2014 Highland County Baseball Preview: 'Boys of Spring' return to diamond
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Listed are the 2014 Highland County high school baseball previews for Fairfield, Hillsboro, Lynchburg-Clay, McClain and Whiteoak.
FAIRFIELD LIONS
Head Coach:
Matt Garman
2013 Record: 11-14
The Fairfield Lions are coming off a season of 11 wins one year ago, a season where they batted .314 as a team with a .421 on-base percentage, a season where they had no seniors on the roster.
This year, under second-year head coach Matt Garman, that is a different story as the Lions return a veteran and successful group of athletes who are looking to add to what they began last season.
"It will be a little different this year," Garman said. "Last year, we were young and didn't have any seniors on the team, but this year we have 12 seniors on the varsity squad with a lot of varsity experience, and we expect big things out of them.
"A lot of them are coming off of a regional run in basketball, so they are used to playing in big games, and we expect them to win some more big games here and do well."
The Lions will have five underclassmen on the varsity team this season to go with the returning players, including 12 seniors. Those seniors are: Quintin Schaffer, Cody Bennett, Joey Wilson, Dylan Rohde, Blake Hildebrant, Ryan Bates, Gage Montgomery, Wyatt Crothers, Isaiah Liggins, Jacob Wheeler, Zach Cox and Dustin Gebhart.
The lone junior this season is Caleb Huff. FHS also has three sophomores, which are: Mitchell Rose, Randy Lamme and Brayden Corzatt.
"Having that experience on the team makes it easier for me, being my second year in the program," Garman said. "They are really quick in picking up things this year, and hopefully that translates into more wins early on this year."
In 70 at-bats last season, Liggins led the Lions in batting average at .443 with 31 hits, 21 runs, five doubles and three home runs.
Liggins was followed by Crothers last season with a .377 average with a team-high 22 RBIs with 26 runs and 29 hits.
"I think we'll be able to hit the ball and score runs," Garman said. "It will come down to our pitching and if we can hold teams down."
Joey Wilson led FHS last season with 26 runs and RBIs with 23. He also led the Lions with eight doubles. Wilson also had two home runs. On the mound, Wilson led FHS with a 2.83 ERA in 69.1 innings pitched. Wilson had three wins and struck out 91 batters.
"Joey will be one of the top three pitchers in the league, and it is nice when you have a kid who goes out, competes and can do the things he can do for you on the hill. He can take a bad offensive day and turn it into a win for you really quick."
As for this season, Garman knows the team needs to improve on some things to gets those aforementioned big wins this season.
"Pitching is key for us this year. When Joey is on the mound, he is tough and will give us a chance to win every time he's out there, but we need to have a couple other guys to step up and pitch well when he's not out there.
"We have the talent to do so and be successful. We can be one of the better teams in the area, but we have to go out on the field and get the job done."
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HILLSBORO INDIANS
Head Coach: Tim Hunt
2013 Record: 8-19
Last season, the Hillsboro Indians went 1-1 in the postseason as their season came to a close against state-ranked Miami Trace. This year, the Indians look to improve their overall record from last season which stood at 8-19 overall, fourth place in the South Central Ohio League.
The Indians, who are led by fifth-year head coach Tim Hunt, lost two seniors from last season, who were a big part of their pitching staff.
The goals for the Indians are still the same as they have been since Hunt became the head coach.
"We have a lot to be excited about since we pretty much have our entire team back from last year," he said. "As always, our objective is to win a state championship … that will never change. The following goals will have to be met to get there: Attention to details, focus on what the players can control, attitude and effort every day in every practice and every game.
"This is the foundation of the program and will help us realize our goals."
The Indians also want to double their wins from last season, along with the goals of winning a league and district championship.
HHS has two seniors in catcher/third baseman Ty Crum and pitcher/first baseman/right fielder Seth Meyer.
"They have shown a lot of growth over their career with us. both as players and people," Hunt said. "They have done a great job in assuming the leadership role and are looking forward to leaving behind a legacy that they and their families can be proud of.
"Ty will start at third and bat third or fourth in the lineup, and Seth is starting at first base and No. 2 on the pitching staff. He will bat fifth in the order."
The team also has seven juniors and two sophomores. The juniors are Alex Van Zant (P, RF), Trey Moberly (LF), Zach Young (3B, C), Logan Lesley (OF, P), Cole Reveal (2B), Latrell Haithcock (OF) and Devon Bullock (C, 1B).
