2023 Baseball Magazine Preview | Page 63

After back to back trips to the 4A State finals , the Valley View Blazers look to have the same success as they move up to a loaded and deep 5A classification . Coach Josh Allison led his teams to the 2021 4A State title and the 2022 4A State runner-up , and with several returners from those two squads , Coach Allison is looking to fill some gaps to compete in the tough 5A East . Three All- State performers lead the returners for the Blazers . Juniors Slade Caldwell , Lawson Ward , and Eli Crecelius were All-State performers last season , with Caldwell and Ward earning All-State Tournament as well . Caldwell added Jonesboro Sun Player of the Year to a long list of accolades , while Ward earned Newcomer of the Year honors . Caldwell is an outfielder / pitcher who can hit for power and average (. 501 ) and led the team in steals ( 42 ). On the mound , the converted pitcher adjusted nicely going 9-1 while closing out a lot of victories . Ward is a catcher who hit . 385 and had 41 RBI , while proving to be a solid defensive catcher with a good understanding of the game . Ward may also see some time on the bump , with a mid-80s fastball and wipeout slider . Crecelius became a solid option as a conference starter with early non-conference outings and earned a start in last year ’ s state finals . Crecelius throws low-to-mid 80s with a good breaking ball and good command . Seniors Carter Saulsbury and Tyler Hoskins will continue to be main contributors along with providing the leadership needed for Valley View . Saulsbury , listed as a outfielder and catcher , can play multiple positions and pitch . A 5-hole hitter that can hit gaps , he should have ample opportunities to rack RBIs . On the mound , Saulsbury throws a lot of strikes in the low-80s and a sneaky breaking ball . Hoskins is a pitcher / designated hitter who hit clean-up last season while showing big time pop off the bat . Coach Allison is hoping he can step into a conference starting role after coming off some arm problems a year ago . Hoskins throws upper 80s and can touch 90 with his fastball . Kayson Becker is a junior that adds even more to an already explosive lineup . Becker is the returning switch hitting third baseman who will also see RBI opportunities in the middle of the Blazer lineup . Owen Roach , Keaton Mathis , and Noah Ragsdale are three freshmen that could look to crack the lineup and help Valley View improve on last season ’ s 29-7 record . Roach is a utility guy that throws in low 80s , Mathis is a good hitter that throws in the 80s , while Ragsdale is middle infielder with real good hands and a good approach at the plate . Coach Allison believes how quickly the Blazers fill a few gaps from a year ago could determine how successful this group could be . Being one of the premier programs in the state , there is no reason to think that this version of Blazer Baseball can ’ t be as successful in 5A . NEA Sports predicts Valley View to be at or near the top of the 5A East in preparation to make another run in the postseason .

The Valley View Lady Blazers softball team conquered the 4A last year winning the 4A State Championship and finishing 27- 5 . Now , the Lady Blazers will look to embark on a new journey with a new leader . Joey Chavers takes over at Valley View as they will move up to 5A and participate in one of the state ’ s toughest conferences , the 5A East . Coach Chavers has the benefit of several key pieces , but says some others will have to step up to fill some gaps left by graduating stand-outs from last year . “ A large key for success will be the girls embracing new roles outside of their comfort zones . We have a very talented group of athletes overflowing with potential ,” Chavers explained . One thing is for certain , Coach Chavers and the Lady Blazers are up to the challenge . Leading the way is returning 4A State Finals MVP pitcher , Riley Smith . Smith was 25-4 with an astounding 229 strikeouts . The All-State hurler was dominant in the circle most of the year posting a 1.02 ERA . Behind her is a strong defense led by All-State Tournament honoree Anna Winkfield . The senior shortstop hit . 453 with two home runs and 13 stolen bases . The multisport star won the offensive award for the Blazers last year and will look to lead the defending champs at the plate again . Fellow seniors Sophie Newberry and Lauren Mitchell also return to a dangerous lineup . Newberry is a first baseman that earned an all-conference selection , while Mitchell showcased her speed in centerfield , stealing seven bases and hitting three triples . Junior Amera Wright split time at first base and as Valley View ’ s designated hitter . Wright batted . 361 with a homerun . Sophomore Mackenzie Whitlock will be up the middle playing second base . She added three home runs and eight doubles to the lineup in her all-conference freshman campaign . Some new faces will also look to add to the tradition of Valley View softball . Freshman Ashlyn Beale is a catcher that has a strong arm , and hot bat , and some speed on the base paths . Some familiar faces will have to step up and fill some roles for the Lady Blazers , as well . Senior Olivia Edwards and sophomores Lacey French , Reese Riley , and Racey Talley will have an opportunity to make an impact in the lineup . Moving up to a tough conference in a brutal classification can prove to be hard to handle for many teams , but NEA Sports predicts that the Valley View Lady Blazers will battle at the top of the 5A East and earn another spot in the state tournament .

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