The Scribe
03-25-2007, 05:25 PM
11th Region Baseball Preview
There’s a good chance that the next state champion will come from the 43rd District, which has produced three of the last four state champs.
Lexington Catholic seems poised to become the first team since Harrison County (1997-98) to repeat as state champs. That is, if they can make it out of the 43rd District which also features Lexington Christian, Paul Dunbar, Tates Creek, and Henry Clay.
The Knights (36-6-1) actually won the state title a year ahead of expectations behind a talented group of juniors. One year later, they find themselves in prime position to repeat.
University of Georgia signee Ben Revere (.461, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 25 SB) is a Mr. Baseball candidate and was among the state leaders in hits and runs last year.
Revere is one of eight starters coming back and solidifies the Knight defense in the outfield.
Senior Justin Riddell (.400, 9 HR, 45 RBI) also returns in the outfield.
The infield appears set with the return third baseman John Weaver (.380, 3 HR, 22 RBI), shortstop Jordan Root (.384, 5 HR, 28 RBI), who has signed to play at Eastern Kentucky, second baseman Travis Redmon (.250), and first baseman Taylor Hatfield (.300, 2 HR, 23 RBI).
Wes Caldwell (.387, 2 HR, 18 RBI) returns for another year behind the plate and will catch one of the state’s best pitchers.
Junior Nick Maronde was unbeaten last year in 14 decisions and struck out over 100 batters with an ERA around 1.00
Weaver (4-0, 1.18 ERA), Redmon (5-1, 3.81 ERA), and Ken Riley (4-1, 3.77 ERA) should round out the rotation.
Paul Dunbar (20-13) lost to Lexington Catholic in the championship game of both the 43rd District Tournament and the 11th Region Tournament.
The Bulldogs have a solid 1-2 punch on the mound in seniors Casey Lucchese and University of Louisville signee Thomas Royse.
Second baseman David Guiliani and shortstop Matt Bracken, a Western Kentucky University signee, form a solid defensive combo up the middle.
Outfielder Chris Wood, who will join Bracken at WKU, also returns to try and get Dunbar back to the state tournament for the first time since winning the 2003 state title.
Lexington Christian (21-9) was picked by many to repeat as state champions last year, but injuries and inconsistent play contributed to a first round district loss to Paul Dunbar.
Junior Robbie Ross is one of the region’s best pitchers, while Marshall University signee Tyler Oliver returns at first base to anchor the Lexington Christian offense.
Tates Creek (22-13) is hoping this is the year they can win a big game in the district tournament and make their first region tournament appearance in five years.
Senior Logan Jackson and junior T.J. Mangione will be expected to play a variety of roles for the Creekers, who must replace their top two pitchers.
Henry Clay (24-11) has four position starters coming back from last year’s 42nd District title team.
Senior Kevin Taylor (.370) and junior Cameron Flynn (.333) return to the outfield for head coach Herb Hammond, who expects to field a good defensive team with catcher Drew Zuckerman (.322) and junior shortstop Jonathon Craycraft (.342, 16 extra base hits).
Flynn (2-2, 2.72 ERA), Andy Hagerman (3-0, 3.18 ERA), and junior Matt Harris (2-1, 2.72 ERA) should round out the rotation for Henry Clay, who will play host to the 11th Region Tournament this year.
Woodford County (27-10) returns five starters from last year’s squad that won the 41st District title before falling to Dunbar in the first round of the region tournament.
Senior Matt Adel, who will play his college ball at Union College, will try and fill the pitching void left by the graduation of Chris Denney. Juniors Gus Sherrow and Adam Miller should join Adel in the rotation.
Graham Watts (Transylvania) and a talented junior class led by Tyler Adams, Nick Claunch, and Chris Morford should be enough for the Yellowjackets to win their fourth straight district title.
Franklin County (22-14) lost to Woodford County in extra innings to be denied the district title. With five starters returning, the Flyers could have enough to knock Woodford from atop the district standings.
Head coach Deron McDonald has a pair of pitchers who can hit the mid-80s on the radar gun. Lefty Evan Bell and Chris Cushingberry provide a nice 1-2 punch, but the rotation is hoping to get a lift from junior southpaw Jacob Brackett and righty Kaelin Ammons, who is also ranked among the region’s best outfielders but will also see time at third base.
Junior first baseman Josh Shackleford and outfielder Demetrius Hicks also return for the Flyers, who welcome the addition of catcher Drew Wiard.
Madison Southern (15-12) won the 44th District last year behind the play of seniors Zach Durham, Steven Walzer, and Cameron Allen. The trio is among the five starters returning for new head coach Brandon Watkins.
If Bryan Station (7-21) can find some pitching, they could be a team to watch in the 42nd district.
Senior catcher Wes Wilson (.370), junior shortstop Dan Olszowy (.350), and senior outfielder Aaron Lindsay (.370) all return for head coach Larry Poynter, who is also hoping to develop a large group of talented freshmen and sophomores.
11th Region Rankings
1. Lexington Catholic
2. Paul Dunbar
3. Lexington Christian
4. Tates Creek
5. Henry Clay
6. Woodford County
7. Franklin County
8. Lafayette
9. Madison Southern
10. Madison Central
11. Bryan Station
12. Sayre
13. Scott County
14. Western Hills
15. Model
16. Frankfort
17. Berea
There’s a good chance that the next state champion will come from the 43rd District, which has produced three of the last four state champs.
