2024 Russia Baseball Preview

The wins from 2023 won't matter in 2024, but the experience might

Phlipot has led Russia to three

state tournaments in eight seasons

If you've watched Russia baseball the past eight seasons since Kevin Phlipot became head coach, one fact is undeniable. The Raiders have gotten pretty good at rallying when adversity strikes. One example is last year's district semifinal game. Russia trailed Newton by one run in the bottom of the 7th inning with two outs when Brayden Monnin blasted a two-run gapper for the walkoff win. Another example happened a couple weeks later in the state semifinal game. This time the Raiders and St. Henry were both scoreless in the bottom of the 8th when Xavier Phlipot lined an opposite field two-out RBI single for the extra inning walkoff. While those two instances took place in one postseason, it's hardly the start of Coach Phlipot's success.

Over his eight year career at Russia, Phlipot has already racked up 173 victories. That's an average of almost 22 W's per season. Back in 2022 Russia won a school record 25 games and last year broke that record when they won 26. Also, coaching first base during all those wins has been assistant coach Aaron Monnin. Monnin was recognized in 2023 by the Miami Valley Baseball Coaches Association as an Assistant Coach of the Year. The duo of Phlipot and Monnin, along with dugout coach Scott Phlipot, will once again aim to rally their program when the Raiders open the season a week behind schedule on April 1st. 

Hayden Quinter and Felix Francis are

used to playing on Ohio's biggest stage

(Picture by Cara Daugherty)

You won't hear Russia coaches, players or fans complaining about the late start. It's due to another long run by the basketball program earning another trip to the state tournament. In fact, Russia has qualified boys teams to state tournaments the last four consecutive sports seasons. In addition to their basketball team making the Final Four last weekend, the golf team qualified for state the first time in school history this past fall. Prior to that, the above mentioned 2023 baseball team played in the state final on the heels of the basketball team's run to the state semis. If you include Russia's state baseball championship in 2022, that all adds up to five state tournaments in six seasons. To be clear, nobody in Russia is miffed about a delayed Opening Day!

This spring the Raiders are returning plenty of athletic talent from all those state tournament teams. However, they do have a couple monumental baseball questions to address this campaign. The elephant in the room is currently pitching depth. Graduated now is the most successful hurler to wear a Raider uniform in Xavier Phlipot, evidenced by an astounding career record of 23-2, including two state tournament wins. Then there's classmate Ross Fiessinger who was an innings-eater that capped his senior year with a pitching record of 7-0. In addition, last year freshman Cooper Francis debuted on the bump as a future star, but today is toeing the rubber at Oakwood in Dayton where he earned a win earlier this week throwing five innings with nine strikeouts. Those three departures could loom large early this spring. The second tough question folks are debating about over breakfast at The Russia Inn, is how to replace the graduated centerfielder named Zane Shappie. Not only was the new alumnus a human vacuum cleaner in the outfield his entire high school career, plenty of former teammates will also tell you Shappie was the spark plug that fired the Raider's engine.

Brayden Monnin has a baseball background including a dad that was once SCL Player of the Year

Jude Counts looks to finish strong

Did I mention Russia was really good at rallying when adversity strikes? Don't expect the program to panic about pitching or their next centerfielder. The Raiders will be led by seven seniors in their last hoorah before graduation and it begins with 2023 All-SCAL honorees Brayden Monnin, Hayden Quinter and Felix Francis. Monnin can play all nine positions and was the second leading hitter last year with a .354 average. He also tied for the team lead with 11 doubles, along with being second in runs batted in with 31. The veteran Quinter manned the hot corner at 3rd-base, drove in a team high 34 runs, and was third on the team in stolen bases. Francis played on the right side of the infield and outfield, while also utilizing his speed between the bases to finish second on the team in runs scored and steals. Quietly flying under the radar by everyone except Raider fans, is another senior that's produced multiple big moments in Russia's run to the state finals the last two years, and that's Jude Counts. The versatile fielder has a rocket arm and powerful bat that is certain to create a few more highlights before he's finished. Ben Rinderle showed folks an early glimpse of his pitching potential last year as a junior when he earned the save in a 4-3 win at D-I Kettering Fairmont. The bulked up lefthander will give Russia an intimidating look from the mound this season. Senior Adam Hoehne enjoyed the proverbial "cup of coffee" with a loaded varsity team last year getting two hits in just four at-bats. Hoehne will be counted on to contribute for an entire big league schedule this spring. Finally, exchange student Matteo Morelli will wrap up his Russia experience learning the definitions of a can of corn, suicide squeezes and a 4-6-3 double play.

Braylon Cordonnier pitched 48-1/3 innings last season with 57 strikeouts, 5 walks and a 1.16 ERA

The junior class may add another half dozen to the Russia roster. Of course it begins with Braylon Cordonnier, who already has enough baseball accomplishments to fill a scrapbook. The reigning SCAL Player of the Year verbally committed to Marshall University back in October and will anchor both the Raider's pitching staff and batting order. Expect wishful opposing pitchers to go after Cordonnier at the plate all season, with slim bragging hopes of getting the powerful lefthander to pop up or ground out. Vince Borchers, Zeb Schulze and Micah Grieshop are three returnees from both state tournament teams that all contributed in limited action last season. Borchers was present for 22 of Russia's 33 games and had six hits, seven walks, seven stolen bases and a .353 batting average. Schulze played 13 games and had five hits with a .312 average. Grieshop appeared in 6 games and had three hits with a .333 average. Any part of that trio could be factors in Russia's equation this spring. Zeb Borchers and Benjamin York each recorded their first varsity hits last year while also enjoying the tournament trail to Akron. Both will look to earn more varsity playing time this year.

'Coop' caught on Opening Day

and at the state final

There's not much room remaining on another established varsity roster, but the sophomore class is budding with talent and might have a big impact. Cooper Unverferth introduced himself last year as a freshman at Russia's first practice and was immediately hired for full-time catcher. He also cranked out 15 base hits and 20 RBI before proceeding into a loaded summer of travel baseball. Those extra swings could result in a big 2024 for maybe the youngest guy on the lineup card. Maddox Goubeaux pitched a complete junior varsity schedule in 2023 and will now audition his skills for varsity. The southpaw would no doubt be a welcome addition to the pitching staff while Russia's coaches search for quality arms during their compacted April game schedule.

Russia's program was forced to cancel four scrimmages in March and regrettably, also this Saturday's Prep Baseball Report Spring Classic at Wapak playing Kettering Fairmont. After some schedule reshuffling, the Raiders will now open the regular season April 1st at Houston, April 2nd at Versailles and April 5th hosting Anna, before attempting to defend their St. Henry Invitational title in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 6th. Fans should be sure to check the Fish Report blog this season for team updates and future game broadcasts.

Russia fans have a history of fully supporting Raiders Baseball