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Seven-Up opens new season tonight
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| First-year Seven-Up head coach Anthony Faulkner, right, instructs American Legion baseball player Garrett Broadway Wednesday during practice at H. Francis Bland Park. Broadway, a returning starter, will bat leadoff and start in center field for Paragould. Mike McKinney/Daily Press |
Faulkner takes reins of Senior Legion team
By MIKE McKINNEY
sports@paragoulddailypress.com
After guiding the Paragould AA American Legion squad for the past two seasons, Anthony Faullkner takes over as the Senior League Legion (formerly AAA) coach this year. And he brings with him the bulk of last season’s AA state runner-up team to go along with four experienced holdovers from last year’s Seven-Up club.
Faulkner’s 16-man squad consists of 11 players who played on last season’s AA state finalist team, including several from Greene County Tech’s 2007 state championship team.
“I know all those kids real well,” Faulkner said, looking over his current roster which includes GCT standout Jerrod Compton, who just completed his freshman season at Lyon College. “All of them but Compton I’ve had before. We know each other. We’re comfortable with each other. I know what to expect from them and they know what to expect from me.”
Faulkner is expecting Seven-Up to be competitive in 2008, starting with an eight-deep pitching staff which features a trio of college signees — Jacob Giles, Zarek Bateman and Tyler Garnett. Bateman has inked with Williams Baptist College and Giles and Garnett are headed for Harding University.
“The biggest part of that nucleus pitched for me last year. So I know what they’re capable of. I’m just asking them to throw strikes, keep it in the yard and let the defense do its work. And I know these guys are capable of doing that,” Faulkner said.
Garnett boasts AAA experience from last season and both Giles and Bateman played key roles in the AA team’s success last summer. All three are left-handers. They will be joined by fellow southpaw Seth Smith and righties Zach Armstrong, Compton, Jimmy Poe and Josh Everett on the mound. Like Garnett, Compton and Armstrong saw pitching duty for Seven-Up in 2007
“We don’t have any show-stoppers, any 90-plus (mph) pitchers. I’ve got eight, though, that I feel real comfortable with,” Faulkner said of his pitching staff.
The catching duties will be in capable hands with the experienced Compton back, joined by Tyler Williams and Bryan Burroughs. Williams started behind the plate for the AA team last summer. Faulkner said Williams and Compton may see outfield duty, as well.
“I feel real good about our catchers. We’ve got three. Compton started for the AAA last year and was very solid behind the plate and has a nice arm. Williams caught for me in AA last year, him and Bryan. I feel like I’ve got a good trio of catchers. I think those three are going to do a good job for us this year.”
Faulkner described his infield as solid and versatile. Going into today’s opener at West Plains, Mo., the first base job belongs to Tyler Nutt
“Tyler Nutt is the frontrunner at first. Jimmy Poe may also play some first and possibly Zarek Bateman may play some first. We’ve some versatile guys we can move around. That makes it better for your ballclub when you’ve got guys who can go that route,” Faulkner said.
Joey Taylor, a starter at second on the AA club in 2007, moves into the same spot for Seven-Up.
“He did a solid job last year for me in AA and I expect him to do the same this year,” Faulkner said.
Shortstop Chris Johnson, a returning starter, will likely miss the first couple of weeks of the season as he recovers from knee surgery, according to Faulkner. Luke Foster will step in in place of Johnson, who underwent knee surgery during basketball season and had to miss his senior season of high school baseball, as well.
“He’s recovering from knee surgery really well,” Faulkner said of Johnson. “For right now we’re looking at Luke Foster starting at short. Luke’s going to play some at short, some at third and play some second. He’s going to be our utility man on the infield.”
Third base is three deep with Chris Miller, Everett and Poe vying for playing time. “Those two guys and Jimmy played for me last summer. I think they’ll do an excellent job at third. I don’t really have a frontrunner there yet but I’m sure it will settle itself before long.”
In the outfield, speedy Garrett Broadway will patrol in center. The Pocahontas product is a returning starter and will be flanked by Garnett in left and Bateman in right. “He’s from Pocahontas and has very good speed,” Faulkner said of Broadway. “He started there last year and did a good job for (Seven-Up). We look for him to play a big role for us out there again.”
