St. Vincent-St. Mary High School proudly congratulates Head Baseball Coach Ben Shepherd on his recent induction into the Greater Akron Area Baseball Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor recognizing his outstanding contributions to the game as both a player and coach.
A graduate of Ellet High School, Shepherd was a three-year varsity letterwinner from 1996-1998 and established himself as one of the area’s top players during his senior season. In 1998, he earned First Team All-City honors while batting an impressive .420, leading his team in triples and RBIs while driving in more than 30 runs. His exceptional performance earned him team honors as Most Valuable Player, Best Defensive Player, and Most Improved Player.
Following his standout high school career, Shepherd continued his baseball journey at the University of Akron, where he was a member of the varsity baseball program in 2000 and 2001. During the 2001 season, he led the team in pitching appearances, showcasing the work ethic and competitiveness that would later define his coaching career.
Shepherd’s impact on Northeast Ohio baseball has been equally impressive from the dugout. He spent 17 years as the Head Assistant and Pitching Coach at Tallmadge High School, helping develop countless student-athletes and contributing to one of the area’s respected baseball programs.
He then took over as Head Coach at Beachwood High School, where he quickly found success, leading the program to back-to-back league championships and sectional championships during his two seasons. His accomplishments earned him recognition as a two-time Chagrin Valley Conference (CVC) Coach of the Year and a two-time Greater Cleveland Baseball Coaches Association (GCBCA) Coach of the Year.
Now in his third season as the head coach of the St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish, Shepherd has continued to elevate the program. Under his leadership, the Irish have captured two sectional championships, finished as district runner-up, earned the 2025 District Championship, and recorded a 20-win season.
Coach Shepherd’s Hall of Fame induction is a testament to his lifelong dedication to baseball, his commitment to developing young athletes, and the lasting impact he has made on the game throughout Northeast Ohio.
The entire St. Vincent-St. Mary community congratulates Coach Shepherd on this remarkable achievement and is proud to celebrate this well-earned recognition.
