1999

WEEK OF _ __,__-"-_.________

arriors Ready to Defend State Title

Gressett, we've added guys who have reall improved from last year and expect contributions from the on the mound." In assessing the 1999 squa Clark said, "We are m athletic, I'm not sure about h01 powerful we are wtth out bat but we will be more aggressn on the bases. We've got severe bright spots, including th addition of many youn athletic infielders. But it a J comes down to pitching, an someone's got to step us and bee teams like Gulf Coast, Hind! Jones, etc., on the road if we ar to be successful. Time will te , who those guys will be." Having outstanding pitchin has been a trademark c Clark's teams through th years. He has always had a least two outstanding hurler each season. This year is n exception. In addition t~ Willis, Clark said freshma:J Allen Buckley of Brando1 should have an "outstandinJ career" at East Central. Clar) said Buckley "throws ven hard and has a really g curve." Clark said another ke member of the pitching sta ff Ken Gregory of Oak Grove, La. recently had surgery and wH miss the entire season Everyone else is at "H:X percent" and the recent warn weather has resulted in man days outside m the prachcE field. "Fortunately at thi. point, we are not dealing witr sore arms, legs, etc. because o! the excellent weathe1 condition. Everyone is eager tc begin the season," Clark stated

throwing 90 _plus mile-an-hour fast balls and complements that strength with a good breaking ball, Clark added. "Although he is big and strong, Willis delivers his heat with a smooth motion which makes it even more difficult to hit. In addition to getting stronger physicallY., Willis is also tougher mentally and has become an even greater competitor," Clark said. Also expected to have another standout season is Brodie Meadows of Brandon, who Clark said is probably the top rated catcher 'in the division. "Brodie is stronger than last year and again should provide solid play behind the plate." Clark said returning ou tfielder/pitcher Chai:l Champion of Holt, Alabama who batted third in the lineup last season, has "looked good swinging the bat and will again be used on the mound." Second baseman Justin Chaney of Newton County, who split time as a starter last year, is also expected to have a good year. Chaney also serves as team co-c~tain with Champion and eadows. Fust baseman/pitcher Bo Burkes of Neshoba Central will t mos also play key roles m this was year's squad. Clark said

be competitive for a e th , year or will be a notch and just be an e program?"

realizes he needs to se\ era. key players t year's 32-22 squad \ e since moved m to -~:;>e-te at the senior college

of Union, and slugger \\ood of Newton County, rn.,; at the University of Alabama· and infielders ~erkins of Louisville and Hardy of Philadelphia, a• Belhaven. Gressett was ea500 Tullos, 2-2 with sa\e~; and Wood set a record with 17 home runs season and 26 career ers. But Oark said this year's squad. which features 10

mores and 17 freshmen, is loaded with talent and

at Ea:.t Cen

losing

had four stratg ~mm~~~ years in the P a} o to-back years m

m the 24th round by Burkes, who suffered a season- )ork Yankees and has ending ankle injury early las t a national letter of year, is prob.ably the "most

finals. But the \eteran

said the upconung season tS a

crucial

mdicator

of the mtent \ rtth the University of improved player" this year

~ IS lSStppt

program's succe""·

and has been one of the best has hitters this spring. He is also

"This ts a big year for us, simply because people will be

Oad: said Wi_llis.

lmpro\ ed his conrutioryng and "much improved" on the mound. looking at us more than in the trength, and shoula have Clark said overall p itching past. So for us, the question is, another great }ea.:." A• 64, 206 depth should be improved from will we be able to taJ...e the next pounds, \\'illis has no problem last year. "Even though we lost LAKE ME55 ENGER.~___;;~---- scon COUNTY TIMES_ _ ___

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