Page 29 - RVO Diamond Roundup March 2017

RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL REVIEW |
SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017
29VV
QUITMAN BULLDOGS
Pitching depth, infield skill are advantages for Bulldogs
BY DONNA LAMPKIN STEPHENS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Depth and experience figure to help Quitman’s Bulldogs as they hope to bounce back from a disappointing 2016.
“We fell short of the expectations and goals that were made last season,” coach David Johnson said. “This year we will have a more experienced group of players, as well as depth. This allows us to have more competitive practices, in turn preparing us for the upcoming season.”
Johnson said he and assistant coach Brandon Burgener expect the Bulldogs to challenge for conference and district titles this spring and make a run in the Class 2A West/Central Regional.
Speed in the outfield will be one of the Bulldogs’ biggest strengths, the coach said.
“Depth in our pitching and infield-position experience will also be some of our strengths,” Johnson said.
Conversely, though, the Bulldogs lack big power hitters.
“Our game will need to be more refined of- fensively, relying on speed and selective hitting strategies,” Johnson said.
The coach said he has several possible college prospects — junior infielders/pitchers Dallon Ghent and Braxton Williams; and sophomore infielders/pitchers Drake Peterson and Isaac Clemmons and catcher Trey Lovelady.
Quitman will play in the 2A-4 East confer- ence against Bigelow, Conway Christian, England, Hector, Jacksonville Lighthouse, Pangburn, St. Joseph and White County Central. The top four teams from the district tournament will
QUITMAN BASEBALL
MARCH 27 ................. MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA MARCH 30 .................. @CONWAY CHRISTIAN* MARCH 31 ......... @WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY APRIL 3 ........................CONWAY ST. JOSEPH* APRIL 4 ..........................................ENGLAND APRIL 6 .................................. GUY-PERKINS* APRIL 7 ..... FAULKNER COUNTY HOMESCHOOL APRIL 10 ................................. @NEMO VISTA APRIL 11 ............................... SACRED HEART APRIL 13 ........................................HECTOR* APRIL 14 ................................... @PANGBURN APRIL 17 ...........@SOUTH SIDE BEE BRANCH*
Conference: 2A-4 East
Coach: David Johnson
Assistant coach: Brandon Burgener 2016 record: 3-12
Mascot: Bulldogs
Returning starters: Chase Reynolds,
Braxton Williams, Dallon Ghent, Drake Peterson and Trey Lovelady
advance to the Class 2A West/Central Regional. For the regular season, the Bulldogs are in the combined conference 1A/2A District 7, along with Bigelow, Conway Christian, Guy-Perkins, Mount Vernon-Enola, Nemo Vista, Sacred Heart, South Side Bee Branch, St. Joseph and
Wonderview.
“This conference has well-coached and talented
baseball players on its teams,” Johnson said. “All teams hold very competitive characteristics.”
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
Hwy 36 W