By Chris Parker
Marion C. Early had a string of five straight district titles snapped last season, but the Panthers still won 22 games.
This season, they will look to start a new district championship streak with seven starters returning.
Seniors Landen Burrow (centerfield/pitcher), Jacob Presley (pitcher/shortstop), Ben Lewis (utility/pitcher), Colby Pellham (first base) and Garrett Loftis (outfield/pitcher) will be the team’s leaders. All five are entering their third seasons as starters.
Presley and Burrow will be joined by Coltin Jett, Ben Lewis and Garrett Loftis as the team’s top pitchers.
Presley is a hard-thrower who pitched 52.2 innings with 83 strikeouts and a 2.39 ERA last season. His 6-foot-4 frame helps him get the ball on the hitter quickly.
Burrow keeps hitters off balance with his off-speed to great effect. He threw 37 innings with a 1.88 ERA last season. At the plate, Burrow hit .419 with 3 home runs, 30 RBI, 42 runs scored and 26 stolen bases.
The defensive alignment in the infield will feature freshman Lucas Cutler at catcher, Pellham at first base, Lewis and Presley at shortstop depending on who is pitching and junior Conor Stockton at third base.
Jett (left field), Burrow (centerfield) and Loftis (right field) is the projected lineup in the outfield.
“We have the potential to be very good offensively. We should have a good mix of hitting for average, power, on-base skills, and speed,” MCE head coach Jason Grose said. “We are also a very experienced team. We have played in three straight district titles winning in 2021 and 2022. Most of our kids have been starters for 3 seasons, with a couple being four-year starters. Aside from our freshman catcher, the others have started for at least two years.”
MCE opens the regular season on Mar. 15 at home against Spokane.
“We want our identity to be the same as it always is,” Grose said. “We want to be known for throwing strikes, fielding the baseball, throwing it accurately, and putting the ball in play. We want to be selfless, strive for excellence, and compete everyday with great energy.”
