Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Canfield senior Ben Slanker patiently waits for a pitch during a home contest against Howland earlier this season. Slanker is hitting for a .473 average with 16 RBIs and four triples.

CANFIELD — Baseball is a game where success is less probable than failure. A quick glance at Ben Slanker’s offensive numbers reveals that he has nearly found the equilibrium during his senior campaign at Canfield High School.

Slashing a blistering .473 at the plate, with an on-base percentage of .594, a team-leading 16 runs batted in, and four triples, Slanker has been one of the more dangerous threats to pitch to this spring.

There’s a reason why he’s a Division I talent, but the Ohio University commit credits his teammates for his success more than anything else.

“It really means a lot to have the players in the dugout, they have faith in me. It gives me an extra boost in the box, just to see if I can produce for the team,” Slanker said. “It’s pretty special growing up with all of these guys, we’ve created a bond over the years. I’m very blessed and honored to be a part of this team and part of this community.

“I couldn’t ask for better players or even better people.”

When Slanker first started playing baseball as a youngster, he was originally a shortstop but eventually moved to the outfield as he grew older, a position he feels is his “fit.”

Canfield (10-3) is a program that’s had heavy expectations over the past few years. With such a large and impactful senior class graduating last spring, Slanker was one of the pieces that was going to be leaned on for success in 2023. And so far through this season, Slanker has exceeded both as a player and a leader.

Growing up a Pittsburgh Pirates fan and seeing the way Andrew McCutchen handled himself with his teammates as the captain was something Slanker admired and carried on into his preps career.

“We had to step up after a great senior class last year, Landon, Nate, Ryan, Jake, Josh, they told us to keep it going, keep the tradition here at Canfield. Play with respect, respect the game and just play hard and have fun,” said Slanker.

More so than anyone, Canfield coach Gary Knittle has seen Slanker’s progression over his career for Canfield.

“He’s changed his approach a bit this year, it’s something he’s worked really hard on during the offseason trying to stay really calm and not so animated at the plate,” said Knittle. “He’s seeing the pitching really well, his two-strike approach has improved this year, that’s something he really worked on. Even as a team we’ve preached that you have to find a way to get on.

“He’s electric, the home run he hit here against Boardman, I think it’s the first ball we’ve had hit off the top of the scoreboard, so he’s seeing the ball really well, and as a team, we’re doing it one through nine.”

Fellow senior AJ Havrilla (Marshall University commit, .545 BA, .670 OBP, 12 RBI), along with junior Michael Patellis (.485 BA, .630 OBP, 11 RBI) have boasted impressive numbers, along with Logan Cayavec, Scottie Eaton, and Zain Jadallah, who are all over the .300 mark for batting average.

Knittle sees that Slanker walks the walk when he’s at the plate though and the younger members of the team have noticed.

“He’s always been a very humble, quiet kid. He lets his actions on the field speak for themselves,” Knittle said. “Whether it’s throwing a guy out — he’s thrown out three or four kids at the plate this year, and he takes pride in that. That gets the team moving, he’s not a talker, but he leads by example. I think McCutchen is like that to an extent.”

Baseball has truly become a year-round sport, even in the Mahoning Valley as the Cardinals take cuts within their indoor facility on a rainy afternoon. Slanker has seen plenty of baseball over the summer and fall seasons as he also takes the field for Team Ohio Pro Select and the Astro Falcons at Cene Park in Struthers.

It’s that grind that led to Division I offers, but the choice to become a Bobcat was clear. Both Slanker’s parents and sister are Ohio University grads.

All roads lead back to Athens.

“I love the campus, I really created a bond with the coaches. I love them, I respect them and I think they respect me,” Slanker said. “I think it’s pretty cool to carry on the legacy there.”

Every athlete has their own superstition, although some will say baseball players have the most. During the COVID year, Slanker and Havrilla grew their hair out and now sport headbands and have dyed their hair during the high school baseball season.

Has the spring look become a good luck charm for the Division I bound duo?

“Oh, definitely. We’ve gone blonde the past four years now, I’ve always liked it and think it looks sleek,” said Slanker. “Coming here into practice every day, I usually put a headband on, I feel comfortable and relaxed just knowing I have it on.”

The weather has thrown a wrench in the team’s plans this week, but a key two-game series against Austintown Fitch on Thursday and Friday will play a pivotal role in deciding the All-American Conference champion.