Several pitchers expected to step up for Shawnee

The Shawnee High School baseball team lost standout pitcher Clay Murphy to graduation, but several pitchers are going to get the nod this fall.

“We lost a major player,” Shawnee baseball coach Mike Hanson said, speaking about Murphy. “He’ll be hard to replace. We won’t have that great stopper. We’ll pitch more by committee this year.”

Returning to take over the pitching duties from last year are seniors Greg Smith and Tyler Brant and juniors Ty McMahan and Dylan Smith.

Two freshmen lefthanders who could be in the mix on the mound are Adam Pennington and Gavyn Ellet.

Greg Smith and Brant will be in the infield when not on the mound. McMahan will be in left field and Dylan Smith in the outfield.

Other returning seniors from last season’s 32-7 squad who are expected to contribute are catcher Tyler Glidewell, infielder Anthony Crane and outfielder Kyle Stevens.

Other junior returners are outfielder Aaron Lambdin and outfielder Dylan Smith.

Sophomores who could contribute are infielders Gary Pind and Andrew Livesay and outfielder Nolan Baltzell.

Freshman Pennington could be in the outfield when he is not pitching and Ellet is expected to play an infield position. Other freshmen hopefuls are outfielder/catcher Brandon Pind and outfielder Levi Ford.

“I believe we have some freshmen who are going to make contributions,” Hanson said.

Two starters, Murphy and Eric Lambdin, graduated from last year’s team.

 “We’re about the same team we were last year with a couple of guys missing,” Hanson said. “I’ve got to believe we’re going to be competitive.”

The Redskins open their fall season at home against Century Monday, Aug. 31.