Fall Sports 2012
Page 25
Grundy R-5 Panthers
Good Luck to the
Grundy R-5 Panthers on a Great Season!
Wishes the Panthers & Zach
GOOD LUCK! Members of the 2012 Grundy R-5 Panthers softball team include, from left, front row, Brady Huffman, Brody Hatcher, Alex Halstead, Zach Stephens, Mason Radcliff; back row, Coach Les Jackson, Mathew McLain, Brandon Eckert, Destin Gann, Chris Bummer, Stuart Eller, Mason Larson and Clayton Radcliff. Not pictured are Tanner Hudson, Mason Alley, John Piodos, Elliott O’Neal and Isaac Chamberlain.
Like the girls, the Grundy R-5 boys have no shortage of players for the 2012 season with 17 boys out. Head Coach Les Jackson will try and find nine out of that mix who can take the field and help the Panthers continue to climb toward success after an 8-7 overall record last year and a 5-3 showing in the HDC Conference. Grundy returns three all-conference players from last season’s team in Clayton Radcliff, Destin Gann and Stuart Eller. That trio will lead Grundy this season. All-in-all, the Panthers have eight returning starters and expect to be near the top of the conference again. “We have 17 players on the team and return eight starters,� Jackson said. “Experience should help us, but the key will be our pitchers’ consistency in throwing strikes.� Pitching for the Panthers this year will be Mason Larson and Brody Hatcher, both of whom gained experience in the circle last season. “Those two guys did most of the
pitching last year,� Jackson said. “We hope to have a few younger players get a little experience. Consistency in throwing strikes will be the key no matter who is pitching.� Offensively the Panthers should be solid, but Jackson points out there are still a few things his team needs to improve on. “We hope to have contact hitters up and down the lineup,� Jackson said. “We still need to learn to shorten up our swing with two strikes, though. The top of the order getting on base and giving the rest of the lineup RBI opportunities will be the key to our offenses’ success.� The Grundy softball teams begin the season on Monday, playing host to HDC Conference foe Cainsville at home in Galt. Action begins with the girls contest at 5:30 and the boys game will follow. Grundy R-5 is also at home Tuesday night, playing host to Winston in another HDC Conference doubleheader. Those games also begin at 5:30 p.m.
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The Staff and Directors of Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri Trenton Branch appreciate the importance of all area sports teams.
Farmers Bank
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