Balanced Panthers look forward to new season

Versatility will be a key for Creston’s baseball team this season.

The Panthers have a number of players who can play multiple positions in the field.

They will also have a number of pitchers they will look to rely on instead of a true staff ace.

Led by six upperclassmen, the Panthers are looking to build off last season’s 15-17 mark.

Veteran coach Steve Birchard has many options he can pencil into the opening night lineup come Monday at Southwest Valley.

“Versatility is really going to be key for us,” Birchard said.

This season’s seniors are Cody Crawford, Kadon Hulett and Brenden McDowell. The juniors are Jaden Driskell, Dustin Merritt and Michael Scherer.

“We’ve got good kids to work with,” Birchard said. “I’m excited to start the season.”

The entire lineup has come ready to work in early season workouts.

Crawford and Hulett are four-year starters, while McDowell is a third-year starter.

“We’ve got a good nucleus with those three seniors,” Birchard said.

Crawford, Birchard noted, can play all around the diamond.

McDowell will be counted to get on base and set the tone for the offense from his leadoff spot in the batting order.

“He’s going to be an important part of our success,” Birchard said.

Hulett will likely be the everyday first baseman and not pitch because of shoulder issues, Birchard said. Hulett will be counted on for a big bat in the lineup.

McDowell has pitched at times and will be asked too again.

Driskell will see time as a catcher, third baseman and will pitch. Merritt can play both in the infield and outfield, as well as pitch.

McDowell and Driskell will be counted on in the heart of the batting order to make solid contact and drive in runs.

Four sophomores are back with varsity experience.

Beau Barncastle is the teams’ ultimate ‘Mr. Versatility.’

“He could play all nine positions for us this year,” Birchard said. “I don’t think he will, but he’s that versatile.”

Freshman Luke Latham is gunning for a spot on the infield. Freshman Gavin Gilliam will be counted on in the infield, on the mound as well behind the plate.

Maturity will help the team greatly this year.

“It’s always fun seeing everybody getting a year older a year stronger,” Birchard said. “We can get hits into the gaps. We have a little more balance, have people up and down the lineup. That will be key with the pitching situation. We’re a year older, wiser, more mature. We’ll be better off for it.”

Not all of the positions are set yet, Birchard noted, leaving opportunities for players to rise and shine.

“Some guys have an opportunities to make an impact,” Birchard said.

The returning experience will be crucial.

“We’re a little older, wiser, more mature,” Birchard said. “We’re better off for it.”

New pitching rules this season being implemented nationwide in high school baseball will alter team’s approach to pitching and batting. The most pitches a player can throw in a game is 110. When a pitcher reaches that mark, has to come out of a game, among other rules. Pitch totals will be required to be entered into Quikstats within 24 hours after a game.

Pitchers will be required to rest one day after throwing 26 to 40 pitches in a day.The rest requirement goes to two days after throwing 41-65 pitches, three days for 66-90 and four day for 91-110.

The effect of the new rules is still up in the air, Birchard noted.

“It’s hard to predict,” Birchard said.

More on the new pitching rules will appear in a future edition of the News Advertiser.

There is no one true ace of the staff, Birchard said. Crawford, Driskell and McDowell will be the leaders of the staff.

“It’s going to be ole johnny all-staff,” Birchard said. “It’s going to be more of a committee right now. We’ll try to make it through a game. Everybody might give us an inning or two, see how it goes.”

Defending Class 3A champion Harlan and Lewis Central, which completed the first perfect season in the current configuration of the Hawkeye 10 a season ago, are Birchard’s favorites to lead the league.

“Harlan’s going to be a really solid team,” Birchard said. “They do lose an ace, but they’re going to be really solid. Lewis Central returns a lot of guys. They’ll still be really solid.”

After the Cyclones and Titans, the league appears to be wide open.

“It will be a dogfight,” Birchard said. “With the pitching, it will be interesting. The team that’s hitting will do well. Hopefully we’ll be in the hunt with our guys that return, get the most out of our seniors.”

Brandon Phipps is back again to serve as Birchard’s top assistant and coach the JV team. Jerry Hartman will serve as the freshman coach.