03-22-2012, 11:50 PM
Seventh Region
St. Xâs main returnees are three seniors: pitcher-infielder Alex Mercer (5-1, 2.27 ERA, .301), center fielder Jake Johnson (.322, 18 stolen bases) and pitcher-infielder Colin McFarland (.333).
Male (27-7) has two preseason All-Staters in pitchers Blake Oyler and Trey Simpson. Among 12 seniors are outfielders John Cloyd, Zach Janes and Simpson, third baseman Dalton Howell, shortstop Josh Reinhart, designated hitter Tyler Adams, first baseman Brandon Yates and catcher Chris Arnold.
Trinity (17-13) is young but has talent led by lefty Austin Warner (3-5, 4.24 ERA, 42 strikeouts in 38 innings). Connor Hill will move from second to third base, with Tyler Marshall taking over at second.
Ballard has five starters back from its 27-10 club, led by shortstop Dayton Rausch (.400). Also back are left fielder Reid Thacker, center fielder Travis Kelley, third baseman-pitcher Wes Phan and second baseman Trevor Putzig.
Christian Academy (24-10, All âAâ state champion) beat St. X 5-4 Monday. Coach Tim Brownâs team is led by pitcher-third baseman Matt Mitchell, first baseman Matt Spencer and outfielder Ian Holbrook.
Pitcher Cody Maerz, a Murray State signee, heads Jeffersontownâs returnees, along with pitcher-first baseman Des Avis, pitcher-third baseman Jordan Hagan and pitcher-shortstop Jake Eberling, who missed last season with a wrist injury.
Will Smith again will lead Kentucky Country Day. He pitches, catches and plays third base, batting .458 with 16 stolen bases and going 6-2 with an 0.87 ERA. Pitcher-outfielder David Clifford (3-3. 0.93 ERA, .310) and catcher Nik Gorman (.309) also stand out.
Manual has a good defensive catcher in Josh Bynum and solid players in outfielder Justin Paul and pitchers Jonathan Lustig, Patrick Allen, Harrison Scanlon and Aaron Pearcy.
Mooreâs dream of winning the district depend on a core of players headed by Tyler Richards, Mark Hoff, Pedro Rodriguez and A. J. Steizig.
Seneca will be fairly solid on defense but is trying to find offense. Ryan Fowler and Ryan Dichiara are key veterans.
New Waggener coach Jake Fiorella has a senior-laden team hoping to reach the regional tourney. Walter Frederick (.350) and Tyler Viers should be the stars.
Whitfield Academy lost only two seniors from a 20-10 squad. Pitcher Cameron Smith (8-3, 1.98 ERA) had 88 strikeouts in 62 innings and batted .385. Ryan Woosley (5-3, 1.83 ERA), Jacob Keeton and Nathan Getzin (3-0, 2.03 ERA) provide even more good pitching.
St. Xâs main returnees are three seniors: pitcher-infielder Alex Mercer (5-1, 2.27 ERA, .301), center fielder Jake Johnson (.322, 18 stolen bases) and pitcher-infielder Colin McFarland (.333).
Male (27-7) has two preseason All-Staters in pitchers Blake Oyler and Trey Simpson. Among 12 seniors are outfielders John Cloyd, Zach Janes and Simpson, third baseman Dalton Howell, shortstop Josh Reinhart, designated hitter Tyler Adams, first baseman Brandon Yates and catcher Chris Arnold.
Trinity (17-13) is young but has talent led by lefty Austin Warner (3-5, 4.24 ERA, 42 strikeouts in 38 innings). Connor Hill will move from second to third base, with Tyler Marshall taking over at second.
Ballard has five starters back from its 27-10 club, led by shortstop Dayton Rausch (.400). Also back are left fielder Reid Thacker, center fielder Travis Kelley, third baseman-pitcher Wes Phan and second baseman Trevor Putzig.
Christian Academy (24-10, All âAâ state champion) beat St. X 5-4 Monday. Coach Tim Brownâs team is led by pitcher-third baseman Matt Mitchell, first baseman Matt Spencer and outfielder Ian Holbrook.
Pitcher Cody Maerz, a Murray State signee, heads Jeffersontownâs returnees, along with pitcher-first baseman Des Avis, pitcher-third baseman Jordan Hagan and pitcher-shortstop Jake Eberling, who missed last season with a wrist injury.
Will Smith again will lead Kentucky Country Day. He pitches, catches and plays third base, batting .458 with 16 stolen bases and going 6-2 with an 0.87 ERA. Pitcher-outfielder David Clifford (3-3. 0.93 ERA, .310) and catcher Nik Gorman (.309) also stand out.
Manual has a good defensive catcher in Josh Bynum and solid players in outfielder Justin Paul and pitchers Jonathan Lustig, Patrick Allen, Harrison Scanlon and Aaron Pearcy.
Mooreâs dream of winning the district depend on a core of players headed by Tyler Richards, Mark Hoff, Pedro Rodriguez and A. J. Steizig.
Seneca will be fairly solid on defense but is trying to find offense. Ryan Fowler and Ryan Dichiara are key veterans.
New Waggener coach Jake Fiorella has a senior-laden team hoping to reach the regional tourney. Walter Frederick (.350) and Tyler Viers should be the stars.
Whitfield Academy lost only two seniors from a 20-10 squad. Pitcher Cameron Smith (8-3, 1.98 ERA) had 88 strikeouts in 62 innings and batted .385. Ryan Woosley (5-3, 1.83 ERA), Jacob Keeton and Nathan Getzin (3-0, 2.03 ERA) provide even more good pitching.