Sophomores are Ryan Lemaster (SS, P) and Jacob Helterbrand (P, RF, 1B).
"We have a large talented group of juniors and two returning sophomores that hate to lose and are ready to get started and forget last year," Hunt said. "Pitching and defense will be the key to our success, as is the case for most teams.
"Thus far in our scrimmages, we’ve been satisfied with our kids' performance. We are working hard at refining areas of our game that will get us back to districts. We’ve focused a lot on bunting, base running, opposite field hitting and the mental aspect of the game."
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[[In-content Ad]]LYNCHBURG-CLAY
MUSTANGS
Head Coach:
Garyn Waits
2013 Record: 11-11
For the 2014 season, the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs enter the year coming off a .500 season a year ago, as they have four seniors this season, along with two juniors, eight sophomores and one freshman listed on the roster.
The Mustangs began last season 0-8 but rallied to go 11-3 in their final 14 games as they were a very young team last season starting four, sometimes five freshmen.
"I am really excited about the season," head coach Garyn Waits said. "I think this is the season where all things come together with good seasoned senior players, role players and a core of young players who will add some spice to our lineups.
"I hope our pitching rotation stays as deep as it appears now."
The pitching of LC is key for a Southern Hills Athletic Conference title.
"Our pitching staff has steadily been adding counts and pitches as the days have gone on. Arms appear strong and ready," Waits said. "If it does, long weeks will not be an issue.
"Coach (Mark) Faust has really been doing a number with our mechanics on the tee and the cage. We just haven't got to verify a lot with the live pitching. The opening weekend at McClain seemed so far off just a couple of weeks ago ... now it's here."
Seniors this season are Chaz Lanier (3B, P), Josh Bauer (2B, P) and Ryan Inman (LF, P). Juniors are Quinton Lewis (IF) and Dakota Baker (IF).
"I am really looking to my senior guys this season to start us off in the right direction," Coach Waits said. "Chaz and Gage are both four-year starters with a lot of experience and enthusiasm. They will bring us abilities at the plate and within the field.
"Chaz will be manning third base primarily and adding shortstop duties when called upon. He also has gotten several innings under his belt on the bump. Gage will play centerfield and pitch primarily, and his bat at the top of the lineup will be the keys to getting us going.
"Ryan is a three-year starter who will be seeing his left field duties and expectations increase, as his confidence has grown. His bat in the middle of the order will be relied upon for production. Josh is a three-year starter at second base now. He has grown his confidence in the field to match his mentality at the plate. Josh's arm is looking good daily on the mound, and his bat appears to have some added pop."
The sophomore class consists of Cory Snider (IF, P), Kendall Vilvens (C, IF), Wesley Smith (OF, P), Noah Scott (IF), Andrew Reuss (C), Devin Pierson (OF, P), Christian Inman (OF, P) and Morgan Ryan (1B). The lone freshman on the roster is Bricen Hess (P).
Last season, the Mustangs batted .294 as a team with a .371 on-base percentage and a team ERA of 4.20.
As a freshman, Snider led LC in batting with a .425 average with 27 runs scored and 31 hits, all team-highs in 73 at-bats (22 games). Ryan Inman led LC in '13 with 21 RBIs, while Lanier totaled 20 RBIs.
"Our goal is still obviously to win the outright league," Waits said. "Our experience is not outmatched, but we have to be mentally tougher and stronger to give us the edge that's necessary to win it. We'll be tested early, as the first week we go to Fayetteville and Fairfield comes to us.
"Eastern Brown and North Adams were the top of our division with us last year. I think it'll be that way again. West Union has made strides over the past three years, so they could be in the mix with a little more offensive output.
"We are wanting to get a high seed for the sectional draw, so we get a home game and give us the most advantageous look at the district tournament. The guys have said they are wanting to get to districts and win a district title. If we maintain our focus, we are capable of doing that."
In '13, Ryan Inman batted .319, and Lanier batted .313.
The Mustangs have a .925 fielding percentage.
Snider is the best returning pitcher for LC as he was 3-2 a season ago with a 3.67 ERA. He struck out 21 batters last season in 34.1 innings pitched last year. Inman led LC last year with 36 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched.
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MCCLAIN TIGERS
Head Coach: Matt Raike
2013 Record: 7-16
It is the start of something new for the McClain Tigers' baseball program as they welcome head coach Matt Raike to the helm, replacing Brandon Streitenberger, who retired following last season.
