By Chris Parker
Dadeville baseball won seven games last year, which was one more than they won in the previous two seasons combined. The Bearcats will look to take another leap forward this year.
“We made a lot of steps in the right direction a year ago. Our pitchers showed flashes of good stuff. Based on our pitching stats, our numbers improved from the previous two seasons. Our offensive categories jumped in strides, and should be even better. However, to get back to where we want to be, we will have to get a lot more consistent with our defense and tougher mentally. Our overall numbers will be greater than 9 or 10 players this year and should provide much needed competition to challenge each individual. No starting spot will ever be ‘secure’,” Dadeville head coach Brent Rountree said.
Carter Lakey is the top returning player after earning first-team all-conference honors last season as a sophomore. He finished 5-4 on the mound while hitting .298 with 15 RBI and 23 stolen bases. Lakey also will play second base.
Senior Garrett Freeze also returns after earning second-team all-conference honors. The designated hitter and outfielder hit .327 with 16 RBI last season. Fellow senior Clint McGill also returns to the outfield.
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The junior class will also include Austin Coonis (third base/pitcher) and Jacy Carlson (outfield). Coonis hit .304 with 15 RBI and 16 stolen bases last year.
The sophomores to watch out for include: Reid Goodman (catcher), Caleb Walker (outfield), Bailey McGill (shortstop/utility) and Jacob King (first base/pitcher).
Caden Farmer. Daylyn Shouse and Elijah Abramovitz are three freshmen that could push for playing time.
Dadeville returns 80 total stolen bases from last season’s team, so expect the Bearcats to create even more havoc on the bases this season.
“I believe team speed will be our biggest strength. We should be able to challenge most teams and put pressure on defenses,” Rountree said.
The Bearcats last won a district title in 2015 and hope to get back to that level.
“I expect us to improve on our weaknesses and strengths each week. If we do that, then I expect us to challenge for a conference championship and put ourselves in position to give us a chance to win each game,” Rountree said.
Dadeville opens the season on Mar. 20 at home against Greenfield.
