By Charles Dee.
Head Coach David Null set the standards high for his 2014 baseball team following his first year as the Rebel baseball coach that produced a 22-10 record, district championship and regional semifinal appearance.
Null admits that replacing departed slugger Granger Studdard and clutch hitter Dalton Niles are not overnight tasks, but this year’s Rebels have some potent returning weapons that should keep the Rebs competitive in a very tough district race.
After a successful 2013 campaign under first year head coach David Null, the Hays Rebel boys baseball team looks to improve upon last season’s regional semifinal finish. Helping the cause will be returning starters (left to right) Justin Montana, Tyler Woodmansee and J.C. Cerda. (Photo by Charles Dee) |
The game of baseball has proven time and again that pitching is a key component of success. This year’s Rebels feature All-District, All-Centex and Texas A&M signee Tyler Woodmansee (a.k.a., Woody), as the kingpin of a staff that will include letterman Calvin Coker, senior Banner Steele, junior Trey Dickerson and sophomore Michael Gonzales.
Woodmansee’s excellent command of three pitches and great control kept his ERA below 2.00 a year ago. Coker brings a live arm with high velocity while Steele, Dickerson and Gonzales will use the pre-district to gain needed varsity experience.
Pitching and defense, as the old cliché goes, wins games. If that’s the case, the Rebels are defensively primed and ready with returning starters and seasoned lettermen to wield the gloves.
Entering their third varsity season as starters, stellar shortstop Justin Montana and sparkplug catcher J.C.Cerda, provide leadership and experience to an infield that includes returning starter Justin Diaz at first, and returning starting outfielder Nate Scott possibly moving to third.
After struggling with injury a year ago, a healthy Zach Ibarra will most likely hold down second. In the outfield, returner Devin Palm leads the way but will be pushed by Scott, Gonzales and sophomore David Riojas.
Of the lineup, Null said, “We still have a lot of competition for spots, which is a good thing.”
No one wins 0-0 games and the Rebel lineup can potentially produce runs in bunches. Montana sets the stage as a get on base guy with surprising power and great speed. Left-handers Cerda and Gonzales are invaluable as contact hitters for RBIs and to move runners around.
Scott, who hit over .400 in 2013, provided some big-time clutch hitting during the Rebels playoff run, and Justin Diaz is a true power hitter. Palm and Ibarra are tough outs and newcomer Ines Guerrero is “really smacking the ball,” according to Null.
While Texas Baseball did not pick the Rebels as one of the top four in district, Null said, “This district is so tough that we could finish anywhere from 1 to 4 and that’s what you have to do to get to the playoffs.”
He added, “All four teams that made the playoffs last year have a lot of returners and you can’t take anything for granted. We have to fight complacency and make every game count.”
The Rebels will open their season at Rebel Field on Feb. 18 against cross county rival, Dripping Springs.
