Baseball team feels confident
Members of the Marion High School baseball team are feeling confident.
"We think we have a great chance to advance to state this year," said Coach Sean Spoonts. "We've seen steady improvement."
It helps that MHS will host a regional May 13 and 14 at the ball diamonds on Eisenhower Drive.
There are 20 players out this season. Some of the older players have skill and experience but each practice includes work on fundamentals, Spoonts said.
The schedule includes a few more junior varsity games that will help players build skills outside of varsity competition.
"We lost our four top pitchers and seven of our nine starters to graduation, but there are things a young team can give you," Spoonts said.
Spoonts noted the team has two left-handed pitchers in Jason Matz and Tyson Heidebrecht, which is somewhat rare for a high school team. Other team leaders include Mitch Enos, Clayton Chamberland, and Tyler Smith.
Several players also are active with the track team. So far, sharing athletes hasn't been a problem.
Spoonts, who also heads up the recreation program for the city and school district, said the fields are "coming along" and should be ready for the season-opener Thursday against Hillsboro.
He added that summer ball programs, while enjoyable for youngsters, also provide a chance to develop good habits and technique. That pays dividends down the road as those players reach high school age. It makes it more likely they will develop a healthy, lifelong lifestyle.
"My goal isn't to get every kid into baseball, but to get every kid into something other than wandering the streets," he said.
All varsity games are doubleheaders. Starting times are 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Scheduled games are:
Thursday, host Hillsboro.
April 5, host Wichita Independent.
April 9, host Council Grove.
April 16, at Sacred Heart.
April 19, varsity baseball at Moundridge, junior varsity hosts Moundridge.
April 23, at Canton-Galva.
April 26, host Ell Saline.
April 30, at Chase County.
May 3, varsity hosts Wichita Trinity at 4:30 p.m., junior varsity plays at Wichita Trinity at 3 p.m.
May 9, at Herington.
May 14, Class 3A first-round regional game at Marion. Teams in the regional are MHS, Eskridge-Mission Valley, Leon-Bluestem, Yates Center, and Osage City. Fourth and fifth seeds play at 4:30 p.m.. Semi-finals and finals are May 16 with games at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Seeding will be determined May 8. Each winner of the eight regional tournaments advances to state May 24 and 25 at Manhattan.
