Bryan Station
Coach: Eddie Brooks
Last year's record: 16-17 (lost to Lexington Christian in first round of region)
Top players: Michael Bollmer (jr., p/1b); Brady Boling (sr., c); Bren Redmon (sr., p/1b); Ryne Combs (jr., p/of); Damian Beveridge (sr., p/3b); Elijah Burdette (so., of/c); Mack Herndon (sr., inf).
Outlook: The Defenders appear to have enough arms, led by Bollmer, and defense to keep them in games. Boling is a standout behind the plate. As was the case last year, scoring runs could be a problem.
Defenders' schedule
March 23—Mason Co., 5:30; 24—at Dunbar, 6; 26—at Danville, 2:30; 28—Springboro, Ohio, 7:30 29—Model, 7:30.
April 6—Nicholas Co., 5:30; 12—at Scott Co., 7:30; 13—Henry Clay, 7:30; 14—at Male, 6; 15-16—at Mason Co. tournament; 19—at Sayre, 5:30; 20—Scott Co., 7:30; 21—at Lafayette, 8; 23—at Lawrence County (2), 1:30 and 4; 25—at LCA, 5:30; 26—at Henry Clay, 7:30; 27—Sayre, 7:30; 29-30—at Louisville Invitational.
May 2—Madison Central, 8; 4—at Woodford Co., 5:30; 5—at Madison Central, 8; 7—Hazard, 3:30; 9—Tates Creek, 7:30; 10—Lafayette, 8; 11—Russell Co., 7:30; 13-14—Fayette County Invitational Tournament; 16—at Tates Creek, 7:30; 18—Dunbar, 6; 21—at Somerset, noon.
Henry Clay
Coach: Jordan Tarrence
Last year's record: 24-14 (lost to LCA in region finals)
Top players: Corey Bays (sr., ss); James Hendron (sr., c); Sam Smith (jr., 2b); Field Engle (sr., of); Derek Bush (sr., p/1b); Zane Ragan (sr., p/3b); Walker Buehler (jr., p/of); Clay Wallace (jr, of/p); Landon Steiner (jr., p/1b); Jacob Wilson (jr., 3b/p).
Outlook: The Blue Devils reached the region finals last spring under their new coach. Can they make a repeat run? Bays (Murray State signee) is one of the top hitters around and returns with Engle and Hendron to provide offensive punch. Buehler (committed to Vandy) heads a pitching staff that also includes Bush, Ragan and Wallace.
Blue Devils' schedule
March 21—at Tates Creek, 5:30; 22—LCA, 8; 25—Southwestern, 7; 26—Tates Creek, 11 a.m.; 28—Springboro, Ohio (at Bryan Station), 5; 29—Madison Central, 7:30.
April 2-8—Orlando, Fla., tournament; 12—at Sayre, 5:30; 13—at Bryan Station, 7:30; 14—at Lafayette, 7:30; 15—Harrison Co., 5:15; 16—Bourbon Co., noon; 19—at Scott Co., 7:30; 20—Sayre, 7:30; 22—at Owensboro, 7:30.; 23—at Apollo, 11, at Daviess Co., 3; 26—Bryan Station, 7:30; 27—Scott Co., 7:30; 28-30—at Louisville Invitational.
May 2—Western Hills, 5:30; 3—at Madison Central, 7:45; 4—at Eastern, 6:30; 6—Shelby Co., 7; 7—Campbell Co. at Cincinnati, 1; 7—Summit Country Day at Cincinnati, 3; 9—Dunbar, 7; 10—at LCA, 8; 11—Lafayette, 7:30; 13-14—Fayette County Invitational Tournament; 16—at Dunbar, 7; 18—Male, 6:30; 20—at Manual, 6:30.
