Whiteoak head coach Chris Veidt earns 500th career win; Wildcats defeat St. Joseph

When Whiteoak head coach Chris Veidt was enshrined into the Ohio Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2024, he had achieved 462 wins. Fast-forward a couple years later, and it was another milestone the WHS head coach reached, as now he’s in rare company with 500 career wins. 

Veidt — who has coached at Whiteoak for 35 seasons and has the field named after him — became the 43rd baseball coach in OHSAA history to have at least 500 career wins when the Wildcats won on Saturday against the Ironton St. Joseph Flyers by a 10-1 score at SJHS. 

Veidt’s first win as Wildcats head coach was in April 1992, his first game at the helm of WHS where the Wildcats defeated West Union, 4-1. 

This win was the first of the milestone wins to take place on the road, as Veidt’s 100th, 200th, 300th and 400th career wins all came at Whiteoak High School.

Veidt spoke about what it was like knowing he was nearing the 500-win milestone. 

“The moments leading up to it were status quo for me. I honestly didn't give it much thought. Then, two semi uncomfortable events occurred, one it would potentially be on the road as our next four scheduled games were as such, and the bigger one, my wife and daughter are leaving town next week for a wedding,” Veidt said. “For some reason, I always pictured it being at Whiteoak High School, most likely because the other milestone wins had been (100, 200, 300, 400). The second one made me uncomfortable because it was very important to them that they got to witness it, and obviously I wanted them there.”

The Whiteoak head coach had many people to thank for all that led up to the milestone victory, 35 seasons in the making. 

“To be at one school for 35 years tells you this victory isn't about one person or one moment in time. It is a collection of past events. The support I've had at Whiteoak High School is like no other. Whiteoak High School and the Bright Local School District made it possible,” Veidt said. “I've been honored to coach tough, smart kids. To have excellent assistant coaches and the support of the administration and school board is second to none.

“I have quality players because they were raised by quality parents and educated in a quality school district. No player or coach is successful without a strong family support system. My parents raised me right and still attend multiple games each year, but the true heroes behind the scene are my wife, Kelli and daughter, Olivia. Without their OK and support, I don't make it to this point. You win with people, and my people made this possible – all my people.”

Bright Local School District Superintendent Jason Iles also spoke about Veidt’s accomplishment. 

“Coach Veidt has led the Wildcats for 35 years and has built one of the premier baseball programs in Ohio through his leadership, dedication and commitment to our student-athletes,” Iles said. “Five hundred wins is a remarkable milestone and a true reflection of the impact he has made on generations of Whiteoak players and families. Congratulations, Coach Veidt, on this incredible achievement. We are proud to celebrate this special day with you."

Whiteoak scored two runs in the top of the first with Abe Flader and Lucas Pollard crossing the plate for the 2-0 score. The two runners reached the bases with Flader drawing a lead-off walk to start the game, followed by Pollard also drawing a walk. Flader finished the game 2-for-3 with four runs, a triple, a walk, a HBP and three steals. Pollard ended the game at 1-for-3 with a run, two RBI, one walk, one HBP and a steal. 

Before Pollard’s walk, Flader stole second base, and later in the inning Pollard also had a steal of second. Jonah Michael then forced one of his two walks for the Wildcats to load the bases, and Christian Hite helped Flader score a run with a walk while earning an RBI. With two outs, WHS increased the score to 2-0 when Jude Michael also forced a walk, bringing home Pollard. 

After Whiteoak forced a 41-pitch first inning, they scored two more runs in the top of the second with a 28-pitch inning, as Flader tripled to left field and then scored a run on a balk called by the umpire for a three-run lead. 

Whiteoak took a 4-0 advantage in the top of the second as Izayah Clift — who drew a full-count walk to reach first base — reached second via a balk and then stole third base. Clift — who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one RBI, one walk and a steal — scored the fourth Whiteoak run on an error by the catcher. 

After St. Joseph scored their lone run in the bottom of the second, WHS added two runs in the top of the fourth with Flader and Clift, again, scoring runs for a 6-1 advantage following a hit by Pollard for two RBI. 

Whiteoak completed their scoring in the top of the fifth with four runs as Flader, Karson Arey (1-for-4, one run), Jacob Kiley (1-for-2, a double, one RBI, one walk, one HBP) and Gabe Michael (2-for-3, one run, a double, one RBI, one walk) all rounded the bases, with RBI going to Clift, Gabe Michael and Caden Butler as it was Butler who caught the final out of the game, securing the 500th career win for the Wildcats. 

Gabe Michael was the winning pitcher, improving to 3-2 on the season, Michael pitched a complete game and in those seven innings on the mound allowed one earned run on seven hits and three walks with one strikeout, facing 30 batters. 

“My 500th win is not something I openly shared or talked about. My family knew, my assistant coaches knew, and they took care of the rest. I appreciate the Wildcat faithful and the handful of my friends that made the trip to Ironton,” Veidt said. “That meant the world to me. Honestly, the game went on like any other. The kids played one of their most complete games of the season, and things were running smoothly until about the fourth inning when the threat of rain entered into the picture. That made the situation a bit anxious for me, more so because of the people who had made the trip for the win and my family’s soon-to-be obligations. 

“As the fifth passed, some anxiety passed, but at that point, it just didn't seem right unless we got all seven in (with the exception of the run rule). As we entered the bottom of the seventh, the rain picked up and we walked the leadoff hitter. Gabe Michael, who pitched a whale of a game, settled in and continued his dominance. When centerfielder Caden Butler camped under the final out, it was an emotional moment for me. 

“At brief interludes during the game I would reflect on past moments,” Veidt continued. “Family sacrifices, support staff and signature victories from the past 35 years that made this moment possible. Like quick internal highlight reels, for lack of a better explanation. When the final out was recorded, everything just flooded my system, and the kids flooded me with ice water, and a very well planned dousing at that.”

BOX SCORE
WHS     220 240 0 — 10 9 1 
SJHS    010 000 0 — 1 7 2