Clay Fertig’s baseball journey has taken him from Ashtabula County, across various parts of the country and back.
The Conneaut graduate is in his first season coaching Geneva’s varsity baseball team. He takes over for Terry Hejduk, who was the county co-coach of the year in the 2024 season.
“I wrestled and played golf in high school, but baseball is my primary sport,” Fertig said. “It’s such a mental game. There’s no clock.”
Last season, the Eagles went 15-7 overall, 8-2 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division. Geneva fell to eventual D-II state champion West Branch 9-1 in the Division II district game at Louisville High School.
This season, third baseman Andrew Oros (a Walsh commit), first baseman Austin Murphy, infielder Trenton Parra and outfielder Noah Hicks are seniors on the squad.
“We have a sophomore core,” Fertig said. “Our goal is to compete and win a [CVC Lake] conference title.”
Juniors on the roster consist of shortstop Logan Rustic, outfielder Owen Davis, catchers Nick Kustala and William Dushney, right fielder Kenton Fobell and outfielder Noah Hicks.
Center fielder Bryce Juncker, pitcher-first baseman Brendon Fobell, pitcher-second baseman Ryland Besco and infielders Kaiden Cottrell and Nathan Hutchens make up the sophomore class.
“We have a solid infield, we’re quick, and pitching is effective,” Fertig said. “Over the season, our bats will get going.”
Fertig said plate approach, a competitive mindset and consistency with the pitchers are key elements to the season.
“The big thing is no walks, developing pitches and being able to locate pitches,” he said.
When Fertig played at Conneaut, the Spartans weren’t even in a conference or played Pennsylvania schools.
“We’re looking forward to play the county teams,” he said.
After graduating from Conneaut, Fertig played a season at Division III Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts.
Fertig joined the Army. He has spent time in South Carolina, Kansas, Texas, Korea and Hawaii.
“I wasn’t ready for college,” he said. “I needed that time to grow up. It was a good experience.”
Fertig also played for the USA Military Baseball Team, traveling to such places as Kansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
“A lot of guys in the military played baseball,” he said. “We played against collegiate summer teams. It was good competition. I was able to be on the mound again.”
Fertig earned as Associate Degree in General Studies, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on HR Management and is in the midst of obtaining a MBA with a focus in Corporate Strategy from Rice University.
He is interning as a program manager for LEADERship Ashtabula County.
Fertig is focused on making a positive impact with youth programs.
“We want to be able to compete,” he said. “We’re there to coach young men, and take on challenges.”
Coaching is about much more than just the game, according to Fertig.
“The first week [of practice] we had a bonding session,” he said. “Every Saturday, we have team bonding, and a speaker spoke about mental aspects. We want to win, but it’s more important about life.
“The lessons learned through hard work, teamwork, and perseverance go far beyond the diamond, and I’m eager to help these student-athletes reach their full potential.”
Seth Negin is Geneva’s JV coach, while Jonathan Fobell, Kaleb Giles and Travis Kiser are assistant coaches.
Negin, a 2024 Madison graduate, is coaching his second sport with the Eagles, just completing the boys basketball season. He played basketball and baseball for the Blue Streaks.
“When I heard about the baseball opening, I was excited about the opportunity,” Negin said. “It feels like a family. We’re trying to teach young men through baseball.”
