Returning Varsity Players plus Impact JV Players for 2004 Season

The fall season is over, the last major showcase is over in NC, from here on out you just have college camps and college level showcases.

Lets get started with a list of who's returning and who's new ... it would be nice to get a travel list of games to go see early on. Rate the concessions at each school too... ... and, for the early season games, it would be nice to know if some school provides heat in their bleachers

 

and, for the early season games, it would be nice to know if some school provides heat in their bleachers

Kannapolis has Seniors Returning

Brett Bartles ( Duke ) P,SS
Andrew Mead P, if,of
Austin Carithers P ,1b
Jimmy Gonzalez P, ( shoulder injury at present ) of,1b
Robert Bowers Jr. P,of,1b
Clint Pethel ? Not sure if playing, of ,if
Kevin Pittman ? Not sure if playing, C, (didnt play last year but had one of the quickest pop times around.)

Underclassmen returning

Ryan Query C
Garrett Sherrill P, 3b,1b,of
Jeremiah Worthington Of, ( unlimited potential ) speed, arm, bat
Eddie Boger If

concessions arent the best, but if your hungry you can always go around the corner to McDonalds.

 

Charlotte Christian has a good number of seniors returning including:

Robert Caldwell, OF
Stuart Bost, OF
Zach Watson, Inf
Michael Najaka, P
Reid Fronk, Inf (Chapel Hill)
Bryant Goodman, C, 1B

Underclassmen:

Daniel Hill
Griffin McGurt
Jared Bard
Fulginiti's (x2)
Mason McVerry
Charles Bradley
...They also have a few more talented underclassmen that I can't recall the names of them.

The food there isn't bad, they got your basics, candy, drinks, dogs,

 

Ashbrook has some of the best concession food in the state, especially if Mr. Martin and Saunders have the grill blazing. No heaters, unless you stand next to the grill!

Returning Seniors:

Sammy Asis, OF
Clay Gibson, LHP/OF
Steve Klenovic, C
Michael Briggs, 3B
Wes McCall, LHP/1B/OF
Robbie Glover, OF
Cale Bradley, OF

Returning Juniors:

Drew Martin, SS
Josh Duncan, RHP/2B
Mike Bogaert, RHP/1B/C
Kenny Colson, 3B
Michael Maples, LHP/OF

Sophomore:

Devon Harris, RHP/OF

There will be several So. and Jr. players trying to make their way onto the varsity team, but most will remain on the JV. There is talk, because of the number of Fr. and So. expected to tryout this year for JV, that the varsity will carry a "practice squad" of Jr. and Sr. and pull up 1-2 players to dress out for each game. The other thought is to carry a 9th grade team that would play all "away" games against a slate of non-conference school's JVs. I think the logistics/coaching for the latter proposal are too great to actually happen.

 

East Gaston Returning Players

Last season, East Gaston had 3 seniors, so they return most of their team for this season. They should be a solid team with good power in the middle of the order (Jay McConnell) and good pitching, particularly in Michael Raymond.

Hunter Grindstaff, Sr, OF
Drew Blackwood, Sr, IF
Jay McConnell, Sr, C
Clint Gamage, Jr, P-OF
David Sherard, Sr, P-IF
Phillip McGinnis, Sr, OF
Michael Raymond, Sr, P-OF
Sonny Withers, Sr, C
Michael Sanchez, Sr, P-OF
Michael Smith, Sr, P-IF
Steve Braswell, Sr, P-IF
Justin Moore, JR, IF
Derek Yow, Soph, P-IF

Not sure who is moving up from JV

 

Returning Vance Players

Vance took a big hit loosing HS Standout player Kyle Breece and also loosing Leach to graduation.

They still have the core of their team returning (and they did beat Myers Park last year).

Returning players (that I know about)....

Ross Kirkman, P-IF-OF
Derek Workley, P-IF
Ryan Brown, P-IF
Jerry Carter, P-IF
Brandon Bishopp, C
Ryan Kirkman, OF
Jonathan Batson, IF

 

South Meck Sabre Returning Varsity Players plus Impact JV Players for 2004 Season coming soon from SabreFan...

 

Hopewell Returning Players

Here's what I remember at least (Juniors and Seniors)....

Jaryd Keese, P-IF
Ryan Stage, P-IF
Walt Himes, P-IF
Dusty White, P-IF
Matt Gardner, IF
Ben Beard, P-IF
Dan Woodall, C
Steve Laco, OF
Brett Richardson, IF-OF

Keesee may have the best fastball in the city and Dan Woodall is one of the best 4-hole hitters as well as a very good receiver. He is consistent and has good power. Hopewell has speed, senior-leadership, defense and good arms. They will be a force in the Meca-8 this season. They also picked up a senior transfer from Alaska for this season who catches and plays IF. They will be very tough (and I probably forgot at least 2 people, probably more).....

 

Independence HS

From what I can remember.....

Independence is going to be stout !!!!! They have a very good pitching staff, excellent receiver and a load of good young talent coming up to complement the senior leadership. Zac Farry along with Rocket on the mound will give them a solid 1-2 punch and McMahon looks very good behind the dish. He gets right under the hitters, helping buy the low strike at the knees.

I don't remember everyone, have never seen their full roster, but this is who I do remember. Independence guys, help me out.

Zac Farry
J Rockett
Jonathan McMahon
Trey Starnes
Bray
Cooke
Nicholson

The JV team had the best conference record last season in the Meca8, so they have a load of young talent coming up. They will be a challenger for the top spot in the conference this season. Good looking ball team.

OBTW: Both Trey Starnes and Zac Farry had strong showings in the Impact Showcases this past weekend in Wilmington.

 

North Mecklenburg

North will still be youngish, but at least seasoned this season. Expect between 5-7 underclassmen to routinely start every game. If they use the DH this year, it could be as high as 8 in some games. (I know I'm going to miss some players here...)

Returning varsity:
Dan Portone, Sr., OF
Tris Hollar, Sr., OF-1B
Blake Eppes, Sr., 2B-C
Benji Sheehan, Sr., P
Ben Sherrill, Sr., C
Craig Williams, Sr., OF
Mike Cavasinni, Jr., IF-OF
Tom Porter, Jr., P-IF
Sam Pierce, Jr., P-IF
Zack Rosenbaum, Jr., P
David McAuley, Jr., P-IF
John Kellett, Jr., IF-OF
Robert Proffitt, Soph., C
Alan Parks, Jr., P-OF

In addition, 2 new players have transferred into North Meck. A senior from Oregon (P-3B) and a junior from Pennsylvania (1B).

North's JV's lost 1 game last season, so the Junior JV players moving up should have an impact. Look for the following players to possibly move up to varsity.

Greg Allen, Jr., P-1B
Brandon Kelley, Jr., P
Daniel Whitmire, Jr., IF
Zack Pou, Soph, OF
Pat McElroy, Jr., C