Lakewood Mayor Meghan F. George today announced that LHS Rangers Varsity Baseball Team and Coaching Staff will serve as the Grand Marshals of the city’s annual Fourth of July Parade.
The parade is scheduled to step-off on Lake Avenue at Kenneth Drive at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and concludes at Lakewood Park.
The Lakewood Rangers Varsity Baseball Team was the only baseball team in Ohio to finish their regular season undefeated with a record of 25-0. The team set new records in runs scored and home runs and outscored opponents 270-56 in 25 games. They were back-to-back District Champions in 2025 and 2026 and were the 2026 Cleveland West Conference Champions. The team was also named the 2026 OHSBCA Division II Poll Champions.
Individual team members also received accolades for their incredible season:
- Drew Jones was named 2026 OHSBCA Division II All-Ohio Player of the Year NEOBCA Division II All-District Co-Player of the Year.
- Riley Verderber was named Pitcher of the Year for the NEOBCA Division II All-District Team and was named to the OHSBCA Division II All-Ohio Second Team (Utility Player).
- Cooper Russell was named to the NEOBCA Division II All-District First Team and OHSBCA Divsion II All-Ohio First Team (Shortstop).
- Nick Hart was named to the NEOBCA Division II All-District First Team and OHSBCA Division II All-Ohio First Team (Outfield).
- Finn Schroeder was named to the OHSBCA Division II All-Ohio Second Team (Catcher).
- Head coach Grant Graves was named the Division II NEOBCA Coach of the Year.
“We are so incredibly proud of the Lakewood Rangers Varsity Baseball Team and its coaching staff,” said Mayor Meghan F. George. “They had an amazing season and they have made the Lakewood community proud. These talented players and their coaches gave it their all this year and accomplished so much. We couldn’t think of a better way to honor them than making them the Grand Marshals of the parade so the entire community can celebrate their successes.”
Joining in the parade will be musical favorites the Lakewood High School Ranger Marching Band, St. Edward Marching Eagles, Lochaber Pipe Band and The Red Hackle Pipe Band.
At.7:00 PM, the Lakewood Project, Lakewood High School’s Youth Rock Orchestra, will perform at the Bandstand at Lakewood Park.
The Fourth of July celebration will conclude following Lakewood’s annual fireworks extravaganza, set to begin at approximately 9:45 PM.