Rose Bud coach Scott Moore is in his 23rd year with the Ramblers, and he was optimistic as his team prepared to open the season Feb. 26 at Quitman.
“We are excited about our prospects for this year,” Moore said. “We feel we will get better each game and try to challenge for a regional and state berth.”
With nine starters returning, the Ramblers finished 12-10 last season, a great improvement from the 2-10 mark in 2011. But for the second straight year, they did not advance past the district tournament.
For 2013, Moore said, senior leadership and defense will provide the strengths of his team.
BEST HITTER FOR AVERAGE: Justin Wilson returns this spring after leading the Ramblers in average last year.
BEST POWER HITTER: Bret Capels tied for the team lead in home runs last year. Moore said he expects Capels to continue that statistic in 2013.
BEST SPEED: Two Tylers — Weatherly and Bell — are the team’s fastest players. Weatherly, at catcher, will be fast behind the plate, Moore said; Bell will cover a lot of ground in center field. “Both will be threats on the bases,” the coach said.
BEST FIELDER: At press time, Moore wasn’t ready to name a particular player for this category, but he was confident that plenty of Ramblers would step up. “We should be able to put a good defensive team on the field,” he said.
BEST ARM: Pitching depth could be another strength for the Ramblers. Moore said they have four or five pitchers who should be able to help.
The Ramblers will compete in the 3A-2 conference against Bald Knob, Barton, Harding Academy and Riverview. The four top finishers from that league will move on to the Class 3A Region 2 Tournament to face the four survivors of the 3A-5 (which includes eStem, Episcopal Collegiate, Fountain Lake, Glen Rose, Benton Harmony Grove, Jessieville, Mayflower and Perryville).
The district tournament is set for April 26-29, with the regional to follow May 3-6. The top-four teams from the regional will advance to the Class 3A State Tournament on May 9-13.