By David Hughes
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE
Sun, May 18 2008
—
In case you haven’t heard, Steve DeGroote is retiring.
Not from coaching baseball, but from teaching physical education and health at West Vigo High School.
“It’s not because I don’t love it,” emphasized the 60-year-old DeGroote, who plans to spend more falls and winters taking family trips.
Northview baseball coach Gary Witham, who retired last year after teaching social studies for 34 years, thinks DeGroote will appreciate having extra free time in the coming years.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Witham said. “It’s nice to have some time to yourself. Steve will like it. I think he’ll really enjoy it.”
As for coaching baseball, DeGroote isn’t ready to use the “R” word yet. The 2008 campaign will be his 16th at the Vikings’ helm.
“Coaching,” DeGroote said, “I hope to keep doing it as long as they’ll keep me… I love it. My passion [for coaching] is as strong as it’s ever been. As you get older, you appreciate things like this more and it’s a lot more special.”
• • •
Below is how DeGroote’s and Witham’s teams, along with Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South, expect to fare this season:
• Northview — Beginning his 31st year in charge of Northview (or Brazil before that), Witham will get back the services of senior pitcher Curtis Peters, who went 8-1 with a 3.26 earned-run average two years ago but missed last season with an arm injury.
Joining Peters in the rotation are fellow right-handers Brock Lawson (4-3 in 2007), Ryne Barr (4-2) and Nick Lancaster (1-3). Lawson is a junior, while Barr and Lancaster are seniors.
“We’ve got more depth than we’ve had,” Witham assessed.
“We don’t have a real dominant pitcher, but I think all four of these guys can win.”
Witham said younger pitchers are battling for relief assignments.
Senior Keaton Robertson (.413, three homers, 27 runs batted in, 18 stolen bases) will again be the catcher, with junior Kyle Pestoff giving him a rest now and then. When not pitching, Peters and Barr may see some action at first base. So could senior Cody Crooks, who started in the outfield last season.
Junior Matt Nodley, who started most of last season, will get the nod at second base.
Witham said the shortstop position will be manned by either Barr, Lancaster or sophomore Logan Kile, with a few talented freshmen waiting in the wings.
Expect to see either Pestoff, senior Dylan Kruse or sophomore Jordan Allen at third base.
Witham said all three outfield spots are interchangeable between Lawson, Lancaster, Crooks, Kruse, sophomore Drake Stevenson and sophomore Broc Potter.
Ready to step in at designated hitter are Pestoff, Peters and Kruse.
“Overall, we’re going to be better than we were last year,” Witham predicted. “We had some guys play well in the summer league last year.”
Witham named West Vigo, Edgewood and Brown County as top contenders for the Western Indiana Conference crown.
“And I hope we’re somewhere in there too,” Witham added.
The Knights, who finished 12-13 in 2007, will open a new season Friday at South Knox.
• Terre Haute North — The least experienced head coach at any of the local “big four” schools, Shawn Turner is no rookie. He’s starting his 11th season at the helm.
The Patriots, who ended up 16-13 in 2007, are listed in “others receiving votes” in the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) preseason poll.
Turner’s pitching staff will include 6-foot-3 senior Brandon Dorsett (4-2), juniors J.T. Bailey (2-2), Keaton O’Laughlin and Wade Bush, sophomore Parker Fulkerson and freshman Jordan Watson. All but Watson are right-handers.
Joe Meggs, a senior, is back for his second season as North’s catcher. He’s backed up by sophomore Doug Collett.
“Joe came to us from California [before last season] and was one of our leading hitters [.375 with two homers, seven doubles and 20 RBIs],” Turner said. “We’re looking for him to continue to grow as a leader on this team.”
Rounding out the infield are junior Billy Sisson at first base, senior Mark Merrill (.359, two homers, 17 RBIs, nine steals) at second base, junior Michael Eberle at shortstop and either Meggs or junior Nick Pilipovich at third base. Turner mentioned that Pilipovich, who has a strong throwing arm, may see time in the outfield as well.