Lafayette
Coach: Chris Langston
Last year's record: 25-9 (lost to Tates Creek in district)
Top players: Jonny Youngblood (sr., cf); Blake Smith (sr., p/ss); Logan Shaftner (sr., p); Drake Nichols (sr., 2b); Tyler Messner (sr., c); Jacob Duncan (sr., of); Jason Fibel (sr., 3b); Anderson Miller (jr., p/of); Jes Staples (jr. p/of); Andy Gumm (jr., p/of); Kevin Herren (jr., p); Jason Ferguson (jr., c).
Outlook: Pitching and defense will be the Generals' strengths. Shaftner figures to be the ace after going 6-1 with one save and a 1.93 ERA last season. Smith is steady on the mound and sure-handed at short. Youngblood's speed in center and on bases is a plus, as is Messner's defense behind the plate.
Generals' schedule
March 26—at Western Hills, 3:30; 29—at Clay Co., 6; 30—Tates Creek (at Dunbar), 5:30.
April 2-8—at Beach Bash in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; 12—LCA, 8; 13—Lexington Catholic (at Tates Creek), 5:30; 14—Henry Clay, 8; 15—Male, 6; 16—Manual, 11 a.m.; 19—Dunbar (at LexCath), 5:30; 21—Bryan Station, 8; 22-23—Tomahawk Classic at Madison Central; 26—Tates Creek, 8; 27—at LCA, 8; 28-30—at Louisville Invitational Tournament.
May 3—at Lexington Catholic, 8; 4—at Dunbar, 8; 5—at Eastern, 6; 7—at Woodford Co., 11 a.m.; 9—at North Laurel, 8; 10—at Bryan Station, 8; 11—at Henry Clay, 8; 12—Madison Central, 8; 13-14—Fayette County Invitational Tournament; 17—Clay Co., 6; 20—at PRP, 8; 21—Western Hills, 3:30.
Lexington Catholic
Coach: Taylor Brooks
Last year's record: 28-7 (lost to Tates Creek in district)
Top players: Taylor Martin (sr., p/inf); Will Hurt (jr., inf/p); Tyler Jackson (jr., c/inf); Troy Miller (sr., inf); Tyler Wells (sr., of/1b); Chase Armstrong (jr., of); Tyler Arthur (sr., p/of); R.J. Carroll (sr., p); Evan Fraliex (so., inf/p); Colton Cleary (jr.,p); Zach Haynes (jr., inf/p)
Outlook: First-year coach Taylor Brooks has a wealth of talent and experience to work with, including a strong pitching staff headed by Martin (UK signee), Arthur, Carroll, Cleary and Haynes. The offense features Hurt (Coastal Carolina), Jackson and Miller. Defense looks strong up the middle. Seven everyday starters return.Knights' schedule
March 22—Louisville Trinity, 7:30; 25-26—at Campbellsville University tournament; 29—at LCA, 8; 31—at St. Xavier, 6.
April 1-2—at Warrior Spring Classic in Nashville; 7-9—at Frank Shoop Classic at Harrison Co.; 12—Dunbar (at Lafayette), 5:30; 13—Lafayette (at Tates Creek), 5:30; 15-16—at Greenup Co. Invitational; 18—at Madison Central, 7:30; 19—Tates Creek (at LexCath), 5:30; 20—LCA (at Tates Creek), 5:30; 22—West Jessamine, 6; 23—Boyd Co., TBA; 27—Dunbar (at LCA), 5:30; 28-30—at Louisville Invitational Tournament.
May 3—Lafayette (at LexCath), 8; 4—Tates Creek (at Dunbar), 5:30, 7—at CovCath, 11; Newport, 1; 9—at West Jessamine, 8; 10—Mercer Co., TBA; 13-14—Fayette County Invitational Tournament at Henry Clay; 16—Dixie Heights, TBA; 17—Louisville Trinity, 5:30; 20—at DeSales, 5:30.
