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Team Previews
Polk County
25-7
12/21
013
www.polkcountywildcats.com
The Wildcats return several key players from the 2007
club that set the school record for wins with 25. Brandon Bean, Will
Phillips, Ryan Qualls and Mike Hammons return to anchor the pitching
staff. Matt Allen and Steven Jackson return to the infield after
solid 07 campaigns.
Matt Allen (SS) .344BA Sr.
Brandon Bean (P-OF) .389BA (7-3)P Sr.
Mike Hammons (OF) .381BA 50 RBI Sr.
Steven Jackson (INF) .367BA 15 SB's Jr.
Ryan Qualls (C-P) .423BA (4-0)P Sr.
Polk County returns some key pitchers from 2007, but must remain healthy
throughout the year. Timely hitting, solid defense and young guys coming
in will be a key factor in the success of the ball club.
To be successful this year "we must stay healthy, compete and forget about
individual stats and play as a team. With the leadership of the
seniors I expect this team to compete for the district race, although I
know it will be tough, as our district gets better each year," added Coach
Triplett. McMinn Central
21-16 1/14/08
34 The 2008 Chargers will return eight of nine
position players along with their whole pitching rotation. The
Chargers will count on SR Britt Shaw who has signed with Tusculum College
to anchor the pitching rotation along with SR's Ethan Starr (signed with
Vol State) and Colby
Williams to anchor the line-up.
The projected starting line-up will be:
C-Seth Walker JR .411 BA 12 Doubles
1st-Colby Williams SR .354BA 21 RBI's
2nd-Mark Rayburn JR .318BA .936FP
SS-Dylan Coleman JR .322BA 10 Doubles
3rd-Ethan Starr SR .458BA 10 Doubles
LF-Shane Moses JR .377BA 5 Triples
CF-Matt Harper JR .263BA 9 OF Assists
RF-Taylor Cook JR/Hunter Brock JR/ or
Scott Moses FR.
DH-Matt Green SOPH/Taylor Cook JR/ or
Ryan Rayburn JR
The projected rotation will be:
SR-Britt Shaw 6-2 .66 ERA 74.33 inns.
JR-Matt Aderhold 5-5 2 saves 2.81 ERA
JR-Ryan Rayburn 4-2 5.25 ERA
SR-Ethan Starr 4-2 4.16 ERA
SOPH-Corey King 1-2 5.63 ERA
FR-Scott Moses
Closer-JR-Dylan Coleman 1-2 4 Saves 2.55
Other Pitchers: Matt Green, J.D. Cowart
"To be successful this year we...the Chargers must come together as a
TEAM. We have the talent to win however we must maintain a positive
attitude with our tough schedule and stay healthy in all aspects of the
game," said Coach Hart.
Meigs Co 27-10
1/21/08
43
Outlook by position:
Infield - The Tigers will be very young on the infield. Two Freshman, Jake
Rowland and Ryan Goins will start in the middle. Senior First baseman
Tyler more will be a mainstay at first if he can stay healthy. Third base
will be a competition between three player, Dakota McGinnis, Dillion
McKinney and Blake McDowell.
Catching- Senior leader Howie Meadows returns behind the plate. Howie hit
.410 13hr 50rbi as a junior last spring. Howie will have to have another
good year for the Tigers to stay in the race for the District.
Outfield- Sophomore Zach Rayl returns in CF after a solid Freshman year.
Senior Andrew Howard and FR. Spencer Crabtree will play the corner
outfield positions. There will be a lot of speed in the outfield, but Rayl
is the only returning starter. SOPH. Josh Niswonger and SR. Tyler Mobriant
could see time as well.
Pitching- Junior Dakota Mcginnis will anchor the pitching staff. The RHP
throws hard and has really worked on mechanics and control over the
off-season. Zack Rayl threw several innings as a FR. last season and will
be the Tigers #2 arm. Sophmore LHP Josh Niswonger has really come along
way since last season and will be called on to pitch the Tigers mid-week
games. There are several FR. that will have to throw some innings in
relief headed by Spencer Crabtree and Jake Rowland.
