Dale pitcher Evan Anderson Photo by Wallace “Mike” Crouch, Property of Anchor Bay Films
Trahan and Jackson Ryan are Tecumseh’s three-headed pitching ace. “Connor is probably the most consistent in throwing strikes. But Gage (Trahan) throws it hard and has a very good curve ball,” said Nichols. “Ryan has also thrown it well and came away with a big win for us against Lone Grove earlier in the season.”
On defense, the Savages are anchored by shortstop Tanner Shepherd and third baseman Jackson Ryan and a squad that
can mix and match line-ups to combat opposing teams offensive strengths. “We make some mistakes here and there but are always working to improve our defense,” said Nichols.
Offensively, the Savages have enough weapons to be dangerous up and down the lineup. Sophomore Rylan Pierce is a solid lead-off that can set the table for squad. Newcomer Jordan Colvin, who is a junior transfer from Shawnee, powers up the Tecumseh order.
Colvin, who is 6-foot-2 and a solid 230-pounds, has come alive with that bat in the last week of March. He tallied two double and a home run in the Savages run to the finals of the McLoud Tournament. “Jordan is swinging it well.”
The Asher Indians have terrorized opposing Class B baseball squads with 18 spring titles. The Indians first was a Class C title in 1963. Their fall ball numbers are equally impressive with 21 state championships. Asher’s last championships came in 1995 when they captured both the fall and spring titles.
This spring the tribe is looking to recapture some of glory’s past as they are off to a hot running start in Class B play. Shane Coker, who
won seven state titles under legendary Asher head coach Merle Bowen, took over the Indians head coaching job six years ago and has a blend of three seniors and a bunch of youngsters that can play.
“We have three seniors Matt Palmer, Phillip Lamirand and Trent Bowles - our catcher – that anchor our squad,” said Coker. “Along
with them, we have maybe the best player in the state in Zach Fowler who is a junior and six freshmen that can flat out play.”
That young mix has led Asher to a March record of 14-3, including a championship run at the Kingston Tournament. Asher went 3-0 and toppled 2A’s sixth ranked Tushka 5-1 for the title. In the run, Fowler earned his sixth win on the mound against zero losses and was clocked in the mid-80’s on the radar gun. He threw a one-hitter to open the tournament for the Indians.
When not pitching, Fowler covers some territory at his centerfield spot. “Zach can really move and can cover left-center and right- center for us,” said Coker. Two freshmen, Hunter Fowler (Zach’s little brother) and Shawn Fleming cover the corners of the infield and
Caleb Dubler yet another frosh is solid at the shortstop position. Dubler also bats in the four-hole spot for the tribe.
Dubler and fellow
freshman Tim Johnson also do good work on the mound for Asher and both earned wins in the Kingston trio of wins. All three pitchers went the distance
Tecumseh batter Jordan Colvin Photo by Wallace “Mike” Crouch, Property of Anchor Bay Films
in the tournament to earn wins and coach Coker stated “that was the best pitching performance in a tournament that I have ever seen. All three went seven innings and all gave up less than two runs apiece.”
At the plate, the Indians from top to bottom can swing it and anyone in the lineup is capable of causing problems for opposing pitching staffs. If you want power, then look to Cory Hollman. “Hollman about put a hole in the outfield wall in Kingston,” said Coker. Hollman is the grandson of coach Bowen.
“If we continue to play like we are right now we have a good shot at making a run this season,” said Coker. “This is a great bunch of kids.”
The Bethel Wildcats, in the past five seasons have captured two spring titles, but are now adjusting to life with first year coach Todd Brown. “It is an adjustment for these kids learning a new system and a way of doing things,” said Brown. “It is a work in progress but the kids are working hard to improve each day.”
The Wildcats went 7-5 in March and are looking to improve upon those numbers in district play. Defensive consistency will be the key for Bethel. “We have some kids that are still learning the game,” said Brown. “We have been pretty inconsistent on defense early on but the kids will respond. They are really working hard and it will pay off over time.”
The pitching staff is very young for the Wildcats and is anchored by Justin Vermillion. Vermillion is 3-1 in March including a win over Chandler inside the Bricktown Ballpark. Vermillion gave up just four hits in the outing to earn the 8-4 win.
Vermillion can also handle a bat as evidenced by his run-scoring triple at the “Brick”. Vermillion
is joined by Hunter Heath and Kaleb Stewart as the backbone of the Bethel offense and their leadership is rubbing off on the rest of the lineup.
“I’m real pleased with how we are swinging the bats,” said Brown. “It is taking some time but the kids are getting more comfortable with things and that is very encouraging.”
FEATURE
Tecumseh coach Quinton Nichols Photo by Wallace “Mike” Crouch, Property of Anchor Bay Films
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52