Prep Baseball Report

2014 Team Snapshot: Lawrence Free State HS



By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

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: Lawrence Free State
Nickname: Firebirds
Class:
6A
League:
Sunflower
Head Coach: Mike Hill
Years as Head Coach at School: 17
2013 Overall Record: 18-4
2013 League Record: 11-0
2013 League Finish: 1st
2013 Post-Season Finish: Lost in regional final
Returning starters: 4
Pitchers with 15+ Innings Returning: 1

TOP PLAYERS (Listed Alphabetically)

Zach Bickling, OF, Class of 2014
Ryan Cantrell, RHP/2B, Class of 2014
Cooper Karlin, SS, Class of 2015
Cameron Pope, 1B/3B, Class of 2014 – 2nd Team All-Sunflower League
Joel Spain, OF, Class of 2015 – 2nd Team All-Sunflower League

OUTLOOK: 

The Firebirds lost several key players from their Sunflower League Championship team and only return four starters and one pitcher with significant innings.  This spring they will rely heavily on two players who garnered 2nd Team All-League honors last spring in senior corner infielder Cameron Pope and junior outfielder Joel Spain.  Expectations are also high for senior outfielder Zack Bickling, senior right-handed pitcher/second baseman Ryan Cantrell and junior shortstop Cooper Karlin.  Clearly the door is open for new faces to emerge and assist the solid core of returners in Free State’s quest for another league title.

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