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Dixie Has Experience at the Plate
J. C. Tilton

Both Dixie baseball and fastpitch have a wealth of experienced players coming back this spring. On the day I visited it was gloomy with 2 inches of snow on the ground in the morning. But by afternoon the sun had come out and melted all the snow away. Fields were wet but playable - another typical spring day in Ohio. Both teams were busy, getting ready for this weeks games.

Coach Bingham ran thru some of his returning players: Jarred Crowe back at pitcher, Kevin McBain at second base, Andrew Dafler at shortstop, Randle Stone outfielder, Nick Hurky at catcher, and Robby Brewer outfielder. The team only graduated two seniors and has most everyone back. There are a lot of freshmen out this year and of them, three will probably contribute at varsity. Nicky Worley, Wiley Vires, and Aaron Bingham are all fighting for roster spots.

Pitching is fairly deep too. Crowe will be the number one starter followed by Nick Bertke, Aaron Bingham, and Kevin McBain. With the returning experience, coach Bingham feels that the team has a legitimate chance to contend for the top of the league. The coach is happy with the fielding “defensively we are pretty solid”, but would like to see the team making better contact with the ball - “We just need to improve at the plate.” He sees Carlisle, Eaton, and Middletown Madison as being his biggest competition this season.

Dixie fastpitch was hard at work as well. The team also has a wealth of returning players, Senior Abby Witt, Kirby, O'neal at centerfield, Powell at pitcher, Megan Millikin will be playing catcher. There will be some new faces as well with some freshmen expected to contribute at varsity. According to the coach I spoke with there is strong leadership this season.

What does the team need to do? “The team really just needs to keep positive mental energy this season - to make sure that they can overcome anything. I am confident in them, they just need to be confident in themselves.” I mentioned Waynesville as a contender for the top of the league and the response was, “Waynesville will be our favorite opponent.” With the strong cast of returning players the Dixie team should be near the top of the league, but do they have the push to knock Waynesville off of the top? Comments:

email: Chris Tilton

 

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