When Bateman or Garnett is on the mound, Faulkner will choose a starter from a group including Armstrong, Giles, Smith, Compton and Williams.
“Right now we’re looking at Garnett, Broadway and Bateman starting in the outfield, depending on who’s pitching. And we’ve got some others we can throw in the mix,” Faulkner said.
Offensively, Faulkner looks for Broadway to spark the attack from the leadoff spot and set the table for Garnett, Bateman, Compton and Nutt.
“Offensively, we don’t have a big bopper to send up there, but we do have kids who can hit. I feel good about Garrett Broadway being the leadoff for us,” Faulkner said. “He’s got great speed if we can get him to keep ball the down and put it in the dirt and give himself a chance to get on every time. He can put a lot of pressure (on the defense).
“Garnett and Bateman from the left side, those guys have been very successful,” Faulkner continued. “We look for some power from Compton, Williams and Nutt. We look for those three to be our go-to guys when it comes down to power numbers. I think Luke Foster also is going to be key for us.”
He also said Seven-Up’s pitching and defense may have to carry the team on some nights.
“We’re not going to be a team that’s going to score a lot of runs. We’ve got to have clutch hitting, people moving runners over and we’re going to have to manufacture some runs. That’s what we did last year and that’s what we’re going to have to do this year,” Faulkner said.
Many of this year’s Seven-Up players have played — and won — together before and Faulkner is hoping their past success carries over to this summer.
“Those guys had success last year at GCT and it carried over last summer. And they were successful again and it just carries over,” the Legion coach said. “We had a great summer last year and the AAA had a great summer. So I don’t see why the success shouldn’t carry over.”
Faulkner will be assisted by Legion coaching veteran Randy Smith. The Junior Legion squad (formerly AA) will be coached by Brad Sneed and Drew Kellums, while Matt Davis and Andy Schatzley will head up the A squad. Kellums, Schatzley and Davis all are former Paragould Legion players.
“Matt coached last year and Drew did too,” Faulkner noted. “We’re just glad to have those guys back in the program. Those guys are ready to give back to the program and I feel confident they’ll do an excellent job.”
After tonight’s season opener on the road, Seven-Up makes its home debut Saturday with a doubleheader against Dunklin County, Mo. The first pitch of game one is set for 5:30 p.m.
Faulkner’s 16-man squad consists of 11 players who played on last season’s AA state finalist team, including several from Greene County Tech’s 2007 state championship team.
“I know all those kids real well,” Faulkner said, looking over his current roster which includes GCT standout Jerrod Compton, who just completed his freshman season at Lyon College. “All of them but Compton I’ve had before. We know each other. We’re comfortable with each other. I know what to expect from them and they know what to expect from me.”
Faulkner is expecting Seven-Up to be competitive in 2008, starting with an eight-deep pitching staff which features a trio of college signees — Jacob Giles, Zarek Bateman and Tyler Garnett. Bateman has inked with Williams Baptist College and Giles and Garnett are headed for Harding University.
“The biggest part of that nucleus pitched for me last year. So I know what they’re capable of. I’m just asking them to throw strikes, keep it in the yard and let the defense do its work. And I know these guys are capable of doing that,” Faulkner said.
Garnett boasts AAA experience from last season and both Giles and Bateman played key roles in the AA team’s success last summer. All three are left-handers. They will be joined by fellow southpaw Seth Smith and righties Zach Armstrong, Compton, Jimmy Poe and Josh Everett on the mound. Like Garnett, Compton and Armstrong saw pitching duty for Seven-Up in 2007
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The catching duties will be in capable hands with the experienced Compton back, joined by Tyler Williams and Bryan Burroughs. Williams started behind the plate for the AA team last summer. Faulkner said Williams and Compton may see outfield duty, as well.
“I feel real good about our catchers. We’ve got three. Compton started for the AAA last year and was very solid behind the plate and has a nice arm. Williams caught for me in AA last year, him and Bryan. I feel like I’ve got a good trio of catchers. I think those three are going to do a good job for us this year.”
