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With the 2017 spring season right around the corner, PBR Indiana is eagerly anticipating bringing the best high school baseball coverage throughout the entire state.

Leading up to the season we will be releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into our Preseason All-State Teams and Preseason Team Rankings.

CLICK HERE to view more Team Previews

2017 TEAM PREVIEW: Center grove trojans

Head Coach: Keith Hatfield
Class: 4A
2016 Record: 26-4
Conference (2016 Record):  MIC (Champions)
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 3/3

2017 Team Strengths:

• Defense
• Team Speed

Top Returning Players:

• Nick Coy, C/OF, 2017 (Indiana Wesleyan)
• Chris Foote, RHP, 2017 
• Jacob Gilcrest, LHP, 2018 (Louisville, right)
• Ryan Sauter, INF, 2018
• Michael Wyman, INF, 2018 
• Jacob Johnson, RHP/OF, 2018 
• Eli Lawyer-Smith, C/OF, 2018
• Braden Parks, OF, 2018 
• Brian Gaffney, RHP, 2019
• AJ Poynter, INF, 2019ohs
• Josh Johnson, OF, 2019
• Bryce Eblin, SS/RHP, 2020 

Outlook: Coach Hatfield and the Trojans are coming off a 20+ win season in which they won the MIC title outright and advanced to the 4A semi-state before losing to eventual state champions Roncalli 8-5.  This year's squad is ranked No. 12 in the 4A preseason poll.  They return just three position starters and three arms, but have plenty of young talent to fill those holes.  The Trojans will have to compete with 4A No. 1 ranked Carmel in the MIC.  If the young talent is able to produce as expected, look for Center Grove to once again make a strong push come playoff time.