By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director 

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With the 2016 spring season right around the corner, PBR Indiana is eagerly anticipating bringing the best high school baseball coverage throughout the entire state.

Throughout March 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 2016 Team Previews. 

2016 SPRING TEAM PREVIEW: Blackford Bruins

Head Coach: Tony Uggen
Class: 2A
2015 Record: 4-23
Conference (2015 Record/Finish): Central Indiana (1-6)
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/0

2016 Team Strengths:

• Athletic
• Leadership
• Defense

Top Returning Players:

• Chase Mahan, C, 2017: 5'10, 180, R/R, 2-yr starter behind plate 41-85, .482, 5 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 24 R, threw out 7 runners
• George Glawson, LF/CF, 2016: 5'8, 150, R/R 22-62, .355, 1 2B, 10 RBI, 9 R
• Brandon Barkdull, 2B/P, 2016: 5'7, 140, R/R 26-80, .325, 5 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 14 R
• Devon Kirkwood, SS/OF/P, 2016: 5'8, 150, R/R 16-60, .267, 1 2B, 9 RBI, 1 R
• Austin Langdon, 3B/P, 2016: 5'11, 190, R/R 8-54, .148, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R

Top 2017's:

• Jake Wells, LF, Jr, 5'10, 170, R/R 2-7, .286 
• Kerigan Reynard, P, Jr, 6'1, 180, R/R 
• JJ Sandoe, OF, Jr, 5'9, 160, R/R 
• Robby Gardner, OF/P, Jr, 6'0, 185, R/R

Top Underclassmen:

• Dayton Dow, 1B/P, 2018: 5'11, 160, L/L 6-31, .194 
• Blaine Riddle, 2B/P, 2018: 5'8, 140, R/R 
• Braxton Strait, SS, 2018: 5'8, 140, R/R 
• Jacob Ross, 3B/P, 2018: 5'8, 170, R/R 

Outlook: The Bruins return five starters with significant varsity experience from last season and two others who started at the end of 2015.  Blackford should be stronger on both the offensive and defensive ends.  Pitching will be a major focus, as they return just 21 innings of varsity pitching.  Last season they lost 10 games by one or two runs, so throwing strikes and limiting unearned runs will be a key to their success this spring.