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THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE DIAMOND ROUNDUP SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020
RUSSELLVILLE CYCLONES
STACI VANDAGRIFF/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
Junior Brant Stevens catches a pitch during practice Feb. 19 at the Cyclones’ indoor practice facility.
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Strength, conditioning focus for experienced Cyclones
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
The Russellville Cyclones are returning all of their starters from last year.
“We have guys who have played for us over the past couple of years,” head coach Will McCrotty said. “They are a good group that is experienced and ready to play. We are fortunate for that aspect for this year.”
Russellville finished 19-10 a year ago, making it to the second round of the state playoffs before losing to Benton.
Returning on the mound this year are all-state pitchers Eli Thomas and Colton Sims. The two have already committed to the University of Cen- tral Arkansas in Conway and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, respectively.
Thomas is a 6-4 right-handed pitcher who does a great job on the mound, McCrotty said.
“He reaches 80 to 86 mph on his fastball and has a good breaking ball,” the coach said. “He is very competitive on the mound.
“He really does a great job of staying focused. He has earned numerous accolades and accom- plishments throughout his career, but he stays focused on the team and what we are trying to do. ... It has allowed him to have success.”
McCrotty said Sims is probably one of the best workers out there and throws three pitches — a fastball, a curveball and a changeup — for strikes.
Conference: 5A-West
Coach: Will McCrotty
Assistant coach: Jimmy Wilson 2019 record: 19-10
Returning starters: Seniors Eli Thomas, Cole Dawson and Jack Snider; juniors Brady Burnett, Tristan Wheelus and Brant Stevens; and sophomore Colton Sims
RUSSELLVILLE BASEBALL
APRIL 3 ....................................... HARRISON APRIL 7 ........................................... BEEBE* APRIL 9 ................................ @BENTONVILLE APRIL 14 ........................................ @ALMA* APRIL 16 ............................... @CLARKSVILLE APRIL 21 ....................................... VILONIA* APRIL 24 ................................ @MAYFLOWER APRIL 28 ....................... @SILOAM SPRINGS* APRIL 30 ....................... @ROGERS HERITAGE MAY 5 ...... LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
“He does a good job of mixing up his pitch- es and can use multiple pitches for strikes,” McCrotty said.
Sims also plays center field for the Cyclones and is one of the fastest guys on the team.
RUSSELLVILLE BASEBALL continued on 54SS