SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY Southport returns with higher expectations and six seniors (from left) outfielder Dallas Matlock, infielder Patyn Pardue; (back), catcher Scott Rippy, outfielder Brendon Coomler, pitcher Kris Massey and outfielder Treg Olson.
Southport coach Mike Klopfenstein. Southport (10-14) – Longtime assistant coach Mike Klopfenstein takes the helm … team batting average was lowly .226 … Cards dropped six games by one or two runs and lost all three extra-inning contests … turnaround expected … seniors are southpaw pitcher Kris Massey, infielder Patyn Pardue, outfielders Treg Olson and Dallas Matlock, catcher Scott Rippy, outfielder/pitcher Brendan Coomler … junior hitters return with Jack Vanover (.294, 20 hits) at third and Avery Short (.250, 14 hits, 10 RBIs) … junior outfielder Michael Fidler stole five bases … sophomore Ryan Lezon returns at short … junior transfer Tyler Rice bolsters infield … leading pitchers are Short (4-2, 0.83 ERA), who throws 70 percent strikes, Massey (3-3, 198 ERA), and Vanover (1-7, 5.00 ERA) … in middle of four straight road games … return to Holder Field April 17 against Perry Meridian.
Coach’s comments: “We’ve had open-hitting sessions indoors all winter so that will be a key for us. We have changed our approach offensively and hope that pays off for us. We know our top three pitchers but need to find more depth there. We do have a lot of guys who can throw. This transition has been smooth. Many of our juniors are third-year starters. Our pitching is solid, and our hitting will improve. The guys are excited to get going. We like what we see.”
Coach’s comments: “We’ve had open-hitting sessions indoors all winter so that will be a key for us. We have changed our approach offensively and hope that pays off for us. We know our top three pitchers but need to find more depth there. We do have a lot of guys who can throw. This transition has been smooth. Many of our juniors are third-year starters. Our pitching is solid, and our hitting will improve. The guys are excited to get going. We like what we see.”
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