HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS (17-14)

 

Highlands (17-14) first-year varsity head coach Jeremy Baioni takes over a team that finished 17-14 in 2008, placed second to NCC in the 36th district, and lost to Dixie in the first round of the regional tournament. Baioni and his coaching staff will have to deal with the loss of Highlands’ top two players from last season, Zach Muench and Thomas Towles, both of whom have gone on to play baseball at Transylvania University. However, 12 returning seniors on the Bluebirds’ roster will help provide depth and experience.

 

Senior 1B/3B Kody Rosenhagen (.286 AVG) will be one of several players counted on to lead the hitting attack. Rosenhagen missed most of last season due to an injury. Junior SS Chris Rizzo (.371 AVG) will hit leadoff again this season. Junior Sam Liggett (.200 AVG/12 RBI) will be starting his third season as the Bluebirds’ catcher and will hit in the middle of the order. Seniors Ted Abner, Blake Newman, Charlie Gold, and Jack White should also contribute offensively this season.

 

Senior LHP Ryan Sainola will be relied upon to lead the pitching staff. Sainola transferred from CCH and missed most of the high school season last year. Senior Oliver Head (26 INN/22 K’s) will also contribute on the mound, as will Gold, Rizzo, Ben Watson, and Cory Dill. It is unclear if Rosenhagen will be able to pitch this season, as he is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

 

Baioni is admittedly concerned about the confidence level of his team going into this season and will need some role players from last season to step up quickly. Pitching depth is an issue that the Bluebirds will need to overcome, however there exists enough talent on this team to be very competitive in the 36th district and potentially advance into regional play.

Good Luck 'Birds!

The Cross will take this, its early so the ball will get kicked around some. Go Cross!!!!

Highlands in a close one.

I will take HC in this one. Should be a good game though.

HC in a good game.

What gives HC the upperhand?

How many pitchers will Highlands throw? I know early in the season some coaches will limit the amount of pitches thrown by their starter.

 

I'd expect HC's Andy Roenker to throw a lot of pitches. Hopefully, he'll have a strong year. Good kid.

Holy Cross is tough this year. I'll take the Indians 6-2.