2013 Preview: Hillsboro Indians Baseball
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
There is a youth movement on the Hillsboro baseball teams, and for that, this season for the Indians' ball club will be one of learning to play at the varsity level on the go.
Hillsboro (14-8 last season) lost nine total players, four of whom were players who made a big impact for the Indians the past few seasons. This year's group is described as very young, but players with talent.
"Losing the group we had last year, our rule now is not to talk about last season or all the players we lost," HHS head coach Tim Hunt said. "We use them as examples of what we want to become and how to do something.
"They had their impact, but I told our guys it is now their turn to make an impact, their turn to make an identity … I told them this is their opportunity."
Entering his third year at the helm of HHS baseball, Hunt has the task of rebuilding his pitching staff, a task that will be difficult as he lost a lot of talent due to the aforementioned senior class that graduated.
Hunt is looking to Nick Stacy to be one of the new leaders on the mound. In limited time last season, he had one save with a 4.42 ERA and three strikeouts as he pitched just 10 innings at the varsity level.
Also looking to get valuable innings this season will be Seth Meyer, who had an ERA of 1.56 with a record of 2-1 in nine innings.
HHS lost over 140 innings of pitching form 2012.
"Nick pitched well for us last year when he got in," Hunt said. "Seth played at both varsity and JV last season, and we're confident to get some good innings from him as well.
"Seth can also play outfield and first base to go with his pitching. We are also still looking to fill the right field spot."
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Besides those two seniors in Meyer and Stacy, the third HHS senior is Brandon Carter who will be looked at to play centerfield.
From last season, the Indians lost almost all their hitting leaders, including over 120 hits and and 60-plus RBIs.
The Indians welcome to the varsity squad second baseman Cole Reveal, a sophomore who is described as having the best hands defensively in the program.
Also looking to make an impact this season will be sophomore Ryan LeMaster at shortstop, who is described as being good at the plate and having good hands defensively.
Those aren't the only two players who will have to be impact players for the Indians to eventually reach their ultimate goal.
"Trey Moberly played well for us last year in left field. Trey and Brandon, we'll take advantage of their speed and get them on base at the top of the lineup," Hunt said. "Ty (Crum) played all but one game at second base last year, and he could also be a catcher and third baseman this year.
"WIth Ty, I've been pushing him to be a leader, and we need him to fill that role. We've been very happy with him, and he has the ability to play a variety of different spots on the field."
Crum returns with 13 hits, 11 RBIs and six walks.
With this being a "rebuilding" season, Hunt knows his team will have to battle each day to achieve their goals. Last season, it was the London Red Raiders who won the South Central Ohio League, as they are the favorites to repeat as champions with the season about to begin.
"We know we are going to take some lumps, but we will be OK," he said. "We are going to have to rely on small ball a lot, but we have very high expectations.
"I have an expectation of this program winning a state title. If we don't think about it, we are doing our kids a disservice if we lower our expectations. We want to win the league and finish above .500, but those are the steps you take to get where I want this program to ultimately be. Our overall objective isn't changing."
Hillsboro (14-8 last season) lost nine total players, four of whom were players who made a big impact for the Indians the past few seasons. This year's group is described as very young, but players with talent.
"Losing the group we had last year, our rule now is not to talk about last season or all the players we lost," HHS head coach Tim Hunt said. "We use them as examples of what we want to become and how to do something.
"They had their impact, but I told our guys it is now their turn to make an impact, their turn to make an identity … I told them this is their opportunity."
Entering his third year at the helm of HHS baseball, Hunt has the task of rebuilding his pitching staff, a task that will be difficult as he lost a lot of talent due to the aforementioned senior class that graduated.
Hunt is looking to Nick Stacy to be one of the new leaders on the mound. In limited time last season, he had one save with a 4.42 ERA and three strikeouts as he pitched just 10 innings at the varsity level.
Also looking to get valuable innings this season will be Seth Meyer, who had an ERA of 1.56 with a record of 2-1 in nine innings.
HHS lost over 140 innings of pitching form 2012.
"Nick pitched well for us last year when he got in," Hunt said. "Seth played at both varsity and JV last season, and we're confident to get some good innings from him as well.
"Seth can also play outfield and first base to go with his pitching. We are also still looking to fill the right field spot."
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Besides those two seniors in Meyer and Stacy, the third HHS senior is Brandon Carter who will be looked at to play centerfield.
From last season, the Indians lost almost all their hitting leaders, including over 120 hits and and 60-plus RBIs.
The Indians welcome to the varsity squad second baseman Cole Reveal, a sophomore who is described as having the best hands defensively in the program.
Also looking to make an impact this season will be sophomore Ryan LeMaster at shortstop, who is described as being good at the plate and having good hands defensively.
Those aren't the only two players who will have to be impact players for the Indians to eventually reach their ultimate goal.
"Trey Moberly played well for us last year in left field. Trey and Brandon, we'll take advantage of their speed and get them on base at the top of the lineup," Hunt said. "Ty (Crum) played all but one game at second base last year, and he could also be a catcher and third baseman this year.
"WIth Ty, I've been pushing him to be a leader, and we need him to fill that role. We've been very happy with him, and he has the ability to play a variety of different spots on the field."
Crum returns with 13 hits, 11 RBIs and six walks.
With this being a "rebuilding" season, Hunt knows his team will have to battle each day to achieve their goals. Last season, it was the London Red Raiders who won the South Central Ohio League, as they are the favorites to repeat as champions with the season about to begin.
"We know we are going to take some lumps, but we will be OK," he said. "We are going to have to rely on small ball a lot, but we have very high expectations.
"I have an expectation of this program winning a state title. If we don't think about it, we are doing our kids a disservice if we lower our expectations. We want to win the league and finish above .500, but those are the steps you take to get where I want this program to ultimately be. Our overall objective isn't changing."