Lexington Christian
Coach: Keith Galloway
Last year's record: 27-11 (lost to Male in state quarterfinals)
Top players: Clay Mossbarger (jr., 3b); Joe Duncan (sr., p/1b); Austin Bundy (sr., of/2b); Scout McCamy (sr., p/of); Ian Kalinowski (sr., p/of); Kris Steele (sr., p); Armando Bosch (sr., p/if); Ethan McKiddy (sr., c/1b); Aaron Johnson (jr., ss/p); Dallas Murphy (jr., p/of); Chad Hall (jr., c); Ryan Bale (so., p/1b)
Outlook: LCA's state tournament team last spring graduated 11 seniors, seven of whom went on to play college ball. But the cupboard isn't bare. Galloway thinks his pitching staff is well-armed, led by Duncan (6-1, 2.63 ERA last year) and McCamy (2-2, 2.15). Mossbarger (.457) will lead the offense, along with Bundy (.315) and McKiddy (.292). The Eagles may lack varsity experience, but not talent or team unity.
Eagles' schedule
March 21—at St. Xavier, 6; 22—at Henry Clay, 8; 24—Male, 6; 25—Louisville Trinity, 6; 26—West Jessamine, noon; 29—Lexington Catholic, 8; 30—at Dunbar, 8.
April 2-8—at Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; 11—Model in All "A" region, 6; 12—at Lafayette, 8; 13—at Tates Creek, 8; 15—All "A" finals, 6; 20—Lexington Catholic (at Tates Creek), 5:30; 25—Bryan Station; 5:30; 26—Dunbar (at Lafayette), 8; 27—Lafayette, 8; 29-30—at Louisville Invitational Tournament.
May 2—Powell Co., 6; 3—Tates Creek (at Lexington Catholic), 5:30, 6-8—All "A" state; 9—at Madison Central, 5:30; 10—Henry Clay, 8; 13-14—Fayette County Invitational Tournament; 16—Henry Clay, 8; 18—at Louisville Trinity, 6; 20—Prestonsburg, 8.
Paul Dunbar
Coach: Larry Poynter
Last year's record: 22-14 (lost to LCA in district)
Top players: Graham Winchester (sr., inf/p); Cameron Langfels (sr., p); Trent Martin (sr., p/1b); Ryan Akins (sr., c); Brad Harp (sr., inf/p); Tyler DeAgano (sr., p/of); Justin Burke (sr., inf); Austin Meek (sr., of); matt Stagnolia (sr., of); Clint Baumgardner (jr., of/p); Tyler Cox (jr., p); Tyler Zander (jr., inf); Stephen Holdren (jr., p); Blake Martin (jr., of); Stephen Shunk (jr., p).
Outlook: The Bulldogs return seven position starters and pitchers who accounted for 21 of 22 wins last year. Winchester, DeAgano and Langfels are proven arms. In his third year at Dunbar, Poynter thinks he's got a district title contender.
Bulldogs' schedule
March 21—Male, 6; 22—Green Co., 6; 24—Bryan Station, 8; 25—Western Hills, 8; 28—at North Laurel, 6; 29—Tates Creek (at LCA), 5:30; 30—LCA, 8.
April 2-8—Beach Bash in Destin, Fla.; 12—Lexington Catholic (at Lafayette), 5:30; 13—Ryle, 6; 15-16—at Midland, Ohio, tournament; 19—Lafayette (at LexCath), 5:30; 20—at Tates Creek, 8; 22-23—at Seneca tournament; 26—LCA (at Lafayette), 5:30; 27—Lexington Catholic (at LCA), 5:30; 28-30—at Louisville Invitational Tournament.
May 3—Manual, 6; 4—Lafayette, 8; 7—Madison Central, 1:30; 9—at Henry Clay, 8; 11—Fleming Co., 8; 12—Eastern, 6; 13-14—Fayette County Invitational Tournament; 16—Henry Clay, 8; 17—at Woodford Co., 5:30; 18—at Bryan Station, 8; 20—Bishop Brossart, 6; 21—at Corbin, 1.