The Tigers will have three seniors with vast varsity experience and four juniors who also return to the varsity squad.
Those seniors include pitcher/outfielder Shawn Haddox, outfielder Logan Rhonemus and first baseman Josh Carroll. Juniors for MHS are third baseman/pitcher Levi Williams, catcher Zach Puckett, shortstop Tyler Pollock and outfielder Michael Aeh.
"I'm optimistic about what we've got ahead of us this year," Raike said. "We're a young team, with only three seniors, but those seniors are leaders for us. I've had all of these kids as the JV coach over the last few years, so I'm familiar with all of them."
Raike spoke about some of his returning players.
"Our catcher, Zach Puckett, has a great command behind the plate and should be an asset to our pitching staff. Caleb Rayburn and Shawn Haddox are returning pitchers for us this year, and I expect big things from them, as well as newcomer Levi Williams, who showed good things on the hill on the JV squad last year.
"Josh Carroll and Logan Rhonemus are other returning seniors who do good things for us and are leaders on the team. Cameron Spangler is a solid athlete and will be playing somewhere on the field. He's one of those guys that you love to coach … a hard worker and loves the game. We've got four sophomores on this squad, and I look at all four of them as contributors this year."
The new head coach of the Tigers also gave his thoughts on his team expectations and the South Central Ohio League.
"We will always strive for a league title, but I expect to see improvement every game as the year goes on," Raike said. "If we are putting everything we've got on the field and fixing errors, we should always be getting better.
"I expect the SCOL to be very strong this year from top to bottom. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, but we're ready for the challenge."
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WHITEOAK WILDCATS
Head Coach: Chris Veidt
2013 Record: 21-8
For the 2014 version of the Whiteoak Wildcats, the landscape of the team will look very different from last year's group as they enter the season without a core group of players that were the leaders of the team the past few seasons.
Gone are the top three pitchers on the team last season, all three All-Ohio selections in Gage Carraher, Luke Taggert and Zach Docter as they also were starters in the field on days they weren't pitching.
With the loss of seven seniors altogether, the Wildcats are in a mode this year where they will have to "rebuild" that legacy once again, just as they did the past four seasons, though WHS does have seven seniors this year.
Led by Chris Veidt, who is entering his 23rd year as the Wildcats' head coach, WHS does return their second leading hitter in senior Tyler Williams as he batted .438 last season with an on-base percentage of .481 and a slugging percentage of .663.
Last season, Williams, an All-Ohio second-team selection in Division IV, scored 26 runs on 39 hits and 19 walks. He hit three home runs, along with five doubles and three triples. One of his home runs came in the regional semifinals.
Coach Veidt spoke about the team this year and what they need to do to succeed this season.
"We just strive to throw and catch the baseball defensively, throw strikes from the mound and consistently put our pitch in play hard from the plate," he said. "If we do those three core things well, we will be successful.
"We return five starters from last year's team, and they know how to win. If they can lead the less experienced guys as expected, we will be successful."
Also back is Jason Jones, the Wildcats' catcher. Jones is one of the better defensive catchers in the area, as he threw out 11 of 24 runners attempting to steal on him last season.
Nick Wardlow also returns to the Wildcats' roster. In the '13 season, he committed just one error in the field on 63 chances. He was the Wildcats' team "gold glove" winner, and on the mound, he was 2-0.
Then there is Justin Emery, who last season was 2-1 overall as a pitcher. He also plays outfield, mostly at centerfield, on days he's not pitching. First baseman Kyle Marler is back this season, as he was the designated hitter on year ago. As the DH, he had an on-base percentage of .360.
With the Wildcats losing their top three pitchers from last season, the starting rotation of the reigning Southern Hills Athletic Conference Division II champions will have a different look, as the projected rotation is said to be Williams, Wardlow, Emery and Jacob Burns.
Then there are some newcomers to the varsity squad, as they include: junior Spencer Michael sophomore Jacob Burns (OF, P), junior Kyle Adams (1B/3B), senior Steven Meyers (1B/3B) and senior Steven Anderson (OF/P).
"As always there will be more pleasant surprises," Veidt said. "That is one of the biggest joys in coaching high school baseball … someone unexpected will step up. They always do."
Coach Veidt also spoke about 16-year assistant coach D.J. O'Cull.
