Ontario's Gage and Carter Weaver cherishing state tournament baseball journey

ONTARIO — As Ontario junior pitcher Carter Weaver struggled to find the strike zone during the Warriors Division II regional semifinal game, he received a short mound visit from his older brother, senior shortstop Gage Weaver.

Carter thought big bro had a piece of advice like a way to fix a hitch in his mechanics or a few encouraging words to boost his confidence, but that isn't how older brothers roll.

Gage lipped a quick, harsh message telling him to get his head out of his rear end (only in terms more suitable for the situation) and throw strikes because no one can hit him. As Gage jogged away back to his position, Carter was likely thinking to himself, 'You just better field this ground ball and make the play.'

Ah, the joys of playing baseball as brothers.

The mound visit worked as Carter buckled down and got out of the inning by limiting the damage. The Warriors went on to win 12-6 before beating Defiance in the regional title game 7-3 the following day to claim their first state tournament appearance since winning it all in 1994.

The Weavers grew up together not only playing baseball together but also soccer and basketball on the same teams so the firey passion for athletics and competition they share didn't happen by accident. They both push each other, hold each other accountable and expect the most out of one another. The standards they hold each other to are sky-high and, in turn, the expectations they have of themselves are even higher.

It is just one of the many reasons why the Ontario Warriors are set to take on Washington Courthouse at 1 p.m. on Friday at Akron's Canal Park in the Division II state semifinals. The state finals are set for 4 p.m. on Saturday. It will be the final weekend the Weavers get to play high school sports together, a moment they are remembering to cherish.

"It is pretty incredible actually," Gage said. "We grew up together and always went to each other's games and now, to be on the same field is an honor and a privilege just to leave our marks together. It is such a good feeling."

A surprise to anyone who has a sibling so close in age, Carter agrees.

"It is so cool," Carter said. "I think we both overlooked how great it would be to play together when we were younger. But to make it this far and now we are going into our final week as high school teammates means a lot to us. We are taking it very seriously but making sure we enjoy the moments."

Success is no surprise to anyone who knows the Weaver Boys. Gage is an All-American soccer player and had multiple All-Ohio honors in the sport. He owns the career scoring record in soccer and will be heading to Ashland University to continue his baseball career. This season, he has hit .404 with 44 hits including 10 doubles with 17 RBIs and 28 runs scored.

Carter has been watching his big brother succeed since they were toddlers and it was those times when he just sat back and watched Gage's movements on the field that helped him develop into the player he is.

"I think it is just his work ethic," Carter said. "Every year, he works harder and harder and every year, he gets better and better at everything he does. He has grown into a good all-around baseball player, and his IQ is off the charts.

"Going to his games when I was younger and just watching what he did on the field taught me so much. There were times when his travel coaches would let me dress for their teams and that was huge for me growing up. I just watched him and all of his teammates and took a lot away from that."

All of that watching and learning has paid off for Carter. He enjoyed a breakout season where he hit .453 with 48 hits including seven doubles, three triples and a home run while adding 27 RBIs and 23 runs scored. On the mound, he went 6-1 with a 3.18 earned run average with 51 strikeouts in 50 ⅔ innings. He allowed just 23 earned runs all season.

His standout season helped him earn first team All-Ohio honors in Division II. Gage admits Carter's success isn't by accident.

"Obviously, we are an athletic family, but Carter is one of the hardest workers you will ever see," Gage said. "He works hard on the field and does just as much off of it. He was an average player growing up, but he is the best player on our team now because of his work. He has progressed so much and has become an excellent player but an even better brother and teammate."

As for the All-Ohio honor, big brother couldn't be more proud. Already on the Ontario Wall of Fame for his own accolades in soccer, Gage cannot wait to see Carter's picture right beside his.

"I am so proud," Gage said. "Hopefully, they can put our pictures on the wall right beside each other. That would be really cool and a dream come true. He has earned that just because of the work he put in to get there. He deserves it."

While most of the time, it is all love between the Weaver Boys, like all other siblings, there is time for disagreements and battles. Ontario coach Mike Ellis is the one who usually plays peacemaker on the field when the two start jawing back and forth at each other like siblings are supposed to do.

"It is really cool to watch them and their high level of competitiveness," Ellis said. "They both love to compete and they are absolute opposites. Gage is my quiet leader and Carter is a very vocal guy. There are times when they can be too competitive like when Carter is pitching and Gage makes an error and it costs Carter some more pitches, there starts to be some jawing back and forth. Or if Carter walks a guy, Gage gets on him. So I have to tell them to knock it off, but that is just those two being ultimate competitors and expecting the best out of each other."

Which is why they are so successful. When someone expects more out of you, you tend to give it everything you have. It is what drove them since youth leagues to be the best they possibly can be and now, they are the leaders of a state semifinal baseball team. Ellis, who played with his brother in high school and enjoyed similar success at Wynford, sees how the Weaver Boys push each other and feels blessed to be their coach.

"I have a brother and we were 11 months apart so we were always on the same teams so I totally understand that competitiveness," Ellis said. "I have been blessed just to watch those two. I heard so much about them when they were coming up through youth league and junior high. Parents would tell me, 'Wait until those two come up.' And they were right. The way they compete in the weight room or with extra batting practice is impressive. There are times we have a hard practice and when you leave, you see them go to the weight room to get some extra work in. You don't see that from very many high school kids these days."

So, if Ellis has to step in and break up a little sibling fight every now and then, so be it. He will gladly do so to keep the competitive fire burning.

And the next time he sees Gage take a quick stroll to the mound to give Carter some brotherly words of encouragement, he knows he doesn't need to hear what is said. He knows Carter is about to bear down and get the Warriors out of a jam.

Ellis will then smile and chalk it up to just brothers being brothers.

[email protected]

740-244-9934

Twitter: @JakeFurr11