At the time of his selection, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior shortstop and right-handed pitcher had led the Crusaders (22-3) to the No. 1 seed in Region 3 of the Division I state tournament this season. Ponatoski entered the postseason batting .437 with 29 RBI and 22 runs scored along with two home runs. The reigning Gatorade Ohio Football Player of the Year, he also stole 10 bases and recorded two saves in three innings of relief on the mound.
Ponatoski has maintained a 3.84 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.
Ponatoski has volunteered locally with the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, a local baseball facility just for athletes with special needs. He has also donated his time as a youth football referee and instructor at youth football camps.
