Baseball: MHS seniors fuel another state tournament run
After entering the 3A State Championship Tournament last season and losing in the first round, the Warrior baseball team is hoping to pick up where they left off — in hunt for a state championship.
Marion made school history by advancing into the state tournament last season after defeating Yates Center in regional play.
But as a No. 8 seed facing the No. 1 seeded Baxter Springs, the Warriors fell in the first-round game at Manhattan by two runs despite a grueling effort. Baxter Springs went on to claim the state championship with a win over highly-touted Wichita Collegiate.
This past week, the Kansas State High School Activities Association released regional tournament information that will feature Marion alongside teams such as Hillsboro, Leon-Bluestem, Osage City, and Yates Center.
According to Marion head coach Sean Spoontz, the table is set for another appearance in the 3A State Tournament.
"Our chances are really great for a chance to repeat," Spoontz said. "We've set our goals high. We plan on starting where we finished last season. This year we don't have to fill spots, we've got the guys already in place."
Spoontz boasts a roster that is 19-players deep for the 2003 season, including four of six seniors with state-tournament experience and nine returning letter winners.
"Our starting nine players are as strong as any one's," Spoontz said. "We have six returning starters who each batted over .300 last season. Our defense will be strong with a core of returning infield players and three starters from last season's team in the outfield. The only position we really need to fill is second base."
Senior pitcher and short-stop Mitch Enos will anchor the talented Warrior team. Spoontz called Enos their "go-to guy" for the upcoming season. Enos will be Marion's No. 1 pitcher, while junior Clayton Chamberland and sophomore Jimmy Shipman most likely will occupy the No. 2 and 3 spots respectively.
"I think it's important that we find another pitcher," Spoontz said. "But we have over 100 innings of pitching coming back from last season."
Last season the Warrior pitchers compiled an ERA just under six in five-innings pitched and a little over seven in seven-innings.
This season, the strength of Marion's team will likely be seen in their slugging percentage. As a team, the Warriors batted .285, knocking in 69 RBIs and slamming four home runs.
Four Warriors made up of Enos, Chamberland, Tyler Richmond, and Jason Matz combined for over 60 percent of the team RBI's, bringing in 46 out of 69 of the teams total runs.
First baseman Jason Matz, still nursing a foot injury incurred during the basketball season, also will be an critical part of the Warriors season according to Spoontz.
Tomorrow, the Warriors travel west to tangle with the Trojans of Hillsboro High School. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Hillsboro Sports Complex.
Returning letter winners
Mitch Enos, SR; Jason Matz, SR; Matt Rhodes, SR; Bronson Shipman, SR; Clayton Chamberland, JR; Tyler Richmond, JR; Jimmy Shipman, JR; Neil Waner, JR; Tyson Heidebrecht, SO.
2003 Roster
David Deforest, FR; Clayton Garnica, FR; Shawn Hayes, FR; Clinton Jeffrey, FR; Josh Kelsey, FR; Jeffrey Richmond, FR; Preston Williams, FR; Tyson Heidebrecht, SO; Clayton Chamberland, JR; Jared Kirkpatrick, JR; Tyler Richmond, JR; Jimmy Shipman, JR; Neil Waner, JR; Mitch Enos, SR; Jason Matz, SR; Mohammad Razaie, SR; Matt Rhodes, SR; Bronson Shipman, SR; Eric Smith, SR.
