Tryouts held for Pioneer baseball, softball and volleyball programs: Baseball team looks to replace seven starters
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Senior starters Jacob Bratcher, Josh Bratcher, Coty Grissom, Colby Killian, Jordan Powers, Jordan Underhill and Nick Cantrell graduated over the weekend, and coach J.W. Holt?s squad ? which is coming off two straight third-place finishes in District 7-AAA ? will be looking to fill several spots in the lineup between now and next spring.
?For the last couple of year?s we?ve been No. 3 in our district, but we?re not willing to settle for that,? Holt told the group of current and prospective Pioneers gathered for Monday?s opening day of tryouts.
?We?ve won 20 games the past two years, but we?re still just behind the top two schools in the league. So we?re looking for guys who are going to be dedicated, and who are going to work hard to help us get over that hump.?
Upcoming freshmen, as well as upperclassmen who were members of this spring?s Pioneer team and others hoping to find a spot with the club, were put through their paces both in the field and at the plate, beginning with tests of their foot speed and arm strength and including fielding drills on the infield, and live batting practice both in the ?Opie? Morris outdoor hitting facility and at the plate on Ramsey Field.
Tryouts were scheduled to continue on Tuesday, and Holt said he should have a list of next year?s Pioneers by the end of the week.