Sayre
Coach: Scott Sutton
Last year's record: 16-14 (lost to Henry Clay in district)
Top players: Cabot Haggin (sr., ss/p); Griffin Patterson (sr., 3b/p); Spencer Strup (sr./of); Ray Brewer (so., p/utility); Chase Deppen (jr./c); Howard Ball (fr., 2b); Foster Roberts (so., cf); Wyatt Ockerman (so., utility).
Outlook: Sutton likes his pitching staff, headed by Haggin, Brewer and Patterson. Offense lacks power so it will have to scratch for runs. Haggin hit .407 last year. Brewer, Deppen and Patterson also swing consistent bats.Spartans' schedule
March 22—Williamstown, 5:30; 23—at Collins, 5:30; 25—at Frankfort, 5:30; 26—at Ky. Country Day tournament; 28—Nicholas Co., 5:30; 30—Model, 5:30; 31—at Paris, 5:30.
April 12—Henry Clay, 5:30; 13—Scott Co., 5:30; 14-15—All "A" region at LCA; 16—St. Patrick (2), 11 a.m.; 18—Madison Southern, 5:30; 19—Bryan Station, 5:30; 20—at Henry Clay; 22-23—Bluegrass Conference tournament; 25—at Bath Co., 5:30; 26—at at Scott Co., 5; 27—at Bryan Station, 5:30; 29—Burgin, 5:30; 30—Pendleton Co., 11 a.m.
May 3—at Model, 5:30; 4—at Garrard Co, 5:30; 5—at Berea, 5:30; 6—at Burgin, 5:30; 9—Bath Co., 5:30; 10—at Williamstown, 5; 12—Frankfort, 5:30; 16—Paris, 5:30; 17—at Shelby Co., 5; 18—Ky. Country Day, 5:30; 20—at Nicholas Co., 5:30.
Tates Creek
Coach: Dom Fucci
Last year's record: 22-11 (lost to Western Hills in first round of region)
Top players: Ryan Fucci (sr., cf); Reid VanBussum (sr., inf); Devin Jackson (sr., 1b/p); Dorian Hairston (jr., of); Travis Murray (sr., of); Austin Crutcher (sr.,p); Andrew Bryant (sr., inf); Logan Howard (sr., p/of); Nick Richmond (so., p/inf); Aaron Mitchell (so., p/1b); Conner Belcher (sr., p); Austin Broome (sr., p); Javon Shelby (so., inf); Devon Hairston (fr., inf); Austin Younce (so., inf); Will Sweet (sr., c).
Outlook: The Commodores look strong in all areas, including pitching, defense, hitting and speed. WKU signee Fucci (.350, 25 RBI last year), VanBussum (.309, 26 RBI); Bryant (.340), Hairston (.340) and Murray (.326) lead the offense. Jackson (6-2, 0.88 ERA) heads a deep pitching staff.
Commodores' schedule
March 21—Henry Clay, 5:15; 23—Scott Co., 5:30; 25—Collins, 6; 26—at Henry Clay, 11 a.m., Boyd Co., 2 p.m.; 28—Woodford Co., 5:30; 29—Dunbar (at LCA), 5:30; 30—Lafayette (at Dunbar), 5:30.
April 1—Butler, 6; 2—at Corbin, 1 p.m.; 12—Western Hills, 5:30; 13—LCA, 8; 15—Manual, 5:30, North Laurel, 8; 16—Male (at Lafayette), 6; 19—at Lexington Catholic, 8; 20—Dunbar, 8; 22—Clay Co., 6, Corbin, 8 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark; 23—Somerset, 7; 26—at Lafayette, 8; 27—at Madison Central, 8; 29-30—at Louisville Invitational Tournament.
May 3—LCA (at LexCath), 5:30; 4—Lexington Catholic (at Dunbar), 5:30; 5—Owen Co., 6:30; 6-7—at Scott Co. tournament; 9—at Bryan Station, 7:30; 11—at Western Hills, 5:30; 12-14—Fayette County Invitational Tournament; 16—Bryan Station, 7:30; 18—Madison Central, 8; 19—at East Jessamine, 5:30; 20—Anderson Co., 5:45.
