Good hitting seen as key to success for Shawnee baseball

The Shawnee High School baseball team will stress hitting in hopes of a successful spring.

“We’ll have to hit a little better against teams,” Shawnee baseball coach Chad Pitts said. “Someone will have to step up.”

The other ingredients for success for the Redskins is already in place.

“Our big strength will be our pitching and defense,” Pitts said. “We have a lot of returners.”

The Redskins return all starters from last fall’s 10-1 squad.

The pitching duties will be handled by seniors Andrew Livesay and Gary Pind, juniors Gavyn Ellet and Adam Pennington and sophomore Aiden McMahan.

Other senior starters returning are catcher Gage Shelton and outfielder Nolen Baltzell. Livesay and Gary Pind should be playing  infield positions when not pitching.

The other junior starter returning is outfielder Brandon Pind. Juniors Ellet and Pennington will play first base and left field respectively, when not pitching.

Sophomore starter Austin Treece will return to play third base. Sophomore McMahan will return to play shortstop when not on the mound.

Other juniors expected to  contribute are outfielders Nathan Livesay and Levi Ford.

Sophomores on the team are outfielders Justin Goodman and Ryan Ochoa.

“We’re looking forward to the season,” Pitts said.

The Redskins open their season March 19 at home against Zeigler-Royalton.