Page 4 - Diamond Roundup Three River

4SS
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 |
THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL REVIEW
SEARCY LIONS
BASEBALL
Conference: 7A/6A East
Coach: Matthew Davis
Assistant coaches: Mitch Farrell and Miles
“Doc” Watson
2014 record: 9-13 overall; 5-9 in conference Returning starters: Searcy coach Mat-
thew Davis said he is determined to change the mentality of his team this season, and with
the roster he has on deck, he shouldn’t have much of a problem doing so. “In our offseason and preseason workouts and practices, we have really focused on bringing things back to the basic fundamentals of the game,” he said, “not to mention physical and mental conditioning. We are expecting a more competitive year this season than in the past two seasons.” The Li- ons performed admirably a year ago, finishing 5-9 in conference play and reaching the Class 6A state tournament before losing to Sheridan
Jacob Sexton throws during a Searcy baseball practice.
5-1 in the first round. With seven regulars re- turning, the probability of Searcy improving on 2014’s finish appears to be high. “We have a lot more experience than we have had in the past, along with four of our top five pitchers from last season,” Davis said. The Lions’ trio consisting of seniors Cole Branson (6-0, 165) and Jacob Sexton (5-10, 165) and junior Aus- tin Allen (6-3, 160) combine for a formidable pitching staff, possibly one of the best in all of Class 6A. Searcy also returns the bulk of its infield with senior first baseman Traike Elliot
(6-0, 220) and junior second baseman Luke Dixon (5-5, 155) back, as well as senior catcher Hunter Wood (6-0, 215). Senior Michael Pars- ley (5-10, 175) is back in the outfield.
Best hitter for average: The coach named Dixon, who batted .282 last season.
Best power hitter: Branson led the team in home runs and RBIs in 2014, Davis said.
Best fielder: Wood
Best speed: The coach said Dixon and Sexton
SEARCY BASEBALL continued on 7SS
WILLIAM HARVEY/THREE RIVERS EDITION