By Phil Wade
Director, PBR Indiana

As we prepare for our 2014 high school preseason coverage, we are going to take a quick glance at teams from across the state.

Team:Crawfordsville
Class: 3A
League: Sagamore

Head Coach: John Froedge
2013 Overall Record: 25-11
2013 Conference Record: 12-2
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS

Dane Baldwin, 3B, 2016
Connor Smith, RHP, 2014
Justin Raters, LHP, 2015
Nick Page, CF, 2014
Garrett Phelps, RHP, 2014
Shad Conrad, RF, 2014

OUTLOOK:

The Crawfordsville Athenians and Head Coach John Froedge have their sights set on a state championship in 2014.  The Athenians captured their eighth straight sectional crown and a regional championship last spring.  They return four positional starters and four arms in 2014. Sophomore left handed hitting 3B Dane Baldwin will be a large contributor to the Athenian offense.  As a freshman Baldwin hit .307 with 28 RBI and an OBP of .435.  RHP Connor Smith returns a top the rotation after going 6-0 last year with 2 Saves in 45.1 IP.  Smith struck out 55 hitters in 2013 with a 2.32 ERA.  Adding depth to the pitching rotation is LHP Justin Raters.  As a sophomore last spring Raters went 4-4 in 41.2 IP and struck out 49. Senior RHP Garrett Phelps, the No. 70 ranked player in Indiana's class of 2014 rankings, returns to the rotation after limited action in 2013 due to injuries. As a sophomore Phelps was 5-0 on the mound. Outfielders Nick Page and Shad Conrad will play key roles this spring.  Page hit .263 with 22 runs and an OBP of .404 last year while Conrad batted .264 with 17 RBI and 6 2B's.

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Click here for the 4A Preseason Team Rankings

click here for more 2014 Team Previews