Nemeth leaves behind a legacy

By DJ Watson Harrison News-Herald Sports Writer CADIZ —

The dust has settled on the frenzied run to the State Championship game for the Harrison Central Huskies baseball team.

As players and coaches alike move into summer routines, there’s one thing that is certain is 2023 senior Treston Nemeth on a ballfield.

That’s because it’s what Nemeth has always done, it’s all he’s ever known. The D-1 University of Dayton commit started playing baseball at five years old, and he has shined at every level along the way. From T-ball to Cooperstown, and Mazeroski Field to Akron, his impact on the Harrison Central baseball program will linger for years to come.

However, it may be what he did outside of competition that raised the bar.

“Everybody sees what Treston does on the field, but what he does off the field is so much more important, and I think that is what we will see influence the community more in the coming years. He was a leader of our ‘Huskies Way’ Committee at the school, he volunteers with our youth sports, he was the valedictorian of his class, and so much more,” Head Coach Mike Valesko said.

It’s clear Nemethis more than a “good baseball player.” Ask anyone that has spent time around the young man, and you are more likely to hear stories about his polished character and determined demeanor than you are to get a rundown of his athletic attributes.

It’s certainly not a short list of achievements, and what makes it more impressive is that the slugger only suited up for three high-school seasons due to the pandemic claiming his freshman year. Nemeth was named First Team All-Ohio in all three of his seasons in a Harrison uniform. He also sealed the hat trick with the OVAC 4A Player of the Year Award, and the East District Player of the Year crown, winning both in three consecutive seasons. He earned Prep Baseball Report First Team All-State honors three times, and was named to the PBR Elite 25 list for his performance this past spring. The jewel of all the awards came in early June, as Nemeth was named the OHSBCA Ohio Div. III Player of the Year.

Nemeth etched his name into the HC record books multiple times as well. His name will go on the clubhouse wall for career batting average (.534), career RBIs, career doubles, and career homeruns. He was early to the party with the HR mark, as he broke it as a sophomore.

The future Dayton Flyer rose to the top in three different single-season ranks as well. His eight homeruns in 2021, his 42 RBIs in 2023, and 37 walks in 2023 all set single-season records.

Nemeth spent most of his career behind the plate, but this past season he did whatever his team needed. Including spending a significant amount of time on the mound.

“He’s such an unselfish kid, he played five different positions for us this past season to help us win,” his high-school coach commented.

Nemeth himself sees his individual success a little differently. “Baseball is as much of a team game as it is an individual game. People tend to get caught up in the individual stats of the game, all the while contributing success to a single individual. None of the success of my high-school career would’ve been possible without a great group of teammates, coaches, school, and community. Support from all of these parties can build up a team and create success,” he said. nd for one final time, Nemeth delivered one of the school’s most popular sign-offs. “As always, Go Huskies!” he said with a smile.

The best way to finish a story about Nemeth’s career at Harrison Central, may be to let him finish the story himself.

“Our community support this year was unbelievable. They stood us by through the good times and bad. After losing the OVAC semis and Buckeye 8 Championship, many people around the Valley had written us off. Everyone except for the people of Harrison County,” Nemeth said.

Looking forward, he is nothing but positive. “I’m excited for the next step in my career. It has always been a dream of mine to play at a higher level. I am excited to have the opportunity to compete for a starting spot next spring. I’m not sure exactly what position they have in mind for me defensively, but my bat will definitely be a huge factor for them (Dayton). I am never going to forget my time and career at HC. It will always be home to me. So now it’s time to show the country what Harrison County is made of,” Nemeth remarked.

“My teammates each year were great. Every player to wear a uniform wanted the best for the guy next to them. They are always working hard and never giving up. That is what creates culture. I’d like to think that my class created a culture that can be modeled for years to come. It showed going to have an impact on our baseball program for a long long time.”

Treston Nemeth led the Huskies to a state semi-final victory from the mound in Akron back in June. “I think being in a small town made our run at the end so special. It provided something for the community to rally around and to come together for. It was jaw dropping seeing all the fans at the semi-final game from the mound. It was an unreal and unforgettable moment,” he said of the game.

NH Photo/DJ Watson from Page 3

“The person that impacted me the most had to be Coach Valesko. Not only is he a great coach, but an even greater leader, mentor, and man. None of our team’s or my own success would be possible without him. He does so much for each and every one of his players. He is always going the extra mile to make sure we have everything we need on and off the field. He has to be the greatest coach I have ever played for and I love him like he is a member of my family,” said Nemeth. Pictured are (from left) Assistant Coach David Barcroft, Assistant Coach Brandon Mitchell, father Brent Nemeth, Head Coach Mike Valesko, Treston Nemeth, mother Shawna Murphy, sister Taylor Nemeth, Assistant Coach Brian Gossett, Assistant Coach Derek Madzia, and Assistant Coach A.J. Barcsh.

Lamar was convicted of aggravated murder in 1995 for the deaths of five inmates during a riot in prison. He received the death penalty for four of the killings. Ohio has not completed an execution since

2018. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, “pharmaceutical manufacturers are unwilling to sell [Ohio] drugs for executions and have threatened to stop selling medicines to any state agency if they suspect the drugs might be diverted from therapeutic use to use in executions.

A sales embargo could mean that the state would not be able to obtain medicines for treatment of patients at veterans’ homes, state and community drug-and-alcohol addiction services, and the Department of Youth Services.”

This issue has been ongoing since July of 2019 and Lamar’s execution is one of several executions have been postponed because of it.