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Team Previews
Huntingdon 25-16
1/23/07
Huntingdon looks to build off of last
year's state tournament appearance. With some key pitchers returning high
expectations will be set coming into the spring. However, many questions
need answering as 6 starters were lost from last year's squad. The biggest
con-cern lies at the catching position. Caleb Crocker(SO), Keenan
Collins(SO), Ben Carter(FR) will all challenge for this imporatant role.
Crocker was the back-up last year but playing 3 sports will require him to
make up lost ground
as the other two will have a two month head start on him. Collins has a
lot of ability but must mature as an individual before he can be counted
on. The other concern is 1B. Spencer Clifft(.342, 7 2B, 29 RBI), Lucas
Dill(JR), and Will McClure(SO) will compete for this job. Clifft is an
experienced DH and will be expec-ted to contribute offensively whether it
is at 1B or DH. Dill could provide a big target(6'3", 250 lbs.) but the
coaching staff is waiting for him to turn the corner at the plate.
McClure's work ethic will gain him some at-bat's if not a starting role.
The OF is wide open with the loss of 3 seniors last year. The top three
candidates seem to be Colton Dill(SR), Blake Burke(JR), and Brayden
Baxter(JR). All three have some experience but must learn to rebound from
adversity. The infield should be solid
with the return of SS Cody Crocker (.400, 12 2B, 19 RBI) and 2B Brandon
McCormick(.358, 7 2B, 22 RBI). McCormick will make the transition from 3B
to make room for Ripley transfer Cole McAdams (.398, 13 2B, 26 RBI). For
us to be successful as a team these 3 players must produce on a daily
basis. Other who have the chance to contribute are Colin Laman(JR), Kevin
Smothers(JR), Jaime Webb(JR), Kyle Adams (SO), Travis Rich(SO), Jay
Pierce(FR).
The Mustangs return 20 of 25 wins last year on the mound. The staff is
lead by the top two pitchers from last year: Cody Crocker (10-0, 69K. 1.03
ERA) and Walters State signee Spencer Clifft(7-4, 70 K, 3.89 ERA). These
two absolutely must carry the load for us if we expect to be there in the
end. Colton Dill (2-2, 20 K), Blake Burke (1-4, 26K) and Cole McAdams seem
to be top candidates for the 3rd starter. It will come down to who can
compete in a pressure situation. The X-Factors could be
Colin Hatch(SO), Keenan Collins(SO), Lucas Dill(JR), Will McClure(JR), or
Caleb Crocker (SO). All have the ability to be quality pitchers but
someone must take the lead if they expect to see the mound this spring.
Dylan Clifft(FR) may also contribute and may be that crafty lefty who can
give us some innings.
Our keys to success this season are like every other year. A leader or
leaders must emerge coming out of pre-season practice. The season will
rise or fall based on the performance and attitude of the seniors. We must
execute offensively and use the small game to create big innings when
needed. We must make the routine play on defense and play big in big
games. Players and coaches alike must adopt a
blue-collar attitude and work at a high-level consistently. TEAM must come
first!! McKenzie 29-8 State Champions
2/14/07 What in the world will the
McKenzie Rebels’ baseball team do for an encore? The Rebels concluded a
29-8 record with a Class A state championship in Murfreesboro last may, a
2-0 victory over a potent and vaunted Forrest Rocket team that was 34-4
going into the title round. MHS coach Jeremy Maddox, who was named the
Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association
Class A coach of the year in 2006, will have a bit of rebuilding to do
this year, but if things fall into place, his Rebels could be a formidable
come May.
The Rebels lost eight seniors from last year’s title team, including Class
A player of the year Drew Hayes, who struck out 12 Forrest batters in the
championship game. Hayes was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks last sum-mer.
Those eight seniors each made a contri-bution and losing them to caps and
gowns will leave Maddox with huge spikes to fill.
But don’t stick a fork in this team too soon. The challenge will be to
replace the entire outfield, find a solid pitching rotation and fill the
right side of the infield. All-state utility man Glenn “Bugs” Smith will
return for his senior campaign.
Smith was a versatile player for the Rebs, pitching, playing shortstop and
the outfield this season. He hit .390 with 23 runs, 41 hits, 37 RBI, nine
doubles, two triples, two homers, 10 walks and eight stolen bases. Smith
played in the Blue-Grey Baseball Classic in Murfrees-boro, which features
top high school seniors across the state.
Junior catcher Drew Brown has been solid behind the plate since the second
half of his freshman year. He had two big doubles in the state-tournament
round-robin battle with Summertown, so his hitting skills are improving as
are his receiving skills. His arm has gotten stronger and he is a
contender for all-state consider-ation at some point. Junior Parker Jones
will anchor third base and made several big plays
there last year, including a bang-bang double play at the state tournament
and another one in the substate round at Adamsville last season. Jones
gave way to then-senior Craig Broadbent as the designated hitter, but
Jones can swing the bat and will likely handle his own affairs at the
plate this year.
