Prep Baseball: East Rowan preview

East Rowan has a talented group of infielders, including, from left, Andy Austin, Preston Troutman, Noah Holmes, Justin Morris and Avery Rogers. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

Catcher Luke Thomas (kneeling) with pitchers, from left, Will Johnson, Parker Gobbel, Thomas Allen and Bradley Robbins. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

East Rowan outfielders are, from left, Nathan Fullbright, Will Sapp and Chris Jacobs. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher.

Team photo The 2010 East Rowan Mustangs are, Front row, from left: Justin Morris, Chris Jacobs, Will Sapp, Noah Holmes, Preston Troutman and Nathan Fullbright. Second row: Bradley Robbins, Parker Gobbel, Travis Allen, Andy Austin, Thomas Rogers and Will Johnson. Not pictured: Jamey Blalock. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

By Ronnie Gallagher

rgallagher@salisburypost.com

GRANITE QUARRY — East Rowan baseball coach Brian Hightower still hasn't gotten over that one pitch.

The Mustangs were one strike away from beating Lake Norman in the fourth round of last year's 3A playoffs. Ahead 3-2, that one pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning turned into a two-run Wildcat single that ended East's season at 23-5.

"I won't ever get over it," Hightower said. "That game decided who was going to win the state. We were in the top two or three in the state."

Hightower may not ever get over it, but he has put it in the back of his mind as he prepares to accomplish great things in 2010. East lost a senior class that Hightower called, "11 great ones who were team players." He expects the same desire and execution from his current group.

"All of these kids are hungry," Hightower said. "They're chomping at the bit. They don't want it to drop off."

East's two most famous players became even more so last summer. Third baseman Noah Holmes and shortstop Preston Troutman helped lead Rowan County to the American Legion World Series in Fargo, N.D. They are East's senior leaders.

Holmes, a three-year starter, hit .352 with seven doubles and 16 RBIs last prep season.

"He'll hit for average," Hightower said. "We're looking for more pop — a whole lot more doubles and a whole lot more home runs. He's up to it."

It's in the field where Holmes may be even better.

"He's the best third baseman defensively, in the state," Hightower said. "He's the total package."

Troutman came on late, finishing with a .387 average. He's the leadoff man.

"He's got a great set of hands," Hightower said. "He makes plays in the hole."

Troutman has those intangibles every coach wants.

"He's a leader," Hightower said. "He's a competitor. He hates to make an out. He wants to do whatever it takes to make everybody better. That's what I love about him."

Troutman proved it in the season opener, going 3-for-4. In the first three games for East (3-0), he has produced four hits and scored four runs.

"He's everything you want in a ballplayer," Hightower said.

Troutman will also be one of several pitchers. He joins a strong staff led by Thomas Allen and Parker Gobbel, although Hightower says he doesn't have an ace.

Allen, a senior right-hander, was the opening-day winner, tossing a two-hitter over six innings. He throws 86 to 88 mph and showcases a slider and breaking ball.

Gobbel, another senior righty, is a finesse guy who hits his spots with a changeup, a slider and a curveball. He struck out seven in 42/3 innings in his first start. He already has a win and a save.

Will Johnson and Avery Rogers are juniors who will see mound time, as will sophomore Bradley Robbins. Johnson, a lefty, already has a save.

"Johnson is a great guy out of the bullpen," Hightower said. "All he does is get people out."

Robbins is a "legit" pitcher, according to Hightower. He throws 86 mph and enters the week 1-0.

Rogers will have an important job when he's not pitching. He'll be the shortstop when Troutman throws.

The pitchers need work because they didn't get much last year. Hightower lost Corbin Shive, Cody Laws, Kent Basinger and Alex Litaker to graduation.

"We're gifted there," Hightower said of his pitching. "All of these guys didn't get as many innings as they should have. Allen only pitched 13 for us. But I couldn't be more pleased."

Junior Luke Thomas will catch, with Nathan Fullbright serving as his backup.

Thomas was 6-for-18 last year and will hit cleanup.

"He has awesome power," Hightower said.

Fullbright, a sophomore, will be a DH and left fielder.

Hightower is looking for good things out of 6-foot-1 sophomore first baseman Andy Austin. He gives East a left-handed stick in the 5-hole. He already has a 3-for-3, two-double outing.

"He hits gap-to-gap," Hightower said. "Defensively, he has great feet and range."

Junior Justin Morris takes over at second after playing jayvee.

"He has good speed," Hightower said.

Will Sapp, a junior, finally gets his chance in center field. He has waited in line for Micah Jarrett and Zach Smith to graduate and should be next in line to follow other great names like Collett and Cauble.

"He never misses offseason workouts, and he has a great work ethic," Hightower said. "I love him."

Chris Jacobs, a senior, will play left field, along with Fullbright.

"Jacob's going to play a big role in left," Hightower said. "He's got a little speed and is aggressive. He's a good baserunner. Fullbright is a steady left fielder with an accurate arm."

Junior Jamey Blalock played every position as a jayvee but is slated for right field. In Junior Legion, he led the team in homers and average.

"And he has leadership qualities from being the quarterback in football," Hightower said.

East's strengths are "pitching and defense, like they always are," Hightower said. "We've got speed, good power and guys who hit for average."

East is the overwhelming favorite in the NPC. Realignment took away Lake Norman, Northwest Cabarrus and Mooresville.

"You take away three quality coaches and three quality programs," Hightower said.

But even if those teams were still in the NPC, Hightower would be thinking championship.

"The expectations are high," Hightower said. "We expect to be in the Final Four of the state. There's no year you should come in here and not think you should be in the Final Four."

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NOTES: Allen is showing he's a pretty good hitter, too. He hit a homer in the second game as the DH. ... East is home on Tuesday against West Iredell and travels to Carson on Friday. Game time is 4:30 p.m.