The Gainesville Bulldogs look to build on last season’s district semifinal appearance and push above the .500 mark this spring.
The Bulldogs finished 11-13 overall in 2016, their first under coach Weston Loftin. Gainesville beat Cabool 6-5 in its district opener before falling 9-5 in the semifinals to eventual district champ Mansfield.
Entering second season as head coach, Loftin will lead on a senior and two juniors to lead the way for his team.
Senior Jeff Donley is a captain and the unquestioned leader of the team. He’s Gainesville’s top pitcher and, when not pitching, can play almost anywhere on the field.
Donley had a 3-5 record with a 2.73 ERA last season.
“He is the leader of our team and really is the table-setter,” Loftin said. “He gets all of the guys going.”
Junior Noah Britt will start at first base and be one of Gainesville’s primary pitchers. He had a 2.00 ERA and 16 total hits during the spring season last year.
“He is also someone who has put in a lot of extra work for us and we feel like he will keep getting better,” Loftin said.
Junior Brandon Poe will start at either third base or shortstop. He showed progress at the plate during Gainesville’s fall season.
“He has good hands,” Loftin said. “He really figured out his swing in the fall, so we are expecting a good spring.”
Gainesville joins Fordland, Mansfield, Norwood, Seymour and Sparta in Class 2 District 10 this season.
