 | | New East Bernard Head Coach Doug Grigar.
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| For the first time in recent memory, East Bernard enters district play in 2008 with new talent and a new head coach.
After long-time head coach Greg Murrile stepped down after the 2007 season, Doug Grigar decided to leave the similar post at Needville and take over the head job at East Bernard.
Grigar's job was tough right off the bat, being forced to rebuild as the Brahmas lost a wealth of talent - including ace Paul Demny, Garrett Traweek, Nelson Garcia, Andrew Webster and Chris Kubes - to graduation.
The Brahmas are a work in progress, as their 4-9 non-district record shows. Jacob Hudman is the lone returning senior who played the entire year in 2007.
“We are young this year with quite a few first-time varsity starters and players,” said Grigar. “But our players are very excited about playing on the varsity, especially our seniors.”
Ricky Simpson, Clinton Graves, Aaron Alexander and Anthony Cruz are stepping in to fill some big shoes both on defense and at the plate.
The Brahmas' pitching success will center on juniors James Powell and Cameron Orsak, who has shown he can handle the pressure of being the ace of the staff.
Just down the road, Brazos returns a wealth of talent and should be in the running for a playoff berth once again.
Back are infielders Josh Nordt, Ricky Hernandez, Caleb Little, Clayton Orsak, Travis Ramirez and Nathan Kreitz.
Promising newcomers for head coach Shawn Hiatt are freshman shortstop/pitcher Mark Fernandez and junior infielder James Martinez.
“We will be better offensively this year compared to last year,” said Haitt. “We have a better team batting average top to bottom. And we should have a stronger defense, especially in the infield.”
The loss of pitcher Justin Korenek will hurt the staff, but the team has more depth than in the past. Leading the way ware Hernandez, Orsak, Fernandez and Kreitz.
Upper Tier: With the possible exception of a very young Van Vleck team, the other five will be in the playoff hunt down to the final week. Hitchcock has gotten off to a fast start, while Boling and Brazos return a wealth of talent. It will take time for the Brahmas to come around, but don't be surprised if the perennial 2A powerhouse is there at the end.
“I would say that every team has a chance to make it,” said Hiatt. “I foresee a battle game in and game out. The key for most teams will be how well their pitching holds up and playing consistently every game. It would not surprise me to see the district champion have just seven or eight wins.”
Prediction: 1. Hitchcock; 2. Boling; 3. Brazos; 4. East Bernard; 5. Danbury; 6. Van Vleck.
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