By Chris Parker
Dadeville has an experienced roster returning from last season’s 13-win campaign.
A quartet of seniors in Aidan Jarman (middle infielder/pitcher), Brayden Garver (utility/pitcher), Payton Farmer (outfielder) and Dalton Harris (outfielder) will be key leaders according to head coach Brent Rountree.
Rountree on Jarman: “Aidan is an athletic player that can hit for average, steal bases and play multiple positions.”
Rountree on Garver: “Brayden is a player that gets the most out of his abilities. He is a hustle type of player on both offense and defense. He should continue to see relief innings in our rotation as well.”
Rountree on Farmer: “Payton played through a shoulder injury that had to be surgically repaired over the summer. He is a tough player with speed and will more than likely return to center field for us.”
Rountree on Harris: “Dalton should see some time in our outfield. He has developed into a solid glove and has very good speed on the bases.”
Rountree expects Landon Keathley (junior third baseman/pitcher), Brayden Keathley (sophomore utility/pitcher) and Briar Clift (freshman utility/pitcher) to see innings on the mound along with Jarman and Garver.
Rountree on Landon Keathley: “Landon had a breakout season last year. We will continue to look for him to be an innings man on the mound and a threat at the plate. He has good command of four different pitches.”
Rountree on Brayden Keathley: “Brayden hit leadoff and anchored us behind the plate for the majority of the season. He is also an athletic player who can help us in a variety of roles, including on the mound. He has two pitches he commands well and is working on a third.”
Rountree on Clift: “Briar has a high baseball IQ for his age and has had success at many different travel and summer programs. He will give us depth on the mound and behind the plate. He has two solid pitches he throws for strikes and is working on a third as well.”
Clift and Brayden Keathley will handle the catching duties.
Wiley Proctor (junior third baseman), Seth Walker (sophomore middle infielder/outfielder), Rowan Schedler (junior second baseman), Lain Tevis (junior first baseman/outfielder), Hunter Mincks (junior first baseman) and Chayse Coose (first baseman/outfielder) will join the aforementioned players in competing for innings on the field.
“If our pitching from the top to the bottom of our rotation throws strikes, we should compete with anyone,” Rountree said. “Day to day consistency; if we find a lineup that produces results every day consistently then we’ll have success.”
Dadeville opens the season on Mar. 15 at home against El Dorado Springs.
“I expect us to compete in every game and continue to build on our last two winning seasons,” Rountree said.