Lexington Catholic seems poised to become the first team since Harrison County (1997-98) to repeat as state champs. That is, if they can make it out of the 43rd District which also features Lexington Christian, Paul Dunbar, Tates Creek, and Henry Clay.
The Knights (36-6-1) actually won the state title a year ahead of expectations behind a talented group of juniors. One year later, they find themselves in prime position to repeat.
University of Georgia signee Ben Revere (.461, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 25 SB) is a Mr. Baseball candidate and was among the state leaders in hits and runs last year.
Revere is one of eight starters coming back and solidifies the Knight defense in the outfield.
Senior Justin Riddell (.400, 9 HR, 45 RBI) also returns in the outfield.
The infield appears set with the return third baseman John Weaver (.380, 3 HR, 22 RBI), shortstop Jordan Root (.384, 5 HR, 28 RBI), who has signed to play at Eastern Kentucky, second baseman Travis Redmon (.250), and first baseman Taylor Hatfield (.300, 2 HR, 23 RBI).
Wes Caldwell (.387, 2 HR, 18 RBI) returns for another year behind the plate and will catch one of the state’s best pitchers.
Junior Nick Maronde was unbeaten last year in 14 decisions and struck out over 100 batters with an ERA around 1.00
Weaver (4-0, 1.18 ERA), Redmon (5-1, 3.81 ERA), and Ken Riley (4-1, 3.77 ERA) should round out the rotation.
Paul Dunbar (20-13) lost to Lexington Catholic in the championship game of both the 43rd District Tournament and the 11th Region Tournament.
The Bulldogs have a solid 1-2 punch on the mound in seniors Casey Lucchese and University of Louisville signee Thomas Royse.
Second baseman David Guiliani and shortstop Matt Bracken, a Western Kentucky University signee, form a solid defensive combo up the middle.
Outfielder Chris Wood, who will join Bracken at WKU, also returns to try and get Dunbar back to the state tournament for the first time since winning the 2003 state title.
Lexington Christian (21-9) was picked by many to repeat as state champions last year, but injuries and inconsistent play contributed to a first round district loss to Paul Dunbar.
Junior Robbie Ross is one of the region’s best pitchers, while Marshall University signee Tyler Oliver returns at first base to anchor the Lexington Christian offense.
Tates Creek (22-13) is hoping this is the year they can win a big game in the district tournament and make their first region tournament appearance in five years.
Senior Logan Jackson and junior T.J. Mangione will be expected to play a variety of roles for the Creekers, who must replace their top two pitchers.
Henry Clay (24-11) has four position starters coming back from last year’s 42nd District title team.
Senior Kevin Taylor (.370) and junior Cameron Flynn (.333) return to the outfield for head coach Herb Hammond, who expects to field a good defensive team with catcher Drew Zuckerman (.322) and junior shortstop Jonathon Craycraft (.342, 16 extra base hits).
Flynn (2-2, 2.72 ERA), Andy Hagerman (3-0, 3.18 ERA), and junior Matt Harris (2-1, 2.72 ERA) should round out the rotation for Henry Clay, who will play host to the 11th Region Tournament this year.
Woodford County (27-10) returns five starters from last year’s squad that won the 41st District title before falling to Dunbar in the first round of the region tournament.
Senior Matt Adel, who will play his college ball at Union College, will try and fill the pitching void left by the graduation of Chris Denney. Juniors Gus Sherrow and Adam Miller should join Adel in the rotation.
Graham Watts (Transylvania) and a talented junior class led by Tyler Adams, Nick Claunch, and Chris Morford should be enough for the Yellowjackets to win their fourth straight district title.
Franklin County (22-14) lost to Woodford County in extra innings to be denied the district title. With five starters returning, the Flyers could have enough to knock Woodford from atop the district standings.
Head coach Deron McDonald has a pair of pitchers who can hit the mid-80s on the radar gun. Lefty Evan Bell and Chris Cushingberry provide a nice 1-2 punch, but the rotation is hoping to get a lift from junior southpaw Jacob Brackett and righty Kaelin Ammons, who is also ranked among the region’s best outfielders but will also see time at third base.
Junior first baseman Josh Shackleford and outfielder Demetrius Hicks also return for the Flyers, who welcome the addition of catcher Drew Wiard.
Madison Southern (15-12) won the 44th District last year behind the play of seniors Zach Durham, Steven Walzer, and Cameron Allen. The trio is among the five starters returning for new head coach Brandon Watkins.
If Bryan Station (7-21) can find some pitching, they could be a team to watch in the 42nd district.
Senior catcher Wes Wilson (.370), junior shortstop Dan Olszowy (.350), and senior outfielder Aaron Lindsay (.370) all return for head coach Larry Poynter, who is also hoping to develop a large group of talented freshmen and sophomores.
11th Region Rankings
1. Lexington Catholic
2. Paul Dunbar
3. Lexington Christian
4. Tates Creek
5. Henry Clay
6. Woodford County
7. Franklin County
8. Lafayette
9. Madison Southern
10. Madison Central
11. Bryan Station
12. Sayre
13. Scott County
14. Western Hills
15. Model
16. Frankfort
17. Berea