Monterey baseball seeking more success
by Joey Martin - posted Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 @ 2:23 pm

After experiencing his first winning season as Monterey baseball coach last year, Eric Richard is looking for more success in the postseason.

Monterey fell to Stanley 4-3 in a Class B first round playoff game in Stanley last year. The Wolves entered the playoffs as the No. 20 ranked team and finished the season at 13-9.

Monterey fell to Stanley 4-3 in a Class B first round playoff game in Stanley. The Wolves entered the playoffs as the No. 20 ranked team, while Stanley is No. 13.

Monterey finished the season at 13-9.

"We've got most of our kids back, so we're pretty excited about the season," Richard said. "I'm a bit concerned about not getting as much work in, but that's part of being at a small school. We'll have to play our way into shape and hopefully by the time district starts we'll have had enough work to be ready. We've got several kids ready to step up and play and good leadership from our veterans. I think we are poised to have a good year and certainly expect to be in contention for a district championship."

Richard will be without 2012 Parish Player of the Year Matthew Humphries, who hit .455, collecting 31 hits in 68 at-bats. He also had the lone home run for the Monterey team.

But Richard returns a strong pitching staff led by senior Hunter Frey, who was 4-3 last year with a 5.34 earned run average.

Junior Hayden Cassels was 3-2 with a 3.15 ERA and also batted .397.

"Hunter has been our best pitcher since he has been in the eighth grade and it's time for him to be one of the best pitchers in the area," Richard said.

Seniors Elliot Britt and Jeffrey Spann bring valuable experience to the team.

Britt batted .366, while Spann hit .327.

Juniors Kade Passman and Dillon Smith have been leaders on the baseball team as well.

Smith hit .369, scoring 29 runs.

"Dillon set the bar high as an eighth-grader," Richard said. "We lean on him a lot."

Trey Book is in left field, while Ashton Holland is returning from shoulder surgery. Senior Trent Burley also returns.