Faulkner described his infield as solid and versatile. Going into today’s opener at West Plains, Mo., the first base job belongs to Tyler Nutt
“Tyler Nutt is the frontrunner at first. Jimmy Poe may also play some first and possibly Zarek Bateman may play some first. We’ve some versatile guys we can move around. That makes it better for your ballclub when you’ve got guys who can go that route,” Faulkner said.
Joey Taylor, a starter at second on the AA club in 2007, moves into the same spot for Seven-Up.
“He did a solid job last year for me in AA and I expect him to do the same this year,” Faulkner said.
Shortstop Chris Johnson, a returning starter, will likely miss the first couple of weeks of the season as he recovers from knee surgery, according to Faulkner. Luke Foster will step in in place of Johnson, who underwent knee surgery during basketball season and had to miss his senior season of high school baseball, as well.
“He’s recovering from knee surgery really well,” Faulkner said of Johnson. “For right now we’re looking at Luke Foster starting at short. Luke’s going to play some at short, some at third and play some second. He’s going to be our utility man on the infield.”
Third base is three deep with Chris Miller, Everett and Poe vying for playing time. “Those two guys and Jimmy played for me last summer. I think they’ll do an excellent job at third. I don’t really have a frontrunner there yet but I’m sure it will settle itself before long.”
In the outfield, speedy Garrett Broadway will patrol in center. The Pocahontas product is a returning starter and will be flanked by Garnett in left and Bateman in right. “He’s from Pocahontas and has very good speed,” Faulkner said of Broadway. “He started there last year and did a good job for (Seven-Up). We look for him to play a big role for us out there again.”
When Bateman or Garnett is on the mound, Faulkner will choose a starter from a group including Armstrong, Giles, Smith, Compton and Williams.
“Right now we’re looking at Garnett, Broadway and Bateman starting in the outfield, depending on who’s pitching. And we’ve got some others we can throw in the mix,” Faulkner said.
Offensively, Faulkner looks for Broadway to spark the attack from the leadoff spot and set the table for Garnett, Bateman, Compton and Nutt.
“Offensively, we don’t have a big bopper to send up there, but we do have kids who can hit. I feel good about Garrett Broadway being the leadoff for us,” Faulkner said. “He’s got great speed if we can get him to keep ball the down and put it in the dirt and give himself a chance to get on every time. He can put a lot of pressure (on the defense).
“Garnett and Bateman from the left side, those guys have been very successful,” Faulkner continued. “We look for some power from Compton, Williams and Nutt. We look for those three to be our go-to guys when it comes down to power numbers. I think Luke Foster also is going to be key for us.”
He also said Seven-Up’s pitching and defense may have to carry the team on some nights.
“We’re not going to be a team that’s going to score a lot of runs. We’ve got to have clutch hitting, people moving runners over and we’re going to have to manufacture some runs. That’s what we did last year and that’s what we’re going to have to do this year,” Faulkner said.
Many of this year’s Seven-Up players have played — and won — together before and Faulkner is hoping their past success carries over to this summer.
“Those guys had success last year at GCT and it carried over last summer. And they were successful again and it just carries over,” the Legion coach said. “We had a great summer last year and the AAA had a great summer. So I don’t see why the success shouldn’t carry over.”
Faulkner will be assisted by Legion coaching veteran Randy Smith. The Junior Legion squad (formerly AA) will be coached by Brad Sneed and Drew Kellums, while Matt Davis and Andy Schatzley will head up the A squad. Kellums, Schatzley and Davis all are former Paragould Legion players.
“Matt coached last year and Drew did too,” Faulkner noted. “We’re just glad to have those guys back in the program. Those guys are ready to give back to the program and I feel confident they’ll do an excellent job.”
After tonight’s season opener on the road, Seven-Up makes its home debut Saturday with a doubleheader against Dunklin County, Mo. The first pitch of game one is set for 5:30 p.m.
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| GCT's Giles inks baseball letter with Harding |
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