Baseball
Conference: 5A South
Coach: Jay Darr
Assistant coaches: Leighton Hardin and Dusty McGregor
2014 record: 15-11 overall; 11-3 in conference, third seed
Returning starters: Six
Best hitter for average: Senior Marcus Fisher (6-0, 155), who throws and hits right-handed: “Marcus is the definition of a gamer. He loves to compete and has hit .343, .378 and .398 the last three years with his best season for average occurring last year,” Coach Darr said. “We look for good things out of him again this year.” Senior Hayden Lindsey (5-10, 170), outfielder, utility player, right-handed pitcher and hitter: “Hayden will lead off for us this season and has hit .364 and .356 the last two seasons and will push for the top team average this year,” Darr said. “More importantly for us, he has had an on-base percentage of .475 over the last two seasons. That, with the addition of power hitters behind him, will make him very valuable to our success this season.”
Best power hitter: Junior Jon Youngblood (6-1, 210), throws and hits right-handed: “Jon possesses a great deal of power, and with the addition of hitting coach Leighton Hardin, he has made some great adjustments this offseason and looks better than ever,” Darr said. “Last year [Jon] led the team in home runs while only hitting .269. He has increased his consistency at the plate, and the swings and misses are all but gone. He should have a great year.”
Best fielder: Junior Reese Nickles (5-10, 160), middle infielder, throws and hits right-handed: “Reese is a blue-collar guy, works on his game constantly, and it is beginning to pay off for him,” Darr said. “He may not be the flashiest defensive player we have, but he is the most steady.” Junior Erick Aguirre (5-11, 165), catcher, throws and hits right-handed: “Erick is also the kind of kid that you love to coach,” the coach said. “He is a quiet leader that will speak up to teammates when it goes awry. He has patiently sat behind a starter the past two years but now has earned both playing time and the respect of our pitchers that he will handle this season. He will be one I will enjoy watching this year.”
Best speed: Fisher, shortstop, right-handed pitcher: He has 35 stolen bases in his career.
Best arm: Youngblood, third baseman, right-handed pitcher: His throws will be in the upper 80s across the diamond.
Best pitcher: Youngblood: “Jon was our No. 2 last season as a sophomore,” Darr said. “His pitches include a fastball of 83-86 mph with a lot of movement; slider, 77-79; and circle change, 73-75, with unreal sink and tail to arm side. He is a bulldog on the mound and is itching to get the ball in key situations this season.”
College prospects: The coach named seniors Lindsey and Johnathon Barmore; juniors Youngblood, Brandon Hall, Aguirre, Tanner Rice, Andrew Spakes and Nickles; and sophomore Colton O’Keefe.
Softball
Conference: 5A South
Coach: Josh Bradley
Assistant coach: Lanea Bettinger
2014 record: 7-11 overall; 3-11 in conference
Best hitter for average: Sarah Jones, who hit .450 last season
Best power hitter: Karli Herron
Best fielder: Herron
Best speed: Maddie Perrigo
Best arm: Herron
Best pitcher: Kyla Clark
College prospects: Catcher Hallie Green signed with Crowder College, and third baseman Karli Herron signed with Tyler Community College.