Smith and Jones can pitch, too. Smith was a starter last year, the #3 man
in the rotation. Jones had quality appearances as a freshman. Junior Clint
Kee is expected to step up on the hill and will see help from 6-5
sophomore Tyler Holt, lefty sophomore Nick Chappell and junior Derek Carr.
Carr will see time in the outfield and perhaps at shortstop. Junior Tyler
Reeder will be a candidate at first base as could Holt, with his height
advantage. Finding a second baseman and a solid outfield will be the
biggest obstacles for Maddox in pre-season.
The Rebels will be young, but the sophomores and juniors vying for playing
time this year have had some significant junior varsity inn-ings as well
as summer baseball experience and the crew has been together for a long
time, so chemistry won’t be a problem.
The Rebels face a challenging schedule, includ-ing contenders from Class
A, 2A and 3A in addi-tion to a couple of demanding tournaments through the
course of the season. Huntingdon looks to be the pre-season favorite for
the District 13A title this year, but if McKenzie jells through the course
of the season, the Rebels could be a team to watch in May.
Clarksburg 6-12
2/27/07 Top Returning Players
1. Matt Simpson, SS/P, (12th).
2. Clint Beacham, SS/P, (11th).
3. Seth McDaniel, 3B, (12).
Pitching needs to hold its own as Simpson and Beachum will split time
between shortstop and pitching. Looking for someone to step up and eat up
innings when 1 and 2 starters are not on the mound. Executing offensively
and getting timely hits will determine how successful we can be.
Defensively, we have to make the routine play and not give teams extra
outs. Bruceton Central 14-14
3/12/07 The Central Tigers return
seven starters from a team that finished 14-14 in 2006. District 13A is a
solid with State Champion McKenzie and yearly power Huntingdon. The Tigers
should prove to have a team that scores a lot of runs. Three time HM All -
West TN centerfielder, Michael Weatherly will lead the Tigers. He is a
career .400 hitter who is solid in CF. The core of Tigers are juniors led
by All-District
C- Alex Matlock, LF - Jarrett Watson, and 1B Nick Bryant. Billy Stevens is
a 2 yr returning to play SS. Tanner Stepp was 7-2 as a starter as a junior
but missed the entire 2006 season with an injury. If he can stay healthy,
he should be the ace of the staff. The Tigers will have to assemble a
pitching staff by comittee with several players including Stepp, Stevens,
Matlock, and Watson. Junior Chad Jordan will be a key player for the
Tigers in the OF and on the mound. The 2006 Runner - Up Mr. Football
is a big time athlete with great power and a great arm. The Huntingdon
Mustangs are loaded but everyone else in the district seems even on paper.
Hopefully, the Tigers can make a run for the regional game in May. |
Team Previews |
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Team Previews
Humboldt 20-18
1/3/07
Offensively, new guys will have to
fill in for lost seniors. Humboldt only graduated four, but they
accounted for well over 60% of the team's RBIs and extra base hits.
Returning at the top of the order is Josh Hawks(SR) with a .368 avg and
who set a new school record with 26 stolen bases in 2006. Our only
other senior is Will Parker Roe, a four year starter in the outfield.
A positive is that the Vikings have a lot of competition on the field this
year for starting
positions. "Hopefully, this will push our guys to reach their potential,"
added coach Greg Scott.
A big surprise in 2006 was the emergence of Tyler Jackson at the top of
our rotation. Now only a sophomore, Tyler came through as a freshman with
a record of 5-3 and a 3.19 ERA and went head-to-head with Drew Hayes in
the regional semi-finalat McKenzie. The Vikes also got a big year from
another freshman, Drew Hopkins. He looks to move into the starting
rotation after a 2.94 ERA and 4 saves in 2006, in a relief role. Several
others could compete for the rest of the spots in the rotation and
bullpen. Clint Brown (JR), Charlie Simpson (JR), Joey Blanken-ship (SO),
Bryan Wilhaucks (JR),Daniel Dougan (SO), Chris Brasfield (JR), and Josh
Hawks (SR) could all see time on the mound.
"Keys for our success don't really change from season to season. We will
have to become a sound fundamental ball club to be successful. Our
focus will be on throwing strikes, playing solid defense, and being able
to put the ball in play on offense," said Scott.
More specifically, a young team will have to find a consistent starting
lineup to be able to gel by postseason time. "We lost our big RBI guys
from last year, so running the bases effectively and keeping our strikeout
totals low will be essential," Scott concluded.
