2002

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ark gone but no orgotten as a new ra begins at ECCC From spectal reports

~t.1J m n. nmg at I p.m. ~fond.1\ . Febnwr.~l . prior to the Diamonl Warrior:.: first home game of the 2002 campaign. Clark's jersey will also be retired during the special program. His widow, Audrey Clark, is expected to throw out the first pitch to officially start East Central's double-header with Ea t Mississippi Community College. The Diamond Warriors, who fin– ished 19-27 in 2001, look to improve this season, according to their new head coach. Among top retwnees this season include outfielder Lewis Bradford, a product of Scott Central High School: infielder Josh Chaney of Newton County High School: and shortstop/outfielder Dee Homes– burger of Noxapater. Bradford batted .289. hit eight home runs. six doubles and coUected 27 RBis. His coach expects another solid performance. "Lewis continues to hit the ball well and I look for him to have another big year,'' Yarborough said. Chaney posted a .289 batting average with four triples, four dou– bles and 13 RBis. He also walked 13 times. "Josh is an outstanding defensive player. He can play shortstop, sec– ond base or the outfield. He's the type guy you want to play in the middle of the defense. Last year his fielding percentage at third base and behind the plate was .936. which is very high. We' re anticipating anoth– er solid defensive performance from Josh, who will start at either third base or second base,'' Yarborough said. Homesburger hit .233 with nine doubles. He collected 12 RBis and drew 11 walks. "Dee had a .95 1 fielding percent– age last year at second base. He will also be positioned in the middle of the defen e.;this year. He can also play outfield," Yarborough said.

'\.:-~.:: a tres.t:n~ ·sh:ltru:~~'s::o)O ba!>eman trom Lu.e. Serving as Yarborough's a!tsiMan is Patrick Robey, a fonner coach and player at Delta State University. The Diamond Warriors begin the 2002 campaign on Tuesday, Febru ary 12, against the West Alabama junior varsity. The single contest get underway at 2 p.m. on the Lrv ingston campus. The complete 2002 ro re includes the follow ing hortstop/outftelder Dee Homes burger and catcher Will B...;kin. of :'-loxaparer; outfielder J Fieber. ~e hoba Cenrral: p Ja on Wooten. ,econd Jacob ~ta:-..'e' and shonsto!~cc Rus ell. ~e .... ron COUJJl\ A~ outfielder Le\\I' Bradford. & Central: rturd ba:oerrunfsecond man Jo h Chane} Pitchers Core} Anus cmd Mic Holifield. all of Newton COUill'• pitcher/second baseman Co - Blackwell, Nanih \\~t'­ pitcher/outfielder Brian So: en Mangham (La.) High School .ac er Mike Kulbeth, Wesrrrurusre: Academy; pitcher Alex She. Sebastopol: outfielder/pitcher Jarr Vaughn and first baseman/outfie Tyler Rogers, both of Loui..., outfielder Paul Bro\\ n. Fore- infielder Jamie Ellin21 Kosciusko: third basemanlp1r Justin Darby, Uru outfielder/pitcher William .\Lirs firSt baseman/catcher Ty Culpepp. both of Philadelphia: pitcher at fielder/ fust baseman Chad Lop Chatom, Ala.; pitcher Chris Conw Newton: pitcher Nick SineJe– Robert E. Lee (Ala.) High Scht fust baseman/pitcher Adam \ ted dy, Morton; catcher Joey Holcomb. Locust Fork Al High School; and pitcher/frrst man Aaron Gisler, Springdale. Arl baseman Jake ~ester. a!J second b· ernan/ouaielder

JUCO BASEBALL Adam McCurdy ofMorton h ru listed as a top returnee. "Adam is mainly a defenshe player but we also expect him to pro– duce at the plate. He' U see some time at first base,'' Yarborough said. Regarding the pitching staff, Yarborough said he anticipates another successful year from Jason Wooten of Lake, the team's top returning hurler. Wooten had a 2.44 ERA and post– ed a 4-3 record with one save. His opponents' batting average was .205. "Jason is mainly a finesse pitcher. He's gained a little velocity this year, and he can change speeds to get the batter out," Yarborough noted. Another returning ace is Corey Amis, a product of Newton County High SchooL Amis was 2-6 in 2001 with a 4.4 ERA. He registered 69 strikeouts in 63 and 213 innings. His opponents' batting average was just .20 1. "Corey is basically a power pitch– er; he's got velocity and a real oood breaking ball. He has a1so devel~ped an effective change-up. In addition, he is a lot bigger and stronger this year, and we expect great things from him this spring," Yarborough said. Chris Comans of Newton wiJI also be a vital part of the pitching rotation. Comans posted a 4.34 ERA, and his opponents' batting average was .265. He was 2-2 over– all and had one save. "Chris worked hard this fall and we are counting on him to have a successfuJ season on the mound." Yarborough said. Corey Blackwell of Nanih Waiya will also be a key ingredient in the pitching mix. "Corey's ERA last year was 4.62 and he limited opposing hitters to a .197 batting average. His record was 0- 1 but his three saves led the team. Corey has good control and keeps the baUdown,'' Yarborough said. Yarborou~h also anticipates a

~ [11"'-t time since the 1988 t.c.::paign. lhe East Central Commu– Co e~e ba::;eball team will take - eld ;, ilh a new leader at the Fonner a,-.istant Jake Yarborough fea

NEWTON RECORD- -· - ~---­ MERIDIAN STAR CLARION-LEDGE_R_______