|
Team Previews
McMinn County 14-18
1/31/08
53
The Cherokees will return 7 of 9 starters to the line-up
this year. Leading the pack is Bailey Turner(Sr , Catcher).
Bailey hit .404 last year with 6 Hrs, and 38 rbis. He will also be counted
on to anchor down the catching duties once again this year. Another strong
player returning for his JR season will be 1st base/Pitcher Heath
Comerford. Heath hit .353 with 25 rbis for the Cherokees last
season. The Cherokees will also be looking for big things out of utility
man Andrew Smith. Smith who is a Jr. can play anywhere in the
infield, but will likely get the nod in the outfield this season. He hit
.314 with 28 rbis as a sophmore last season. Andrew was one of the
teams best hitters at the end of last season. Also returning is Sr
outfielder Tanner Quirk. Quirk has had a good summer and fall and
has improved his hitting ability greatly. Look for Quirk to anchor
down right or left field. Another returning starter is Jr Case
Roberts. Roberts hit .304 last year with 12 stolen bases. Case
is one of the fastest guys around and can be a huge asset when he is on
base. The Cherokees are also hoping for the return of sr ss Will Matthews,
who missed all of last season with an injury.
Projected 2008 Line-up
C-Bailey Turner Sr
1b-Heath Comerford Jr
2b-Case Roberts Jr/Trevor Wade Sr
3b-Jakob Saffles Jr/Andy Singleton Jr
ss-Will Matthews Sr/Case Roberts Jr
Of-Tanner Quirk Sr
Of-Andrew Smith Sr/Drew Masingale Fr
Of-Dakota Falls Jr/Cody Heifnar Soph
The Pitching Staff will be lead again this year will be Sr. Blake Elrod
and Jr Heath Comerford. Blake was 6 and 5 last year, but he gave us a
chance to win in every game and will be expected to do this same this
season. Heath, like Blake will also be a district starter and with
good command of 3 pitches he will be looked to, to lead this pitching
staff. Heath was 4 and 4 with a team low 3. 45 era. Also returning to
pitch this season for the Cherokees will be: Sr Bill Calla, Jr Adam
Powers,
Other newcomers that might get some quality innings this season are: Soph
Travis Smith, Soph Wesley Swafford, and Jr Dakota Falls.
To be successful this year... "we will have to have great Sr leadership,
and continue to get better ever day. This team can be good if they
stay focused on one game at a time," said Coach Howard.
Cumberland County 2-30
1/31/08 56
The 2008 Jets will return seven lettermen from last season
but will again feature a lineup of extremely young talent. Twenty of the
Twenty-five man roster are freshmen and sophomores.
Top returners that must once again have solid seasons are:
Matt Jones - So. - hit .313 as a freshman
Tyler Sherrill - Sr. - hit .310 as a junior
Outlook by position:
Infield -
1B - The first base duties will be shared between So. Bryan Woodlief and
Jr. Brad Wyatt.
2B - The second base duties will be shared between So. Cody Davenport and
Fr. Koby Wilson.
SS - Shortstop will be anchored by So. Matt Jones with Fr. Koby Wilson
seeing time while Jones is on the mound.
3B - Third base duties will be shared by Sr. Tyler Sherrill and Fr. Derrek
Hankins.
The Jet infield must improve defensively from last year. With many
starting spots still open, offensive production from these players may
very well be a deciding factor.
Catching- Sophomore catcher Daniel Forte returns having caught the
majority of innings a season ago. Offensively he must become more
consistent and defensively he must make large improvements or he may be
pushed by Fr. Derrek Hankins or Sr. Landon Lasalle.
Outfield- Defensively this is the area where the Jets must improve most.
Solid outfield play is a key to overall team success. The lone
returnee from last years squad is Jr. Shawn Scott. Sharing duties
with him in the outfield could be any of the following:
Sr. Tyler Sherrill
So. Justin Davis
So. Cody Davenport
Fr. Josh Sanders
Fr. Derrek Hankins
Fr. Terryl Bowen
Fr. Kyle Pritchard
Pitching- Junior Shawn Scott will anchor the pitching staff. The RHP saw
much improvement the end of last season through the summer and appears
poised to lead the Jet staff. Matt Jones threw several innings as a
Fr. last season and will be the Jets #2 arm.
The rest of the Jets Staff
So. Bryan Woodlief
Fr. Bryan Srock
Fr. Ty Thompson
Sr. Cameron Pritchard
Sr. Landon Lasalle
Sr. Tyler Sherrill
Fr. Terryl Bowen
Fr. Jacob High
Fr. Derrek Hankins
Key to success in '08 - The Jet sophomores and freshmen must mature very
quickly. The future looks promising but offensive consistency and
overall improved defense must emerge for success to come in 08. If
so, the Jets have the potential to play spoiler in District 5-3AAA.
Cleveland 29-11
2/11/08
69
www.eteamz.com/RBHSBaseball
The Lions will be led by five senior's, catcher
Craig Barker (Cleveland St.), Cullen Clabo RHP/1B (Cleveland St.), Brandon
Ward LHP/OF (Cleveland St.), Jake Ledbetter LHP/OF, and Jesse Johnson 3B.