Schedule Highlights- The Tigers open up with Boyd-Buchanan then jump into
a tough couple of weeks highlighted by Bradley Central and Polk County.
The Tigers will play in the Roan County Tournament and the Sequatchie
Valley Classic. The Tigers open up with Sweetwater in District play and
end District play with McMinn Central late in April.
Key to success in '06 - Senior leadership will be crucial as the Tigers
will have several Freshman and Sophomores take the field this Spring.
Howie Meadows will need to have another good offensive season and Dakota
McGinnis will keep the Tigers in games with his strong arm but there will
have to be some other arms step up for the Tigers to have success. The
Tigers will play hard and see what happens in 2008.
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Team Previews
Livingston Academy 12-13
1/15/08 38
The 2008 Wildcats will be led by Seniors Clint Durham,
Todd Smith and Cody Winton. All three will be counted on to pitch as
well as to led a young team with their defense and leadership.
The Wildcats return seniors Clint Durham who won 5 of the Cats 12 games
last year. He posted a 5-2 record with a 3.70 ERA. Cody Winton finished
2-0 with one save and Todd Smith was 3-1.
"To be successful this year we must have the young guys to step up both
defensively and offensively. We should be competitive but must play hard
every game to come out on top," said Coach Swallows.
Macon County 24-11
1/21/08
48 The Macon Conty High School Tigers are
returning 6 position players that got significant playing time last year.
They include Senior Catcher Jeremy Phillips who is a wall behind the plate
and this will be his 3rd year serving as the team's backstop earning the
team's best defensive player each of the last year two years, he brings a
good bat to the middle part of the lineup while hitting .293 with 2 HR and
29 RBI with a .446 OBP last year. Senior 1st Basemen Christopher Knight
has seen some significant playing time the last two years, he is an
exceptional
leader for the team and they are expecting some big play out of him as
well as leading the team by example with his attitude and work ethic, he
hit .261 with 1 HR last year. Junior Infielder Max Manion who will bring a
big stick to the middle of the lineup led the team the last 2 years in
homeruns with 7 as a Freshman and 3 last year, he also hit .349 and lead
the team in RBI with 34 last year. Junior SS Mason Taft is as smooth as
they came at the shortstop position, he had a very good
defensive year while making only 3 errors last year, he came up with
several clutch hits late in the year as well as a couple huge squeezes.
Junior Utility player Kyle Grace is a valuable aspect to the team because
of the flexiblity he brings to the team he has proven to be able to play
every position on the field at a high level this is a huge plus for the
team to be able to move him all over the field to fill certain holes, he
also brings a very solid and reliable bat to the lineup. Sophomore
outfielder Nathan Rogers became a full time starter as a Freshman last
year a few weeks into the season after getting a shot to play and making
the most out of it, he was second on the team in hitting with a .354 BA
while hitting 1 HR and 18 RBI. Other players that the Tigers are counting
on that may see significant playing time are Senior Austin Kemp, Juniors
Lance Reid, Kevin Granett, Kyle Claywell, Brandon
Tuttle, Cody Murphy, Sophomores Terry Key, Zack Kempf, Cody Boone, and
Freshman Dyer McCall.
The Macon County High School Tigers lost their to 3 pitchers last year.
However, they should rebound very nicely with a few pitchers who have
shown that they can get the job done. Senior Christopher Knight has
seen action on the mound the last two years serving as the team's primary
reliever, he may remain in that role or he could be converted into one of
the starter's. Junior Max Manion will be one of
the team's top starters this year, he saw significant time last year
posting a 1.31 ERA with 34 Ks in 26 2/3 innings. Junior Cody Murphy has
seen sparingly action on the mound the last two years, but the Tigers are
expecting him to carry a big load of the pitching this year, last year he
posted a 2.63 ERA with 15Ks in 10 2/3 innings. Sophomore Terry Key is the
other pitcher who the Tigers will be depending a
great deal on this year, he is still young and has not had a lot of
experience at the High School level but he has shown that he has the
ability to be able to win games. Others that could see action on the
mound are Juniors Kyle Grace, Mason Taft, Brandon Tuttle, Kyle Claywell,
Kevin Garnett, Lance Reid, and Freshman Dyer McCall.
