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Season Preview: Jacksonville

February 14, 2015

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

With teams from across the state wrapping up their preseason practice schedule we had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming season with Jacksonville  Head Coach Burrows about his 2015 team as they look to capture another conference title and a state championship.

PBR: What are your expectations for your team this spring?

Burrows: We have a veteran group returning all but two players from last years’ state semi-final team. Our expectations are high, to get back and have a shot to win the state championship

PBR: Who is going to be your key contributors on the mound this spring?

Burrows: Dereck St. Clair (2015) and James Tucker (2015). They have carried the load for us on the mound since they were sophomores we have high expectations for them as seniors. As juniors they both put up good numbers. St. Clair went 7-3 with a 1.38 ERA with 76 strike outs in 50 innings pitched. Tucker was 7-2 with a 2.11 ERA pitching 56 innings.

PBR: For your offense to be effective who do you expect to set the table? Who do you expect to drive in runs?

Burrows: We have eight seniors that we expect to contribute on a regular basis. We hope that their maturity will lead to a balanced offense one through nine. Ryan Mallison, Courtland McDonald, and Greg Jones should lead us from the top of the lineup.

PBR: Which Underclassmen do you need to step up and fill a void by last year’s seniors?

Burrows: Brandon Higginbotham (2016), Brandon Hawkins (2016) and Caleb McMunn (2017) will contribute on the mound. Caleb McMunn will also be a contributor on the infield, playing multiple positions.

PBR: Who is the team to beat in your conference/ your classification?

Burrows: Sylvan Hills is always very competitive in league play and this year will be no expectation. White Hall is the defending state champions with several key pieces returning. Greenbrier will be a contender for the state title with a good senior class and some talented underclassmen.

PBR: What is your biggest non-conference game and why?

Burrows: To prepare for a state tournament run we have really challenged ourselves in the non-conference schedule with early games against Christian Brothers and Briarcrest out of Tennessee. Mid-year we play North Little Rock and Sheridan. To finish our season we play Cabot, Arkadelphia and Catholic. All of these schools are traditionally good programs and should be good challenges.

PBR: What tournaments is your team attending this spring?

Burrows: Red Devil Classic 3/7-3/12 and Central Arkansas Invitational 3/26-3/28

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