Warriors will find strength from seniors
By ERIC CLARK
Sports Editor
Despite finishing 7-11 last season, Marion High School head baseball coach Sean Spoonts is excited about his team's chances for the 2004 season.
With five seniors gracing the roster this season — many with valuable varsity experience from last season, Spoonts has reason to be excited.
"We had so many close games last season that it was almost unbelievable," Spoonts said. "We're bringing back some good kids and I have a feeling we're going to hit the ball very well."
Some of those good kids include senior third-baseman and pitcher Jimmy Shipman and short-stop and pitcher Clayton Chamberland.
"Jimmy probably will be our best pitcher as far as speed is concerned," Spoonts said of the senior. "He and Clayton each pitched about 50 innings last year. I expect them both to be leaders for our team, and I expect them to lead our team offensively as well."
The Warriors will need to replace three starters they lost to graduation last season. But Spoonts said a slew of underclassman and a handful of seniors should fill the void.
Among those Spoonts mentioned were seniors Tyler Stubenhofer, Neil Waner, junior Tyson Heidebrecht, and sophomores Clayton Garnica, Josh Kelsey, and David DeForest.
"They'll be inexperienced as far as varsity goes, but I'm expecting good things from all of them," Spoonts said about the group.
The Warrior team will open the season this Friday afternoon at home in a double-header slated for 4:30 p.m. against Hillsboro.
Spoontz said his team will use a combination of chemistry and hard work to improve throughout the season. According to the coach, making the state tournament is one of the team's goals.
"It takes a combination of players peaking at the right time and a little bit of luck down the stretch," Spoonts said about the Warriors' chemistry. "If you look too far ahead of one game, you can miss what's happening right in front of you from game to game. We have to take small steps to get (to our goal), but we're looking forward to it. We're all getting pretty antsy for the game against Hillsboro."
Regardless of Friday's outcome, Spoonts said the team can use the contest as a measuring stick.
"These first couple of games are a good assessment for a ball team," he said. "There are all sorts of things that help us determine how we will shape our practices and our preparation after these games."
