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Baseball: Dragons hopeful pitching fuels deep playoff run
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Tuesday was a first for Southlake Carroll baseball.
The Dragons hosted Keller Timber Creek and did so at 7 p.m. - the first home night game in program history (results not available as of press time).
Carroll was coming off a 7-1 win March 5 against Keller Central in their District 4-5A opener in which it scored six runs in the top of the eighth inning. The Dragons continued with a 4-0 record at the Fort Worth Arlington Heights Tournament to improve to 12-2-1 on the season.
Behind returning starters Tyler Alexander, Sean Thompson and Ben Leeper, pitching should be a strength for the Dragons.
"They're doing a really good job," Hughes said. "We actually have a combined ERA of just under two. I think that's what is going to carry us and hopefully we play solid defense and can hit a little bit."
Alexander and Thompson also compliment each other with Alexander throwing lefty and Thompson a right-hander. Shortstop Joe Heineman could also see time in relief out of the pen.
"We don't really have a closer, we'll just see if anyone emerges," Hughes said. "But I think our pitching is going to be very strong and Tyler, Sean and Ben will be our three main guys."
Carroll's offense, meanwhile, will be powered by third baseman Kenny Hill, who has already powered four home runs and leads the team with 20 RBIs despite a sluggish start. Also returning with starting experience are Chris Altimont and Drew Brown in the outfield and Hayden Zier at catcher.
Hughes added a few positions are still up for grabs, including an outfield spot, first base and second base.
"We've had a few injuries right now, too," he said. "But we have several guys we can use at a lot of spots. I like the depth we have and a lot of it is going to come down to if we are looking for offense or defense in a particular game or situation."
In the infield, Heineman handles duties at short, with Preston LeJeune at second and Barry Casey at first.
Altimont starts in center, with Brown in left or right depending on who nails down the third spot.
"We've been doing pretty well defensively," Hughes said. "We don't need them to make the flashy play, just make sure we make the routine ones. And our pitchers are strikeout pitchers, so we're not going to have to make a ton of plays in the field."
In the win against Central, Carroll's pitchers combined for 19 strikeouts over eight innings. On the year, the Dragons are averaging around 10 whiffs per game.
Ryan Weigel is a candidate for the outfield and has also fueled the Carroll offense from the leadoff spot.
"He's very fast and gives us a great threat at the top of the lineup," Hughes said.
Nic Motley provides Carroll with additional power in addition to backing up at catcher.
"Nic has a couple of homers already," Hughes said. "Barry has given us a little pop, too, and Chris is really coming on with his bat."
While the Dragons have been producing runs, Hughes would like to see the squad be a bit more aggressive at the plate.
And after coming up a game short of state last season, Carroll is hopeful to qualify for the postseason and take it a step further.
"We expect to contend for the district title and a state title," Hughes said. "But it doesn't really matter where we finish in the standings, we just want to get in."
Carroll's chief competitors for the 4-5A crown include Keller Fossil Ridge and Keller.
The Dragons continue in district at 7 p.m. Friday at Richland before hosting Justin Northwest at the same time Tuesday.
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