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  • Enid third baseman Colter LeGrand throws to first during a recent practice for tonight's opening game with Southmoore. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

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March 3, 2011

Plainsmen open season with high hopes

By Lee Coleman, Staff Writer Enid News & Eagle

ENID — Enid Plainsmen open the baseball regular season against Southmoore at 7  tonight at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

The No. 16 Plainsmen, coming off a 19-16 season, have one goal — the state tournament. The Plainsmen had reached the elite eight four of the last six years.

“Our goal every year is to get to state,” Enid coach James Peoples said. “If you get to the state, you have to play well, get a little luck and see what happens.”

The Plainsmen had a 6-0-1 record in seven preseason scrimmages.

“The kids are playing really well right now, so hopefully we can continue that today,” Peoples, in his second year as head coach, said. “We’ve been swinging the bat well and we have been throwing strikes and playing good defense. If you get those three things going for you, that means success.”

One of the keys for the Plainsmen will be how the young pitching staff performs. Junior Lawson King will start today against the Sabercats.

Sophomore Jerry Kearney has looked good in scrimmages, Peoples said. Junior Trevor Miller “has to step up for us,’’ Peoples said.

“We are really young on the hill,” he said.

The difference in 2011 is pitching depth. Peoples said last season he didn’t have the luxury of many arms on the squad and that hurt late in the season.

From a closer standpoint, Peoples said the early season would bring about a closer-by-committee situation.

“Right now, we have not made the decision on a main closer,” he said. “We are looking at a couple of different arms this year. We’ll have to see what happens early in the season and see who can step up.”

Unless there are some changes, the starting lineup today will be senior Colter LeGrant at third, freshman Jake Walker in right, junior Haden Houska at short, senior Dillon Walker at second, senior Cedric Rose behind the plate, freshman Jackson Walker at first, senior Joe Black in center and senior Christian Rodriguez in left.

“I like our team chemistry,” Peoples said. “Everybody is getting along with each other. The kids come to the yard every day and they play hard and work hard.

“We will hit for a pretty good average and we have good team speed. I really like our club this year.”

Defensively, the Plainsmen have some work to do, especially in the outfield.

“Our infield defense looks good. They should make some plays for us,” Peoples said. “Our outfield is a little shaky right now because we have a couple of guys out there who haven’t played there before.

“The kids know what it takes. We had a good off-season training program and the attitudes have been great. I’m really pleased with that.”

Peoples is encouraged by the early results, but the skipper said the road to a 6A championship is tough.

“It starts on the mound,” he said. “Everybody knows it. You throw strikes and give your defense a chance to work for you, you are going to have a chance. You go out and throw ball, ball, ball, you can’t defense a walk. You have to throw strikes and play good defense.’’

“We have to have these young kids and people you don’t expect, to step up. “

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