"To be successful this year we must have solid pitching and defense. We
are expecting some big things from a few young guys and need great
leadership and guidance from those who have the experience. We have a lot
of depth at positions so the competition amongst them-selves should help
to get the most out of every player because no position is safe," said
Coach Deering.
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Team Previews
Sequatchie County 12-18
1/3/08 17
This season should be exciting for the Indians as they
return eight starters off of last year's team. Leading the way will be
seniors OF/P/1B Trevor Burgess (.349-7-18, all-district), DH/C/OF Corey
Barker (.339-0-12, all-district), and IF/P Cody Harmon (.284-2-19). All
three seniors will be counted on heavily for leadership on a young roster.
Also returning are junior 1B/OF/P Josh Henson (.333-0-16), junior 2B
Bradley McDonough (.200-0-6),junior OF Josh Key (.129-0-2), sophomore C
Brett Bartley (.275-0-7) and sophomore SS Brandon Dykes (.190-0-0). Also
competing for playing time are sophomore OF Tyler Kilgore, OF/1B Zach
Hudson, sophomore IF Kyle Harmon, and sophomore IF Cole Bryant.
Returning pitchers for SCHS are LHP Trevor Burgess (3-3, 4.61, 46 K, 30
BB, 41 IP), LHP Josh Henson (2-1, 4.01, 16 K, 19 BB, 23 IP), RHP Josh Key
(1-2, 4.61, 1 save, 13K, 10 BB, 14 IP), RHP Cody Harmon (0-4, 9.00, 17 K,
15 BB, 17 IP) RHP Tyler Kilgore (0-1, 9.00, 3 IP), RHP Brandon Dykes (1-0,
0.00, 9 IP).
"To be successful this year the pitchers need to throw strikes and cut
down on walks. Our defense didn't make many errors but when they did they
wound up hurting us. We are still young, meaning the 'little things' will
be a determining factor for our success. We lost seven one-run games last
year plus two-more by two runs primarily with six fresh-man and sophomores
in the line-up. We were in every game and it was
the 'little things' that decided our fate last year. The goal for us this
year is to make the 'little things' go our way and win those close games
this season," said Coach Clariday.
Marion County 31-16
1/14/08
32
http://marionwarriors.olinesports.com/
The Warriors return 6 starters from last years state
tournament team. Seniors-Sam Griswold 1B (.372 5 41), Zeke Guyear 2B/P
(.323 3-1), Justin Bell SS/P (.263 7-0) and Blake Fowler OF/P
(.367 5-3), Juniors-Zephan Guyear utility/P (.367 3 27/3-1) and Joe
Muir .275 3 28/5-0).
The Warriors return there full staff that won 31 games in 07.Sr's
Hershel Bettis led the way in ERA 6-5 2.97 and Justin Bell in wins 7-0
3.32 with lefty Blake Fowler posting a 5-2 mark while picking up the
Region Championship win. Also, Sr Zeke Guyer, returned from Rotator Cuff
surgery to go 2-1 in limited innings. The rest of the staff was made
up of quality pitchers in Jr's. Lucas Lloyd 5-2 3.78, Joe Muir 5-0 3.76,
Zephan Guyear 3-1 3.89, and Sophomore's, Garrison Guess, who will be
depended on more this year. and 6'8 sophomore, Cody Henegar has unlimited
potential and could see some quality time on the mound this year.
"To be successful this year our pitching staff must improve on last years
ERA total and our defense must play even better. Our offensive capability
is there but we are not as potent a team as last years, which averaged 8.5
runs per game," added Coach Roberts. Marion Co.
set a school record for wins with 31 last season.
