The Mayfield Wildcats baseball team enters the 2026 high school baseball season looking to build momentum behind a strong senior class and a roster blending experience with promising young talent. After finishing 10-17 overall and 3-7 in the Western Reserve Conference in 2025, the Wildcats return four starters and eight letterwinners determined to take a step forward this spring.
Head coach John Razzante believes the biggest change inside the program has already taken place before the first pitch of the season.
“The one big thing I can say about this year is this team will not quit,” Razzante said. “From the very first day, these seniors have stepped up and changed the culture and what it truly means to be a Mayfield Wildcat. I am extremely excited to see what this group of kids can accomplish this year.”
Tough Schedule Designed To Prepare Wildcats For The Postseason
Mayfield will face a challenging slate of games in the WRC, but Razzante believes that type of schedule is exactly what his team needs.
“We have a very tough schedule ahead of us this year, but setting the tone early, this is exactly what we want to have us prepared for the end of the year,” Razzante said. “We have gained a lot of pitching this year and a lot of young talent all around.”
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The Wildcats are expecting a season filled with learning moments, but the coaching staff believes the team will be playing its best baseball when it matters most.
“I’m expecting some ups and downs, as with any season, but we will hit our stride at the right time and then there will be no looking back,” Razzante said.
Young Players Step Into Bigger Roles
While senior leadership will anchor the team, several younger players will be asked to contribute in important spots early in the season.
“One of our biggest challenges this spring will be gaining experience in some key spots,” Razzante said. “We have a few younger players stepping into larger roles, so early in the season it will be important for them to adjust to the speed and expectations of varsity baseball.”
The coaching staff’s approach will focus on steady improvement and preparation as those players gain experience.
“Our approach is to focus on daily improvement, preparation, and trusting the work we put in during practice,” Razzante said.
Work Ethic And Chemistry Highlight Wildcats Strengths
Razzante said the team’s biggest strengths could come from its competitiveness and the chemistry developed during the offseason.
“One of our biggest strengths is the work ethic and competitiveness of this group,” Razzante said. “The players have done a great job preparing in the offseason and pushing each other to improve.”
That chemistry, he added, often makes a difference during the long grind of a baseball season.
“We also have good team chemistry, and when players enjoy competing together it makes a big difference over the course of a long season,” Razzante said.
Playing Complementary Team Baseball
The Wildcats believe success will come from playing well in all phases of the game rather than relying on one standout player.
“We trust ourselves and trust the program we have bought into,” Razzante said. “This year will not be about one single person carrying us all the way.”
Instead, the Wildcats want to focus on executing as a complete team.
“It will be about how well we can play complementary team baseball all year long,” Razzante said.
Projected Lineup Features Veteran Leadership
Senior Frankie Menta will anchor the defense behind the plate at catcher.
“Frankie has stepped up this offseason as a great leader in our program,” Razzante said. “He is the exact type of guy you want behind home plate directing the defense.”
At first base, senior Ethan Claflin returns after hitting .253 with a .655 OPS, 17 RBI and 11 walks last season.
“Ethan is the foundation of the team,” Razzante said. “He’s a guy that everyone rallies around and has some great pop in his bat that should be fun to watch this year.”
Sophomore Chase Ziance is expected to handle second base after gaining varsity experience late in his freshman season.
“Chase came up at the end of last year as a freshman and had the composure and work ethic of a varsity player right away,” Razzante said. “With more time and more experience, I expect Chase to play a big role for us for the next couple of years.”
Senior JD Sega returns at shortstop after producing a .244 average, .677 OPS, 15 RBI, 17 walks and 10 stolen bases in 2025.
“JD has been a plug and play guy the past two years and will continue to be that guy this year,” Razzante said. “His energy he brings to the team is infectious, and he will continue to be the spark plug when we need it.”
Senior transfer Danny Locker will play third base and hit in the middle of the lineup.
“Danny’s leadership has been made apparent right away with him transferring in,” Razzante said. “Not necessarily by the way he speaks, but by example. He is never the one to point fingers, he owns up to his mistakes and learns from it right away.”
Razzante expects Locker to be a major contributor on both sides of the ball.
“He is going to be a lockdown third baseman for us this year and a staple in the middle of the order for us. I am very excited to see what this young man can do.”
In the outfield, senior Danny D’Agostino will patrol left field.
“Danny is just a pure athlete that is going to be able to go compete and be a danger on the base paths,” Razzante said.
Junior Ben Koret returns in center field after an impressive season that included a .325 average, .888 OPS, 27 runs scored and 19 stolen bases.
“Ben will continue to be a top of the order guy for us,” Razzante said. “Whenever something needs to happen, it always seems to be Ben making the play or starting a rally.”
Koret’s ability to get on base and create offense makes him a key piece of the lineup.
“He gets on base any way possible, and when he’s on, he becomes a threat right away.”
Senior Danny Ramacciatti will start in right field.
“Danny is a senior leader that puts his head down and works hard every single day,” Razzante said. “I am excited to see what he can do this year.”
Junior Tyler Carcelli is expected to contribute as the designated hitter.
“Ty has really impressed me this offseason with his growth and progression,” Razzante said.
Deep Pitching Staff Could Be Key For Wildcats
Pitching depth could be one of the Wildcats’ biggest advantages this season.
Junior Connor Mize returns after posting a 2.35 ERA with a 1.436 WHIP in 31.1 innings and 21 strikeouts last season.
“I was very happy with how Connor handled the situations he was put in last year,” Razzante said. “I am excited to see what he can do this year.”
Junior Andrew Rigelsky is expected to be another reliable arm in the rotation.
“Andrew’s command on the mound is going to be key,” Razzante said. “He works hard, and is one of the smartest pitchers on the team.”
Freshman Dario D’Agostino has also impressed early in preseason workouts.
“Dario showed up and stood out right away this preseason,” Razzante said. “He is going to be a bright spot in our lineup for years to come.”
Locker and D’Agostino are also expected to contribute innings on the mound, while junior Ben Selby adds another arm to the pitching staff.
Mayfield Wildcats Baseball Outlook For 2026
With a senior-led roster, deeper pitching staff and several younger players ready to emerge, the Mayfield Wildcats baseball program hopes to take a step forward in the Western Reserve Conference this season. If the culture shift described by Razzante continues to take hold, the Wildcats could develop into a dangerous team as the 2026 season unfolds.
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