2023 Spring Preview: Salem Baseball

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By Chris Parker

Salem baseball returns five starters from last season’s team that posted a 10-9 overall record, but the Tigers must replace six graduated players.

“Losing six seniors last season with four of them being two and three-year starters will be a tough pill to swallow as all head coaches go through this process,” Salem head coach Tony Edwards said. “On a positive side to things, we will be returning five of our nine starters this spring. The goal for the Tigers this season will be to become more effective at the plate with our sticks.”

The five returning starters are Kaiden Dubois (junior infield/pitcher), Trethan Richter (junior infield), Bronson Crocker (senior outfield/pitcher), Haiden Sanders (junior catcher) and Wyatt Martin (junior first base).

Edwards on Dubois: “Dubois played third base and pitched last season. Kaiden has a good glove, good eye/contact at the plate, and will be asked to give us some quality innings this season on the mound. Kaiden should serve as our 3-4 hitter this season.”
Edwards on Richter: “Trethan Richter started at shortstop as well as second base for most of the season last year. Trethan has a great eye for the ball at the plate and is a solid contact hitter. His speed on the bases is something we have to utilize this season.”
Edwards on Crocker: “Bronson will be asked to step up and be our ace this season. Crocker has formed himself into a complete pitcher and will be asked to step up and be a leader for his team this season. Bronson has great control with some zip to his fastball to go along with his knee buckling deuce he carries.”
Edwards on Sanders: “Haiden Sanders is our returning catcher from last season. Haiden just continues to grow and mature as a baseball player. Although Haiden struggled at the plate at times last season, I look for Haiden’s work ethic to change all that and become a major contributor to this offense this spring.”
Edwards on Martin: “Wyatt will look to improve on his contact swing as well as his glove in the field this season. Wyatt has potential to play first base for us again this season. He just needs to continue to work on his fundamentals each and every week.”

Junior Brenden Hanger will look to step up to the varsity level this year.

“Brenden has extremely good speed for an outfielder,” Edwards said. “If Brenden continues to work on his contact at the plate, hopefully he will be able to step right in and play outfield for us this season.”

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A large group of sophomores including Cayden Moody, Roy Stevens, Corby Ball, Blake Edwards, Kash Howard and Bryar Bobbitt will compete to fill out the varsity lineup.

Edwards on Moody: “Cayden will look to land as one of our outfielders this spring. He started a few games for us last season as a freshman. Cayden has very good speed and a terrific glove in the outfield and should give us that much needed depth after losing all 3 outfielders last season to graduation.”

Edwards on Stevens: “Roy will be asked to play second base this season for the Tigers. He was able to start some games for us last season as a freshman. Roy has a lot of talent at a young age and should step in right away as a starter.”
Edwards on Ball: “Corby is another sophomore who will be in a prime position this spring to play outfield for us as well as a pitcher. He started on the mound last year in a varsity game as a freshman and was very effective. Corby has good stuff as a pitcher and should be in the rotation along with Crocker and Dubois.”
Coach Edwards on Blake Edwards: “Blake, who is a sophomore, threw in his first varsity game last season in a tandem set with Corby Ball (both freshman last season). Blake has great control as a pitcher and will be asked to play some third base this spring, as well as, become involved in the varsity pitching rotation.”
Edwards on Howard: “Kash Howard is a sophomore who has a good swing with some added power. Kash has added strength over the off-season and is looking to play some first base this spring for the Tigers. If he can continue to hit, he should be in the lineup somewhere this season.”
Edwards on Bobbitt: “Bryar is a sophomore who has the potential of being a DH for the Tigers this spring. Bryar is very tall but can swing a good stick. I am hoping Bryar can fill this role nicely for us this season and continue to work on his plate discipline.”

The development of the youth will go a long way in determining the success of Salem baseball.

“This team will have some young faces this spring that will need to fill the void of those seniors,” Edwards said. “It is going to be a learning curve for some, but I am hoping those five returning starters from last season will develop some leadership in that dugout this season which will allow us to stay competitive throughout the entire season.”

Salem opens the season on Mar. 18 at the Van Buren Tournament.

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