The Lions will also see some new faces on the diamond this season.
Juniors Kacy Bembry and Jeremy Bales will help anchor the middle infield,
while junior Alan Walden helps from the mound and at 3B.
The Lions will definitely depend heavily on an experienced pitching
staff. Returning to the mound are seniors Brandon Ward 7-1, 1.28
ERA, Cullen Clabo 5-2, 2.38 ERA, and Jake Ledbetter. Junior's Hunter
Adkins, Alan Walden, and Jeremy Bales will also be a large part of the
pitching staff this season. Sophomore Travis Roberts will also get
innings this year.
To be successful this year we... Must play well defensively. We will
not be good enough offensively to score a ton of runs. We will rely
on pitching and defense to defend the District 6AAA title.
Next School |
Team Previews
Riverdale 23-17
12/7/07 008
www.riverdalewarriors.com The
Reservation will have plenty of new faces this year as the Warriors return
only two everyday players,
in senior shortstop Axel Watson (.222 BA) and junior utility player Cory
Crunk(.333 BA, .480 OBP), from the 2007 season. Senior catcher Brett
Lanning was 2007's starting catcher before suffering a season ending back
injury in late March. The Warriors will rely heavily on proven leadership
and character to help with the graduation of six starters.
2008 Projected Line-up:
C- (Sr) Brett Lanning
1B-(Jr) Cory Crunk/(So) Jordan Davis/(So) Richie Pearl
2B-(Jr) Sam Underland
SS-(Sr) Axel Watson (.222 BA)
3B-(JR) Cory Crunk (.333 BA, 480 OBP)/ (So) Richie Pearl
LF-(So) Jonathan Fischer/(So) Maiki Egawa/(Fr) Zach Hart
CF-(So) Ryan Stephens
RF-(Sr) Josh Brawley
DH-(So) Cole Radabaugh/(So) Maiki Egawa/ (Sr) Andrew Retzlaff
The Warrior pitching staff returns the most experience
of the 2008 team
and will be heavily relied upon to lead this team to their goals of 2008.
They will be led by senior Austin Hurt (7-2, 57 IP, 1.89 ERA, 7AAA
All-District), juniors Brian "Squeak" Davis (2-0, 25 IP, 3.82 ERA, 22 SO),
Sam Underland (1-2, 19 IP, 19 SO). Senior- Brenton Tyring, juniors Cory
Crunk, Derek Desmarias, Jimmy Gilbert, sophomores Chris Orphanos and
Jeremy Burns along with Freshman Johnathan Frebis, will all play important
roles in the structure and success of the pitching staff.
"To be successful this year we must continually develop
exceptional leaders along with being a team that welcomes challenges while
never compromising or taking our opportunities for granted. We have
developed a certain identity and we feel it is very important to live it
out every "Night Out" ", said Coach Messer.
Blackman 20-19
1/3/08
018 The 2008 Blaze return 6 starters from a
year ago. Kirkland Wheeler (Sr) and Robbie Cooper (Sr) return to
anchor the pitching staff. The duo will be relied upon heavily
during the year. The combo will also hold down the middle of our
batting order. Wheeler will see time as the teams right-fielder when
not on the mound while Cooper will see time in the outfield as well as 1st
base. Tyler Brewer (Jr.) and Justin Bowers (Jr.) also return as
outfield starters from a year ago. Justin Bowers returns as the
teams starting CF and has good speed, excellent throwing arm, and very
good instincts. Tyler Brewer led the team in
outfield assists last year from his leftfield position. Both Bowers
and Brewer will be relied upon heavily to produce offensively. Dylan
Myers returns as the starting catcher from a year ago, but will be pushed
by Hunter Mitchem (jr), Brandon Dillon (So), and Zander Weil (Fr).
The shortstop position will be anchored by 3 year starter Mitch Cox.
Cox looks to have a breakout year offensively. He also needs to be
steady defensively at shortstop and the leader of our infield for the '08
squad to be successful. The DH and 1st base duties will be performed
primarily by junior Jonathan Sisco. Sisco could also see time at 3rd
base. A part-time player last year, the Blaze expect Sisco to have a
huge offensive year.
The Blaze have holes at 3rd base and 2nd base
respectively. The Blaze look to replace the programs all-time career
hits leader, Frankie Beech, at second base. A number of players will
be in the running for the position. The Blaze will also have to fill
a void at third base left by Ryan Cole, the programs all time single
season and career doubles leader. There are several upperclassmen as
well as underclassmen working hard to fill the void and as a result find
themselves in the starting lineup on opening day.
Left-handed Junior pitcher Brandon Campbell looks
to find his way into the rotation as he had a productive summer.
Consistency will be the key for he Junior lefthander. Campbell
proved how good he can be as he no-hit N.W. Whitfield, GA last spring.
