By Chris Parker
Sparta baseball has a new head coach in Ron Upton this season. He inherits a team coming off a nine-win season with six starters and seven lettermen returning.
The Trojans will lean on their pitching staff in Upton’s first season.
“We have a talented squad and a deep pitching staff that is capable of keeping us in any of the games we will be playing,” Upton said.
Brendan Brewer (senior), Jack Snow (junior), Ben Miller (junior), Trent Eisman (sophomore) and Parker Watts (junior) will all be a part of that deep pitching staff.
There are many options in the infield lineup. Caleb Barnes (senior), Austin Humble (junior) and Watts are all options at catcher. Humble (1B), Jace Davis (sophomore 2B), Watts (2B), Brewer (SS), Miller (SS/3B), Daylen Courtney (senior SS/3B) and Phoenix Holt (junior 3B) will be on the infield.
Vincent Almendarez (senior CF) is the only definite outfield starter. Courtney, Layne Rains (junior), Richard Smith (junior), Wyatt Tackett (junior), Jack Snow (junior), Kade Forgey (sophomore) and Eisman are all looking for time in the outfield.
Humble and Barnes along with all the experienced players will bring leadership qualities.
“Austin Humble and Caleb Barnes come to mind as being good role models for the younger players and having a positive attitude,” Upton said. “We will be looking at our experienced players to step up and show valuable leadership to our developing players as well.”
While the pitching staff leads the way, the offense will need to find consistency.
“While we can always improve in every area, I feel hitting is our most inconsistent area that we need to work on to be successful,” Upton said. “Understanding pitch counts and limiting our strikeouts will be vital. We made great strides in playing as a team which was a focus on our fall season. This will continue to be a focus this spring.”
Sparta opens the season on Mar. 24 at home against Forsyth.
“I expect our team to be playing our best ball at the end of the season come playoffs,” Upton said. “I think this team has the talent to make a deep run into the playoffs.”