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Team Previews
Goodpasture 38-5 State Champs
1/10/08 26
The 2008 Cougars will have to fill several spots after
losing 9 Seniors to the 2007 team. The team will be led by Sr OF
Adam Adkins. Adkins will bat in the 3 spot. Adkins led the team in
2007 in BA batting .408, had 4 HR, and 38 RBI. He was the AA Player
of the Year in 2007. Adam has signed to play at the University of
Tennessee. Another starter returning is Sr C Bennett Smith.
Bennett started every game last year behind the plate. His BA was
.368, and led the team with 8 HR and 42 RBI. He will bat cleanup
this season. Bennett has signed to play at Lambuth University.
Sr SS Tyler Lovell returns to the leadoff spot in 2008. Tyler has
started since his sophomore year. He batted .324, had 1 HR, 13 RBI,
10 SB, and had a .459 OB%. Tyler has signed to play at Lambuth
University. Sr CF Chris White returns and will bat
second again this year. He batted .310, had 24 RBI and 11 SB
in 2007. He has a lot of speed and is always on base. Sr 2B
William Potts returns and will be a great leader on our team. He
played every game in 2007 and made only 5 errors the whole season.
The 2008 Cougar pitching staff returns 4 players who had some experience
in 2007. Several will have to step up and fill the void of losing our top
2 pitchers who signed Division 1 scholarships (Logan Darnell - University
of Kentucky and Ross Moffitt - Belmont University). Sr LHP Adam
Adkins will be our #1 starter. In 2007,
he was 11-0, 1.04 ERA, and had 107 Ks. He led the team in record and
ERA. Sr LHP Turner Cripps will be our #2 starter. In 2007, he
was 5-1, 4.04 ERA, and had 50 Ks. He has signed to play at Lambuth
as well.. Soph LHP Jake McWhirter will be our #3 starter. Jake
gained some valuable experience last year pitching as a freshman. He
was 2-1 last season and had a 2.90 ERA. He will have to step up and
pitch a lot more innings this year. Jr RHP Shawn McVey will be our #4
starter. He pitched 10 innings last season, had a 2.25 ERA and was
3-0. We have 5-6 other pitchers who will have to find their role and
get some outs.
"To be successful this year we will have to fill the corners on the
infield. Some sophomores and juniors will have to step up and make
plays. Our pitching staff will have to grow and learn how to win.
Our defense must be superb for us to be successful," said Coach Estep.
Donelson Christian Academy
24-12 1/31/08 60
The 2008 DCA Baseball Club will be led by a host of
seniors. Right-handed pitcher Craig Stem will lead the way on the mound.
Craig has signed a baseball scholarship with Western Kentucky. Craig
throws hard and has an excellent breaking ball. He will shoulder much of
the pitching load this year. Also returning are shortstop Jeremy Worden
and second basemen Chris Pierce. These two set a record last year for most
double plays in one season.
Pitcher/outfielder Reed Williams is yet another senior that will be
counted on to help on the mound and at the plate. Reed is an outstanding
hitter with the potential to increase his homerun production this year.
Dustin Weaver is an exceptional senior right-hander that will help in the
pitching rotation. Dustin has good control and good movement on his
fastball. “Weave” will also play third base when he is not on the mound.
One of the few left handed pitchers on the staff is senior Alex Gray. Alex
pitched well at times last year and will be needed this year to contribute
some quality innings. Alex will also play outfield or first base when he
is not on the mound. Senior Justin Davis will see action in the outfield.
Justin is a good contact
hitter and runs well. Another key returning letterman is junior
outfielder Justin Johnston as well as sophomore Wacey Russell.
Right-handed pitcher Alex Boshers was the leading reliever last year as a
sophomore, and will likely move into a starting role on this year’s squad.
The huge question mark for the club this year will be to fill the catching
position. Junior Cody Pointer as well as freshman Neil
Hickman will complete for the position. Sophomore Brad Warren (.333 BA in
2007)) is out with a shoulder injury and in all likelihood will not return
this year.
"Experience and a solid pitching staff will be the two main strengths for
the Wildcats this year," said Coach Berti.
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