Also hoping to see time in the outfield are senior Andrew Bledsoe and junior Jordan Allen in left, sophomore Andrew Gauer and senior Chad Wilguess in center and Dorsett (.333, three homers, 18 RBIs), Bailey and senior Keaton Sumner in right.
Allen, Collett and junior Jared Eller, who’s recovering from arm surgery in the fall, are vying for time at DH.
“Obviously, we’re inexperienced in a lot of positions,” Turner admitted. “Right now, I would say our offense is going to be OK. We’ve got some kids who can put the ball in play.
“On the mound, I’m not sure what to expect there.”
Turner said Carmel, defending league champion Center Grove, Lawrence North and Warren Central should be toughest to beat in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference. “We’re going to be heavily dependent on our pitching [to contend for the conference title],” the Patriots’ coach noted.
North will play host to MIC opponent Ben Davis for a season-opening doubleheader Friday.
• Terre Haute South — Beginning his 14th year as head coach, Kyle Kraemer is coming off a 21-10 season in which the Braves advanced to the Class 4A regional.
This preseason isn’t starting ideally for South. One of its top young pitchers, sophomore Bryn Schwartz (3-0, 1.93 earned-run average and one save in 2007), has undergone shoulder surgery and is out for the season. The same goes for junior Michael Nasser, a pitcher who also would have contended for a starting spot in the outfield.
That means Kraemer will rely on his son, senior right-hander Koby Kraemer (1-0, 4.38 ERA, two saves in eight innings), and junior Ethan Buske (2-0, 2.47, one save) to handle the bulk of the mound duties. Neither pitched much last season, but they should receive help by mid-April or later when a few other players return to action for various reasons.
“For not having been a pitcher [on a regular basis] last season, Koby’s looking good in the preseason,” Kyle Kraemer said. “Ethan has also looked good. He just needs to locate his pitches.”
Also vying for mound work is freshman left-hander A.J. Reed. Coach Kraemer added, however, that the Braves don’t really have a closer yet.
“We’re actively looking for three or four guys to fill out our staff,” he admitted.
Turning to offense, Kyle Kraemer said juniors Ryan Hunt and Josh Freeman, both lacking varsity experience, are engaged in “good competition” for the starting catcher spot.
Reed and Buske are involved in a similar situation at first base.
At second base could be senior Zach Odum (.374, 18 RBIs, 26 runs). Odum played third base last season, but he’s been bothered by a shoulder injury lately. If Odum does not play second, sophomore Nate Manning and/or freshman Ricky Wheatfill would likely take over there.
When not pitching, Koby Kraemer (.375, 39 runs, 21 stolen bases) will start at shortstop. When he is pitching, shortstop will probably go to Odum or sophomore Jacob Hayes.
Kyle Kraemer named Odum (depending on his shoulder), Hayes and Manning as possible starters at third base.
In the outfield, the veteran coach plans to start Brock Lough in left, junior Elias Brown in center and junior Eric Joyal in right. Lough and Joyal played mostly junior varsity last season, while Brown competed in track instead of baseball.
The DH spot is up for grabs, the Braves’ coach added.
“What we lack in power, we will more than make up for in speed,” Kyle Kraemer stressed. “We’ve got some really, really quick kids.”
Looking at the MIC, the elder Kraemer rattled off Carmel, Indianapolis North Central, Center Grove and Lawrence North as favorites to win the championship. “Our young guys are going to have to grow up quick,” he mentioned.
South will start its season at home Friday with its annual Braves Baseball Bash.
• West Vigo — DeGroote will count on a mixture of youth and experience to keep his program at a high level in 2008.
“This is as young as any team I’ve ever started,” the veteran coach pointed out. “I do have some good varsity experience, outstanding senior leadership and outstanding potential.”
The Vikings, who were 18-7 last season, just missed being ranked in the top 10 of the IHSBCA preseason poll.
