Nathaniel can play most of the positions on the field and continues to improve,” Sweeney said. “Nathaniel gained a lot of experience catching last season when Watson got hurt. He will catch when Finn Johnson is on the mound and play outfield as well. He also could play some infield.”
Hart packs plenty of punch at the plate.
“Mason should help us in the power department,” Sweeney said. “He is a strong kid who has the potential to drive the baseball. Mason should help us as a relief pitcher as well.”
Senior second baseman/pitcher Henry Myers is out indefinitely with an injury. His return would be a big boost for the Tigers.
“Henry is injured this season at the start and his status is unknown at this point,” Sweeney said. “When healthy, Henry could help us in the field. Last season, Henry was 2-1 on the mound with a 3.11 ERA. He struck out 19 in 18 innings pitched. He started two games and pitched in relief in 10 other games, so he gained plenty of experience.”
The Tigers have a talented and deep pitching staff, at least when healthy.
Junior Jack Watson anchors the staff, but he’s out with an injury, and Finn Johnson is working on his recovery to get back on the bump.
Beyond those two, the Tigers have Myers, Rice Johnson, Nemunaitis, Tenebria, Ethan Nielsen, and Robbie Quinn as capable arms in the starting rotation.
Murray, Newton, and Hart are relief pitchers.
Providing depth are Nemunaitis, a junior, sophomores Ash Martin, Nielsen, Quinn, and Noah Schaefer, and freshman Rice Johnson.
“I definitely think this will be a learning year,” Sweeney said of his expectations. “We will have a lot of new faces in many of our positions. Our pitching staff could be almost all new faces depending on injuries. We could struggle to score some runs, but I know we will keep working and keep improving as the season goes on.”
Despite the injury bug that has plagued the team, Sweeney is confident the Tigers will put in the work to be as successful as possible.
“I think our biggest strength is always the type of character our team has,” he said. “They listen, they work hard, and they are extremely coachable. They believe in what we do. I think the tradition of our program always pushes our guys.”
