PBR Nevada will delve a little deeper into the Northern 4A Region over the next few days. First, head coach, Levi Matherly and the Reed Raiders are building something they can be proud of. Since coming to Reed, Matherly has provided the continuity and discipline that can be associated with long term success. The Raiders return some key components that might position them to create problems for some of the Northern Region’s elites.  Today we take a closer look at the Raiders and what is in store for their 2019 season.

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Team: Reed 

Nickname: Raiders

NIAA Classification: 4A

League: Northern Region

Head Coach: Levi Matherly

2018 Overall Record: 20-14

2018 League Finish: 7th

2018 1^st place Finish in League: Reno

2018 Postseason Finish: 0-2

Number of Returning Starters: 5

Number of Returning Pitchers: 3

Top Returning Players: ’19 SS Scott Cameron: ’19 3B Isaac Tecson; ’19 RHP/1B Dylan Husted, ’19 CF/RHP Preston Brook; ’19 C Greg Oltman; ’20 P Casey Burfield

College Commits: None

Top 2019 Players: ’19 SS Scott Cameron: ’19 3B Isaac Tecson; ’19 RHP/1B Dylan Husted, ’19 CF/RHP Preston Brook; ’19 C Greg Oltman;

Top 2020 Players: P Casey Burfield, P. 2020, 6'1", 155, R/R

Other Players to Watch: ’21 Gavin Zappe

2019 Outlook: Team Strengths: Baseball teams look to build stong up the middle and the Reed Raiders are no different.  Their 2019 campaign will be enhanced by some experience performers lining up in the middle of the diamond.  Reed returns 5 starters in all with 3 of them at premium positions.  We start behind the dish with Greg Oltman.  The senior Oltman should provide some needed guidance to an inexperience varsity pitching staff that returns just one starter.  Shortstop, Scott Cameron is an athletic middle infielder that will at or near the top of the lineup while centerfielder, Preston Brook will do double duty in the field as well as on the mound. Brook is a low to mid 80s right-hander with a feel for a curveball that has the making of an out pitch. Veteran corner infielders, Isaac Tecson and Dylan Husted provide both experience and capable bats to fuel the offense.  Husted is a projectable right-handed pitcher with a three-pitch mix that will be relied on heavily to eat innings throughout each week.  He has solid feel of changeup and the ability to consistently pitch down in the zone, an invaluable trait in the Northern Region.  Husted is an arm to keep a close eye on for if he makes a velocity jump, he could be tough to contend with for opposing offenses. Besides Brook and Husted, Coach Matherly and his staff will look to junior, Casey Burfield to provide major innings on the mound.  Burfield is progressing steadily and could have a future at the next level.

Expect the Raiders to be potent offensively as well as run the bases well and keep the opposition to a minimum of opportunities due to defensive miscues. Their pitching is an area of concern.  They will need some surprises on the mound to solidify a playoff bid as well as any type of post-season run

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