DeGroote’s pitching staff will feature sophomore righty Tyler Wampler (4-1, 2.69 ERA) as its ace.
“He’s really got a live arm,” DeGroote said. “He really battles on the mound.”
Also returning to provide mound depth are juniors Jordan Pearson and Cameron Fagg and seniors Levi Bigger (3-0), Josh Garling (2-0) and Darrick Harden (7-4). All but Harden are right-handers.
DeGroote also mentioned team newcomer Drew Heyen, a senior right-hander, as a potential contributor as a reliever.
“Our pitching staff, by the end of the year, is really going to be a good pitching staff,” DeGroote promised.
At catcher, the Vikings again will start junior Jeremy Lucas, who should be at 100-percent strength soon after rehabilitating from surgery on his right elbow in December. Last season, Lucas batted .368 with six homers and 29 RBIs.
Another stud hitter is senior first baseman Derek Edwards (.448, eight doubles, 26 RBIs). He started the previous two seasons in right field. Also ready to see some action at first is junior Aaron Welch.
When not pitching, Pearson (.378, 14 stolen bases) is penciled in to start at second base.
Depending on who’s pitching, Wampler (.391, 11 steals) or Fagg (.353) could be starting at shortstop.
DeGroote said “very talented” freshman Scott West has a chance to start at third base. So do Fagg, Wampler and freshman Nolan Flinn.
Welch and sophomore Brody McCalister are candidates for playing time in left field, while senior Drew Aff (.373, three homers, 21 RBIs, 23 steals) will be in center and senior Joey Schell or freshman Cody Wheat probably will be in right.
The designated hitter most of the time, according to DeGroote, will be McCalister or junior Joey Livingston, with others possibly being thrown into the mix.
“I’m hoping we hit line drives,” DeGroote said when asked if his team has much power. “I don’t think we’re going to hit many home runs. We will have great speed. This is the fastest team we’ve ever had. Our first four or five hitters are awfully dangerous.”
Asked to pick a favorite to capture the WIC championship, DeGroote couldn’t name just one.
“Brown County will have the best team it’s had in many years,” he assessed. “Northview is always tough. Of course, Edgewood is always tough … I don’t know who to put a finger on because everyone’s going to be improved.”
The ’08 Vikings will debut April 3 with a doubleheader at Mattawan, Mich.
• Rest of the Wabash Valley — Wabash Valley teams from Shakamak, Rockville and Riverton Parke were touted by the above-mentioned four coaches as also being strong this season.
Vigo County/Northview baseball schedules
Northview
Friday — at South Knox, 5:30 p.m.
April 1 — Clay City, 7:30 p.m.
April 4 — at Martinsville, 5 p.m.
April 5 — at Mount Vernon, noon
April 8 — Bloomington North, 5 p.m.
April 9 — at Shakamak, 7 p.m.
April 12 — vs. Maryville, 11 a.m., and vs. Plainfield, 4 p.m.
April 15 — Sullivan*, 7 p.m.
April 19 — Northview Tourney (with Avon, Belmont and Bloomington South), TBA
April 22 — at Brown County*, 6 p.m.
April 23 — Mooresville, 6 p.m.
April 29 — West Vigo*, 6 p.m.
May 2 — at Edgewood*, 6 p.m.
May 3 — vs. Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South in Big Four Classic at Northview, TBA
May 6 — at South Vermillion*, 5 p.m.
May 9 — Owen Valley*, 6 p.m.
May 10 — at Danville, 11 a.m.
May 14 — Vincennes Lincoln, 6 p.m.
May 16-17 — Greyhound Invitational at Carmel, TBA
May 20 — at Greencastle, 7 p.m.
May 26, 29-30 — Class 4A sectional at Northview
* — denotes WIC games
Terre Haute North
Friday — Ben Davis (2)*, 5:30 p.m.
March 31 — Shakamak, 6 p.m.
