A team-by-team preseason look at the area’s programs:
Columbia Academy Bulldogs
Coach: Richie Estep (8th season)
District: 3-DII-A
2021 record: 32-9
2021 postseason finish: Lost in Division II-A state quarterfinals
Returning starters: 4
Key contributors: Bryant Beranek, Sr. P; Cade Crouthamel, Sr. DH; Mason Raffauf, Sr. P; Tyler Stephens, Sr. C; Grant Wooldridge, CF
Coach-speak: “The 2022 Bulldogs will be decent on the mound and defensively. It will take some time for us to become a good hitting team. There are so many new starters on the diamond for us; we will need time to gel as a team and be competitive as a group.”
Columbia Central Lions
Coach: Mark Pickle (25th season)
District: 12-4A
2021 record: 3-25
2021 postseason finish: Lost in District 8-AAA tournament
Returning starters: 5
Key contributors: Hudson Adams, Sr. P; Gage Bolton, Jr. P; Sam Pate, Sr. OF; Drew Sharp, Jr. P; Luke Uselton, So. P
Coach-speak: “All positions are open and we will have competition to win jobs all season.”
Culleoka Warriors
Coach: Vince Springer (2nd season)
District: 10-1A
2021 record: 7-15
2021 postseason finish: Lost in District 10-A tournament
Returning starters: 6
Key contributors: Peyton Adams, Sr. INF/P; Josh Benderman, Sr. 1B; Ethan Hollis, Sr. INF/P; Landon Spencer, Sr. SS; Lucas Wagoner, Jr. 3B/P
Coach-speak: “I am looking for a good season. We have a lot of experience with seven seniors, five returning from last year. We will have to work hard, stay healthy and have confidence in ourselves to have a great season. Our goal this year is to win the district.”
Hampshire Hawks
Coach: Blake Rochelle (2nd season)
District: 10-1A
2021 record: 2-24
2021 postseason finish: Lost in District 10-A tournament
Returning starters: 4
Key contributors: Jed Page, Sr.; Payden Seaman, Sr.
Coach-speak: “We are returning (four) starters and we have a solid freshman class with four or five guys that are going to contribute this year.”
Independence Eagles
Coach: Mike McLaury (8th season)
District: 12-4A
2021 record: 23-12
2021 postseason finish: Lost in Class AAA state sectional
Returning starters: 6
Key contributors: Ben Cleaver, Jr. P; Cooper Hargrove, Sr. P/1B; Aiden Justice, Sr. OF/C; Logan Molnar, Sr. SS/P; Grant Morgan, Sr. C/OF
Coach-speak: “We return six everyday starters and 14 pitchers; pitching depth is a strength.”
Lawrence County Wildcats
Coach: Brad White (7th season)
District: 8-3A
2021 record: 23-12
2021 postseason finish: Lost in Region 4-AAA semifinals
Returning starters: 6
Key contributors: Camden Bosheers, Sr. 2B/P; Luke Boswell, Sr. P; Luke Mattox, Jr. 3B; Kade Shultz, Jr. SS; Avery Tidwell, Sr. P
Coach-speak: “We look forward to this year. If we can get some guys back healthy before district play, we should have a solid team.”
Loretto Mustangs
Coach: Zac Curtis (2nd season)
District: 10-2A
2021 record: 18-15
2021 postseason finish: Lost in Class A state sectional
Returning starters: 7
Key contributors: Caleb Davis, Sr. P/SS; Austin McDow, Sr. P/OF; Josh Porter, Sr. P/INF; Clint Seymore, So. C/P/INF
Coach-speak: “This is a young, athletic team that is very hungry after a tough loss in ‘substate’ last year. If all stay healthy and work hard to get better every day, this team has a chance to be special. Pitching will lead this team this year after returning all but one from last season’s roster.”
