Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nash County HS baseball preview capsules

Rocky Mount sophomore pitcher/center fielder Jeremy Johnson
Here are preview capsules of Nash County's high school baseball teams. Play is in its third week of action.

NASH CENTRAL

Head coach - Jeff Mizelle (3rd season)
2010 record - 14-9, 4-6 Big East
Returning starters - 7
Strengths - Two starting pitchers return, more team speed, more offensive power
Weaknesses - Young players on the field
Toughest non-conference game - J.H, Rose
Starters -
1B - Mason Wallace, Sr.
2B - Jordan Taylor, Jr.
SS - Khalil Macklin, Fr.
3B - Dillon Moore, Jr.
C - Jeremy Sloop, Sr.
LF - Bennett Williford, Sr.
CF - Jalen Hendricks, Jr.
RF - Colton Vaughan, So.
Starting pitchers: Trellis Ashley, Sr.; Jeremy Sloop, Sr.
Coach's expectations - "We expect to finish in the top three of the conference and get back to the playoffs. We expect to have a real good season."
2011 record - 6-0


NORTHERN NASH

Head coach - Eddie Loesner (4th season)
2010 record - 14-9, 4-6 Big East
Returning starters - 7
Strengths - Defense should be pretty good
Weaknesses - Lack of depth, must stay away from injuries
Toughest non-conference game - South Central
Starters -
1B - Madison Mayo, Sr.
2B - David Williams, Sr.
SS - Luke Joyner, Jr.
3B - Steve Williams, Jr.
C - Braxton Bowden, Jr.
LF - Hunter Watson, So.
CF - Fuller Weatherly, Sr.
RF - Wes Pate, Sr.
Starting pitchers: Jeremy Lucas, Sr., Hunter Watson, So.
Coach's expectations - "There's a lot of parity in the league. So if we play well, I think we can be part of the playoff mix. The league winner may have as many as three conference losses."
2011 record - 3-2


ROCKY MOUNT

Head coach - Kent Cox (2nd season)
2010 record - 22-3, 10-0 Big East
Returning starters - 4
Strengths - Pitching depth - seven possible arms, senior leadership
Weaknesses - Very young, hitting, lost of offense to replace
Toughest non-conference game - J.H, Rose
Starters -
1B - Thomas Berry, Sr.
2B - Andy Morris, Fr.
SS - Spencer Ramsey, So.
3B - Matthew Berry, Sr.
C - Collin Watson, So.
LF - Benton Moss, Sr.
CF - Jeremy Johnson, So.
RF - Taylor Clontz, Sr.
Starting pitchers: Benton Moss, Sr., Jeremy Johnson, So.
Coach's expectations - "We have to get good pitching and some timely hitting if we are going to win this season. We're going to have to do all the little things to get some wins, including scratching out hits and runs."
2011 record - 4-3


SOUTHERN NASH

Head coach - Jeff Flowers (10th season)
2010 record - 5-14, 0-10 Big East
Returning starters - 6
Strengths - Experience, many kids that have playing time; team speed
Weaknesses - Offensive, pitching experience
Toughest non-conference game - Louisburg
Starters -
1B - Chris Martin, Sr.
2B - Luke Mercer, Sr..
SS - Garrison Vick, Fr.
3B - Josh Barnes, Sr.
C - Daniel Tyson, Sr.
LF - Zack Parris, Jr.
CF - Tevin Boykin, Jr.
RF - Ronnie Robbins, So.
Starting pitchers: Daniel Tyson, Sr.; Zack Parris, Jr.
Coach's expectations - "I'd like to see us get the program back to the way it was a few seasons ago. We'd love to make a great improvement over last season."
2011 record - 2-2