Back in the saddle (Preview of Bishop Brossart)

[BaseballIsLife]

Back in the saddle

Inexperienced Brossart aiming for 3rd straight district title

TOM RAMSTETTER | TRAMSTETTER@ENQUIRER.COM

 

 

Senior Tyler Verst realizes he has a unique role on the Bishop Brossart baseball team this season. Without a lot of experience on the roster for 2008, the starting pitcher has a job other than getting hitters out.

 

"Just trying to show leadership because there are many situations where varsity is different than JV," Verst said. "You have to try to teach that to younger kids. I just talk to the younger kids, tell them what I know and help them get ready for the season."

 

Verst and the other players on the team have a tough act to follow because the Mustangs have won back-to-back district tournaments and four straight 10th Region All "A" Classics

 

The Mustangs won 25 games last season, second most in program history, on their way to the school's sixth district title. Their .657 winning percentage was sixth-best in program history.

 

"And we were a 10th Region semifinalist," Verst said. "Yeah, there's some big shoes to fill. I think if we get a good seed, a third straight district title is possible. Then you get a good seed in the region and with a good seed, anything is possible."

 

First, there are some holes to fill in the lineup. Catcher Kyle Kramer and pitcher Nathan Mutsch were named to the Enquirer All-Star first team, and pitcher/infielder Jimmy Uebel was honorable mention. Kramer, Mutsch, and infielder Ryne Heck were named to the all-conference team. Mutsch received a scholarship to play baseball at Xavier University, and Kramer and left-handed pitcher Chris Simon received scholarships to play baseball at Thomas More.

 

"This year we only return three guys with varsity experience coming off a 25-13 season," head coach Bob Rowe said. "We graduated eight seniors, so we're going to be very inexperienced.

 

"I expect us to go through some growing pains. Our schedule is difficult early on. But I think as we mature and grow and see some development we'll get better as well."

 

Verst, who also gets time at third base, was 7-1 on the mound last year and has impressed his coach with his leadership.

 

"He has taken a leadership role at practice," Rowe said. "He's basically been a vocal leader as well."

 

He's also good at retiring batters.

 

"I can locate a fastball well, but I can also throw a curveball for a strike and as a strikeout pitch as well," the senior said.

 

Senior Zach Hertzenberg, who also played golf and basketball for the Mustangs, likely will be the No. 2 starter. Rowe said Hertzenberg locates the ball very well, and the club expects him and Verst to be a solid one-two punch.

 

Designated hitter Josh Anderson is back for his sophomore season.

 

"I see him as maybe having a breakout season at the plate," Rowe said.

 

Also returning is senior second baseman Curtis Ruberg, who Rowe calls a very solid defender with good speed.

 

"I think his bat will come around as he sees more varsity pitching," Rowe added.

 

Evan Harris, who played guard on the Brossart football team, will play outfield and hopefully add some pop to the lineup while Rowe sees Nick Bezold as a role player pitching and at the plate. Bezold played offensive tackle for the Mustangs' football team.

 

The Mustangs will open their season March 24 at Lexington Lafayette at 7 p.m

[NKY sports CEO]

Back in the saddle

Inexperienced Brossart aiming for 3rd straight district title

TOM RAMSTETTER | TRAMSTETTER@ENQUIRER.COM

 

 

Senior Tyler Verst realizes he has a unique role on the Bishop Brossart baseball team this season. Without a lot of experience on the roster for 2008, the starting pitcher has a job other than getting hitters out.

 

"Just trying to show leadership because there are many situations where varsity is different than JV," Verst said. "You have to try to teach that to younger kids. I just talk to the younger kids, tell them what I know and help them get ready for the season."

 

Verst and the other players on the team have a tough act to follow because the Mustangs have won back-to-back district tournaments and four straight 10th Region All "A" Classics

 

The Mustangs won 25 games last season, second most in program history, on their way to the school's sixth district title. Their .657 winning percentage was sixth-best in program history.

 

"And we were a 10th Region semifinalist," Verst said. "Yeah, there's some big shoes to fill. I think if we get a good seed, a third straight district title is possible. Then you get a good seed in the region and with a good seed, anything is possible."

 

First, there are some holes to fill in the lineup. Catcher Kyle Kramer and pitcher Nathan Mutsch were named to the Enquirer All-Star first team, and pitcher/infielder Jimmy Uebel was honorable mention. Kramer, Mutsch, and infielder Ryne Heck were named to the all-conference team. Mutsch received a scholarship to play baseball at Xavier University, and Kramer and left-handed pitcher Chris Simon received scholarships to play baseball at Thomas More.

 

"This year we only return three guys with varsity experience coming off a 25-13 season," head coach Bob Rowe said. "We graduated eight seniors, so we're going to be very inexperienced.

 

"I expect us to go through some growing pains. Our schedule is difficult early on. But I think as we mature and grow and see some development we'll get better as well."

 

Verst, who also gets time at third base, was 7-1 on the mound last year and has impressed his coach with his leadership.

 

"He has taken a leadership role at practice," Rowe said. "He's basically been a vocal leader as well."

 

He's also good at retiring batters.

 

"I can locate a fastball well, but I can also throw a curveball for a strike and as a strikeout pitch as well," the senior said.

 

Senior Zach Hertzenberg, who also played golf and basketball for the Mustangs, likely will be the No. 2 starter. Rowe said Hertzenberg locates the ball very well, and the club expects him and Verst to be a solid one-two punch.

 

Designated hitter Josh Anderson is back for his sophomore season.

 

"I see him as maybe having a breakout season at the plate," Rowe said.

 

Also returning is senior second baseman Curtis Ruberg, who Rowe calls a very solid defender with good speed.

 

"I think his bat will come around as he sees more varsity pitching," Rowe added.

 

Evan Harris, who played guard on the Brossart football team, will play outfield and hopefully add some pop to the lineup while Rowe sees Nick Bezold as a role player pitching and at the plate. Bezold played offensive tackle for the Mustangs' football team.

 

The Mustangs will open their season March 24 at Lexington Lafayette at 7 p.m

 

:thumb: Go mustangs. 3 District titles in a row!

[TRAGS]

What other high school teams will be previewed before the season begins? I assume all teams wont get previewed since they do one every day and there is only 7 days left.