Baseball team has questions to answer

DRAIN — North Douglas High baseball coach Jeff Davis wishes he could prognosticate and speculate over his team’s chances at a winning season or debate the qualities of the Warriors.

But unfortunately, Mother Nature hasn’t afforded him much of an opportunity to learn more about them.

“We’ve had five games rained out,” said Davis, who’s had games, like many others in Douglas County, canceled due to unfavorable weather. “I know we are a young and fairly inexperienced varsity ball club.

“Commonly, we go through spring break to find out where these kids can play. Because we have a relatively large amount of inexperience, it is hard to say where we want to play these kids.”

North Douglas, which didn’t make the playoffs last year, features 14 underclassmen and five returning starters.

The Warriors, which went on a five-game winning streak late in the season, aren’t unlike any other baseball team: They want, and need, good pitching to win games.

“You are only as good as your pitching,” said Davis, who graduated four kids. “We lost two good ones in Mike Murphy and Andrew Hess. That area remains to be the question to how good this young ball club can be. If this pitching comes along, we can be as good as anybody.”

Junior Jake Rice may be the Warriors’ answer. The wrestling star who took first at state at 189 pounds will suit up as a pitcher and catcher — and Davis said he’s clearly North Douglas’ No. 1 man on the mound.

Junior utility player Will Hollamon and junior shortstop Cameron Derrick, who helped the Warriors to a third-place finish in the state basketball tournament, look to be major contributors.

Sophomore infielder Tanner Toy and utility player Tyson Tinnes should also make an impact.

“Both are experienced beyond their young years,” Davis said.

Davis said several positions are still up for grabs, but he figures sophomores Mike Shepherd and Rui Coquette will also add to the squad’s depth.

Freshman southpaw Brent Whipple is a first baseman who will also clock in time as a pitcher. Other potential freshmen standouts include outfielder/pitcher Jay Davis and utility Garrett Jenkins.

The two seniors on the squad — Marcus Nash and Rob Vest — lack experience, but hope to help North Douglas win games, Davis said.