[Stardust]

ASHLAND — Three-team district. Three-way race?

For a change Boyd County, Ashland and Fairview all can be viewed as legitimate contenders for the 64th District baseball championship.

Boyd County and Ashland each features a dominant pitcher — Lions’ Trey Salisbury and Tomcats’ Sam Hunter — but both teams lost most of their top hitters and have question marks regarding inexperience.

Fairview, meanwhile, is loaded with returners and has a good mix of pitching and hitting.

“I think Fairview is the team to beat in our district,” Ashland coach Jeff Wilcox said. “Most of their returning starters are back. If Sam or Salisbury is pitching, it’s a different story. Overall, Fairview has the most experienced team in the district.”

The Eagles have not won the title since joining the 64th District eight years ago. Other than Fairview’s runner-up finish in 2009, Boyd County and Ashland met in the finals the other seven times during that span.

Fairview finished 12-14 a year ago, but coach Terry Thompson said expectations are higher heading into the 2012 season that begins this week.

“We have a lot of experienced players back,” Thompson said. “It’s a matter of proving that they are one of the best teams in the 64th District.”

Boyd County is the six-time defending district champion and last year advanced to the State Tournament. Several freshmen have replaced key veterans on the roster, however, prompting coach Brandon Ramsey to say the Lions are “almost like an accelerated junior varsity team right now.”

Easing the transition have been a mild winter and KHSAA rule change allowing more practice time.

“Both of those things have helped a lot,” Ramsey said. “We’ve been on the field basically since the first day of practice.”

The Lions open their season in Lexington on Saturday afternoon at Whitaker Bank Park against Johnson Central.

This spring, Boyd County will look to Salisbury to pitch the big games and bat in the middle of the lineup. As a junior, he posted six wins while striking out nearly two batters per inning.

“He’s very talented and, in my opinion, the best pitcher in the region,” Ramsey said. “Trey throws hard. He throws strikes, and has improved his breaking ball quite a bit.”

Offensively, Salisbury drove in 38 runs last season to lead the Lions. He batted .470 as a sophomore.

“He’s our best hitter, the fastest by far and our best baserunner,” said Boyd County’s coach.

Pitching certainly will be the team’s strength according to Ramsey. Providing depth behind Salisbury will be sophomore Billy McCoy and juniors Corey Sublett, Robbie Shivel and Jason Anders. McCoy won five of six decisions as a sophomore while posting a 2.41 ERA.

Position-wise, the Lions are undergoing a makeover. McCoy and Shivel have some infield experience, while Sublett hit well in limited at bats.

“He couldn’t break into the outfield last season, but is going to get his chance,” Ramsey said.

Senior outfielder Corey Smith and junior first baseman Gaje Ayers have a chance to get quite a bit of playing time.

Catcher Jacob Barnwell is one of many freshmen on the rise. He’s projected to open the season as the starter as junior catcher Zack Patton continues his recovery from a broken leg.

“Jacob runs well, throws well and hits well,” Ramsey said. “He’s a kid with an enormous amount of talent and no experience.”

Some of the other freshmen working their way into the mix include Dylan Grimm, Evan Crum, Matt Blakeley, Jordan Smith and Tanner Bryan.

“This bunch is talented, especially the freshmen,” Ramsey said. “Hopefully by the end of the season we will get up to varsity speed and be a pretty good team.”

Ashland, like Boyd County, will count on pitching to pave the way.

Hunter and Salisbury were teammates on the East junior All-Star team. Hunter won eight of nine decisions last season.

“He had a great winter,” Wilcox said. “We look for him to be really tough this spring. Sam is just a great all-around athlete that you love having on your team.”

The Tomcats will also be looking to Joe Stewart (3-1, 2.47 ERA) and Logan Salow, who is expected to move into the starting rotation after going 1-1 with two saves and a 1.58 in mostly a relief role. Steve Adkins (3-3, 3.66 ERA) is trying to come back from a knee injury.

Scoring runs will be more of a challenge for Ashland after losing seven players, including five that batted over .300, from a region runner-up team.

Salow, however, returns to the leadoff spot after hitting .375 as a sophomore and also provides excellent defense in left field. Another junior, Cade O’Bryan, batted .362 last season and will play wherever the Tomcats need him.

Ashland’s infield has a new look with sophomores Aaron Elam (first base), Jared Slone (second base) and Evan Cox (third base) likely to join Stewart (shortstop). O’Bryan could also start at third.

Catcher Cameron Fritz is also a sophomore.

“We have some guys with great baseball skills but are very inexperienced when it comes to the varsity level,” Wilcox said. “Being able to get out on the field as much as we have and take groundballs has helped us get ready. We’ve got to replace a lot of good players, but I like the versatility of this team.”

Fairview, meanwhile, has several familiar names back.

Seniors Austin Rowe, C.J. Leadingham and Austin Pemberton provide plenty of pitching experience. Rowe led the team in wins and Leadingham posted a 1.48 ERA.

Leadingham, an All-Area selection, also batted .425. Other top returning hitters for the Eagles include first baseman Brandon “Bam Bam” McDaniel (.431, five home runs), outfielder Ethan Cantrell (.380) and Pemberton (.340).

Thompson rates Justin Warrick and Cantrell among the best outfielders in the region, while catcher Johnathan Burke is another mainstay for the Eagles.

“Fairview and our community are excited,” said Thompson, whose team will be making its first spring trip to Florida.

Other players expected to contribute include Cody Grohoski, Cody Sammons, Joel Wardle, Taylor Freeman, Kyle Storms, Blake Smith and Caleb McKnight.

http://dailyindependent.com/localsports/...ave-a-shot

[PHSForever]

But...but...but...the 64th can't have no stinkin' 3 team district! Lawrence County would go ballistic! lol Just teasing, guys.