Gainesville will look to climb back above .500 after a 9-13 season that ended with a district semifinal loss to eventual Class 2 champion Mansfield.
The Bulldogs have five key players returning this year led by the senior duo of Brandon Poe (P/SS) and Noah Britt (P/1B). Poe posted a .306 batting average on his way to an all-conference selection. Britt hit .258 with nine RBI last year.
Junior outfielder Cody Donley along with sophomores Jaxon Britt (C) and Tanner Jennings (P/IF) also return. Britt hit .333 with nine RBI while Jennings posted a .283 average with five RBI.
Four more sophomores in Will Uchtman (P/IF), Gavie Rowbotham (P/IF), Ben Pointer (P/Util) and Jalen Evans (P/Util) will see significant varsity time this year.
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That group brings depth and versatility, which are great assets with the new pitch count rules that were instituted last year.
“Our strength will be our defense and our pitching depth. We are fortunate enough to have guys that can play any position on the field and have enough arms to eat up innings and throw strikes consistently,” Savage said. “This group is very willing and accepting of any position or lineup spot in which they are placed. They just want to compete.”
Expectations are hard to gauge in the early-going with such a young squad on the field.
“As with any young team we have a lot of uncertainties and questions surrounding any expectations. We are confident in our ability to throw strikes and play defense well enough to keep us in games. Our offense is what we are counting on to take a big step forward from the fall and our guys are ready to take on that challenge,” Savage said.
Gainesville opens the season on Mar. 16 at Cabool.
