Page 14 - RVO Diamond Roundup March 2017

14VV
VILONIA EAGLES
SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017
| RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL REVIEW
VILONIA BASEBALL continued from 13VV
sophomore pitcher/infielder who led the Eagles in home runs last year with three.
Wallace said he has several key newcomers who could contribute in 2017, including senior pitcher Nate Norman and junior pitcher/infielder Jordan Korzen.
“Norman showed great improvement as a ju- nior, and a strong summer should help him step in as a starting pitcher,” Wallace said. “Korzen taking over at first base brings much needed con- sistency at the plate and a strong competitor on the mound as well.”
Junior catcher Zak Whitis moved in from Benton. Wallace said Whitis has “great power and athletic ability.”
“He will share time with returning sopho- more Devin James, who started some games last season,” Wallace said. “Both will fill the role left vacant by graduation.”
Wallace said Ty Johnston would see his role change for his senior season.
“He has always played a role for the Eagles, but he will move to more time in the outfield as a hitter in the lineup,” the coach said. “He will play a role in every game.”
Sophomore Caden Raeburn has a productive bat that will be called on this spring, Wallace said. The coach said the Eagle bullpen and non- conference pitchers, juniors Triston Milligan, Trey McNespey and Kory Wilson, and senior Nate DiMatteo, would be key down the season’s
stretch.
“The success of these guys will dictate
how far we will push in the state tournament,” Wallace said.
Team strengths will be speed and hitting depth, but the Eagles will start the season with unproven pitching and personnel in new roles.
“I believe we will exceed expectations,
Vilonia junior Ben Duff makes contact with a pitch while taking batting practice.
VILONIA BASEBALL
MARCH 23-25 .....@MAYFLOWER TOURNAMENT MARCH 28 ........................................ BEEBE* MARCH 31 ..................................... @LONOKE APRIL 4 .................................. @BATESVILLE* APRIL 7 ....................................ARKADELPHIA APRIL 10 ....................................MAUMELLE* APRIL 13 ......................................@SEARCY*
Vilonia senior pitcher Chris Bass fires one during a bullpen session.
even mine, based on the desire of our players,” Wallace said. “Practice has had a purpose every day, and that is the expectation. We have more team speed than before, and that dynamic will pressure teams.
“This team’s desire to win will cause us to ex- ceed expectations.”
Vilonia plays in the 5A West, along with Alma, Clarksville, Farmington, Greenbrier, Harrison, Maumelle and Morrilton. The Eagles will play in combined classification 5A/6A District 2 with Batesville, Beebe, Greenbrier, Morrilton, Mountain Home and Searcy.
“All 5A West games are games to watch, but always Vilonia vs. Greenbrier (April 25),” Wallace said.
PHOTOS BY WILLIAM HARVEY/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
APRIL 22 APRIL 25
.................................... MAYFLOWER ................................. GREENBRIER* *DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
With over 52 years in business, why trust anyone else?
329-2741
GOOD LUCK
702 MUSEUM ROAD • CONWAY HALTERSBODYSHOP.COM Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed 12-1pm
The finest in auto collision repair since 1965.
to All Our Home Teams!