Sports

East Preview: Inexperienced but don’t count them out

TERRANCE THOMAS, LTN Staff Writer

Feb. 25, 2002 - DENVER — “This team is inexperienced. By far the most inexperienced team here in 32 years.”

That’s what East Lincoln baseball coach Bruce Bolick says about this year’s Mustangs

After winning 17 games in each of the last two seasons including a conference title last year, the East Lincoln baseball team may be rebuilding.

Bolick lost eight starters off last year’s squad including five all-conference players and one all-state pitcher in Dustin Hutchison.

East returns David Rue (the only returning starter), Thomas Abernathy, Josh Cordoso, JoJo Dellinger, Isiah Lindsey and Michael Rue.

This year’s pitching staff will be led by twins David and Michael Rue, who both had one win in 2001. They are both righties along with Patrick Benfield (who he has good velocity), Tyler Burleson, Carl Maree, Josh Hamby and Brandon Robinson. Abernathy is the only lefty on staff.

Bolick said the pitching is questionable right now.

In the field, the Mustangs have a lot of players who can play more than one position.

At catcher, Danny O’Brien, Benfield, Jeff Fisher and David Rue are all candidates.

Around the infield, at first is Benfield, at second is the tandem of Josh Cardoso, Dellinger and Michael Dugan, at short is both of the Rues and at third is Burleson. Hamby and Matthew McIntosh can both play short and third.

Abernathy, Lindsay, A.J. Hunter, Adam Michael, Maree and Robinson will man the outfield.

“Pitching, catching and good defense is our No. 1 priority,” Bolick said. “Our strength on offense is good overall team speed.”

The offense according Bolick right now is “the Rues, Cardoso, Abernathy and wait and see.”

The Mustangs were blanked 3-0 by Bandys’ Chris Harvey who threw no-hit ball for six innings before Burleson broke up the no-hitter in the seventh after a reliever came in for Harvey.

The season is young.

The Mustangs feel they have what it takes.

“We’re looking pretty good,” said Cardoso. “We’ve got a pretty good defense and good hitters. We’re pretty much well-rounded.”

Abernathy says good things can happen.

“We have the ability to do a lot of things this year,” he said. “I think we can make the playoffs. We’re missing some key guys from last year but we’ll be all right.”

Bolick says so far he likes what his players are doing in practice.

“They seem eager and have the desire to continue the winning tradition,” he said.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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