Richlands baseball team preparing to defend district title

By DAVE COX/Staff
The Richlands High School varsity baseball team has won back-to-back Southwest District regular season titles. If the Blues are to pull off the hat trick this year, they’ll have to do it against a bigger and most likely better district and they’ll have to do it without the services of two key players.
Aside from five starters lost to graduation last spring, First baseman Zack Pruett will not return to the field this season and just last Thursday, seventh year RHS head varsity
coach Brad Strong learned that Shane Wicks, a pitcher and outfielder, would not be able to play because of a leg injury he suffered from football.
That means that Strong will be without a lot of his previous RBI power as the Tornado begins the 2008 campaign.
“Losing Shane is a blow to us, but we’ve got to keep moving on,” said Strong. “Our (remaining) 12 ball players are really going to have to step up and play hard for us and be dedicated and committed to our program.”
Strong had to feel a little bit better about his power at the plate when newcomer Eric Hess slammed a home run last week in a scrimmage against Northwood at the field behind Southwest Virginia Community College at Wardell.
“It was a big shot,” said a smiling Strong. “He really stepped up and delivered a bomb and all the kids were excited for him. We’re real excited about him being a part of this ball club.”
Without Wicks and Pruett, the Blues are down to just two seniors, one with experience and the other new to the team. There are a slew of juniors and a pair of freshmen on the squad. Senior Jordan Barnett heads up the pitching staff and is the ace of the staff. The other senior, Ben Mulkey, better known for his basketball abilities, is listed at three positions- pitcher, infielder and outfielder.
Junior Joel Elswick returns as catcher and can also pitch. Jake Rife (jr.) will play some at first base along with fellow junior Eric Stiltner, who can also pitch. Barnett plays second base when he’s not pitching and Mulkey will see some time at second as well.
Christian Hearl (jr.) will anchor third base, Ethain Keene (jr.) plays outfield and pitches, as will junior Taylor Sizemore. Blayke Wilson (jr.) is listed as an outfielder as is Hess (Jr.).
Richlands lost a key player at shortstop with the graduation of Caleb Jennings, but Bradley Strong is very capable of filling that position. Bradley Strong has been around baseball practically his entire life and has solid ability for a freshman. The other freshman, Cody Thomas, will relieve Elswick behind the plate and can also play in the infield if needed.
Abingdon and Marion join the SWD this season and both, especially Abingdon, always play the Blues tough. “Coach (Mark) Francisco does a good job with his club,” said Strong. “I think Abingdon is probably going to be the top dog (in the SWD). We can’t afford to take anyone for granted. We’re going to have to work hard and get better each and every day. We’re real excited about Abingdon and Marion joining the district.”
Adam Davis and Matt Simmons are assisting Strong on the varsity team and Bethany Carr serves as the team’s official scorekeeper. Frank Daugherty and Rick Salyers are handing the junior varsity team coaching chores.
The varsity team is scheduled to open its regular season today (Wednesday, March 26) when the Blues host non-district foe Grayson County, while the junior varsity is on the road to Grayson County today.