
Biggest strength, weakness for college football's top 25 teams
Discover the strengths and weaknesses of college football's top 25 teams as spring practices unfold.
Bellevue baseball team achieved a shutout victory against Sandusky, winning 8-0 on April 17, 2026. Ike Brown played a key role in the game with his pitching performance.
Bellevue's Ike Brown looks in for a sign. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Ike Brown delivers a pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Cooper Winke beats a throw and slides in safety with a double. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Caden Lindsey slides in safely with a double. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Sam Bollinger rounds first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
The final score was Bellevue 8, Sandusky 0.
Ike Brown was a standout player for Bellevue, contributing significantly as a pitcher.
Bellevue shut out Sandusky on April 17, 2026.
To shut out an opponent means that the opposing team did not score any runs during the game.

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Bellevue's Grant Musser makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue coach Andy Dennings sends Sam Bollinger home after tagging at third base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue assistant Todd Brown checks in with Sam Bollinger after his single in the second inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Ike Brown pitches in the sixth inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Caden Lindsey makes a play at third base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Grant Musser races for first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Grant Musser makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Cooper Winke rounds first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Brock Beacham makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Drew Dennings throws a pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Caden Lindsey makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Belleve's Caden Lindsey throws to first base for the game's final out. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Ben Chapin makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue coach Andy Dennings heads back to the dugout at the end of an inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Brock Meacham races to first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Cooper Winke looks to score in the second inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Ike Brown makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue coach Andy Dennings talks to Sam Bollinger after a play at third base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Cooper Winke scores in the second inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Tatum Gore makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Sam Bollinger makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Sam Cooper tracks down a fly ball. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Brock Meacham slides home safely after a wild pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Caden Lindsey races for first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Cooper Winke makes a play. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Cooper Winke races for third base and looks to score. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Drew Dennings delivers a pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Drew Dennings makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue assistant Todd Brown greets Brock Meacham after his single. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue's Caden Lindsey makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue coach Andy Denings waves Caden Lindsey around third base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Ike Brown looks in for a sign. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Ike Brown looks in for a sign. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Ike Brown delivers a pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Cooper Winke beats a throw and slides in safety with a double. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Caden Lindsey slides in safely with a double. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Sam Bollinger rounds first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Grant Musser makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue coach Andy Dennings sends Sam Bollinger home after tagging at third base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue assistant Todd Brown checks in with Sam Bollinger after his single in the second inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Ike Brown pitches in the sixth inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Caden Lindsey makes a play at third base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Grant Musser races for first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Grant Musser makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Cooper Winke rounds first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Brock Beacham makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Drew Dennings throws a pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Caden Lindsey makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Belleve's Caden Lindsey throws to first base for the game's final out. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Ben Chapin makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue coach Andy Dennings heads back to the dugout at the end of an inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Brock Meacham races to first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Cooper Winke looks to score in the second inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Ike Brown makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue coach Andy Dennings talks to Sam Bollinger after a play at third base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Cooper Winke scores in the second inning. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Tatum Gore makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Sam Bollinger makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Sam Cooper tracks down a fly ball. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Brock Meacham slides home safely after a wild pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Caden Lindsey races for first base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Cooper Winke makes a play. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Cooper Winke races for third base and looks to score. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Drew Dennings delivers a pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Drew Dennings makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue assistant Todd Brown greets Brock Meacham after his single. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue's Caden Lindsey makes contact. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
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Bellevue coach Andy Denings waves Caden Lindsey around third base. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
As a catcher, Drew Dennings is on an island.
He's used to it and the Bellevue baseball senior likes it there. He's one piece of a strong run-prevention formula and the group has improved with a bat in hand this season.
"Behind the plate, everyone is trusting you to block a pitch or throw a runner out," Dennings said. "Even on an off day, you have to stay consistent on defense. The coaches trust they can call whatever pitch they want. The mentality that I'll do more on defense.
"A lot goes through me behind the plate. There are eight other guys on offense. On defense, you have to get the job done."
High school baseball Fundamentally, Oak Harbor baseball not afraid of anyone
Dennings was first-team in the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division the last two years. He was second-team all-conference as a freshman starter.
"I've been able to be around different players and learn," he said. "It's good to hear coaches talk about my game. The growth aspect. The goal is to help the team and find the little things to become better. Every year, I work on something to improve."
Dennings wants to be even more consistent this season.
Bellevue's Drew Dennings delivers a pitch. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
He continues his career and plans to study education at Bluffton University.
"Anywhere at the next level is a great opportunity," he said. "Everyone has to work for a spot. I'm excited to stay close to home and play at the next level. Coach (James) Grandey gave me excitement to go play there."
Senior Reid Claus plays first base, senior Grant Musser second base, classmate Cade Lindsey third base and first-team all-conference junior Ike Brown is at shortstop.
"He's the guy I'm putting up for the last at-bat," Dennings said. "In Ike Brown's hands. He's been successful and he keeps getting better and better. My role as the No. 2 hitter is to get on base or advance a runner, because everything is hard contact with (Brown).
"He's a quiet leader at shortstop. He makes the plays. He comes in pitching to help us win ad he's expanded his game."
Bellevue's Ike Brown looks in for a sign. Bellevue shut out Sandusky 8-0 on April 17, 2026.
Bellevue players embrace the process.
"We trust my dad (Andy Dennings) and Coach (Todd) Brown," Dennings said. "We listen and believe in them. It's put us in the spot we're in right now. We've put ourselves in a spot as a team to make a run in the playoffs and have a shot at a league title."
Senior Sam Cooper plays left field and junior Sam Bollinger right field. Senior Tatum Gore is designated hitter and senior Chase Hofstatter is a key defender as a newcomer in center field.
Junior outfielder James Gish and senior outfielder Brock Meacham are also in the mix.
Junior Blake Sutherland fronts a pitching rotation with junior Cooper Winke, left-handed classmate Ben Chapin and Dennings. Lindsey is also an option, with Brown, Musser and Gore available in relief.
"Blake finds a way to throw a lot of innings," Dennings said. "He's a bulldog. He finds ways to get an out. To stay up and focus on the next batter. I trust him to get the job done."
Dennings allowed no hits and struck out five in 3⅓ innings in a start in an 8-0 shutout of Sandusky in the SBC Lake Division.
"I credit where I am pitching-wise to the coaches," he said. "Go out and throw strikes. I don't overwhelm people, but I find ways to get outs. Any ball in play, we have a chance at an out. I have a responsibility not letting people down."
Bellevue is 7-2 to start the season, without a loss in the league. It trails Perkins 3-0 in the top of the seventh inning in a suspended game that must be finished this year.
"We've improved offensively," Dennings said. "Last year, it was a struggle with the bats to score runs. We've picked up our game. The bats won't be going every game, but we've found a way to hit the ball better. We're sound on defense and the bats have put us in the position we're in."
A setback to Clyde in the final league game last season prevented Bellevue from sharing the championship with Perkins. Dennings won an SBC crown as a freshman.
"It's always very competitive," Dennings said. "Every game is a battle in our league. You always have long-term goals. A league championship, a tournament run. For us, game by game we need to find a way to win no matter what. Worry about the little things right in front of you."
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Bellevue OHSAA baseball trusts the process