Carroll Christian
1998 record: 9-6
Coach: Matt Brethauer
Top players: Rusty Evans, Jr. P-1B; Nate Sylvester Jr., C; Jeremy Voelkel, Sr., 1B-CF; Matt Elban, Soph., SS-P; Paul Holdefer, Jr., 2B-OF-P
Outlook: The Patriots, who last year won the Maryland Association of Christian Schools state title, are looking to rebuild after losing their outfield and the left side of their infield to graduation. They return just one senior and two juniors, with the rest of the roster consisting of freshmen and sophomores. Pitching will be the key. Evans returns as a starter, but Brethauer will look to inexperienced pitchers to fill the other two starting roles. Voelkel's return will give a boost to the lineup. He was hitting .400 last season before suffering a severe neck injury in a car accident. For the Patriots to compete in the Mason-Dixon Christian Conference, however, the young players must come through. "You never know what to expect out of young players," said Brethauer. "Hopefully we can win some games and build for the future."
Francis Scott Key
1998 record: 7-16
Coach: Jamie Hitchner
Top players: James Witte, Sr., P; Eric Gunther, Jr., P-1B-OF; Greg Frech, Jr., P; John Spurrier, Jr., P
Outlook: The Eagles are young, but have loads of potential. Witte is a strong right-hander, Gunther is a Dundalk transfer with varsity experience and Frech was honorable mention all-county, as well as a top wrestler for Key over the winter. Hitchner, who coached the JV for six years, takes over the varsity, and will act more as a teacher than a coach for the first few weeks, especially with a talented but inexperienced crop of freshmen. The junior-dominated team will play "little ball," manufacturing runs with bunts, steals and sacrifices. Many players also will platoon. "We don't have the marquee, prima-donna guys," said Hitchner. "My guys know the test in front of them, and are willing to work hard to meet the challenge." This group will likely improve throughout the course of the season, and could be a factor by year's end.
Liberty
1998 record: 7-14
Coach: Erik Barnes
Top players: Wes Peters, Sr., P; Brian Bandy, Sr., P-OF; Perry Sartain, Jr., P-OF; Aaron Hutsell, Sr., 1B
Outlook: Barnes, who coached the school's JV for six years, has a talented but inexperienced group in his first season with the varsity. Right-handers Peters and Bandy makes for a nice one-two punch on the mound. Peters, in his third varsity season, has a live arm and quality change-up. Bandy is a natural athlete. Sartain, a right-handed junior, also shows promise. Offensively, the Lions have the potential to score a lot of runs -- provided they first reach base. The roster is full of speedy base runners. "We have a lot of inexperienced kids," said Barnes, "but I think we'll be a decent ball team."
North Carroll
1998 record: 7-10
Coach: Denny Snyder
Top players: Rick Lamm, Sr., P-3B; Justin Raynor, Sr., 2B-SS; Mark Campbell, Jr., SS-P; Chad Lettau, Sr., C; Chris Wineke, Sr., 1B-DH; Nate Miller, Jr., P
Outlook: Versatility, versatility, versatility. It's what every coach wants out of his players, and it's what Snyder seems to have in great abundance this season. With a roster full of athletes who can play multiple positions, the Panthers are looking toward a winning season. "It's definitely huge," said Snyder. "When the kids are able to play other positions, it gives the coach a lot more options." Right-hander Lamm, a standout pitcher, also is a top third baseman who led the county as a sophomore with five home runs. Raynor, who can play both middle-infield positions, hit over .300, and Campbell, a left-handed pitcher, also plays short and hit .455 last season with one of the purest swings in the county. The team features solid pitching, strong defense and good team speed. Said Snyder: "We've just got to put the ball in play consistently and make things happen."
South Carroll
1998 record: 12-6
Coach: George Richardson
Top players: Kevin Damiano, Sr., P-OF; Jason Tourangeau, Sr., P, Brandon Woodward, Sr., P; Jason Shipley, Sr., P; Ben Carr, Sr., IF; Kyle Wilson, Sr., P; Chris Vasse, Jr., 3B; Gary Harrison, Jr., C
Outlook: With the county's best pitching, South Carroll is the team to beat. Left-hander Damiano (3-1, 2.38 ERA) has been clocked at 87 mph and has signed to play at Penn State. Tourangeau (4-2, 2.86), a right-hander, has thrown 89 mph and will play at East Carolina. Woodward (4-1, 1.60) also is one of the area's best, while Shipley has signed to play at Salisbury State. The biggest problem for Richardson could be getting them, along with the talented Wilson, enough innings to stay sharp. He plans to go with a four-man rotation. Offensively, Damiano (.426), Carr (.423), Harrison (.386) and Vasse (.385) are all proven hitters, but they will have to step up their efforts this season to compensate for the graduation of the team's top power threat. The Cavaliers appear to have the talent to make a serious run at a state title. Last year, they lost a 1-0 heart-breaker to Thomas Johnson in the regional semifinals.
Westminster
1998 record: 14-7
Coach: Scott Tobias
Top players: Mike Taylor, Sr., P; Jason Jarrett, Jr., IF.; Jordan Blevins, Jr., 1B; Sam Chamelin, Jr., OF; Jeff Chaney, Jr., P; Jesse Gist, Sr., 2B
Outlook: The Owls, who lost to North County in the second round of last year's playoffs, return a strong core but look to be thin on the mound. Right-hander Taylor, who throws in the upper 80s, is one of the county's best, but will be the only proven starter. Senior Nick Farver, expected to be a key component of the pitching staff, is out until at least the end of April. In his absence, Tobias will rely on five less experienced hurlers in a "pitcher-by-committee" role. The offense could be a question mark, as well, with the graduation of the Owls' catcher and shortstop. "We will have to hold teams to a low number of runs to stay competitive," said Tobias. On the positive side, however, the team does look solid defensively, and could again be a force if it can fill roles at pitcher, catcher and shortstop.
Pub Date: 3/17/99