Area baseball teams gear up for upcoming season

District 24-5A

Ball High

COACH: Jim Connor (fifth year)

2009 RECORD: 13-13, 5-9

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2003

RETURNING PLAYERS: Eight, seven starters

KEY PLAYERS: Aaron Garza (Jr., RHP/OF), Austin Orewiler (Jr., C/RHP), Rande Revilla (Sr., LHP/OF), Nick Williams (So., OF)

OUTLOOK: Not only is this the Tors last year in Class 5A, but its also Connors last year in the dugout. Connor is moving into administration after this the season.

With a talented young roster, its certainly possible Connor and the Tors could go out with a bang.

We are still young, but we have a very strong young class, Connor said. I dont want to put expectations on these kids. I want them to just concentrate on having fun. But even in this tough district, its not far-fetched to think we can make the playoffs this year.

Garza was a first-team all-district pitcher as a sophomore, while Orewiler was honorable mention all-district last year as well. Those two, along with Revilla, give Ball a formidable rotation.

Connor said Williams also is someone to keep an eye on.

Nick is by far the most talented athlete Ive ever coached in 20 years, Connor said. Hes only a sophomore, but he is a legit five-tool player. This kid could be frightening good if he can adjust to this level of competition quickly.

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Clear Creek

COACH: Jim Mallory (31st year)

2009 RECORD: 18-11, 10-4

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, regional quarterfinalist

RETURNING PLAYERS: Eight, four starters

KEY PLAYERS: Reed Gordy (Sr., 1B), Dyllan McGregor (Sr., 2B), Zach Gibson (Jr., SS), C.J. McElroy (Jr., OF).

OUTLOOK: Despite losing The Daily News co-player of the year (Rangers draftee Shawn Blackwell) and four college players to graduation, expectations are high for Creek. The Wildcats are ranked No. 16 by the Baseball USA/Houston 5A Baseball state preseason poll. Mallory said thats likely based off the strong performance his players had in an offseason tournament.

I like this team a lot after what Ive been seeing, Mallory said. We dont have that dominant 90 mph arm that weve had the last few years, but we have five pitchers that we are confident in. We also have a lot of team speed and are playing good defense. We have the chance to be exciting.

Gordy, Bobby McCormack, Jake McNeil, Chad Valcoviak and Cole Waidhofer will handle the bulk of the pitching duties. The Wildcats also should have an explosive offense, though Mallory did say his roster is as deep as a kiddy pool.

Barring they stay healthy, the Wildcats should be in the mix for a deep postseason run again this year. But Mallory said district will be tough again this year.

My prediction is we will have more parody this year, Mallory said. Its going to be another ole shootout at the 24-5A corral.

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Clear Springs

COACH: Chris Floyd (third year)

2009 RECORD: 6-19, 2-12

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: N/A

RETURNING PLAYERS: Nine starters

KEY PLAYERS: Tyler Winfield (Jr.), J.C. Neighbors (Jr., P/OF), Matt Brister (Jr.), Taylor Reeves (Sr.)

OUTLOOK: The Chargers took their lumps in their first season of varsity play, but Floyd is expecting much better results this year. They still could have some struggles offensively, but the Chargers pitching should keep them in the playoff mix.

I think our strength is going to be pitching and defense, Floyd said. Weve gotten a lot better by the guys playing during the summer, and I expect that well continue to get better as the season goes along.

Winfield and Neighbors will be two keys for the Springs roster. Both will pitch and hit in the middle of the lineup. Floyd said Reeves also could really help the Chargers on the mound.

Taylor threw in the second half of district last year and did a good job considering it was the first time hes ever pitched, Floyd said. If he throws well, we have a chance to do really well as a team.

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Dickinson

COACH: Sean Wood (first year)

2009 RECORD: 4-21, 0-14

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2007

RETURNING PLAYERS: Six, three starters

OUTLOOK: Wood returns to the dugout in District 24-5A after a two-year break from coaching. He was previously the head coach at Clear Lake for eight years.

Wood said the idea of building a program in a one-school town was one that appealed to him.

When this came up, I thought about it and then I talked to the athletic director and superintendent, Wood said.

I liked what I heard from all of them. I think this program is going to grow. Getting to take over a team that went 0-14 in district and turn it around is something that I am excited about.

Wood has tried to install a winning attitude early with his new team. In scrimmages heading into the season, hes played to win when theyve gone up against the likes of Kingwood, La Porte and Friendswood.

Wood said the players attitudes have been great, giving him hope the team can be competitive this season.

After being a head coach for 12 years, Ive had a bunch of good teams and great kids, Wood said. They have bought into our program and (are) having fun. Sometimes thats hard to do, but I think these kids will play good because of it.

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District 24-4A

Friendswood

COACH: Charlie Taylor (22nd year)

2009 RECORD: 25-9, 13-1

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, regional semifinals

RETURNING PLAYERS: Three, two starters

KEY PLAYERS: Kyle Singleton (Sr., DH), Brandon Hollier (Sr., 2B)

OUTLOOK: The Mustangs have lost the bulk of their back-to-back district championship teams but still should be able to get into the playoffs this year. Singleton is a powerful force in the middle of the lineup, and Hollier is one of the teams leaders.

