BASEBALL TAB -- Rosewood preview

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on March 15, 2014 11:12 PM

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Youth is no longer an excuse at Rosewood.

The Eagles return 16 players off of last year's team that finished 7-16 overall and advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A state playoffs.

"I always try to remind our team it's not where you start, it's where you finish," Rosewood head coach Jason King said. "We finished the season playing some good baseball. That confidence is extremely valuable to be able to point to a certain time frame and say we can't use the excuse that we're young anymore."

King expects to lean heavily on his six seniors and five juniors.

Senior hurler Reed Howell and junior left-hander Jordan Gurley should lead a pitching staff that has shown a willingness to work hard this offseason.

"The time that we've had on the field I've been impressed with our focus this early in the season," King said. "I've seen a willingness to improve. I keep telling them we can't be satisfied with where we are. Our pitchers are going to give us a shot to be in ball games."

King saw his team improve its approach at the plate toward the end of last season. The Eagles became more patient, worked opposing pitchers into longer counts and averaged more than five runs a game in their final eight contests.

Rosewood has the capability to hit for average and it must manufacture offense with runners on base.

"I think we're going to be able to hit for average," King said. "I don't know that we're going to be a team with a lot of power, but I think our situational hitting is going to be better. I think we'll be better at hitting in certain counts with runners on.

"Hopefully, our experience will show itself more this year. The more pitches we can see and the more at-bats we can get, the better we'll be."

Rosewood returns experience at key positions across the diamond.

Seniors Corey Lynn and Jordan Lynn add depth to the infield and outfield, respectively. Junior Kahlil Warren can pitch, play the outfield and first base. Howell also provides a reliable glove at shortstop when he's not on the mound.

Seniors Alex Brogden, Brent Breedlove and Daniel Herring each saw playing time last season. Juniors Bryce McKeel, Jacob DuBose and Davis Jones give King options in his lineup.

Sophomores Hayden Amodeo and Ethan Chapin have each shown promise in pre-season practices. Amodeo can play both shortstop and second base, while Chapin has primarily been used behind the plate.

Freshmen Derek Neal and Boone Moody have caught King's eye early on.

"I'm anxious to see our young guys ... see where I might be able to put them in a varsity lineup," King said. "We've also got those guys coming off the winter sports season and I'm excited to see them in a competition setting and getting those guys caught up.

"With the weather we've had it's going to be nice just getting on the field and playing some competitive baseball."