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Preseason Preview: Covenant Christian, Forest Park, George Washington

March 18, 2013

By Thad Satre
Prep Baseball Report, Indiana 

Covenant Christian (Indianapolis)

Head Coach Andy Gossel returns five starters and three pitchers from a Covenant Christian team that finished under .500 with a 14-17 record in 2012. The Warriors will be a young team again in 2013 with only two seniors. 

One of those seniors who will lead the way for Coach Gossel is third baseman Zach Riffle. Riffle led the Warriors in hitting last season with a .408 average and was third on the team with 12 RBI’s. Caleb Keehner and Grayson Prather are two juniors who will be expected to step into leadership roles. Prather is the top returning pitcher with a 4-2 record last season. Prather will also be the starting catcher. Keehner is a utility man who can play every position. 

Another junior who will step in and contribute immediately is transfer Jake LaBounty. LaBounty will likely settle in at shortstop and see time on the mound. Sophomore A.J. Taylor is a promising youngster who will need to mature quickly as the Warrior’s centerfielder. 

Forest Park 

The Rangers of Forest Park High School have high expectations following a promising 17-11 season last year. Coach Jarred Howard returns five starters and five pitchers for the 2013 season. 

Leading the Rangers this spring will be talented Junior Alec Hassfurther. Hassfurther will be the starting catcher and the right-hander will also play a big role in the rotation. Another senior who has a chance to play at the collegiate level is Adam Braunecker (RHP/SS). Other returners are senior Lance Beuchler (UTL), and juniors Bryan Hurst (RHP/UTL) and Jared Wilgus (LHP). 

The Rangers will compete this spring with Heritage Hills, South Spencer, and Southridge for the Pocket Athletic Conference title.

George Washington 

The George Washington Continentals, led by Head Coach Dave Scott, enter this spring looking to build on a successful 2012 season that saw GW finish 14-8 overall. The Continentals finished 10-3 in the Indianapolis Public School Athletic Conference (IPSAC), but finished behind 2012 champion Howe. 

The Continentals may in be in for some growing pains this spring as only four starters return, including just one pitcher with significant experience. A solid group of juniors will need to step up including Willie Ruiz (SS/3B) and Willie Whitescarver (RHP/SS). Ruiz batted .348 and knocked in 20 runs last season. Whitescarver will anchor the rotation after collecting two wins and a 3.11 ERA in 2012. 

Juniors Devon Joyner (OF) and Jose Hernandez (OF) also return with starting experience. Coach Scott expects big things from a couple young freshmen, Kaleb Flake (C/RHP) and Jesse Troy (C/RHP/3B).

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