"Coach O'Cull is a big component of our success, year in and year out," Veidt said. "His knowledge of the game, our kids and our opponents is priceless."
FAIRFIELD LIONS
Head Coach:
Matt Garman
2013 Record: 11-14
The Fairfield Lions are coming off a season of 11 wins one year ago, a season where they batted .314 as a team with a .421 on-base percentage, a season where they had no seniors on the roster.
This year, under second-year head coach Matt Garman, that is a different story as the Lions return a veteran and successful group of athletes who are looking to add to what they began last season.
"It will be a little different this year," Garman said. "Last year, we were young and didn't have any seniors on the team, but this year we have 12 seniors on the varsity squad with a lot of varsity experience, and we expect big things out of them.
"A lot of them are coming off of a regional run in basketball, so they are used to playing in big games, and we expect them to win some more big games here and do well."
The Lions will have five underclassmen on the varsity team this season to go with the returning players, including 12 seniors. Those seniors are: Quintin Schaffer, Cody Bennett, Joey Wilson, Dylan Rohde, Blake Hildebrant, Ryan Bates, Gage Montgomery, Wyatt Crothers, Isaiah Liggins, Jacob Wheeler, Zach Cox and Dustin Gebhart.
The lone junior this season is Caleb Huff. FHS also has three sophomores, which are: Mitchell Rose, Randy Lamme and Brayden Corzatt.
"Having that experience on the team makes it easier for me, being my second year in the program," Garman said. "They are really quick in picking up things this year, and hopefully that translates into more wins early on this year."
In 70 at-bats last season, Liggins led the Lions in batting average at .443 with 31 hits, 21 runs, five doubles and three home runs.
Liggins was followed by Crothers last season with a .377 average with a team-high 22 RBIs with 26 runs and 29 hits.
"I think we'll be able to hit the ball and score runs," Garman said. "It will come down to our pitching and if we can hold teams down."
Joey Wilson led FHS last season with 26 runs and RBIs with 23. He also led the Lions with eight doubles. Wilson also had two home runs. On the mound, Wilson led FHS with a 2.83 ERA in 69.1 innings pitched. Wilson had three wins and struck out 91 batters.
"Joey will be one of the top three pitchers in the league, and it is nice when you have a kid who goes out, competes and can do the things he can do for you on the hill. He can take a bad offensive day and turn it into a win for you really quick."
As for this season, Garman knows the team needs to improve on some things to gets those aforementioned big wins this season.
"Pitching is key for us this year. When Joey is on the mound, he is tough and will give us a chance to win every time he's out there, but we need to have a couple other guys to step up and pitch well when he's not out there.
"We have the talent to do so and be successful. We can be one of the better teams in the area, but we have to go out on the field and get the job done."
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HILLSBORO INDIANS
Head Coach: Tim Hunt
2013 Record: 8-19
Last season, the Hillsboro Indians went 1-1 in the postseason as their season came to a close against state-ranked Miami Trace. This year, the Indians look to improve their overall record from last season which stood at 8-19 overall, fourth place in the South Central Ohio League.
The Indians, who are led by fifth-year head coach Tim Hunt, lost two seniors from last season, who were a big part of their pitching staff.
The goals for the Indians are still the same as they have been since Hunt became the head coach.
"We have a lot to be excited about since we pretty much have our entire team back from last year," he said. "As always, our objective is to win a state championship … that will never change. The following goals will have to be met to get there: Attention to details, focus on what the players can control, attitude and effort every day in every practice and every game.
"This is the foundation of the program and will help us realize our goals."
The Indians also want to double their wins from last season, along with the goals of winning a league and district championship.
HHS has two seniors in catcher/third baseman Ty Crum and pitcher/first baseman/right fielder Seth Meyer.
"They have shown a lot of growth over their career with us. both as players and people," Hunt said. "They have done a great job in assuming the leadership role and are looking forward to leaving behind a legacy that they and their families can be proud of.
"Ty will start at third and bat third or fourth in the lineup, and Seth is starting at first base and No. 2 on the pitching staff. He will bat fifth in the order."
The team also has seven juniors and two sophomores. The juniors are Alex Van Zant (P, RF), Trey Moberly (LF), Zach Young (3B, C), Logan Lesley (OF, P), Cole Reveal (2B), Latrell Haithcock (OF) and Devon Bullock (C, 1B).
Sophomores are Ryan Lemaster (SS, P) and Jacob Helterbrand (P, RF, 1B).
