After a successful fall season in which Galena went 20-4 under first-year head coach Byron Richardson, the Bears find themselves ranked No. 10 in the coaches’ preseason Class 2 poll this spring.
“We look to continue our success from fall,” said Richardson. “We made great strides and look forward to being very competitive in a tough SWCL conference. We will also look to compete well in the district tournament. Our main goal will be to throw strikes and play defense, along with improving our offense."
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Four seniors will lead the Bears this season, including all-conference pitcher/centerfielder Jake Baker. He hit .384 with 14 RBIs and had 25 steals.Baker was also 7-2 from the mound. Other seniors looking to contribute are Austin Farley (C/INF), Blake Batson (INF), Jake LaFevers (SS/P), and transfer Lucas Vert (2B).
Juniors Caleb Hall, Logan Sorrell, and Caleb Seaman will return to the Bears lineup. Hall batted .397 and earned second team all-conference honors as a utility player.
Sorrell was named to the second team all-conference and all-district. He batted .329 in the fall, with 21 RBIs. Seaman was named honorable mention all-district. All three played different positions based on who is pitching that day.
Juniors Logan Stewart and Dallas Besperat will fill in the outfield and infield when needed.
Sophomore pitcher Coby Sartin will also take to the mound this year. In the fall he was 4-0 from the mound.
“The players have done a great job coming to practice every day looking to improve personally and as a team,” said Richardson. “The team is motivated and I look forward to seeing these kids succeed. We will have to continue to throw strikes and play great defense to compete in a tough district and conference.”
