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Team Previews
Huntingdon 36-6
2/11/08
70
The Huntingdon Mustangs lost 4 quality seniors from last
year's State Final Four team, 3 of which have continued their careers in
college. Huntingdon will return some key players but will be young as
players with not much playing experience will be asked to fill some key
roles. Offensively, the Mustangs should be led by Sr's Brayden Baxter
(.352, 5-HR, 14-2B, 28- RBI), Blake Burke (.384, 48-H, 30-RBI) and Cole
McAdams (.326, 4-HR, 10-2B, 41-RBI). Baxter will anchor the outfield from
his centerfield position and brings versatility to the line-up with a
blend of power and finesse. McAdams and Burke will return to the infield
and will be looked upon to carry the load from the mound as they combined
for 13 wins last year. Other returnee's offensively are junior
catcher/pitcher Caleb Crocker (.318), senior outfielder Colin Laman
(.286). Newcomers who are expected to make big contributions
are seniors Lucas Dill and Kevin Smothers, both of whom have big game
experience defensively. Juniors Colin Hatch, Will McClure, Travis Rich,
and Kyle Adams along with sophomores Ben Carter, Dylan Clifft, and Jay
Pierce will all challenge for playing time this spring. New additions to
the team will be given chances when they can
learn our system and can be put in a position to contribute.
The 2007 Mustang pitching staff will be the big question as 23 wins have
graduated in Clifft(10), Crocker(9), and C. Dill(4). Top returnee's are
seniors Blake Burke (8-0, 2.59 ERA, 43K) and Cole McAdams (5-0,
2.96 ERA, 21 K). A potential sleeper is junior Colin Hatch. Hatch has the
ability to emerge as our number 1 starter if he accepts the challenges
that come with throwing in big games. Others who should contribute are
seniors Lucas Dill (LHP) and Kevin Smothers (RHP). Juniors Will McClure (RHP),
Caleb Crocker (RHP), and Ashton
Mitchell(RHP). Sophomores Dylan Clifft (LHP), Jay Pierce (RHP), and Ben
Carter (RHP) have shown improvements during bullpens and look to
contribute this year. Crocker could be good for us but it all depends if
freshman Jess Dill can handle the catching duties when he pitches.
To be successful this year we must find out who we are in the preseason.
We must recognize our weaknesses and make them strengths. Senior
leadership is a must and younger guys growing-up cannot and will not be an
excuse. We must execute offensively and be
fundamentally sound both defensively and from the mound. And as always we
must practice/play with purpose!
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Team Previews
Humboldt 29-11
1/3/08
23
The Vikings will
return several starters from last year's team. They
include 1B Clint Brown - SR (.333, 33 RBI), SS Bryan Wilhaucks - SR
(.295, .423 OBP, 15 SB), C Chris Brasfield - SR (15 RBI), 3B Caleb Cain -
JR (.296, 20 RBI), and Util Joey Blankenship - JR (.314, 21 RBI).
Several others split playing time last year and will push for an everyday
job this year. They include OF Charlie Simpson - SR (.391), OF Jamie
Harrison - JR (.333, 11 SB), 2B Quenton Jennings - JR (.297), OF Matt
Pritchard - SR (9 SB), C/DH Daniel Dougan - JR (10 RBI), C/DH Ty Foren -
JR, IF Jon Corey Ford - SR, and OF Jason Barker - JR. Others who
could also push for playing time are C/OF Lance Alexander - JR, 1B/DH
Tyler Jackson - JR, IF Luke Wilson - JR, and OF Drew Hopkins - JR.
The Vikings return 99.9% of the innings from 2007. The returnees
include JR Joey Blankenship (9-0, 1.01), JR Tyler Jackson (9-1, 2.64), JR
Drew Hopkins (6-4, 3 sv, 2.04), SR Chris Brasfield (3-1, 3.18), and SR
Charlie Simpson (3.34, 15 IP). Others who are expected to help on
the mound are JR Caleb Cain, JR Lance Alexander, SR Bryan Wilhaucks, SR
Clint Brown, and JR Daniel Dougan.
"To be successful this year we must become a more competent offensive club
while maintaining our primary focus of throwing strikes and being a sound
defensive unit," said Coach Scott. Union City
21-11
1/21/08 45
The 2008 Golden Tornadoes will be led by a group of Seniors
that have plenty of experience. Returning on the mound and in CF is Craig
Lowrance an all state selection last season. Taylor Bruff will be
returning at C this year and will probably still be leading off for us in
this campaign. Ben Woods will try to compete to settle into one
position this year probably at 1st after being our main utility guy last
season. Will Townes will also be competing for an everyday role at 3rd.
Chase Hamlin returns this year to try and lock down an outfield position.
Leading Juniors on our team are leaders as well as experienced.
Colton Speed returns after an injury plagued season and hopes to fill the
void in the middle infield that he vacated last year. Camron
Sherwood also returns to the middle infield and will be solid
performer. B.J. Marshall is also looking to get some action in the
outfield.
Top Returning Players
1) Craig Lowrance:11-1, 122 K's, TSWA all state selection in 2007.
2) Camron Sherwood: solid pitcher that spots well and changes speed.
3) Chase Hamlin: Great closer in 07, must step it up in 08.
4) B.J. Marshall: shows alot of promise if he is willing to work at it.
"To be successful this year we...must minimize defensive errors and mental
mistakes. We were young defensively last year and lost more games
defensively than offensively. Our seniors must step up and lead as
will as fill some voids left due to graduation," said Coach Barker.
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Team Previews Middleton
20-13
1/10/08 24
Middleton High School will be returning 6 starters from
last year's squad led by Seniors Alex Vales (pitcher, 1b), Ethan Howell
(2b,OF), Logan Griffith (OF), and Justin Monroe (3b,OF). All seniors
will have to step up their leadership abilities and play to accomplish
goals set forth. Matthew Kirk will be taking over at shortstop and
Drew Webster will be at 1st, 3rd, and outfield. Terry Mills will be
handling the catch- ing duties for the Tigers and Junio Kirk Rodgers will
be heading to the outfield.
The Tigers will be led by Senior lefty Alex Vales who was 6-6 last year
with a 3.91 ERA. Senior Justin Hazelgrove will also see time on the
mound along with Junior Drew Webster and Freshman Matthew Kirk. We
will have to limit our pitchers as much as possible due to lack of depth
and injuries.
To be successful this year we must limit our mistakes in the field and be
aggressive at the plate. We don't have the depth to make mental
mistakes this year. We must come together as a team and trust each
other on the field.
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