ENID —

A new era begins in Enid High School baseball history today when the Plainsmen host home-school Oklahoma City Bronchos at 4:30 p.m. today at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

New head coach James Peoples will debut with a team that returns only four players with 40 or more at bats from last year’s state tournament team and only  two pitchers who pitched more than 10 varsity innings in 2009.

“It all comes down to pitching,’’ said Peoples, a long-time assistant to Plainsmen coaches Mickey Geurkink and Scott Baugh. “Our pitchers don’t have any varsity experience, but I have a lot of confidence in them and I believe they have good enough stuff to get hitters out.’’

Senior Mike Phillips, 0-1 with a 8.13 ERA in 101⁄3 innings last season, will get the start against the Bronchos. He had a strong summer season for the state runner-up Enid AAA American Legion team.

“He’ll keep us in the game,’’ Peoples said.

The Plainsmen return three full-time starters in shortstop Seth Floyd (34 RBI, 15 stolen bases, .409), third baseman Mikey Bretado (1 HR, 20 RBI, .333) and first baseman Erick Ramirez (14 RBI, .221) and a part-time starter in center fielder Joe Black (9 RBI, .226).

“I don’t know how well we’re going to do,’’ Peoples said. “We’re just looking forward to getting after the OKC  Bronchos Thursday. Hopefully, good things will happen.’’

Junior right-hander Christian Lafontan, Bretado, sophomore righthander Nick Keeling, sophomore righthander Lawson King and Black complete the pitching staff.

“I look for Phillips, Lafontan and Bretado to step up,’’ Peoples said. “I have a good feeling for what they did this summer. I expect them to do the same thing this spring.’’

Here is a position-by-position look at EHS:

Catcher: Joe Phillips, Mike’s twin, will be catching the opener. He is being pushed for the job by junior Cedric Rose. Joe Phillips could be doing some pitching as well.

“Mike likes throwing to Joe so that should work out well,’’ Peoples said. “He (Joe) is receiving better. He’s always had a good arm.’’

First base: Ramirez moves from second base. The new position, Peoples said, “fits him real well.’’ He hit around .380 in summer league. Peoples is counting on similar production this spring.

Second base: Junior Colter LeGrant is battling basketball player Dylan Walker for the job. LeGrant, Peoples said, was a sparkplug for the AAA team offensively. He has good range and a good glove.

Shortstop: Floyd will be counted on for another .400 season at the plate. He hit 11 doubles and three triples last season. He has a good glove and a strong arm. He will be used in a closer’s role in relief.

Third base: Bretado’s versatility should prove valuable, Peoples said. He hit well in the summer and he’s been a good leader, both by example and vocally, so far, Peoples said.

Left field: Christian Rodriguez, a JV player last season, will be starting Thursday. Sophomore Brady Baugh could be playing later in the season.

Center field: Black and McLain Clemens are battling for the starting job. Black had four doubles and two triples last season. Clemens was used primarily as a courtesy runner. He scored 16 runs and stole four bases. Both have good speed.

Right field: King got a lot of experience this summer, Peoples said. He is regarded as a strong prospect for the future.

Designated hitter: Kaleb Hulva, Blake Ferguson and Brock Enmeier, who played JV ball last season, are the top candidates.

“Hopefully, somebody will get hot,’’ Peoples said

Peoples said the transition going from assistant to head coach has gone smoothly.

I’m ready to get after it,’’ Peoples said. “I’ve been around some of these kids for five to six years so it was no big transition for them.’’

Peoples acknowledged he will have to have some patience with a young team.

“We’re going to have some adversity,’’ he said. “These kids are doing everything we have asked of them. All I ask them to do is to work hard and compete. If they do that, they will find a way to win.’’

The Plainsmen, for the first time, will be going to the Oklahoma/Alabama challenge in Gulf Shores, Ala., over spring break. The team will host the Gladys Winters Memorial Tournament March 24-27. All the EHS games will be on KCRC (1390 AM) Radio.



Enid baseball roster



No.    Player    Pos    T-B     Class

1    Joe Black    OF-P    L-L    Jr.

2    Willy Vidal    OF    R-R    Sr.

3     Seth Floyd    INF-P    R-R    Sr.

4    Colter LeGrant    INF    R-R    Jr.

6    Kaleb Hulva    INF    R-R    Sr.

7    Cedric Rose    C    R-R    Jr.

9    Tanner Miller    OF-P    R-R    Jr.

10    Erick Ramirez    INF    R-R    Sr.

11    Mike Phillips    OF-P    R-R    Sr.

12    Joe Phillips    C-P    R-L    Sr.

13    Miguel Bretado    INF    R-R    Sr.

14    McLain Clemens    OF-P    R-R    Sr.

15    Shane Pendleton    INF-OF    R-L    Sr.

16    Lawson King    OF-P    R-R    Soph.

18    Christian LaFontan    P    L-L    Sr.

19    Amsa Johnson    P    R-R    Sr.

20    Christian Rodriguez    OF    R-R    Jr.

21    Blake Ferguson    OF    L-R    Jr.

26    Dylan Walker    INF    R-R    Jr.

27    Tanner Leon    P    L-L    Soph.

28    Cody Cooper    INF    R-R    Soph.

31    Brady Baugh    OF    R-R    Soph.

34    Nick Keeling    P    R-R    Soph.

40    Brock Enmeier    INF    R-R    Jr.



Head coach — James Peoples

Assistant Coach — Chris Jensen

Assistant Coach — Dennom Sullivan

Assistant Coach — Billy Karr



EHS baseball schedule



March 4     — OKC Bronchos            4:30

March 6 —    at Southmoore            2.

March 13 —Yukon                    Noon

March 15 — Oklahoma/Alabama Challenge    TBA

March 24    — Southmoore                11:30

March 25 — Yukon                    7

March 26 —Midwest City            7

March 27 —    Edmond North            8

April 1     —Edmond Memorial                        7     .April 2—    at Bartlesville (2)                 4:30

April 3 —at Putnam North            2

April 5—    Stillwater                7

April 6—    at Stillwater                7

April 8—    at Woodward                7

April 12—     at OKC Bronchos            5

April 13—     at Broken Arrow            5

April 14-17    — Stillwater Tournament        TBA

April 19    — Woodward                7

April 22    — at Midwest City            7

April 23—    Moore                7

April 24    — Sand Springs (2)                 Noon

April 26    — Ponca City                7

April 27    — at Ponca City                7

April 29    — Owasso                6

April 30    — Edmond Santa Fe            7

May 1—    at Jenks                     4:30

May 5-8    — Regionals

May 12-15    — State