By Chris Parker
Parkview baseball returns five varsity starters in Jermaine Townshend (senior), Kooper Bullock (junior), Brayden Nottle (junior), Isaac Teague (junior) and Cameron Pruett (sophomore).
Nottle, Teague and Pruett will be the team’s top pitchers.
“Brayden is a 6’3”, 170-pound righty with good speed and breaking stuff. He is a very mentally tough pitcher with great composure. He has a high ceiling due to his size and arm strength,” Parkview head coach Ted Orcutt said. “Isaac does a great job of working ahead in the count and pounding the zone. He has a variety of pitches and can throw them all for strikes. He has always had a knack for coming in and getting outs and he will be valuable on the mound for us. Last year, Cameron Pruett mostly pitched at the JV level, but he also came in and was effective eating innings at the varsity level. He is a righty with a low ¾ arm angle with good run. With his added age and strength, we are looking for him to contribute more on the mound at the varsity level.”
Townshend will likely serve as the team’s catcher.
“Jermaine is a high-energy, athletic guy who has been a three-sport athlete for nearly all of his four years at Parkview,” Orcutt said. “Most years in baseball, he has played outfield and second base where he has a reputation for being the guy who will sacrifice his body to make a play. He mindset lends well to the work needed behind the dish. He is also one of our most consistent hitters. He has a short, compact swing and he has a knack for putting the barrel on the ball in clutch situations.”
Townshend will be a team leader both on the field and in the dugout.
“Jermaine “J2” Townshend will be someone that we look to as the backbone of the team,” Orcutt said. “He has a dynamic personality and a natural love of just playing the game that is infectious to his teammates. He is a very positive young man and gives his best effort even when the chips are down. He is an encourager who wants to see his teammates succeed.”
Bullock will hold down the shortstop spot on the infield.
“Kooper is a slick-fielding defender who has an incredibly sharp mind and great instincts for the game,” Orcutt said. “He gets a great first step to the ball and has a quality arm with great accuracy. He has also worked hard in weight room this offseason and his now a solid, athletic 5’11”, 155 pounds. At the plate, Kooper has a great line-drive swing and, especially in the second half of the season last year, was one of our two most productive hitters.”
Nottle will play one of the corner infield positions. Teague will also be on the infield with Pruett could play infield or outfield.
Will Eshnaur (junior), Isaiah Hampton (senior) and Xayvion Allen (sophomore) are options in the outfield.
Orcutt is hoping for some breakout seasons among they players.
“We are at a place where we have several guys that have potential, but just really need a breakout season,” Orcutt said. “After a couple of lackluster seasons, we are hopeful they things click for us as a team and we begin making strides in the right direction.”
Parkview opens the season Apr. 2-4 at the Red & Blue Tournament.
