2.Headline: Tigers will rely on youth and talent for 2014 season
1.The baseball team will have only four upperclassmen.
Smithville baseball coach Ryan Moerbe knows his team is going to be young in 2014, but believes that a little youth may not be a bad thing. “We have two seniors, two juniors and the rest are pretty much going to be freshmen and sophomores this year,” Moerbe said. “We are going to be even younger than we were last year.” The Tiger struggled at times last season, losing several close games on the way through a tough district slate. Moerbe has gone back to basics in 2014, emphasizing defense, pitching and fundamentals through the early parts of the preseason. “Our pitching and defense looked pretty good in our first scrimmage, then things kind of fell off in our alumni game last week,” Moerbe said. “We have been hard at work trying to get more consistent.” Abnormally cold and wet weather has hindered the amount of time the Tigers have been able to spend outside on the diamond, but it hasn’t stopped them from getting work in the past few weeks. “We’ve been inside as much as we have been outside so far this year,” he said. “The good news is we spend a lot of this time working on individual positions, so it hasn’t hurt much.” Junior Kyle Schmidt headlines a group of returning starters. The catcher has garnered statewide attention heading into his third season behind the plate. “He’s real good,” Moerbe said. “He’s our leader.” He’ll be charged with handling a pitching staff that will be looking to replace starting ace Bryce Helmcamp, a first-team all-district selection last season. Sophomore Garrett Gray-Mathis will likely move into Helmcamp’s role as the No. 1 starter. He gained valuable varsity experience as a freshman and will put that to work in 2014. Chris Lewis, Mason Crowe, Jarrett Randle and Jacob Rodriguez will all get time on the hill for the Tigers in 2014. Smithville’s basketball success is currently affecting the baseball team as well. As the Tigers gear up for what they are hoping will be a lengthy playoff run on the hardwood, Moerbe patiently waits for a wave of reinforcements that will come when hoops season ends. “We have four players we are expecting from basketball,” he said. “We’ll be better once we get them in and add them to the lineup.” Smithville gets going on Feb. 17 with a road game against Eastside Memorial. First pitch of the season is scheduled for 6 p.m.
3.there are younger people on the team this year therefore they are less experienced, but it may not be a bad thing because they can learn easier than the older guys
4.jargon: pitching staff, lineup
5.adjectives:sophomore, tough, younger,good.
6. recap
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