The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Sisters High School boys varsity baseball team has been on the field preparing for pre-season play that begins next week.

The Outlaws will field 12 varsity players, including nine returning veterans.

Returning seniors include Nic Morton, Ben Bushnell, Tyler Trask and Jesse Evans.

Morton will pitch for the Outlaws and also spend some time in the outfield. Bushnell will remain at first base and Trask will divide his time between the mound and third base. Stevens will see time at both catcher and in theoutfield.

Five juniors round out the returning players: Carter Davenport, Blake Poyner, Jeff Fitter, Austen Stark and Andy Burke.

Davenport and Poyner with both play in the outfield and Fitter and Stark will share time at second base. Fitter will also see some time on the mound and Stark will spend part of his time at shortstop. Andy Burke will be used as a utility player as he is able to play any position on the field including pitcher.

Cody Ramsey, Jeff Sampson and Jake Kelent will join the varsity squad for the first time.

Ramsey and Sampson will share in the pitching duties and Sampson will see some time behind the plate. Ramsey will spend some time at shortstop and Kelent will play in the field.

Bigby noted that one of the characteristics of the Outlaw team is their versatility, which allows them to have multiple lineups.

The Outlaws’ immediate goal is to improve.

“We want to be in a position where we don’t make mistakes and beat ourselves,” said new Coach Kevin Bigby. (See related story, page 9).

“I think we have the ability to challenge for one of the top two places in the league so we can advance on to challenge for the State Championship.”

Bigby told The Nugget he’s been most impressed with the kids’ attitude and enthusiasm for the game and the camaraderie they have for one another.

Bigby said, “I’ve also been overwhelmed with the community support, in particular parents of some of the players who’ve done a lot of work at the ballpark to make it more presentable.”

The Outlaws will take on Summit at home on Friday, March 18.