2023 Baseball Magazine Preview | Page 39

The Rivercrest Colts will be a balanced combination of experienced veterans and newcomers looking to expand their roles . After finishing 16-7 and losing in the first round of the regional tournament last year , Coach Stephan Elrod is looking for his team to improve and move deeper in the postseason . Leading the Colts will be all-state senior Austin Elrod . Elrod is a fouryear starter in the outfield and will bat leadoff . Elrod is a good contact hitter with power to the gaps and an ability to get on base . On the mound , Elrod has good velocity when he is called upon to pitch . Fellow senior Candon Starnes is a good hitter with some pop in his bat . He will most likely play first base this season . Junior Connor Vaughn will be the ace of the staff and play the outfield . Vaughn has good velocity and a really good changeup on the mound and a good eye and a lot of pop at the plate . Junior outfielder Kevin Morris will bat near the top of the lineup with his good speed and pitch when needed . Ian McClain improved a lot behind the plate last season and will handle the catching duties this season . The junior has a good bat and will bat in the middle of the lineup with ample opportunity to drive in runs . Sophomores Joe Louis Ralph and Jaxon Kilburn will man the left side of the infield and pitch for Rivercrest . Ralph has increased his velocity and has a good curve . He has a really good glove and will have a chance at playing shortstop . Kilburn will be at third with a strong arm which gives him increased velocity on the mound . Juniors Carty Smith and Ashton Cagle are back after dealing with some injuries . Smith missed last season with a knee injury and will help with his good defense , while Cagle can help up the middle in the infield with his good hands . Seniors Brayden Champion and Dalston Smith will provide depth on defense ; Champion in the outfield , and Smith in the infield . Sophomore Keiran Morris played some outfield last year , but will be more of a utility player this time around . Coach Elrod said the Colt defense will shift around depending on who is pitching . “ We have young players looking at playing time on the infield . Depth and having to move kids around depending on who is pitching is a concern ,” he explained . “ I feel like our pitching staff will be solid this season , and we will be able to score runs . Our outfield will be very solid with every starter returning .” The 3A-3 conference has a new look this year , but is still tough at the top . Look for Rivercrest to battle for a conference crown and be a tough out in the postseason .

The East Poinsett County Warriors had a learning season a year ago , and with a lot of young guys , Coach Hunter Bryan says it will be another learning experience for his team . “ We will be young and ready to learn . Our strengths will be defense , and we will focus on making quality at bats ,” explained Coach Bryan . “ We will be starting freshman in over half the positions . Great group of student athletes moving up .” Senior Hayden Holiman is an upperclassman returning to lead the Warriors . Holiman is the ace of the staff and was the team ’ s best hitter last season . He led the team in batting average last year . He has good velocity on the mound and plays first base when not pitching . Junior Sam Hosman plays second and is considered the team ’ s hardest worker and most improved player by Coach Bryan . Hosman shows great control on the mound and will look to keep opposing lineups off the base path . They will be backed by junior Tyler Moore at shortstop who had the highest fielding percentage for EPC last season . Eli Bragg is a newcomer that will fit in well on the infield . Bragg has a great bat and will provide some depth to the pitching staff . Freshman Hayden Stone will likely catch for the Warriors . Stone has a great attitude and good mind for the game . With the 2A-3 being so balanced and tough at the top , it may be difficult to get to the regional for EPC , but keep an eye on the youngsters to make some noise along the way .

The East Poinsett County Lady Warriors were the 2A State Runner-up a season ago , and with several returning starters , Coach Brandon Powell and company are hoping to take that final step to a state championship . Finishing 32-3 , with two of those losses coming to state champions Tuckerman and Valley View , the expectations are high for the Lady Warriors who return seven starters . All-State pitcher Keegan McCorkle returns to the circle for EPC . McCorkle has good velocity with a much-improved change-up and shows great control with limited walks . At the plate , McCorkle has good power , leading the team in homeruns last season . Terrin Powell will use her speed in the leadoff position . Powell batted . 353 last year with only two strikeouts on the year . Kelly Lucas is another good contact hitter with good speed . Lucas is an exceptional bunter who had limited strikeouts as well . All-State selection Natalie Dunman showed good power hitting cleanup last season , while Jaycee Davis makes great contact and does a great job moving runners . Brinley Brewer made good contact down the stretch last season , and Coach Powell expects her to have a solid year . Another speedster is Cameron Argo , who causes problems for defenses in the nine-hole playing small ball . Three freshmen will have a chance to contribute this year . Kelly Ashcraft may have an opportunity to play first base , while Riley Ashcraft is a solid hitter and defender that should land somewhere in the lineup . Caroline Miller is a very athletic player that can play multiple positions and possibly pitch some for EPC . With pitching , defense , hitting , and experience all returning , expectations are high once again , and Coach Powell feels this group is seasoned enough to handle the pressure . NEA Sports predicts the Lady Warriors to once again win the conference , regional , and make the next step to a state championship .

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