03-11-2012, 09:19 AM
The Warren East baseball team doesnât want to be a one-and-done.
The Raiders left their mark last season by winning their first Region 4 title since 1988, but theyâll have to rely on a cast with several new members to continue that success this season.
Warren East lost six seniors from its 2011 squad, which finished 29-13 and advanced to the second round of the state tournament, including pitcher Mark Biggs, an eighth-round selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in last yearâs MLB Draft.
âIâve been preaching that you make your own legacy,â Warren East coach Wes Sanford said. âLast yearâs seniors left a great legacy, but I want to make sure these kids wonât be satisfied with winning one regional title. We want to get where we can compete every year for a title, and this group has a chip on their shoulder to prove they can do it too.â
The Raiders must also replace the key losses of Brandon Beckham and Zach Gross in the middle infield. But they have seven seniors this year, including Matthew Cooke, Austin Briel and Janos Briscoe.
âHopefully this yearâs seniors and juniors have learned from the previous group and will step up,â Sanford said. âWeâre still old. Weâre not completely rebuilding.â
Junior Hunter Green will anchor the pitching staff. Green went 5-4 last season, recording 81 strikeouts and a 2.30 ERA in 512⁄3 innings.
âWeâve got a lot of guys with experience and some quality arms,â Sanford said. âWeâve got a ton of guys that we feel confident with putting on the mound and having them do what they need to do.â
The Raiders play at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Cumberland County.
http://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/area-t...963f4.html
The Raiders left their mark last season by winning their first Region 4 title since 1988, but theyâll have to rely on a cast with several new members to continue that success this season.
Warren East lost six seniors from its 2011 squad, which finished 29-13 and advanced to the second round of the state tournament, including pitcher Mark Biggs, an eighth-round selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in last yearâs MLB Draft.
âIâve been preaching that you make your own legacy,â Warren East coach Wes Sanford said. âLast yearâs seniors left a great legacy, but I want to make sure these kids wonât be satisfied with winning one regional title. We want to get where we can compete every year for a title, and this group has a chip on their shoulder to prove they can do it too.â
The Raiders must also replace the key losses of Brandon Beckham and Zach Gross in the middle infield. But they have seven seniors this year, including Matthew Cooke, Austin Briel and Janos Briscoe.
âHopefully this yearâs seniors and juniors have learned from the previous group and will step up,â Sanford said. âWeâre still old. Weâre not completely rebuilding.â
Junior Hunter Green will anchor the pitching staff. Green went 5-4 last season, recording 81 strikeouts and a 2.30 ERA in 512⁄3 innings.
âWeâve got a lot of guys with experience and some quality arms,â Sanford said. âWeâve got a ton of guys that we feel confident with putting on the mound and having them do what they need to do.â
The Raiders play at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Cumberland County.
http://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/area-t...963f4.html