In this edition of our pre season previews we take a closer look at the Canyon Springs Pioneers.  The Pioneers are looking to avenge a tough 2018 finish and with another year “under the belt” of some returning players, they appear poised to do just that.

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Team: Canyon Springs 

Nickname: Pioneers

NIAA Classification: 4A

League: Mountain Region/Northeast Division

Head Coach: Robert Wiley

2018 Overall Record: 7-21

2018 League Finish: 9th

2018 1^st place Finish in League: Rancho

2018 Postseason Finish: None

Top Returning Players: ’19 P Gavin Rhynes; ’19 INF/P Aidan Moriarty;  ’19 P/OF Caleb Andes; ’21 OF Martin Blake

College Commits: None

Top 2019 Players: P Gavin Rhynes; P/INF Aidan Moriarty; P/OF Caleb Andes;

Top 2020 Players: 1B Makeiel Hoover

Other Players to Watch: ’21 OF Martin Blake; ’21 SS Andres Dorado

2019 Outlook: Coach Wiley and the Pioneers are looking to improve after their 7-21 season a year ago.  They are encouraged by returning a few key players.  With a bulk of the duty spread amongst three hurlers a year ago, experience on the mound should not be an issue.  Senior, Aidan Moriarity appeared in more than a third of the team’s contests, while Caleb Andes and Martin Blake took the mound in 8 and 9 games, respectively.  The Pioneers will need to improve on their team earned run average, but with significant returning mound experience, that should be within their reach.  One thing is certain, the Pioneers will need to be ready to handle the ball defensively.  If their pitching is to hold up they will need to improve in the field from the .855 fielding percentage in 2018.

At the plate, Canyon Springs will lean on the bats of Martin Blake and Gavin Rhynes. With the team hitting .255 in 2018, Blake (.443/1/10) and Rhynes (.328/2/22) will be expected to carry the load. Coach Wiley’s offense could get a lift from 1B, junior, Makeiel Hoover as well.  In spite of making just 44 plate appearance last season, popular opinion believes Hoover’s bat is ready to emerge.  Keep on eye on the Pioneers as they may give the division’s elite some trouble in 2019.