In his second year of coaching at the varsity level at Ypsilanti High, coach Terry Bigham will be looking at a young team to try to repeat as three-time champs of the Mega White. He has lost his two top pitchers from last season and his four top hitters.
"We are going to be really young this season," Bigham said. "Two of my top players from last year (Jacob Rhodes and Eric Noland) are playing at Eastern Michigan University now."
Key seniors on the team this season are Clyde Gentry who will pitch and play infield, Quetzalcoatl Carrasco will play outfield as will Nigel Harris. Two other key seniors are Kevin Osborne and Pat Petiprin whom can both play first and outfield.
The top pitchers on the team this season are all junior. Adam Wilbanks can pitch, catch and play outfield; Justin Brewer is a pitcher and infielder and Craig Swope can pitch and play outfield.
Key sophomores for the varsity squad are Chris Patten in the outfield, Troy Swope who can pitch and Alex Lillie is an infielder.
Last year in district play, the Phoenix beat Ypsilanti Lincoln but went on to lose by one run in the bottom of the seventh to Ann Arbor Pioneer.
"There is going to be a learning curve this year," Bigham said. "There are a lot of things up in the air. I am excited that we have a freshman program for the first time in four years and our numbers are up."
Bigham said the toughest teams he sees in the Mega White are Taylor Truman and Redford Union.
"We play a very tough non-league schedules against the likes of Trenton, Ann Arbor Huron, Southgate, Plymouth and tournaments like Grass Lake and Clinton."
Local action will start for the Phoenix with a double header on March 29 at home against Ann Arbor Huron.
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