Baldwin Register: Pitching is key for Daphne

February 14, 2010, 4:44AM

DAPHNE, Ala. -- After graduating the majority of its standout pitchers after a 29-11 season a year ago that ended in the second round of the playoffs, Daphne's baseball team will rely on youth on the mound in 2010.

"Our young pitchers are going to have to mature quickly and it's a year that we must find a consistent offense," said Daphne coach Joe Hutchins, in his eighth year at the helm of the program. "We can't win 1-0 games or 2-1 decisions like we have been the past couple of years. We graduated our top three pitchers and need to find a new rotation. Our staff will be young and experienced."

The team will rely on nine seniors, six juniors and three sophomores during this year's campaign. Some of the players expected to make an impact include senior shortstop Jordan Blanchette, junior second baseman/pitcher Kyle Reese, senior catcher Corey Henning, junior utility player Taylor Elmore, sophomore pitcher Brett Langley, junior pitcher/utility player Dillon Schaniel, senior outfielder Jared Olson, senior outfielder Cameron Peterson, senior pitcher/first baseman Jordan Thornhill, senior outfielder/first baseman Tyler Powell, junior first baseman/designated hitter Blake Taylor, senior pitcher Sam Gresham; junior pitcher/third baseman Russ Mosley, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Brandon Peterson, sophomore catcher Ryan Lane, senior third baseman Dakota Ehmka, junior outfielder Roger Lavoie, and senior pitcher/utility player Ty Berridge.  
Hutchins said that his team's work ethic has been good so far.

"Our desire seems to be the biggest strength this team has shown over the off-season," he said. "Our players work hard and they want to compete."

Getting into the postseason again won't be an easy feat.

"We won the area last year," said Hutchins, talking about how the Trojans are sandwiched into the 6A Area 4 with Satsuma, Baldwin County and McGill-Toolen. "I have no idea which team will be favored this year, we are all competitive and capable of making a run."

Generally, Daphne has made a history of getting to the playoffs though, having posted a 29-11 record in 2008 and getting all the way to the quarterfinals and finishing with a 31-5 mark in 2007 and making it all the way to the second round of the postseason.

Since 2003, the Trojans have an overall record of 177-67, posted an 87-27 area mark and won three straight area titles.

The team opens up their 2010 campaign Monday at 4 p.m. against Robertsdale in the opening round of the Hank Aaron Classic.