While also serving as the teams DH, Jonathan Sisco will toe the rubber the
the '08 Blaze as well. Right-handed Junior pitcher Jayme Loving
looks to find his way on the bump to log innings this year as well.
He has proven to be durable and dependable. Ross Mitchell (So) looks
to provide depth to our bullpen as well as being an excellent starter.
Mitchell comes from a baseball family with both his dad, Charlie, and
uncle, John, having pitched in the big leagues.
"To be successful this year we must do the things
all good teams do: get timely hitting, consistent pitching, and make
the routine plays defensively. If we do that we will have a
successful year", added Coach Treadway.
Oakland HS 42-2
1/15/08 35
The 2008 Oakland Patriots will return eight players who saw
considerable playing time in 07: SR.(David Lipscomb signee) 1B/P Tennyson
Dodd .427,12HR, 45RBI , SR. OF Phillip Parsley .383, 6HR, 43 RBI,SR. 2B
Seth McConnell .315 31 RBI,JR.3B Scott Ward .230 2HR, 29RBI, SR. C Colby
Fisher, SR. LHP Brett Wilson, JR. RHP Cody Barrett, and JR. LHP Taylor
Clark. These players will man the same positions in 08 with the exception
of McConnell who will probably move over to shortstop after playing there
last year when Tyler Burnett (MTSU) pitched. The 2B position will then be
wide open for someone
to fill.
The outfield lost starters P.J. Polk (Tennessee), Marcus Barnes (Memphis)
when he did not pitch, and Andrew McGowan from 07, but returns Phillip
Parsley who has good instincts and a strong arm. One spot figures to
be filled by SR. Jordan Wright once he becomes healthy. Jordan adds speed
to the lineup along with a strong throwing arm. The other position will be
filled by whoever shows he can hit and play consistent defense on a
regular basis in the pre-season.
A championship team must be strong behind the plate. With the graduation
of Drew Fann (Vanderbilt) the team will count on SR. Colby Fisher who
caught several key games last year and Soph. Matthew Schaller who also saw
playing time.
Bret Wilson - Sr., LH, 10-0, 1.42 ERA, 59 innings, 82 Ks, 13 BB.
Tennyson Dodd - Sr., RH, 1-0, 4.40 ERA, 11 games, 14 K, 14.1 innings.
Cody Barrett - Soph., 4-0, RH, 1 save, 1.60 ERA, 35 innings,
Taylor Clark - Soph., LH, 5-0, 2.96 ERA, 26 innings.
Cheshire Rigler - Sr., RH, 1-0, 4.50 ERA.
Andy Morrow - Sr., LH, 4.70 ERA.
To be successful this year our team must have consistent pitching
throughout the year, execute defensively, be able to produce at the plate
with runners in scoring position, and consistently execute the little
things that win championships.
Siegel 21-13
1/31/08
55
The 2008 Stars
will be looking to fill several shoes that graduated last year. This
years team will be led by senior Taylor Barrett who hit .278 last year and
led the team in runs and stolen bases. He has been voted captain by his
teammates and is the true leader of this team. Sophomore Corey Moore
is the only returning every day starter for the Stars. He is an
outfielder that hit .284 last season. Junior catcher Joseph Prather,
Senior outfielder Bradford Spence, and Sophomore outfielder Josh Shaffer
are the only other players that saw significant time last year.
Taylor Barret is the only player we have that I know will be in the line
up opening day. The other 7 defensive positions will be decided
through competition after practice starts and may not be truly decided
until tournament time. Infielders fighting for playing time will be
Seniors Lee Reed and Tyler Rowlison, Juniors Brady Dove, Patrick Schloss,
Neil Robinson, Barry Bartlett, and Freshman Tyler Fullerton.
Outfielders fighting for time will be Senior Bradford Spence, Junior
Christian Taylor, and Sophomores Cory Moore, Michael Duvall, and Josh
Shaffer. The catching spot will be between Juniors Joseph Prather
and Will Sloan and Freshman David Kosinski.
The 2008 Stars pitching staff has a bit more stability than the
defensive positions. We feel we have 3 solid starters returning
along with a good compliment of fresh faces. Junior Neil Robinson
should be a solid #1. He was sidelined last year with a slight tear
in his elbow after having a very strong freshman year. Is arm has
healed and has looked very strong in preseason bullpens. The #2
starting spot will be between Junior southpaw John Ackerman and Sophomore
Carter Watson. John had a solid season last year with a 2-2 record
and 4.83 era. Carter Watson is coming off a strong freshman year
with a 3-1 record and 3.64 era and 44 strikeouts in only 32 innings.
Others that will add depth to the staff are Seniors TJ Sanders, Ryan
Bratten and Jake Holliday, Juniors Christian Taylor, Connor McClain, Matt
Roberson and Barry Bartlett, and Sophmore Jordan Sims.
To be successful this year... "we .have to rally around each other and
become teammates that love and play for each other. We have had some
character issues over the last year and showed a lot of selfish-ness.
I feel this team is talented enough to compete in our district, but we
must grow out of our "ME FIRST" mentality and play like young
men," stated Coach Reavis.
Next School |