Union City 27-4
1/15/07 Union City lost
several starters from last season. Some young guys will be asked to
step into some large roles. Sophomore Colton Speed (2b,ss,p) will be
a mainstay in the line up with fellow classmate Camron Sherwood (ss,p).
Craig Lowrance, a junior, will be asked to many things this year as well
as make the move to the outfield to solid up the loss of 3 starters out
there. Andrew Keathley is big strong guy who will play first or third base
along with pitching duties. Taylor Bruff will help to
fill a void at the catcher position which will be fairly new for the
former middle infielder. Phillip Vernon a senior brings great speed
to the outfield and play a large role offensively running bases and moving
runners. B.J. Marshall a sophomore will vie for time in the outfield and
on the mound.
Craig Lowrance will be leading the charge on the field this season. A
Junior this year he will assume the ace role with his overpowering
fastball and good breaking ball. He lead all major statistical categories
in pitching for the Tornadoes as a sophomore. Andrew Keathley is slated to
be in the rotation this year provided he stays healthy which has been a
problem in the past. Camron Sherwood shows signs of having the tools to
become a valued hurler. Colton Speed will also spend time on
the hill.
The key to success for this season will be for a few young players or
maybe unproven players to step up and be contributors. We have been mainly
an offensive team in the past. However, I believe defense will the strong
suit for our team this year. Halls
21-11
1/23/07 Top Returning Players
1B - Chris Hardy - Jr.
2B - Cody Dew - Jr.
SS - Craig Davis - Soph.
3B - Alex Aitken - Sr.
Cory Heath - Sr.
OF - Dane Smith - Soph.
OF - John Gilliland - Sr.
OF - Nathan Johnson - Jr.
C - Leamond Arthur - Sr.
Utility - Zach Hutcherson - Sr.
DH - Michael Coley - Soph.
Others who will help:
Adam Haynes - Utility - Sr.
Josh Hixson - DH - Soph.
Stephen Depriest - OF - Soph.
Josh Pratt - OF - Soph.
Todd Aitken - C/utility - Soph.
Pitchers:
1). Cody Dew - Jr.
2). John Gilliland - Sr.
3). Michael Coley - Soph.
4). Craig Davis - Soph.
5). Dane Smith - Soph.
6). Josh Hixson - Soph.
7). Chris Hardy - Jr.
8). Nathan Johnson - Jr.
Young and inexperienced pitching staff. The coaching staff won't know how
most of these pitchers will respond until faced with live hitting. The
pitchers have done an outstanding job of working hard and developing this
off season and hopefully all of this hard work will pay off.
"We need to greatly improve offensively, from top to bottom, from last
year. Players have come in better prepared and eager to improve," said
coach Mike Blackwood.
A large group of young and talented players will join the team this year
adding much needed depth and competition in certain areas of the team. |
Team Previews Middleton
20-14
1/18/07
With 8 starters returning, Middleton
coach Scott Wilbanks has high expectations for
his team.
On the defensive side, we will have everyone in the same place except for
centerfield, in which Senior Bryan Sutton will take over. Joining Bryan
will be Juniors Ethan Howell and Logan Griffith. Leading the infield will
be Senior catcher Logan Howell and Senior short-stop Jason Patterson. 2nd
Base will be handled by Freshman Matthew Kirk and 3rd will be hand-led by
Sophomore Brian Hodge. First Base will have a duo of Junior Alex Vales and
Sophomore Drew Webster when they are not on the mound.
Pitching should be better than last year as experience will help prepare
them for district play. The Tigers will be led by Jason Patter-son, Alex
Vales, Drew Webster, Matthew Kirk, and Brian Hodge who were responsible
for 16 of the 20 wins last year.
"The keys to be successful this year will be to stay healthy, stay
focused, and make the rou-tine plays. Mental mistakes cost us games last
year we should have won," said coach Wilbanks.
Fayette Academy 12-11
1/22/07
Will Johnson 12 SS/2b/RHP AVG .329,
23-70
Davis Cocke 10 OF/P .392, 20-51
Rodney Tatum 11 C/P/OF
Jacob Bussenger 11 C/OF
Kyle Bliss 11 C/IF
Steven Logan 12 P/IF 2-1, ERA 4.13.
For Fayette Academy to have success this season we must come together as a
team and understand that we play baseball for an audience of ONE and that
being Jesus Christ. I challenge my kids to give everything they got not
just in a game but in practice so they would be good
stewards of the ability that God has so graciously given them. I hope to
encourage
them not to do things for personal glory but in all their actions they
desire to bring Jesus glory for He is worthy. I also try to encourage them
that they have a sacrificial attitude toward their teammates. I feel that
if we can do this regardless of our record being great or average, I feel
that we will be successful.
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