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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020 THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE DIAMOND ROUNDUP
49SS
POTTSVILLE APACHES
Pottsville returns core of squad that went to 4A semis
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
One of the biggest strengths for
Pottsville this season is the return of its core starters.
“All six starters return, and those guys are battle-tested,” Pottsville head coach Greg Jones said. “They all played this summer for me, and they have come together,
and they have gotten used to me.”
Jones returned to baseball last year after
coaching softball for 11 years at Pottsville. “This year, they know what to expect, and I think that is a strength,” Jones said of his players. “I know them better and their weak- nesses, and putting them in spots to make
them successful — that is a strength.” Pottsville finished 22-5 last year, making it to the semifinals of the state tournament
before losing to Shiloh Christian. Returning this year is senior Ben Jones,
the coach’s son, who finished with a batting
Conference: 4A-4
Coach: Greg Jones
Assistant coach: Josh Falls
2019 record: 22-5
Returning starters: Seniors Ben Jones and Kaleb Tramel; and juniors Zach Gray, Matt Moore and Caden Carothers
average of .417. Ben scored 33 runs with 14 RBIs, 1 home run and 4 doubles. He also earned all-state honors.
“He is a consistent hitter and our leading average hitter,” Coach Jones said. “He is a left-handed swinger.”
Senior Kaleb Tramel, a fellow all-state honoree, returns this season after batting .357 in 2019 with 26 RBIs, 18 runs scored and 4 doubles.
“He is a real smart kid and a powerful kid,” Jones said. “He is our No. 1 pitcher, probably won nine games for us last year, so we feel good about that.
POTTSVILLE BASEBALL
APRIL 2 .................................. @MAYFLOWER APRIL 3 ............................... @CLARKSVILLE* APRIL 7 ............................. HEBER SPRINGS* APRIL 14 .................................. MORRILTON* APRIL 17 ...................................... @OZARK* APRIL 21 ............................. @DARDANELLE* APRIL 22 ................................... @HARRISON APRIL 23 ......................................... DOVER* APRIL 27 ............... @DISTRICT TOURNAMENT
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
“He knows how to compete; he beat some good teams last year.”
Jones said Tramel has lost about 15 pounds during the offseason.
“He is working out every morning, lifting weights and running,” Jones said. “He is get- ting his body in better shape, and he’s more defined, and it is helping him as a hitter.
“He is also being more patient at the plate. I expect big things from him this year.”
Junior Caden Carothers will play first base, and the coach said Carothers is “a real strong kid.”
“He plays football for us, too, and he is trying to improve his hitting game and has been really good in the cage,” Jones said.
Freshmen Izzy Johnson and Aiden Owings may get to start in the early goings of the season, the coach said.
“Izzy is a little guy with explosive arm strength and a good glove,” Jones said. “He is an athletic kid who will help us this year.
“Aiden’s got a real good glove, but he needs to get stronger. Defensively, he is real solid right now.”
Jones said the team’s schedule includes games against Harrison, Monticello, Morrilton and Ozark, “all of which are ones to watch.”
“We expect to compete for a conference championship again this year,” Jones said.
APRIL 13 ............................ @WONDERVIEW* APRIL 16 ............................ @GUY-PERKINS* APRIL 20 ........... WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY*
GUY-PERKINS BASEBALL
APRIL 2 .................. MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA* APRIL 6 .............................. @WONDERVIEW* APRIL 13 ........... WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY* APRIL 16 ............................ SACRED HEART* APRIL 21 ................................ @NEMO VISTA
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
APRIL 21 .............. @MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA* APRIL 24 .............................. ABUNDANT LIFE *DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
GUY-PERKINS SOFTBALL
APRIL 2 .................. MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA* APRIL 6 .............................. @WONDERVIEW* APRIL 13 .................................... WEST SIDE
GREERS FERRY* APRIL 16 ............................ SACRED HEART* *DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
SACRED HEART BASEBALL
SACRED HEART SOFTBALL
APRIL 3 ...................................... CONCORD* APRIL 6 .............................. RURAL SPECIAL* APRIL 7 ......................................... DANVILLE APRIL 13 ............................ @WONDERVIEW* APRIL 16 ............................ @GUY-PERKINS* APRIL 20 ........... WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY* APRIL 21 .............. @MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA* APRIL 24 .............................. ABUNDANT LIFE
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
APRIL 2 ................................ @LR PARKVIEW APRIL 3 ....................................... BIGELOW* APRIL 6 ........................................ @POYEN* APRIL 7 ........................................ @HAZEN*
APRIL 13 ............................. MAGNET COVE* APRIL 14 ..................................... CARLISLE* APRIL 20 ............. @CUTTER-MORNING STAR*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
MAUMELLE CHARTER BASEBALL
APRIL 3 ....................................... BIGELOW* APRIL 6 ........................................ @POYEN* APRIL 7 ........................................ @HAZEN*
APRIL 13 ............................. MAGNET COVE* APRIL 14 ..................................... CARLISLE* *DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
MAUMELLE CHARTER SOFTBALL