2020 Maury County baseball previews
A glimpse at the county’s eight teams as they take the diamond:
Columbia Academy Bulldogs
Coach: Richie Estep (7th season)
District: 3-DIIA
2019 record: 27-10
2019 postseason finish: Class A sectionals (lost to Summertown 5-1)
Returning starters: 8
Key contributors: Kavares Tears, jr. P/1B/OF; Bryant Beranek, so. P/OF; Jacob Perry, sr. P/1B; Max Ballard, jr. C; Landon Prentice, jr. 3B; Spencer Fields, sr. SS; Harrison Warren, sr. 2B/OF; Damon Toombs, jr. OF
Coach-speak:“We are excited to return eight starters from last year’s squad that will bring some good experience to the field. We will continue to build our program and do the best we can every day to play the game the right way.”
Columbia Central Lions
Coach: Mark Pickle (23rd season)
District: 8-AAA
2019 record: 19-12
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Shelbyville 4-2)
Returning starters: 5
Key contributors: Jaden Hamm, sr. INF/P; Dane Sykes, sr. INF/P; Caden Cameron, sr. C; Bryce Symlar, sr. INF/P
Coach-speak:“We have a lot of question marks but we have shown steady improvement over the first three weeks of practice.”
Culleoka Warriors
Coach: Chad Hunter (1st season)
District: 10-A
2019 record: 11-22
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Richland 8-7)
Returning starters: 3
Key contributor: Preston Bagsby, sr. C/SS
Coach-speak:“We are a very young team with only one senior. The majority of our players are freshmen and sophomores. We’re very proud of the guys and their off-season workouts. We want to be aggressive on offense. The players need to become more ‘baseball smart’ and confident in their abilities.”
Hampshire Hawks
Coach: Luke Jones (4th season)
District: 10-A
2019 record: 9-13
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Richland 8-2)
Returning starters: 3
Key contributors: Hunter Jones, sr. P/SS/3B; Austin Nash, sr. P/1B/OF; Jed Page, so. 3B/P
Coach-speak: “We’ll have a young team. We’ll need (our seniors) to step up and I feel like they will because they have a lot of heart.”
Mt. Pleasant Tigers
Coach: Eddie Bassham (2nd season)
District: 10-A
2019 record: 6-12
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Culleoka 7-3)
Returning starters: 5
Key contributors: A.J. Busby, sr. P/OF; Hayden Lovely, sr. SS/P; Ryan Clark, jr. OF/P; Colby Reed, sr. C/P
Coach-speak:“Should be better.”
Santa Fe Wildcats
Coach: Rip Baxter (17th season)
District: 10A
2019 record: 13-10
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Hampshire 9-8)
Returning starters: 8
Key contributors: Briar Mabry, sr. P/1B; Josh Martin, jr. 3B/P; Jordan Bryant, sr. P/C; Carter Seltz, jr. SS/P
Coach-speak:“We are still pretty young, mostly sophmores and freshmen. The kids are working hard to improve upon last year. I’m excited for the season. They are a fun group to coach.”
Spring Hill Raiders
Coach: Paul Lamm (14th season)
District: 11-AAA
2019 record: 15-17
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Ravenwood 4-3)
Returning starters: 7
Key contributors: Elijah Williams, sr. LF; Dylan Wilder, sr. P; Brett Bell, sr. 2B; Angel Montoya, sr. RF; Brantly Whitwell, jr. CF; Luka Boylan, jr. P; Jackson Marbet, jr. 3B/P; Dawson Hargrove, jr. UTIL/P; Nathaniel Huntzinger, jr. 1B; Brandon O’Brien, jr. SS; Quent Mizer, so. C
Coach-speak:“After two years that have seen us field very youthful teams, we once again have a group of veteran players in our everyday lineup. Pitching will be a strong point for us as well as our defense. If we can put some things together at the plate and give our pitchers the support they need this could be an exciting year for Raider Baseball.”
Zion Christian Eagles
Coach: Jon McDonald (1st season)
District: 3-DIIA
2019 record: 5-16
2019 postseason finish: District quarterfinals (lost to Ezell-Harding 15-0)
Returning starters: 5
Key contributors: Briggs Rutter, sr. C/SS; Mark Lowery, sr. 3B/P
Coach-speak:“We are going to be a very young team with strong senior leaders in Rutter and Lowery. The whole team has put in a lot of work this offseason and I really look forward to competing with these guys.”
— MAURICE PATTON