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Baseball: Trojans looking for return to playoffs
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Balance both in experience and on the field has Newman Smith's baseball team optimistic they can compete for a playoff spot out of District 10-4A in 2013 after coming up short in each of the past two season.
The Trojans return just four seniors, but only graduated three players and believe they are making the necessary improvements.
"We've played some good competition early have played them tough," said Ivan Cedillo, Smith head coach. "On the right days, we've played very well, and I think everyone is coming around and starting to mesh together at the right time, which is for district."
Cedillo is in his fifth year at Smith but first as head coach as he replaces J.T. Blair, who is now at Marble Falls.
"We have a good mix of some older guys and younger guys," he added. "And the ones who have been here for a while have really done a good job of taking some of the newer guys under their wing."
On the diamond, Cedillo believes the Trojans have the makeup to not only advance to the postseason, but to contend for a district title.
"We've really been hitting the ball well," he said. "And I think our pitching is going to be a strength, too. Like I said, we're pretty young, but we're also very deep, and I think that will show if we get into playoff series. We really believe we're looking at a team that can win the district."
Pitchers for the Trojans include Kyle Urias and Keegan Krueger.
"Kyle is kind of our go-to guy," Cedillo said. "And Krueger is like our 1B option. He's a lefty and they complement each other well."
Other arms the Trojans will look to are Cayde Williams and Christian Mason.
"They've all been doing a pretty good job," Cedillo added. "Kyle and Krueger are primarily going to be the starters in a Tuesday-Friday rotation and the opportunity is there for others in relief and to step up if we need them to."
The second half of Smith's battery sees Williams at catcher following a season in which he primarily played infield. James Henning is also fighting for time behind the plate.
"We moved Cayde for a little more depth there," Cedillo said. "He's done really well. But James is battling, too, and it's probably going to come down to who is hitting more."
Infielders are Christian Walsdorf at second, Urias and Andrew Wolfe at second, Jeremy Gonzales at shortstop and Junior Marin at third base.
"Christian is a guy that leads us on and off the field," Cedillo said. "And he's also been hitting very well so far. We split time at second with Kyle pitching a lot for us and Andrew is another guy who has really been hitting. Jeremy gives us good range and is just a solid defensive player at short and Jones started some last year and is another player with great defense. He's also our biggest RBI guy and is hitting .393 out of the three spot so far."
In the outfield, Marcus Sonnier takes over in left after platooning last season as a freshman, with Josh Lanman in center and Cole Brewer in right.
"Marcus is very fast and has good pop," Cedillo said. "Josh has really worked hard during the summer and fall to get ready and Cole did the same thing in right. He started as a reserve but has taken over the spot and I don't see him giving it up the way he is hitting."
Thus far, Brewer is producing at a clip of .617.
"He has a good arm, too," Cedillo said. "We have a lot of speed in the outfield overall and I think that is another one of our strengths."
David Coker will handle DH duties for the Trojans in addition to chipping in at the corner infield spots.
"[Coker] had something click the last few games and has good pop in his bat," Cedillo added.
Early on, Smith's speed hasn't been apparent on the bases, but that won't always be the case.
"We've talked about being aggressive but right now we've been hitting so well I am always scared of running us out of an inning," Cedillo said. "But we definitely have the capability."
For the season, the Trojans are hitting .320 as a team and are coming off a 7-4 win last Friday against Mesquite Poteet in their 10-4A opener.
"They're usually a pretty good team," Cedillo said. "I think it showed the guys that we're going to be able to play with anyone in this district and that really helped out their confidence.
"We want to win district and I think we're set up well for the playoffs. We had a down year last season and that's been noted. But the way the guys have worked, we want to win district and that's what they're talking about in the locker room."
The Trojans return just four seniors, but only graduated three players and believe they are making the necessary improvements.
"We've played some good competition early have played them tough," said Ivan Cedillo, Smith head coach. "On the right days, we've played very well, and I think everyone is coming around and starting to mesh together at the right time, which is for district."
Cedillo is in his fifth year at Smith but first as head coach as he replaces J.T. Blair, who is now at Marble Falls.
"We have a good mix of some older guys and younger guys," he added. "And the ones who have been here for a while have really done a good job of taking some of the newer guys under their wing."
On the diamond, Cedillo believes the Trojans have the makeup to not only advance to the postseason, but to contend for a district title.
"We've really been hitting the ball well," he said. "And I think our pitching is going to be a strength, too. Like I said, we're pretty young, but we're also very deep, and I think that will show if we get into playoff series. We really believe we're looking at a team that can win the district."
Pitchers for the Trojans include Kyle Urias and Keegan Krueger.
"Kyle is kind of our go-to guy," Cedillo said. "And Krueger is like our 1B option. He's a lefty and they complement each other well."
Other arms the Trojans will look to are Cayde Williams and Christian Mason.
"They've all been doing a pretty good job," Cedillo added. "Kyle and Krueger are primarily going to be the starters in a Tuesday-Friday rotation and the opportunity is there for others in relief and to step up if we need them to."
The second half of Smith's battery sees Williams at catcher following a season in which he primarily played infield. James Henning is also fighting for time behind the plate.
"We moved Cayde for a little more depth there," Cedillo said. "He's done really well. But James is battling, too, and it's probably going to come down to who is hitting more."
Infielders are Christian Walsdorf at second, Urias and Andrew Wolfe at second, Jeremy Gonzales at shortstop and Junior Marin at third base.
"Christian is a guy that leads us on and off the field," Cedillo said. "And he's also been hitting very well so far. We split time at second with Kyle pitching a lot for us and Andrew is another guy who has really been hitting. Jeremy gives us good range and is just a solid defensive player at short and Jones started some last year and is another player with great defense. He's also our biggest RBI guy and is hitting .393 out of the three spot so far."
In the outfield, Marcus Sonnier takes over in left after platooning last season as a freshman, with Josh Lanman in center and Cole Brewer in right.
"Marcus is very fast and has good pop," Cedillo said. "Josh has really worked hard during the summer and fall to get ready and Cole did the same thing in right. He started as a reserve but has taken over the spot and I don't see him giving it up the way he is hitting."
Thus far, Brewer is producing at a clip of .617.
"He has a good arm, too," Cedillo said. "We have a lot of speed in the outfield overall and I think that is another one of our strengths."
David Coker will handle DH duties for the Trojans in addition to chipping in at the corner infield spots.
"[Coker] had something click the last few games and has good pop in his bat," Cedillo added.
Early on, Smith's speed hasn't been apparent on the bases, but that won't always be the case.
"We've talked about being aggressive but right now we've been hitting so well I am always scared of running us out of an inning," Cedillo said. "But we definitely have the capability."
For the season, the Trojans are hitting .320 as a team and are coming off a 7-4 win last Friday against Mesquite Poteet in their 10-4A opener.
"They're usually a pretty good team," Cedillo said. "I think it showed the guys that we're going to be able to play with anyone in this district and that really helped out their confidence.
"We want to win district and I think we're set up well for the playoffs. We had a down year last season and that's been noted. But the way the guys have worked, we want to win district and that's what they're talking about in the locker room."
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