Strengths

Marion has a number of baseball players returning from last season’s 25-13 season.  Seniors Kasey Semler (.413), Dusty Albaugh (.391) and Zach Nielsen (.390) are the core of a formidable offense, while Semler and Nielsen make up a solid middle infield for the Indians.

Marion also boasts a pitching staff with five left-handers, and high school coaches will tell you that left-handers are worth an out an inning, just because they are left-handed.

Challenges

“The challenge will be for us to find the right fit for first base and left field,” said Marion Coach Steve Fish.

“We have a number of players returning and some promising young players, but we still need to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. If we can accomplish that and develop some proven right-handed pitching, we could be very good.”

Lost to graduation

Two big names jump to mind when considering graduation losses at Marion.  Garrett Fortner (8-3, 2.27 ERA) and Dalton Combs (6-1, 2.84 ERA) will certainly be missed in Marion’s 2011 rotation. Combs also led the team with a .414 batting average, 34 runs batted in and six home runs. The steady play of catcher Nathan Johnson and outfielder Austin Weisinger also needs to be accounted for.

Proven players

Semler, Albaugh and Nielsen are the big names returning but certainly not the only talent coming back.

Sophomore infielder Trev Biery, returning in midseason from surgery, and outfielder Andrew Charipar showed well last summer, hitting .348 and .393, respectively, in 60-plus at-bats apiece.

Juniors Cale Cannoy (5-3, 3.07 ERA) and Jake McDonald (4-2, 5.21 ERA) will be the veterans of the Indian pitching staff.

New faces

Fish said Addison Johnson and Christian Stekl would serve as quality catchers, and both make a strong contribution to the 2011 team.
 
Others identified to possibly make an impact were infielders Alex Charipar and Joshua Davila, outfielders Byron Fish and Sean McGarvey and pitchers Tyler Hedtke and Justin Dolly.

Expectations

Marion sports a nice blend of veterans and young players, and like any team it will come down to if the pitching comes through.

Fish is a player's coach. He will nurture his players into a quality team that should challenge for the WAMAC title and be salty by tournament time.
 
Fish shared that this group of boys has a real passion for the game and the kind of work ethic it takes to succeed. Fish is the kind of coach who can facilitate passion and work ethic into a contending team.