03-10-2012, 01:09 AM
HENDERSON, Ky. â Amid a season of changes on the high school baseball front, Henderson County will look to its experienced pitchers to carry the team back to the top of the Second Region.
The longer high school season begins two weeks earlier than usual. The Colonels are scheduled to open the season Saturday at home against Butler County.
New bat regulations also go into effect that outlaw all metal bats other than BBCOR bats. "They are made to play like a wood bat," said Henderson County coach Nathan Isenberg, who believes the change will greatly impact the game. "You're going to see very few extra base hits. For the small, skinny kid, the (metal) bat could get him a single. Now he's going to have to be a role player."
The changes will put more pressure on defenses. "I'd say 80 percent of the balls are going to be in the infield and most of them are going to be average to slow," Isenberg said. The slower hit balls are going to force infielders to make athletic plays or hurry their throws to first. "We'll see a lot of overthrows at first."
With offense at a premium, games will be decided by pitching and defense. The Colonels have plenty of pitching, led by senior Avery Pitt and junior Sam Higgs.
Higgs has been a key member of the staff since he was an eighth-grader. "He has to be considered for Mr. Baseball next year," Isenberg said. "He's won a lot of ball games and he doesn't get the little games. He gets the big games. There's not another pitcher in the state that has been in as many big games as Sam Higgs has been in."
Higgs, who has a career record of 20-8, was 7-5 last year with 88 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings.
Isenberg considers Pitt, who was 2-3 last season, an ace as well. "Avery was our ace over the summer in Legion ball with Sam pitching in a lot of showcases," he said.
The Colonel pitching staff is deep with Marty Coursey, lefty Daniel Steiner, Colton Jones, Rendon Shoulders, Sam Wood and Clay Church.
"We're pitching rich. It may be hard to find guys innings as we get later in the season," Isenberg said.
Ranked 17th in the state in the coaches' preseason poll, Henderson County has to replace four starters from last year. Outfielder Zach Capps, third baseman-pitcher Christian McHatton and second baseman Aaron Hogan all graduated. Shortstop Alex Knight opted not to return.
Still, the Colonels have an experienced nucleus.
Kaleb Duckworth, who just rejoined the team this week at the conclusion of basketball season, and Higgs return as outfield starters. Duckworth had the highest batting average last season among the returning starters at .294. Pitt, who hit seven home runs last season, returns at first base with Steiner or Coursey taking over when he's on the mound.
Quinn Thomas, who will bat leadoff, takes over at third base. Justin Cessna moves from behind the plate to shortstop. Andrew Richmond will take over the catching duties with Nate Cissell and Daniel Dills backing him up.
Colin Hudson and Ryan Ward will be in the mix at second base, third base and the outfield. Ethan Meeler will come off the bench as a middle infielder. Scott Pautler, Jones and Shoulders will also see time in the outfield.
The summer American Legion schedule allowed the players the chance to work on second and third defensive positions. "Every guy has two positions that they're pretty good at," said Isenberg. "I don't see anybody playing 40 games at one position."
Henderson County's schedule includes a trip to Knoxville, Tenn., to play nationally-ranked Farragut at the University of Tennessee in Farragut's tournament. The Colonels will also return to Hot Rods Stadium to play Bowling Green and face Mater Dei at Bosse Field. They will also have two regular-season games with defending region champion Union County.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/gleaner/sports/
The longer high school season begins two weeks earlier than usual. The Colonels are scheduled to open the season Saturday at home against Butler County.
New bat regulations also go into effect that outlaw all metal bats other than BBCOR bats. "They are made to play like a wood bat," said Henderson County coach Nathan Isenberg, who believes the change will greatly impact the game. "You're going to see very few extra base hits. For the small, skinny kid, the (metal) bat could get him a single. Now he's going to have to be a role player."
The changes will put more pressure on defenses. "I'd say 80 percent of the balls are going to be in the infield and most of them are going to be average to slow," Isenberg said. The slower hit balls are going to force infielders to make athletic plays or hurry their throws to first. "We'll see a lot of overthrows at first."
With offense at a premium, games will be decided by pitching and defense. The Colonels have plenty of pitching, led by senior Avery Pitt and junior Sam Higgs.
Higgs has been a key member of the staff since he was an eighth-grader. "He has to be considered for Mr. Baseball next year," Isenberg said. "He's won a lot of ball games and he doesn't get the little games. He gets the big games. There's not another pitcher in the state that has been in as many big games as Sam Higgs has been in."
Higgs, who has a career record of 20-8, was 7-5 last year with 88 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings.
Isenberg considers Pitt, who was 2-3 last season, an ace as well. "Avery was our ace over the summer in Legion ball with Sam pitching in a lot of showcases," he said.
The Colonel pitching staff is deep with Marty Coursey, lefty Daniel Steiner, Colton Jones, Rendon Shoulders, Sam Wood and Clay Church.
"We're pitching rich. It may be hard to find guys innings as we get later in the season," Isenberg said.
Ranked 17th in the state in the coaches' preseason poll, Henderson County has to replace four starters from last year. Outfielder Zach Capps, third baseman-pitcher Christian McHatton and second baseman Aaron Hogan all graduated. Shortstop Alex Knight opted not to return.
Still, the Colonels have an experienced nucleus.
Kaleb Duckworth, who just rejoined the team this week at the conclusion of basketball season, and Higgs return as outfield starters. Duckworth had the highest batting average last season among the returning starters at .294. Pitt, who hit seven home runs last season, returns at first base with Steiner or Coursey taking over when he's on the mound.
Quinn Thomas, who will bat leadoff, takes over at third base. Justin Cessna moves from behind the plate to shortstop. Andrew Richmond will take over the catching duties with Nate Cissell and Daniel Dills backing him up.
Colin Hudson and Ryan Ward will be in the mix at second base, third base and the outfield. Ethan Meeler will come off the bench as a middle infielder. Scott Pautler, Jones and Shoulders will also see time in the outfield.
The summer American Legion schedule allowed the players the chance to work on second and third defensive positions. "Every guy has two positions that they're pretty good at," said Isenberg. "I don't see anybody playing 40 games at one position."
Henderson County's schedule includes a trip to Knoxville, Tenn., to play nationally-ranked Farragut at the University of Tennessee in Farragut's tournament. The Colonels will also return to Hot Rods Stadium to play Bowling Green and face Mater Dei at Bosse Field. They will also have two regular-season games with defending region champion Union County.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/gleaner/sports/