Spring Sports Preview
Editorial: Alan Hodge & Dave Blanton Photos: Alan Hodge, Bill Ward, Noah King and Rhonda Van Pelt
Young Storm focusing on building baseball program
The 2014 Stuart Cramer Storm varsity baseball team members are: #2 Chase Stewart, #3 Noah Kinlaw, #4 Kaleb Setzer, #5 Mac England, #6 Lucas Reel, #7 Alec Cogdil, #9 Yates Collier, #10 Wade McClain, #11 Tyler Walls, #12 Noah Oxidine, #16 Austin Earhardt, #17 Chance York, #19 Sam Wilson #20 Scott Moore, and #23 Jordan Crowder. Head Coach, Terry Radford; Assistant Coaches, Ben McMillan and Carey Pohlman. It will be a year of firsts for Stuart W. Cramer High School baseball. First home run. First strike out. First steal. First season. The newest addition to the Gaston County Schools assembled a baseball team for the first time over the winter and veteran baseball coach (Hunter Huss, North Gaston) Terry Radford ac-
knowledges that every opponent will be tough competition for his young squad of freshmen and sophomores. “You have to learn how to develop,” said Radford, who is also the school’s athletic director. “You have to have a positive outlook. It won’t happen overnight.” In a 14-7 scrimmage loss to Bessemer City last week, Radford saw promise. Two of his
strongest hitters were able to put up some numbers. Yates Collier notched two hits. Tyler Wall collected two hits and three RBIs. He said his starting pitcher that night, Lucas Reel, showed a lot of heart in his three innings. The tenth grader, Radford said, will certainly see more time on the mound. In practice and scrimmages, “they’ve all worked hard,” he
said. Radford is no stranger to baseball, and to building programs. In 1985, he took over as head coach of North Gaston. Two years later, the Wildcats captured the 3A state championship. He also has 24 years of baseball coaching experience at Hunter Huss, where he’s a 1978 alumnus.
Looking ahead to the Storm’s schedule, he sees fearsome foes. “South Point. East Gaston. Hunter Huss,” Radford said. “They’re all just very dominant, seasoned programs.” “We’ll be trying to make plays … and get some games under our belt. That’s the stage we’re at right now.” See their schedule on page 5B
Q&A with EG Warriors Red Raiders try to follow 23-2 year baseball coach Randy Sellers The South Point Red Raiders this spring represent a mix of experience and unproven underclassmen, according to coach Jason Lineberger, who last year lead the team to the third round of the state championship. The Raiders notched a 23-2 record with Derek Perry carrying the biggest bat. Perry is back, but ten of the boys who helped drum up all those wins were seniors and have been replaced by younger athletes. “We’re searching for an identity,” said Lineberger, who has been head coach since 2006. “It’s a process … coming back after a year like that. No doubt we have a lot of talent though.” The first month of play will see one of his starting pitchers rehabbing after foot surgery. Dan Johnson is expected to return by the end of March. Nevertheless, Lineberger said he has lots of faith in Adam Andrews, who pitched 22 innings last year and will be more productive in 2014. In its first game, last Wednesday, the Red Raiders thumped Kings Mountain 7-3. The Red Raiders were conference champions last year, losing to Hickory in the third round of the state championship playoffs. Seven of its ten seniors signed to play college baseball. Perry, who graduates this year, has committed to play for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
Can you tell us a little about your pitching roster for this season? Starting pitchers will be Alex King, Hunter Mitchem, Patrick Murphy and Tyler Price. This rotation will need to throw strikes and stay ahead in the count. They will also need to be quicker in their delivery to home plate with runners on to allow us a better opportunity to cut down on base steals.
Charleston Southern.
What was your record last season? 15 wins and 11 losses.
What’s your coaching background? This will be my 16th season coaching baseball at East Gaston. This will be my 8th year as the varsity baseball coach. I was the junior varsity baseball coach prior to becoming the varsity baseball coach.
Any scrimmages yet? Our first opponent was this past Wednesday night versus East Rutherford. We were defeated by the score of 6-4. What about returning talent? Our best hitter based on batting average last year was Chase Hannifin. He returns for his senior year. He has signed to play college baseball with
How would you describe your strategy or coaching style? I’m aggressive on the bases. I like to bunt to move runners in to scoring position, like to bunt for hits, steal bases and hit and run if the opportunity exists.
What subjects do you teach at East Gaston? I am the Marketing Education Instructor. The subjects I teach are: Sports and Entertainment Marketing I, Sports and Entertainment Marketing II and Entrepreneurship.