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Swinging into Spring

posted Mar 13, 2014, 6:38 AM by Unknown user   [ updated May 13, 2014, 8:43 AM by Unknown user ]

Brice Lawrence


        Van Buren baseball is back this spring with 11 returning varsity players, and a new addition of senior Jimmy Irving. The team finished with a record of 18-8 (7-2 in BVC) last year.


        The first scrimmage is scheduled for March 20, home against North Baltimore. The BVC opener is at Cory Rawson on April 7, a team VB beat 11-9 last year. The team’s only home doubleheader is April 19 against New Riegel who they blew off the field 12-2 last year.


        This will be Coach Brooks Lance’s second season as the head coach of the baseball team. He has high regard for the rest of the coaching staff. He has been able to recruit one of the best pitching coaches in the area, Brian Rothrock. Coach Lance has also been able to bring back two of last year’s assistant coaches Don Masters and Tony Swanagan.


        The Knights start their season by facing two opponents whom they lost to last year, Patrick Henry and Miller City. Also on the boys’ schedule are rivals McComb and Liberty Benton who Junior Ross Adolph believes it will be “down to one of us to win the BVC.” The Knights were able to oust McComb 9-3, and defeat LB 5-1 last year.



        The Black Knights will have the home advantage for many of their league games as they play McComb (April 14), Leipsic (April 23), and LB (April 28) all on their home field this season. Adolph feels these three rivalry games will be key to the Knights’ chances at bringing the BVC title to Van Buren, and he wants as many people as possible to come out and support the team.


        Adolph led the team last year in runs (35), RBI (39), batting average (.421), and home runs (7). Adolph has a career total of nine and he expects to break the career record of 17 this year.


        Coach Lance explained his goals for the season, “We plan on winning a lot more than we lose. No other VB baseball team has reached the Regional [finals since 2008]." He expects the team to be led by juniors Ross Adolph and Jameson Jacobs. He expects Adolph to lead the offense with his speed and slugging ability, while Jacobs is expected to improve upon his season last year and be the ace of the pitching staff.


        Keep tabs on the baseball team’s success by checking into The Knight Writer.

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