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Harding Academy 2/3
NAME CLASS/POS.
COMMENTS
1 - Jake Criswell SR/OF, RHP .344, 33 H, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 4-5,
2.18 ERA, 77 SO, 57.2 IP
2 - Jake Sutton SR/OF,C (RH) .245, 27 H, 6 2B, 2 3B, 16 SB,
22 RS
3 - Casey Harford JR/INF, RHP .268, 26 H, 7 2B, 19
RBI, 4-4, 1.23 ERA, 51 SO, 52.0 IP
4 - Ty Wooton JR/INF, RHP .233, 24 H, 6 2B, 14 RBI, 2-2,
4.84 ERA, 5 SV, 27 SO, 21.2 IP
5 - Chris Swanberg JR/1B, (RH) .284, 25 H, 21 RS, 13
HBP, 19 BB
6 - Noah Sharp JR/OF, RHP .212, 24 H, 13 RS, 2-0,
0.87 ERA, 17 SO, 16.0 IP
7 - Nathan Ruble JR/LHP 5-2, 1.29 ERA, 49 SO,
43.1 IP
Offense
The Lions return everyone in the starting lineup except 5-hole
hitter Nolan Stevens (Blue Mountain College). Top 4 in the order
are back with Sutton leading off followed by Wooton, Criswell and
Swanberg. If the top of the order can produce and Harford and Sharp
have solid seasons in the middle of the order, the Lions have a
great chance returning to Murfreesboro come May.
Defense
Every position player is back from last years team besides Stevens
(C). Seth Cochran (JR/C) will take over for the 3-year starter and
the Lions should not miss a beat defensively. Wooton (SS) and Evin
Olds (JR/2B) return up the middle and Harford (3B) and Swanberg (1B)
return at the corners. Sharp (LF), Sutton (CF), and Criswell (RF)
round out the OF. Depth wise the Lions are solid with Keith
Bodiford (SOPH) and Jared Kirkman (SOPH) in the INF and David
Jackson (SR) and Jacob Simmons (SOPH) in the OF.
Pitching
Pitching once again will be the strength for the Lions. The top 4 in
the pitching rotation are back: Harford, Criswell, Ruble and Olds
(1-1, 2.88 ERA). Simmons (2015 JV stats: 4-1, 1.40 ERA, 34 SO, 25.0
IP) will have an opportunity to round out the rotation in the
5-spot. Sharp and Wooton will be counted on to close out games once
again.
2016 TEAM OUTLOOK:
Expectations are high once again for a team that only lost one
starter and one pitcher (Robert Mihalko 1-1, 1.52 ERA, 23 SO, 23.0
IP). If the Lions can improve their run production from last year
and continue to get good pitching and good defense, they should be
in the hunt for a return to the regional championship, sub state,
and state tournament. |
