By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

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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: Western Panthers 

Head Coach: Quentin Brown
Class: 3A
2015 Record: 11-12
Conference (2015 Record/Finish): Mid Indiana (4-3)
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/3

2016 Team Strengths:

• Starting Pitching
• Hitting
• Talent 
• Infield Depth 

Top Returning Players:

• Dalton Leighty (right)-RHP/INF, 2016, 6'3 180 lbs, R/R. 3 year starter ,Wabash Valley Commit, 43.6 IP, 68 K's, 1.72 ERA
• Luke Florek-OF/RHP, 2017, 6'2 180 lbs, R/R, 3 year starter, .242 as a sophomore 
• Tyler Kneply-SS/RHP, 2018, 6'1 180lbs, R/R, 2 year starter, .349 last year
• Tyler Burthay- C/OF/RHP, 2017, 5'11/190 lbs, R/R, 3 year starter
• Brodee Lipinski-RHP/OF, 2017, 6'3/195 lbs, R/R, 2 year starter
• Myles Griffith (right)-OF, 2018, 6'0/190 lbs, R/R, 1st year starter.  8 HR on JV and led in extra base hits. 
• Jacob Douglass-INF/RHP, 2016, 5'8/170 lbs, R/R, 3 year starter, .308 BA, 3 HR 
• Brayden DeWeese-INF, 2017, 6'0/185 lbs, L/R, 2 year starter. .333 BA, with .485 OBP

Outlook: The Panthers return several starters who were sophomores last season when competing in 4A with a very strong schedule. Those players are now a year older and more developed, heading back to Class 3A this spring.  The pitching will be strong, led by ace Dalton Leighty.  Behind the dish is one of the top receivers in the 2017 class in Tyler Burthay.  They have talent and depth defensively and should be fairly strong at the plate.  Coach Brown's team has a chance to make some real noise come tournament time.  

UPCOMING EVENTS