Page 20 - RVO Diamond Roundup March 2017

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 | RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL REVIEW
MAUMELLE HORNETS
Hornets’ sting to come from talent, experience
BY DONNA LAMPKIN STEPHENS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
With five starters back from a team that finished 16-13 in 2016, Mau- melle’s Hornets look to be com- petitive this spring.
“We have strong leadership with a good group of seniors,” Maumelle coach Barrett Davis said. “We have some experience on the mound and in our lineup.”
Returning starters include senior right-handed pitcher/infielder J.D. Bengtson, senior right-handed pitcher/infielder Tyler Graham, senior first baseman/outfielder Nick Grimsley, senior right-handed pitcher/infielder Shelby Quiggins and junior right-handed pitcher/infielder Connor McCullough.
Davis said several of his Hornets will have a chance to play college baseball if they want to, including Bengtson and Grimsley.
“Tyler Graham has committed to Labette Community College [in Parsons, Kansas],” he said. “Shelby Quiggins has multiple offers, prob- ably from eight to 10 schools right now, and he should be getting more as the year goes on.
“[Senior] Monique Wilkerson is raw but one of the most athletic kids we have had at Maumelle, so if he figures it out, he, too, will have a chance,” Davis said.
McCullough has already committed to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Team strengths, Davis said, include experi- ence, character and leadership.
But the Hornets will have to rely on some youth at times, which could lead to a few grow- ing pains.
“I don’t feel that will be our weakness by the
Conference: 5A West
Coach: Barrett Davis
Assistant coach: B.J. Harrison
2016 record: 16-13
Mascot: Hornets
Returning starters: J.D. Bengtson,
Tyler Graham, Nick Grimsley, Shelby Quiggins and Connor McCullough
MAUMELLE BASEBALL
MARCH 28 ........................ PULASKI ACADEMY MARCH 30 ................................ @MORRILTON APRIL 4 ......................................... @LR HALL APRIL 6 ................................... @LR CENTRAL APRIL 10 ......................................@VILONIA* APRIL 11 ...........................................LR FAIR APRIL 12 ..PUL ACADEMY @DICKEY-STEPHENS APRIL 18 .............................@SYLVAN HILLS* APRIL 21 .............................. @GREENBRIER* APRIL 25 .................................. LR PARKVIEW APRIL 28 ................................WHITE STATION
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
end of the year, but I do feel there will be some lessons to learn at the beginning of the season,” the coach said.
Maumelle plays in the 5A West, along with Alma, Clarksville, Farmington, Greenbrier, Harrison, Morrilton and Vilonia. The Hornets will play in combined classification 5A/6A District 4 with J.A. Fair, Jacksonville, Little Rock Christian, Little Rock Hall, Little Rock Parkview, Pulaski Academy and Sylvan Hills.
Greenbrier reached the Class 5A state quarterfinals last year.
MARK BUFFALO/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
Maumelle’s Nick Grimsley, No. 11, is congratulated by teammate Brody Ammons after Grimsley scored a run against with Little Rock Christian.
Davis said a highlight of the schedule will be a date with Pulaski Academy at Dickey- Stephens Park in North Little Rock on April 12.
“I haven’t told our team yet, but I know that will be an exciting game for both teams and the fans,” he said in late February. “Get- ting the chance to play in that ballpark is special.”
Overall, Davis was optimistic on the eve of the new season.
All the Hornets’ talent and experience could bode well in 2017.
“I hope we use some of our experience and character to compete on a daily basis,” Davis said. “I feel we have strong leaders who have dealt with adversity, and that will give us a chance in every game.
“We have great student-athletes who value school and the community as much as they value sports, so you can pick any kid on our roster, and there is a positive story you could write.”