"We have a large talented group of juniors and two returning sophomores that hate to lose and are ready to get started and forget last year," Hunt said. "Pitching and defense will be the key to our success, as is the case for most teams.
"Thus far in our scrimmages, we’ve been satisfied with our kids' performance. We are working hard at refining areas of our game that will get us back to districts. We’ve focused a lot on bunting, base running, opposite field hitting and the mental aspect of the game."
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[[In-content Ad]]LYNCHBURG-CLAY
MUSTANGS
Head Coach:
Garyn Waits
2013 Record: 11-11
For the 2014 season, the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs enter the year coming off a .500 season a year ago, as they have four seniors this season, along with two juniors, eight sophomores and one freshman listed on the roster.
The Mustangs began last season 0-8 but rallied to go 11-3 in their final 14 games as they were a very young team last season starting four, sometimes five freshmen.
"I am really excited about the season," head coach Garyn Waits said. "I think this is the season where all things come together with good seasoned senior players, role players and a core of young players who will add some spice to our lineups.
"I hope our pitching rotation stays as deep as it appears now."
The pitching of LC is key for a Southern Hills Athletic Conference title.
"Our pitching staff has steadily been adding counts and pitches as the days have gone on. Arms appear strong and ready," Waits said. "If it does, long weeks will not be an issue.
"Coach (Mark) Faust has really been doing a number with our mechanics on the tee and the cage. We just haven't got to verify a lot with the live pitching. The opening weekend at McClain seemed so far off just a couple of weeks ago ... now it's here."
Seniors this season are Chaz Lanier (3B, P), Josh Bauer (2B, P) and Ryan Inman (LF, P). Juniors are Quinton Lewis (IF) and Dakota Baker (IF).
"I am really looking to my senior guys this season to start us off in the right direction," Coach Waits said. "Chaz and Gage are both four-year starters with a lot of experience and enthusiasm. They will bring us abilities at the plate and within the field.
"Chaz will be manning third base primarily and adding shortstop duties when called upon. He also has gotten several innings under his belt on the bump. Gage will play centerfield and pitch primarily, and his bat at the top of the lineup will be the keys to getting us going.
"Ryan is a three-year starter who will be seeing his left field duties and expectations increase, as his confidence has grown. His bat in the middle of the order will be relied upon for production. Josh is a three-year starter at second base now. He has grown his confidence in the field to match his mentality at the plate. Josh's arm is looking good daily on the mound, and his bat appears to have some added pop."
The sophomore class consists of Cory Snider (IF, P), Kendall Vilvens (C, IF), Wesley Smith (OF, P), Noah Scott (IF), Andrew Reuss (C), Devin Pierson (OF, P), Christian Inman (OF, P) and Morgan Ryan (1B). The lone freshman on the roster is Bricen Hess (P).
Last season, the Mustangs batted .294 as a team with a .371 on-base percentage and a team ERA of 4.20.
As a freshman, Snider led LC in batting with a .425 average with 27 runs scored and 31 hits, all team-highs in 73 at-bats (22 games). Ryan Inman led LC in '13 with 21 RBIs, while Lanier totaled 20 RBIs.
"Our goal is still obviously to win the outright league," Waits said. "Our experience is not outmatched, but we have to be mentally tougher and stronger to give us the edge that's necessary to win it. We'll be tested early, as the first week we go to Fayetteville and Fairfield comes to us.
"Eastern Brown and North Adams were the top of our division with us last year. I think it'll be that way again. West Union has made strides over the past three years, so they could be in the mix with a little more offensive output.
"We are wanting to get a high seed for the sectional draw, so we get a home game and give us the most advantageous look at the district tournament. The guys have said they are wanting to get to districts and win a district title. If we maintain our focus, we are capable of doing that."
In '13, Ryan Inman batted .319, and Lanier batted .313.
The Mustangs have a .925 fielding percentage.
Snider is the best returning pitcher for LC as he was 3-2 a season ago with a 3.67 ERA. He struck out 21 batters last season in 34.1 innings pitched last year. Inman led LC last year with 36 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched.
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MCCLAIN TIGERS
Head Coach: Matt Raike
2013 Record: 7-16
It is the start of something new for the McClain Tigers' baseball program as they welcome head coach Matt Raike to the helm, replacing Brandon Streitenberger, who retired following last season.