We are expecting those two to be the leaders of the bunch, Taylor said. They both should have great seasons at the plate.

Despite a green roster, Taylor said he has no doubts his squad will be in the playoffs come the end of district play.

We have enough talent to get into the playoffs, Taylor said. It depends on our pitching if they can carry us from there. We have some pretty good arms, so we will see as we go.

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La Marque

COACH: Carnell White (first year)

2009 RECORD: 2-19, 0-14

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2000

RETURNING PLAYERS: Six, four starters

KEY PLAYERS: Thomas Coronado (Sr., SS/P), Erik Ramos (Sr., C/P), Demarcu Cain (Sr., OF), Kameron Wright (Sr., 3B/P)

OUTLOOK: White returns to La Marque after being at Clear Creek and Baytown for four years. White said he relished the opportunity to return home and help rebuild the struggling La Marque program.

Every coach has challenges, White said. We are trying to build this program back up to where it was when I was here years ago. Right now, we have just one team, but we are trying to get two or three teams in the near future. I am trying to get involved with the little leagues as soon as I can to increase interest in the program.

Success wont come overnight for the Cougars program, but White said his players have come in with an attitude to improve and be competitive.

The kids are having fun and are energetic heading into the season, White said. Our plan is to compete with everyone in this district, and that can happen if we stay positive and work.

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Santa Fe

COACH: Ronnie Wulf (13th year)

2009 RECORD: 11-14, 7-7

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2008

RETURNING PLAYERS: Five, two starters

KEY PLAYERS: Kyle Giusti (Sr., SS), Daniel Wilkerson (Jr., 3B), Evan Svrcek (Jr., P), Matt Mutina (Jr., P).

OUTLOOK: Despite having just two starters from last years team, the Indians are considered by many to be one of the dark horse teams entering this season. Wulf said this squad certainly has the potential to compete for a district crown.

There arent a lot of proven guys on our team, but sometimes thats a good thing, Wulf said. I think the kids are hungry for it. Our JV also had a really good year last season, so those guys are stepping in and excited about the opportunity. I think its going to be a good year.

Wulf said defense probably will be one of the teams strengths. He also likes his pitching staff, especially Svrcek and Mutina.

I feel like those two can be aces for us, Wulf said. We also have them for two years. They will continue to develop as the season goes along.

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Texas City

COACH: Mike Schwager (fifth year)

2009 RECORD: 19-14, 10-4

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, regional quarterfinalist

RETURNING PLAYERS: Seven starters

KEY PLAYERS: Matt Plitt (Sr., 1B), Tyler Iguess (Sr., OF), Ryan Harper (Jr., P/OF)

OUTLOOK: The Stings have plenty of talent returning from last years regional quarterfinalist and are the favorites to win District 24-4A.

The pitching staff took a bit of a hit with the loss of Kyle Kern to a broken ankle, but Plitt and Harper are talented enough to carry the Stings until Kern returns later in the season.

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Class 2A

Hitchcock

COACH: Morris Tuck (first year)

2009 RECORD: 9-15, 5-5

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, lost in first round

RETURNING PLAYERS: Five, four starters

KEY PLAYERS: Sam Johnson (Sr., P), Morris Tuck (Sr., P/C), Brandon Scott (Sr., OF), Justin Williams (Sr., 1B).

OUTLOOK: With Johnson and Tuck, the Bulldogs have perhaps the top pitching rotation in its district. That includes Danbury, the defending Class 2A state champs.

If you are going to be strong somewhere, pitching is the best place to be, coach Morris Tuck said. Its probably the best pair in our district.

One concern is that Tuck will be catching this season, the first time hes done so since he was 12 years old. Hitchcock also has a lot of seniors, but many are inexperienced on the varsity level.

Still Coach Tuck said the Bulldogs could be a special group this year.

I think we have a good shot at the playoffs and maybe a shot at district, Coach Tuck said. That has never been done in Hitchcock, but we should be right there. Once we get in the playoffs, if we do, we have a shot with our pitching. Things could be pretty nice once we get there.

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TAPPS

OConnell

COACH: Cody Kemmerling (second year)

2009 RECORD: 13-15

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, lost in second round

RETURNING PLAYERS: 12, seven starters

KEY PLAYERS: Corey Lee (Sr., Utl), Drew Rios (So., INF/P), Taylor Whitehurst (So., INF/P), Hugo Martinez (Sr., INF)

OUTLOOK: The Bucs return plenty from last years bidistrict championship squad, including Lee whos already committed to play at Galveston College. With so many returners, Kemmerling is expecting big things from his squad.

We lost two good seniors from last year, but I think the playoffs are looking pretty good for us this year, Kemmerling said. I am expecting a great deal from this bunch.

Kemmerling said offense should be the teams strength, though theyve improved in every area during the offseason.

They have gotten bigger, stronger, a little faster and a lot smarter, Kemmerling said. If we can take those skills and play together as a team, we can have a great season.