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Article Excerpt
Byline: The Register-Guard
1, Churchill
Coach: Erik Hoberg (second season).
Last year's record: 13-3. Finished third in Midwestern League. Lost to Lakeridge 5-2 in the first round of playoffs.
Top returners: Ryan Royster, sr., OF; Cory Boosinger, sr., P/1B; Corey Kent, jr., SS; Jack Mehl, sr., 2B; Jimmy McDaniel, sr., P/RF; Jordan Marks, sr., OF; Levi Begin, sr., OF/DH; Matt Coplin, sr., 3B/P; Travis Larsen, jr., C; Derrick Thoma, sr., P.
Top newcomers: Josh Hogan, soph., 3B; Eric Brown, jr., 1B; Kyle Lindros, jr., OF; Jared Thompson, soph., P; Andrew Mathers, sr., C; Yasu Tanaka, sr., P.
Outlook: Royster and Kent were first-team all-league selections last year and Mehl was a second-team pick. Boosinger received honorable mention. McDaniel moves to the top of the order while Kent goes to the clean-up spot, where he will protect Royster, the No. 3 hitter who already has five home runs this year. The defense returns mostly intact from last year with Hogan moving to third base. Boosinger is the No. 1 starter and will be joined in the starting rotation by Coplin, who did not pitch last year following a shoulder injury. McDaniel is the closer.
2, Lebanon
Coach: Jeff Stolsig (15th season).
Last year's record: 7-9. Fifth in league.
Top returners: Casey Humphrey, jr., P/3B; Ben Walnum, sr., OF; Kyle Atchley, sr., P/OF; Drew George, sr., SS; Phil Wright, sr., P/1B; Kevin Alley, sr., OF; Chris Jones, sr., 2B; Derek Draper, sr., 1B.
Top newcomers: Brent Trask, soph., C; Blain Kuhns, sr., P/UT.
Outlook: Atchley was a second-team all-league pitcher last year and anchors the pitching staff. He is also a threat at the plate, as he went 3-for-4 with two home runs...
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