Every spring, high school baseball coaches from across the region gather at Smitty’s Place in Elyria for the Lorain County Baseball Coaches Show, hosted by WOBL/Lorain County Sports Network. The 2025 edition brought together some of the area’s most respected coaches to discuss their teams, expectations, and the challenges of the upcoming season. Among them was Vermilion Sailors head coach Jeff Keck, who shared insights on his experienced roster, key returning players, and the goals for the season ahead.
With the 2025 high school baseball season approaching, Vermilion Sailors head coach Jeff Keck stopped in to talk to WOBL and is confident in his team’s experience and leadership. After a few years of rebuilding, the Sailors enter the season with a strong senior class, talented juniors, and promising underclassmen.
“When we made that tournament run in 2021, we lost a great veteran team, and we had to start over,” said Keck. “Now, those young guys are juniors and seniors. We’ve got six seniors leading the way and a great mix of players ready to step up.”
Replacing Key Departures
Vermilion will have to replace standout graduates AJ Gerber and Riley Kearns, who were instrumental in last year’s success. Gerber is now golfing at Bluffton University, while Kearns is playing baseball at Wittenberg University.
“You lose great players every year, and other guys have to step up,” Keck said. “We’ll miss them, but I’m confident in the talent we have returning.”
Leadership and Key Returners
The Sailors return 10 lettermen, with senior Cody Schwarck (#15) leading the way as a key two-way player. Schwarck will serve as the team’s shortstop and catcher while also being the Sailors’ No. 1 pitcher.
Joining him in the senior class are:
- Cohen Mooney (#4) – First baseman and designated hitter
- Cole Eschenauer (#12) – Second baseman, pitcher, and catcher
- Will Matheson (#17) – Outfielder, pitcher, and catcher
- Oliver Roy (#2) – A left-handed pitcher and outfielder
- Logan Peterson (#1) – Outfielder and utility player
Juniors Evan Kuhns (#33) and Gavin Wilfing (#35) will provide additional leadership, while sophomores and freshmen will round out the lineup.
Pitching Staff Looks to be a Strength
The Sailors’ pitching staff is expected to be a major asset this season. Schwarck will anchor the rotation, while Oliver Roy (#2), a crafty left-hander, will be another key arm.
“Oliver isn’t a power pitcher, but he throws strikes and has great breaking stuff,” Keck noted. “We also have some young arms ready to contribute.”
Mason Cooper (#6), Adam Gerber (#7), Christian Vorhees (#10), and Brody Morrow (#20) are all expected to play roles on the mound, giving the Sailors depth in the rotation.
Conference and Season Outlook
The Sailors play in the highly competitive Sandusky Bay Conference (SBC) Bay Division, where Edison and Huron were co-champions last year.
“Edison and Huron will be tough again,” Keck said. “To compete for a league title, we’ll have to knock them off at least once.”
Other key matchups include games against Firelands, Elyria Catholic, and Margaretta—all teams expected to be strong competitors.
Goals and Expectations
Coach Keck emphasizes two core principles for his team:
- “Win the day.” Whether it’s a practice, scrimmage, or game, the focus is on getting better each day.
- “Take care of us.” The Sailors aim to control what they can and focus on their own development rather than outside factors.
“If we do those two things, everything else takes care of itself,” Keck said.
With a strong senior class, talented underclassmen, and a deep pitching staff, the Sailors have their eyes set on competing for a conference title and making a deep tournament run in 2025.
