By PBR Staff

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The Top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here   

Team: Heritage
Preseason Rank: 7
2016 Record: 14-7
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Scott Horman
Playoff Run: Lost to Cherokee Trial 2-1 in the 5A District 3 Championship game.
2016 Final Rank: 18
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
Casey Optiz, No. 145 overall and No. 2 CO (Arkansas)
Riley Egloff, No. 291 overall and No. 5 CO 2018
Jacob Hilton, No. 13 2017 (New Mexico)
James Kester, No. 95, 2017 (Cornell College)

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Justin Sperry, 2018
Ryan Hutchinson, No. 35 2018

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Billy Mooreland
Ben Bolt

Stat Rat:  2.81 ERA in 2016.  This is a great building block going into the 2017 season for a team with 2 strong arms on the mound.

Bottom Line:  The Eagles were solid last year and may have snuck up on a few teams.  They gave eventual 5A State Champion a run in the District 3 Championship game losing 2-1.  In 2017, Heritage will not be able to sneak up on anyone, they are good.  The Eagles bring back, No. 145 overall and No. 2 2017 Casey Opitz to handle the pitching staff and also anchor the lineup.  His 2016 season saw him hit .424 with 28 hits and 23 runs scored.  Riley Egloff will compliment Opitz coming off a .304 season with 17 hits and 16 RBI.  On the mound is where Heritage leaves their mark, they will have 2 strong starters going all season.  No. 13 2017 and New Mexico commit, Jacob Hilton who was 91 MPH at the Preseason All-State event and No. 291 overall and No. 5 CO 2018 Riley Egloff who saw 45 innings with 50 K’s last season will be called upon to carry the Eagle’s staff in 2017.  Heritage brings back a veteran team this spring, one that got a taste of the post season in 2016 and one that has the offensive and defensive fire power to be playing late into May.