The Galion Graders baseball club is excited to announce the addition of two new faces for the 2017 season. Sam Fondriest will serve as the new bench coach for the Graders. Fondriest was a former infielder and four-year letter winner at Walsh University, where he begins his third year as a graduate assistant and junior varsity coach. He was a three-year starter at shortstop and also started a season at second base for the Cavaliers.

He played four years for his father, Jeffrey Fondriest, at Tuscarawas Central Catholic where he received First Team All-IVC, All-Eastern District, and All-Ohio accolades. He earned his undergraduate degree in special education and is working on his master’s in education.

A.J. Cecil comes on board as the new pitching coach for the team. Cecil, a senior on the University of Findlay baseball team earned first team all-GLIAC honors in 2016. Hppeared in 16 games, threw 17.1 innings and struck out 18 batters for a 2.60 ERA and five saves. 

"We're excited to bring Sam and A.J. on board this season," said Graders skipper Taylore Baker. "Sam brings several years of solid coaching experience to the club from his experience at Walsh.

"A.J. returns to the Graders after making the roster in 2015 and 2016. This may be his first coaching job, but his pitching mechanics are solid and our bullpen stands to learn a great deal from his knowledge of the game."

The Galion Graders open the 2017 season on the road in Newark, when they face the Licking County Settlers June 9. The team's home opener is the following evening, June 10, when they take on the Grand Lake Mariners at 7:05 p.m. at Heddleson Field in Heise Park in Galion.