If you spend five minutes talking with Independence baseball coach Jim Crooks, you’ll quickly realize one thing: the man enjoys a good metaphor.
Pistons firing. Bands of brothers. Tomahawk missiles. Ice cream scoops.
And if his colorful descriptions are any indication, the Independence Blue Devils might be just as entertaining to watch this spring as they are to talk about.
After a 19-5 season in 2025 that included a Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division championship and a run to the regional semifinals, the Blue Devils return seven starters and 10 lettermen. Experience, continuity, and a deep roster have Crooks believing the “Indy Boys” are once again built to compete for championships.
“The Independence Blue Devils will be a potent blend of talent, hard work, grit, and the will to win, and such vital ingredients are the essential building blocks of any successful program,” Crooks said. “Some on this team have played together for many years. There’s trust. There’s a belief in fulfilling the team’s vision.”
That vision is nothing short of playing the game the right way — and playing it well.
“We hit, we run, we play it small when needed and have the ability to come up big-time in critical moments of competition,” Crooks said.
A Band of Brothers
If there’s one theme Crooks keeps coming back to, it’s the chemistry of the group.
“We few…we happy few…we band of brothers have played together for so long that the Indy Boys think, operate, win and lose, as a family,” Crooks said. “Baseball never gets old for them. It’s never a job. Baseball is a way of life.”
That connection starts up the middle with senior shortstop Anthony Sobonya, a first-team All-CVC selection who hit .397 last season.
“Anthony is a reliable workhorse who combines talent and a friendly, competitive attitude in all things he does,” Crooks said. “As a leader of the Indy Boys program, he’s looking to make his senior year his finest.”
Alongside him is senior second baseman Vinnie Carriero, another all-conference performer who hit .354 with five doubles and 25 runs scored.
“The Carriero-Sobonya up-the-middle tandem is certain to offer a Houdini-like senior year performance,” Crooks said. “Vinnie can turn on a pitch like a gyroscope turning an airplane.”
In center field, junior standout Anderson Jolliffe returns after a monster sophomore season in which he batted .500 with 35 hits, four home runs, and 30 RBIs.
“He roams centerfield like a lion seeking to devour fly balls,” Crooks said. “At the plate, he’s a sledgehammer.”
Senior outfielder Owen Jenks provides speed and leadership after hitting .327 with seven doubles and 25 runs scored.
“OJ is gifted with speed, strength, and confidence,” Crooks said. “His best quality is that he prefers team victory to personal glory.”
Depth Across the Diamond
The Blue Devils have experience all over the field.
Junior David Crooks returns at first base after hitting .323 with 20 runs scored and 16 RBIs last season.
“He scoops at first base like the ice cream man serving a double dip,” Crooks said.
Senior utility player Josh Peters provides versatility across the field.
“Josh lets his play speak for itself with the versatility to play infield, outfield, and on the mound,” Crooks said.
On the mound and at third base, junior Kaden Schuette will be a key piece of the pitching staff.
“Kaden forms the foundation of the Indy Boys’ wall of juniors,” Crooks said. “His talent and ability to perform under pressure make him virtually one of a kind.”
Junior Ryan Suhy, who went 3-1 on the mound last season, also returns as an important arm.
“Ryan brings a flair for athleticism, pitching intelligence, and capability,” Crooks said. “What’s best about Ryan is the talent he brings combined with a dash of pizzazz.”
Behind the plate, junior Nolan Ghann will anchor the defense.
“He’ll catch, he’ll field, and he will be a force for the varsity team at the plate this season,” Crooks said. “We expect big things from Nolan.”
Players like Josh Gray and Joe Fricano add depth and flexibility, giving Independence the ability to adjust its lineup depending on matchups.
Mindset for the Long Season
Crooks believes the team’s mentality will be just as important as its talent.
“When others see snow for an April game, Indy Boys think 70 degrees and sunny,” Crooks said. “Challenges are cleverly clothed opportunities.”
In other words, the Blue Devils are prepared for the inevitable bumps of a long baseball season.
After last year’s deep playoff run, expectations are high once again.
“Expectations for Independence Baseball are always high, and the players set these standards,” Crooks said. “They’ve won conference championships. They’ve won district titles.”
The ultimate goal?
“Our family’s vision is to win a state championship,” Crooks said.
And if the Indy Boys truly are firing on all cylinders this spring, Crooks believes they’ll be a tough team to beat on any given day.
