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THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE DIAMOND ROUNDUP SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020
MAUMELLE HORNETS
Fundamentals key for Maumelle boys, coach says
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
Maumelle head baseball coach Barrett
Davis expects his team to be com- petitive and “play the game the right way,” he said.
“I believe this team has put in the work and made a commitment to themselves and their teammates that will lead to success,” Davis said. “If pitchers throw strikes, fielders make plays and hitters have a good approach, I think we have a team that can compete with anybody.”
Returning this year is four-year starter and senior Ethan Cash. He will graduate as the all- time leader in games played, games started, at- bats and fielding percentage. Davis said Cash is one of the best players the school has ever had, “and I expect him to have another outstanding season.”
Davis said Cash “has seen every situation, and I think that experience helps.”
Conference: 5A-Central
Coach: Barrett Davis
Assistant coaches: David Kenley, Chris Foor and Nels Scott
2019 record: 17-12
Returning starters: Seniors Preston Lee, Cade Higgins, Ethan Cash
and Brick Gore; and sophomores Brendon Rochelle and Ryan Mesaris
Senior Preston Lee is a three-year starter and an athletic kid who can play any position on the field, Davis said.
“Preston has gotten bigger and stronger. I think it will show during his senior year,” Davis said. “He is committed to play at Rich Mountain in Mena, Arkansas, for coach Lance Spigner.”
Davis said Lee has gap power but can also bunt and beat out ground balls because of how well he gets down the line.
“Last season, he showed me his competitive- ness and toughness on the mound in the biggest
MAUMELLE BASEBALL
APRIL 2 ............................................. HAZEN APRIL 7 ............................ WATSON CHAPEL* APRIL 9 ............................... WEST MEMPHIS APRIL 10 ...................................... LR ESTEM APRIL 14 ........................... @JACKSONVILLE* APRIL 17 ........................................... BEEBE APRIL 21 ......................................... LONOKE APRIL 21 ....................................... LR HALL* APRIL 23 ........................... LR BAPTIST PREP APRIL 28 ............................ @LR PARKVIEW* APRIL 30 .... @LR MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES MAY 4 ...................... @LR PULASKI ACADEMY MAY 5 .................................. SYLVAN HILLS*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
situations,” Davis said. “Preston is exciting on the mound.”
Davis said senior and two-year starter Cade Higgins “is a beast in the weight room and has a great work ethic. He has continued to get better and better every year. No doubt, I think he will have a huge year for us at the plate and in the field.”
Davis said senior Grant Johnson has worked hard for the past three years to become one of the better catchers in the league.
“Grant came up in the clutch for us last season, getting three game-winning hits, one of which sent us to the state tournament,” Davis said.
Senior Brick Gore is a football player who has turned into a baseball player, the coach said. “I think Brick could be a power guy in the middle of our order and someone who will show improvement from last year to this season,”
Davis said.
He said sophomore Kevin Hamilton has “the
most pop we have ever had at Maumelle.” “Kevin has a long way to go with his swing, but the power is there, no doubt,” Davis said. “Grant Johnson has a really nice left-handed
swing that naturally will generate some power. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he led us in dou-
bles this season.”
Davis said every team in the 5A-Central is
loaded with talent and well-coached.
“Last year, it came down to the last week to determine which teams made the state tourna-
ment,” Davis said.
PARTY LIVE BAND
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ON FRIDAY NIGHTS
Lady Hornets face rebuilding year
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
With just two returning starters, Maumelle head coach Jarred White said the Lady Hornets are in a rebuilding year.
“There are a lot of juniors who have wait- ed their turn to play, and now they will get a shot,” White said. “Junior Morgan Krebs, along with freshman Maggie Groves and sophomore Chloe Durnal, will see time on the mound this year.
“We will have to continue to get better each game and jell as a team.”
The coach said Durnal and Groves are the team’s best hitters for average, and juniors Hannah Lajewski and Kinley Jarrett have the best power.
He said Durnal, Groves and Krebs anchor the team’s defense, while senior Destiny Reed and junior Ariel Rawls have the best speed.
White said the double header against Pine
Conference: 5A-Central
Coach: Jarred White
Assistant coach: Kevin Buchan 2019 record: 15-12 overall, 12-4 conference
Returning starters: Sophomore Chloe Durnal and junior Morgan Krebs
MAUMELLE SOFTBALL
APRIL 7 ............................ WATSON CHAPEL* APRIL 9 ...................................... BATESVILLE APRIL 14 ........................... @JACKSONVILLE* APRIL 21 .................................... @CARLISLE APRIL 28 ............................ @LR PARKVIEW* MAY 5 ................................ @SYLVAN HILLS*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
Bluff would be Maumelle’s first conference game and could easily determine one of the spots for the state tournament.
MAUMELLE LADY HORNETS