Greenbrier East wants to erase ’06 season’s end

Greenbrier East wants to erase ’06 season’s end

By Gary Fauber
Assistant Sports Editor

Here is a look at high school baseball teams in Greenbrier County:

Greenbrier East (21-7 in 2006): Last season was a successful one for the Spartans, who at one time were ranked in Class AAA’s top 10.

But a region semifinal loss to rival Woodrow Wilson left a bitter taste.

“What I like more than anything is the boys are hungry,” second-year coach Ben Routson said. “They feel a little disappointed in the way the season ended. Of course, that’s everybody, but they are working hard and they are hungry.”

Among the top players gone from the Spartan roster are third baseman/pitcher Brent Windon, catcher Jake Glasser, right fielder Zack Coleman, first baseman Andrew Schriefer and outfielder Cameron Ayers.

Several players are back, however, including center fielder Dominique Daniels. The senior’s high school career has been marred by a host of injuries, but he’s healthy going into the spring.

“He is very anxious right now,” Routson said. “A lot of that has to do with all the bad luck he’s had with different things. But he is 100 percent healthy and ready to go.”

Around the infield, junior Dan Smead will likely start at first base for the Spartans, with junior Josh Norman backing him up. Senior A.J. Mann returns at second, with Drew Workman replacing Windon at third. Sharing time at shortstop will be junior Allen Level and senior Lucas Lemine.

Taking over for Glasser behind the plate will be either J.C. Burr or Patrick Chapman. Both are juniors.

Joining Daniels in the outfield will be Sam Shirley in left. The versatile Norman could back him up, as well as play third behind Workman.

Juniors Hunter Sabbag and Michael Cochran are battling for the right field spot.

Pitching this year will be Level, Daniels, sophomore Garrett Bostic, Smead, Mann, Norman and sophomore Steve Smith.

Sophomore Tyler Cutlip, who could serve as Daniels’ backup in center, might see some mound time, too.

Ryan Dodd, a junior right-hander, was going to be counted on to pitch but will miss time with an injury to his pitching shoulder. Routson hopes Dodd will be able to return halfway through the season.

Lemine also has been slowed after having knee surgery.

“We are a little thin on the mound because two kids we were planning on being starting pitchers are out as far as the mound is concerned,” Routson said.

Greenbrier West (4-13): First-year coach Matt McClung may have found his calling.

“The first night (of practice), I came home and told my wife that coaching baseball was the reason I was put on Earth,” McClung said.

Although the Cavaliers won only four games last season, McClung certainly has a nice nucleus to work with. Center fielder Shawn Davis is the only starter McClung will have to replace.

Playing at first base will be senior Isaac Osborne. At second will be junior Jarod King, senior Jaron Childers at shortstop and senior Cody Bryant at third.

Junior Jon Myles will do the catching.

Battling for outfield spots are senior Roger Burns, sophomore Chris James, senior Chris Fitzwater, junior Kenneth Holland and seniors Trent Walker and Chad Briggs.

Doing the pitching will be Myles, Childers, Burns and Osborne.

McClung, a 1997 graduate of Nicholas County who was a catcher for the Grizzlies, has had a positive experience thus far.

“They are a great group of kids and they work extremely hard every day,” he said. “They have a lot of talent.”

— E-mail:

gfauber@register-herald.com