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: North Newton 
Class: 2A
League: Greater South Shore

Head Coach: Kyle Neal
2013 Overall Record: 16-9
Conference Record: 10-4
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS

Brandon Propes, 1B/P, 2014
Austin Sartori, P/Corner IF, 2014
Conrad Hartnig, CF, 2014
Blake Ramos, OF/IF, 2015

OUTLOOK:

Head Coach Kyle Neal and the North Newton Spartans expect to compete for a state championship each season, and this year is no exception.  North Newton had a tradition of winning sectional championships in the lat 1980's and 90's, and coach Neal's 2014 squad is hoping to rekindle that tradition.  The Spartans return seven starters and five arms this spring from a team that finished second in conference play in 2013. Senior Brandon Propes returns after finishing second on team in batting average last season when he hit .410. The LHH tallied 34 hits, also second on the team, and led the Spartans in RBI with 30.  Propes, a LHP, will also be counted on to be the No.1 or No.2 on the mound. Austin Sartori is expected to add depth to the mound this season and will compete with Propes for the No.1 or No. 2 spot in the rotation. The RHP compiled four wins on the mound in 2013 with hopes of improving that total this spring.  Sartori, who hit two HR's as a Junior, will also be looked upon as a middle of the order type hitter.  Senior OF Conrad Hartnig will once again be the Spartans center fielder in this spring.  Hartnig possesses good range and will be the leader in the outfield.  IN 2013 the right handed hitter finished hitting .282 with an OBP of .412. Another Spartan expected to make an impact this spring is Junior Blake Ramos, a versatile player that can multiplepositions on the field.  Ramos is also a threat on the bases after swiping 17 bags as a sophomore. North Newton will compete with Bishop Noll, ranked No. 8 in the 2A/1A Preseason Poll, for a Greater South Shore conference championship this season. 

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COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate the strong response so far from high school coaches across the state assisting with our pre-season coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches pre-season questionnaire online by clicking here.

click here for more 2014 Team Previews