By Chris Parker
Southwest baseball had a strong fall season with a 10-3 record overall that helped the Trojans get a jumpstart on the 2021 spring season.
“Being able to play a fall season is everything. We use it like spring training to acclimate the young guys to high school baseball. We also move people around to see where each benefits the team best,” Southwest coach Kenny Ferguson said.
Cruz Marquez (pitcher/infield), Colton Hignite (pitcher/first base), Austin Pippin (catcher), Ryan Peachee (third base), Zak Corwin (pitcher/infield) and Coy Shrum (outfielder) will be Southwest’s top players.
Marquez has led Southwest in hitting his entire career. Hignite will be the No. 1 pitcher and No. 3 hitter. Pippin is one of the best defensive catchers in the area according to Ferguson and the team’s No. 4 hitter.
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Joining that group in the lineup will be Ty Howard at second base and Brendyn Paulsen when Hignite pitches.
Corwin, Shrum, Paulsen, Brandon Brooks and Bruce Duncan will all look for time in the outfield.
“Offense and overall Baseball IQ (will be strengths). We have a good mix of freshmen through seniors starting for us who understand the game,” Ferguson said. “Defense and attitude (need to improve). What I mean by attitude is we tend to get down on ourselves and let it affect our game.”
Southwest opens the season on Mar. 23 at McAuley Catholic.