Mt. Pleasant Tigers
Coach: Zach Dunnavant (1st season)
District: 10-2A
2021 record: 10-16
2021 postseason finish: Lost in District 10-A tournament
Returning starters: 8
Key contributors: Codell Gilliam, Jr. 3B/P; Connor Hay, Sr. P; Ben Newland, Sr. CF/P; Kevin Reed, So. C/P; Gaven Whitehead, Sr. OF/P
Coach-speak: “We’re excited to get this year started.”
Richland Raiders
Coach: Troy Hughes (18th season)
District: 10-1A
2021 record: 18-14
2021 postseason finish: Lost in Class A state sectional
Returning starters: 7
Key contributors: Jace Derryberry, Jr. 2B; Herlan Duran, Sr. SS; Sam Edwards, Sr. P/3B; Bryce Miller, So. P/1B; Lane Perkins, Sr. P/OF
Coach-speak: “We’re going to have to fill the void of three starting pitchers. The big question going into the season is how we’ll be on the mound. If some young guys can compete, it’ll be a huge plus. Defensively we should be solid. Being consistent at the plate is another question mark.”
Santa Fe Wildcats
Coach: Rip Baxter (17th season)
District: 10-1A
2021 record: 13-11-1
2021 postseason finish: Lost in Region 5-A semifinals
Returning starters: 4
Key contributors: Macon Adkison, Fr. INF; Kannon Scott, Sr. OF; Ryan Seltz, Sr. OF; Colton Steward, Sr. C/INF
Coach-speak: “it’s going to be hard to replace what we lost from last year’s team; we will be young and inexperienced in some spots. But the kids are working hard and when we get our basketball boys (10), we should be competitive with everybody in our district.”
Spring Hill Raiders
Coach: Paul Lamm (16th season)
District: 8-3A
2021 record: 14-14
2021 postseason finish: Lost in District 11-AAA tournament
Returning starters: 2
Key contributors: Koen Fagan, So. 3B/P; Davin Miles, Sr. OF; Quent Mizer, Sr. C; Ethan Swoish, So. 2B; Jake Tegeler, Jr. OF
Coach-speak: “We only return two everyday starters off last year’s team, so while on paper we will be young, we are very excited about seeing our youth develop. Many players will be asked to help our ballclub succeed this season but many are already answering that call very well this preseason.”
Summertown Eagles
Coach: Jason Burleson (9th season)
District: 10-2A
2021 record: 30-10
2021 postseason finish: Lost in Class A state semifinals
Returning starters: 4
Key contributors: Gavin Burleson, Sr. P/CF; Grayson Burleson, Fr. P/SS; Weston Pigg, Jr. OF; Jake Smith, Sr. 3B; Zach Staggs, So. C
Coach-speak: “One of the youngest teams we’ve had in a long time: 14 of 19 players are ninth- and 10th graders. So we are a very inexperienced team. Also moving into 2A, along with playing the toughest schedule we’ve ever played, bodes for a tough test ahead.”
Summit Spartans
Coach: Chad Kirby (11th season)
District: 12-4A
2021 record: 15-16
2021 postseason finish: Lost in District 11-AAA tournament
Returning starters: 2
Key contributors: J.R. Dippold, Sr. INF; Max Fell, Sr. OF/P; Drew Plummer, Sr. INF; Devin Thrain, Sr. OF/P
Coach-speak:
Zion Christian Lady Eagles
Coach: Joel Kercado (1st season)
Affiliation: TSIAA
2021 record: 14-17
2021 postseason finish: Lost in TSSAA District 3-DII-A tournament
Returning starters: 9
Key contributors: Wyatt Heins, So. 1B/P; Jackson Hughes, Sr. UTIL; Jaron Keyser, Jr. INF/P; Luke Perko, Sr. INF/P; Brandon Porter, Sr. UTIL
Coach-speak: “My team this year is small in numbers but a very strong all-around group of kids who work extremely hard and are eager to start the 2022 season. I am excited to start this season with these boys and help them reach the goals we have set as a team.”
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