Sisters Outlaws baseball program returns veteran squad

The boys baseball team lost only one player, Hayden Mayea, from the varsity squad and will return 11 players with varsity experience.

Seniors Nate Jackson, Jarred Hasskamp, Tanner Hodges, Taylor Davenport and Ryan Burbank will lend both experience and leadership to the team.

Hodges was a first-team all-league infielder last year and an all-state selection. He has a very reliable glove and will play at shortstop, second base and pitcher this year. Hodges is a left-handed hitter and last year led the team in RBI (runs batted in), batting average and slugging percentage.

Jackson was a second-team all-league infielder last year and will play at shortstop and pitcher again this year. Jackson is a left-handed hitter who hits for power. He has good range as an infielder and is able to cover a lot of ground. He provides needed speed on the bases and is a threat at stealing bases.

Hasskamp was a second-team all-league pitcher last year and will be one of the Outlaws' top pitchers this season. Hasskamp will also see time at shortstop and second base. He has good control on the mound, is the Outlaws' lead-off hitter and does a good job turning double plays at second base.

Davenport will spend his time at third base and catcher. Last year Davenport made several plays that got the Outlaws out of crucial situations. He has a very strong arm and hits for power.

Burbank rounds out the senior players and will pitch for the Outlaws and see time in the outfield. Coach Steve Hodges said that Burbank will add depth to the pitching staff.

Juniors Tyler Miller, Sean Heagney and Aaron Feganbush are also back for another season on the varsity squad. Miller will see time at first base, and Coach Hodges is looking for Miller to be a big contributor on offense. Heagney is a right-handed pitcher, and the team will look to him for quality innings. Heagney will also see time at third base and outfield. Feganbush will play in the outfield, and Hodges is going to look to him to cover a lot of ground in that position. Feganbush is a base-stealing threat and will add offense to the latter part of the Outlaws lineup.

Sophomores Chase Klient, Adam Silva and Brandon Morgan are also back for another season. Klient was named second-team all-league outfielder as a freshman. Klient has good speed, excellent range in the field and is a versatile player at the plate who always seems to find a way to get on base. Silva will play at first base and in the outfield. Silva has a strong arm, is fast and hits for power. Morgan can play in the infield, outfield and at pitcher. Morgan has good speed and is also a versatile athlete.

New to the team is Max Stovall, a sophomore transfer from Madras. Stovall will see time at catcher. Max is a left-handed hitter and, according to Hodges, definitely has some baseball skills.

The Outlaws face a tough pre-season and will match up against 5A and 6A teams in preparation for league play. The varsity squad will play in a 38-game tournament in Arizona over spring break, and the junior varsity will play four games.

"We plan to practice, play and watch some major league ball while we're there," said Hodges. "It should be a fun time."

The Outlaws biggest goal is to make it to the playoffs this year.

"Anything short of securing a playoff spot would be disappointing," said Hodges. "Last year we lost by one run in the last inning, 6-7, to Elmira for a playoff spot. We only have 12 league games this year, and we can't afford to give any away. Each game has to count. We've got talent in the senior class and in our younger players, and our goal is to make it to playoffs."

The Outlaws will host Cottage Grove on March 12 in their first pre-season game of the year. The Outlaws will be in Arizona March 22-29.