April 4-5 — Lafayette Tourney at Loeb Stadium and McCutcheon, TBA
April 7 — at Riverton Parke, 4:30 p.m.
April 9 — Fountain Central, 7 p.m.
April 12 — at Warren Central (2)*, 10 a.m.
April 17 — at Brownsburg, 5:30 p.m.
April 19 — Lawrence North (2)*, 10 a.m.
April 21 — Rockville, 7 p.m.
April 24 — Avon, 5:30 p.m.
April 25 — at Bloomington South, 6 p.m.
April 26 — Center Grove (2)*, 10 a.m.
May 1 — at Terre Haute South*, 6 p.m.
May 2 — Terre Haute South*, 7 p.m.
May 3 — vs. West Vigo and Northview in Big Four Classic at Northview, TBA
May 9 — at Mooresville, 5:30 p.m.
May 10 — at Carmel (Hartman Field, 2)*, 10 a.m.
May 13 — at Vincennes Lincoln, 6 p.m.
May 17 — Indianapolis North Central (2)*, 10 a.m.
May 20 — at Martinsville, 5:30 p.m.
May 21 — Sullivan, 6 p.m.
May 26, 29-30 — Class 4A sectional at Northview
* — denotes MIC games
Terre Haute South
Friday — vs. New Haven, 8 p.m., in Braves Baseball Bash
Saturday — vs. Munster, 10 a.m., and vs. Mount Vernon, 5:30 p.m., in Braves Baseball Bash
April 1 — at Covington, 5 p.m.
April 5 — at Indianapolis North Central (2)*, 10 a.m.
April 8 — South Vermillion, 6 p.m.
April 9 — at Roncalli, 6 p.m.
April 12 — Ben Davis (2)*, 10 a.m.
April 15 — at Shakamak, 7 p.m.
April 19 — Warren Central (2)*, 10 a.m.
April 23 — at Riverton Parke, 6 p.m.
April 26 — Carmel (2)*, 10 a.m.
May 1 — Terre Haute North*, 6 p.m.
May 2 — at Terre Haute North*, 7 p.m.
May 3 — vs. West Vigo and Northview in Big Four Classic at Northview, TBA
May 6 — Paris, Ill., 6 p.m.
May 8 — Sullivan, 6 p.m.
May 10 — at Center Grove (2)*, 10 a.m.
May 12 — Mooresville, 6 p.m.
May 17 — at Lawrence North (2)*, 10 a.m.
May 20 — Brownsburg, 5:30 p.m.
May 23 — at Bloomington South, 6 p.m.
May 26, 29-30 — Class 4A sectional at Northview
* — denotes MIC games
West Vigo
April 3 — at Mattawan, Mich. (2), 4 p.m.
April 5 — at Center Grove Tournament, TBA
April 8 — at Washington, 6 p.m.
April 10 — North Vermillion, 5 p.m.
April 11 — at Turkey Run, 7 p.m.
April 15 — at South Vermillion*, 5 p.m.
April 16 — Paris, Ill., 5 p.m.
April 17 — Newton, Ill., 5 p.m.
April 19 — at Franklin Central Tournament, TBA
April 22 — at Sullivan*, 5:30 p.m.
April 24 — at Vincennes Lincoln, 6:30 p.m.
April 26 — Brown County* (2, but only first game counts in conference), 11 a.m.
April 29 — at Northview*, 6 p.m.
May 2 — Owen Valley*, 5 p.m.
May 3 — vs. Terre Haute South and Terre Haute North in Big Four Classic at Northview, TBA
May 7 — Edgewood*, 5 p.m.
May 8 — at Clay City, 5 p.m.
May 12 — at Fountain Central, 5 p.m.
May 14 — Sullivan, 5 p.m.
May 17 — at Jay County Tournament, TBA
May 19 — Shakamak, 7 p.m.
May 20 — Riverton Parke, 7 p.m.
May 26, 29-30 — Class 3A sectional at Brown County
* — denotes WIC games
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