Central Oregonian

Youthful Cowboys ready for season to start

Team returns solid core of pitchers from last year

LON AUSTIN/CENTRAL OREGONIAN

Brandon Alexander pitches during a recent practice. Alexander is one of five Crook County pitchers that are expected to contribute this season.

Lon Austin

March 14, 2013

The Crook County High School baseball team will have a new look when they take the field Wednesday, March 20 for their first game of the season.

Not only does the team have a new head coach in Frank Martinez, but virtually the entire starting varsity team from a year ago has graduated.

“Practice has been going pretty good,” Martinez said. “The kids are doing good, but we are pretty young.”

The Cowboys return just five players with any varsity experience. However, those players could be the key to the team’s success.

Pitchers Brandon Alexander, and Troy Benton did the bulk of the pitching for the Cowboys last year. Catcher, Joe Saenz, and first baseman Stetson Hall also have significant varsity experience.

With Saenz behind the plate, and Alexander and Benton on the mound, pitching should be the Cowboys strength.

However, Martinez was quick to point out that Alexander and Benton aren’t the only quality pitchers the team has.

Hall is also expected to pitch some games, while outfielders Jeffrey Turbitt, and Dylan Wilson are also expected to pitch.

“We have five solid pitchers,” Martinez said. “They should be one of our strengths.”

Martinez added that, so far, the team has been hitting the ball well in practice and is eager to finally play a game.

“I think everyone else has already started,” he said. “I think the team is ready to play.”

Despite the team’s inexperience, Martinez’ goal is to win a play-in game.

“Hopefully the team plays well together,” he said. “Once we get a couple games under our belts and see who we need to move around, then we’ll have a better idea.”