Ardrey Kell Knights
Coach: Hal Bagwell
Conference: Southwestern 4A
2010 record: 19-9, 8-4
(tied for second)
Key players: senior shortstop Logan Ratledge, senior pitcher Chris McCue, junior pitcher Trent Thornton, senior catcher Brett Lang
Season outlook: The Knights could have the firepower needed to get back to the Class 4A state title series after missing it for the first time in three years last season. University of North Carolina recruits Thornton and McCue headline one of the most promising pitching staffs in the state, which features several other players who’ll fill different roles for Bagwell. N.C. State signee Ratledge led the team in batting average (.391) and home runs (five) last year and at shortstop will anchor a solid infield with several other college signees. Outfielders Drew Davies and Preston Miller will provide some pop while McCue, Thornton and Jacob Gavin each will see time in the outfield.
– Aaron Garcia
Charlotte Catholic Cougars
Coach: Randy Belk
Conference: MEGA 7 3A/4A
2010 record: 21-4, 12-0
(first place)
Key players: senior shortstop Alex Jensen (.447, 29 RBIs), senior catcher Collin Manning (.506, 31 RBIs); senior pitcher Daniel Stewart (9-1 record, 1.40 E.R.A., 69 strikeouts), senior second baseman Ryan Werkmeister (.311, 19 RBIs), junior second baseman Eddie Hull (.462), senior first baseman Danny Ryan (.320), senior infielder/outfielder Josh Randall and senior outfielder Austin White
Season outlook: The Cougars return eight starters from last year’s squad that reached the third round of the Class 3A state playoffs, so is there any reason to believe they won’t be dominant again? Catholic has outstanding offense, and the dynamic Stewart will be joined on the mound by newcomers Scott Singletary and Pat O’Brien. Led by college recruits Jensen (Army) and Manning (Holy Cross), look for the Cougars to push beyond the third round this year.
– C. Jemal Horton
Charlotte Christian Knights
Coach: Greg Simmons
Conference: Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association
2010 record: 23-8, 9-2
(first place)
Key players: senior catcher
Tyler Simmons, senior shortstop Bryce Bradley
Season outlook: With the departure of all-state players Jake Watson and Ty Linton, the Knights largely are one of the youngest teams Greg Simmons has coached. But the nucleus of Tyler Simmons and Bradley should provide a strong foundation. Center fielder Griffin Gum was having an exciting start last year but was sidelined with an injury after just 14 at-bats. Now healthy, Gum could be one of the breakout stars in the county. Newcomers Devlan Zakar and Collin Kellermeyer will join Matt Corish on the mound, and their development will be key. Though young, much of the team has played together since middle school, so chemistry should come fast. But will it be enough to repeat as league champs?
– Aaron Garcia
Charlotte Country Day Bucs
Coach Mike Hennessey
Conference: Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association
2010 record: 18-9, 9-3
(second place)
Key returners: senior pitcher William Frazier, senior shortstop/pitcher Lee Harrison, junior first baseman Colin Walls and senior pitcher Sam Brown
Season outlook: The Bucs are coming off a banner season in which they reached the state semifinals, and there’s reason for optimism this year. It starts with one of the conference’s most complete players: Harrison, who recorded seven wins, a 2.16 ERA and 64 strikeouts as a pitcher and batted .338 with 18 RBIs and 10 stolen bases while earning all-state honors. Sixth-year coach Hennessey has another strong performer in Frazier, a Western Carolina University recruit who had 60 strikeouts and a 2.78 ERA. Walls was another valuable contributor, batting .340 with six doubles. Key newcomers include junior pitcher/infielder Tyler Holloway, outfielder Patrick Brady and catcher Brian Duncan.
– C. Jemal Horton
Myers Park Mustangs
Coach: John Spencer
Conference: Southwestern 4A
Last year’s record: 15-12, 5-7 (fifth place)
Key players: pitcher/outfielder Matt Hedberg, center fielder Grant Goodson, pitcher Matt Keeter
and third baseman/pitcher
Tyler Powell
Season outlook: After making the state playoffs as the final wildcard selection last year, the Mustangs advanced to district play, further than any other Southwestern 4A team. The loss of three all-conference performers, including all-state choice Brian Holberton, will be a challenge, but the Mustangs have talent. Hedberg rallied to finish 4-3 on the mound last year, and Spencer expects him to be better out of the gate in 2011. Breaking-ball specialist Keeter should continue his strong play out of the bullpen (3-1 last year). Powell, a Western Carolina recruit, is a defensive standout, and the speedy Goodson can play both center field and the middle infield. The Mustangs seek their first league title since 2003.
– C. Jemal Horton
Providence Panthers
Coach: Danny Hignight
Conference: Southwestern 4A
2010 record: 18-8, 9-3
(fourth place)
Key players: senior catcher
Brett Austin, senior shortstop Jake Fincher, junior third baseman Jackson Campana
Season outlook: The Panthers wrapped up the rare double last season, claiming both the conference regular-season and tournament crowns, but a first-round exit from the state playoffs should supply some motivation. Providence returns 43 home runs from last season, and Hignight said this may be one of the best-hitting teams he’s ever had. The key will be finding some production on the mound, where the Panthers only return seven innings of experience from last season. Junior Ty Buttrey might emerge as the team’s ace, but Campana will help smooth the transition, while Austin’s experience behind the plate should help manage the inexperienced staff. Newcomers Xander Maddox and Josh Black should each find their way into the lineup.
– Aaron Garcia
South Mecklenburg Sabres
Coach: John Tuscan
Conference: Southwestern 4A
2010 record: 16-10, 8-4
(tied for third place)
Key returners: outfielder Tim Youtsey (.351 batting average, 11 stolen bases), shortstop Andrew Mauldin (.441 average, six-extra base hits), right fielder Daniel Brown and pitchers Chris Pearlman and Mitch Wagner
Season outlook: The Sabres are coming off a strong season in which they reached the postseason, and they have two top-notch veterans in Youtsey and Mauldin. But this year’s team is young, having lost 11 players to graduation. Tuscan, though, is excited about the squad’s burgeoning talent, which includes Pearlman and Wagner; neither player pitched many innings last year, but they’ll be at the top of the staff this season. “If our younger players … buy into a scrappy, tough mind-set and believe they can be as successful as I believe they can, we should win a few games,” Tuscan said.
– C. Jemal Horton
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