The Tigers will have three seniors with vast varsity experience and four juniors who also return to the varsity squad.
Those seniors include pitcher/outfielder Shawn Haddox, outfielder Logan Rhonemus and first baseman Josh Carroll. Juniors for MHS are third baseman/pitcher Levi Williams, catcher Zach Puckett, shortstop Tyler Pollock and outfielder Michael Aeh.
"I'm optimistic about what we've got ahead of us this year," Raike said. "We're a young team, with only three seniors, but those seniors are leaders for us. I've had all of these kids as the JV coach over the last few years, so I'm familiar with all of them."
Raike spoke about some of his returning players.
"Our catcher, Zach Puckett, has a great command behind the plate and should be an asset to our pitching staff. Caleb Rayburn and Shawn Haddox are returning pitchers for us this year, and I expect big things from them, as well as newcomer Levi Williams, who showed good things on the hill on the JV squad last year.
"Josh Carroll and Logan Rhonemus are other returning seniors who do good things for us and are leaders on the team. Cameron Spangler is a solid athlete and will be playing somewhere on the field. He's one of those guys that you love to coach … a hard worker and loves the game. We've got four sophomores on this squad, and I look at all four of them as contributors this year."
The new head coach of the Tigers also gave his thoughts on his team expectations and the South Central Ohio League.
"We will always strive for a league title, but I expect to see improvement every game as the year goes on," Raike said. "If we are putting everything we've got on the field and fixing errors, we should always be getting better.
"I expect the SCOL to be very strong this year from top to bottom. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, but we're ready for the challenge."
- - - - - -
WHITEOAK WILDCATS
Head Coach: Chris Veidt
2013 Record: 21-8
For the 2014 version of the Whiteoak Wildcats, the landscape of the team will look very different from last year's group as they enter the season without a core group of players that were the leaders of the team the past few seasons.
Gone are the top three pitchers on the team last season, all three All-Ohio selections in Gage Carraher, Luke Taggert and Zach Docter as they also were starters in the field on days they weren't pitching.
With the loss of seven seniors altogether, the Wildcats are in a mode this year where they will have to "rebuild" that legacy once again, just as they did the past four seasons, though WHS does have seven seniors this year.
Led by Chris Veidt, who is entering his 23rd year as the Wildcats' head coach, WHS does return their second leading hitter in senior Tyler Williams as he batted .438 last season with an on-base percentage of .481 and a slugging percentage of .663.
Last season, Williams, an All-Ohio second-team selection in Division IV, scored 26 runs on 39 hits and 19 walks. He hit three home runs, along with five doubles and three triples. One of his home runs came in the regional semifinals.
Coach Veidt spoke about the team this year and what they need to do to succeed this season.
"We just strive to throw and catch the baseball defensively, throw strikes from the mound and consistently put our pitch in play hard from the plate," he said. "If we do those three core things well, we will be successful.
"We return five starters from last year's team, and they know how to win. If they can lead the less experienced guys as expected, we will be successful."
Also back is Jason Jones, the Wildcats' catcher. Jones is one of the better defensive catchers in the area, as he threw out 11 of 24 runners attempting to steal on him last season.
Nick Wardlow also returns to the Wildcats' roster. In the '13 season, he committed just one error in the field on 63 chances. He was the Wildcats' team "gold glove" winner, and on the mound, he was 2-0.
Then there is Justin Emery, who last season was 2-1 overall as a pitcher. He also plays outfield, mostly at centerfield, on days he's not pitching. First baseman Kyle Marler is back this season, as he was the designated hitter on year ago. As the DH, he had an on-base percentage of .360.
With the Wildcats losing their top three pitchers from last season, the starting rotation of the reigning Southern Hills Athletic Conference Division II champions will have a different look, as the projected rotation is said to be Williams, Wardlow, Emery and Jacob Burns.
Then there are some newcomers to the varsity squad, as they include: junior Spencer Michael sophomore Jacob Burns (OF, P), junior Kyle Adams (1B/3B), senior Steven Meyers (1B/3B) and senior Steven Anderson (OF/P).
"As always there will be more pleasant surprises," Veidt said. "That is one of the biggest joys in coaching high school baseball … someone unexpected will step up. They always do."
Coach Veidt also spoke about 16-year assistant coach D.J. O'Cull.
"Coach O'Cull is a big component of our success, year in and year out," Veidt said. "His knowledge of the game, our kids and our opponents is priceless."