By Bud Milroy
Sports Correspondent
The 2012 season was a rare sub-.500 season for the Catholic Central High School baseball team.
As a result, the tradition-rich CCHS program is anxious for the 2013 season to begin.
“We’re excited to get going and see if we can plug the holes created by graduation,” said long-time head coach Tom O’Connell. “Unfortunately, this is the latest I can recall getting outdoors and getting some work done and start playing some games.”
CCHS has practiced outside just twice so far this year, and Tuesday’s games were rained out.
Besides the losses to graduation, the Hilltoppers will be without the services of Grant Alderman, who underwent Tommy John surgery during the offseason and is out for the year.
“We’ll be young, but have seven returning lettermen and a solid group of underclassmen that I expect to step up for us this year,” O’Connell said. “There is plenty of competition at all positions and I’m anxious to get on the field to see how it takes shape.”
The Hilltoppers return a couple of pitchers that saw plenty of varsity action last year. Kross Krueger was a pleasant surprise as a freshman, and has worked hard in the offseason, while junior Tegan Miles picked up valuable experience last year as a spot starter.
Rounding out the pitching staff will be a group of underclassmen that had success on the JV level.
However, the success on the mound will also be dependent on defense.
“We have a hole to fill at shortstop and in center field,” said O’Connell. “We’ll have to move a few guys around from the positions they played last year and see if they can make the change.”
Returning in the infield are senior Zach Mehring (2B, 3B, SS) and Brandon Hoffman, a spot starter last year, could start at second and will also back up Nolan Girard at catcher.
Junior Adam Oehlers and Krueger and Jobe Wagner are also in the mix for a middle infield spot, while Jake Kaider, Alex Wegge and Austin Hayes are competing for time at third base. At first, Matt Heiligenthal, Miles and Nick Seib are battling it out.
The outfield is wide open. Returning lettermen Aaron Sobbe, Miles and Jake Surges all saw plenty of action last season at the corner positions, but not in center field. They are being pushed by a few underclassmen from last year’s JV squad and several talented freshmen.
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