Prep baseball: Salisbury preview

Jordan Fuller could carry a big bat for Salisbury. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

Salisbury's Jeremy Forbes is ready get his bat going this year. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Infielder Johnm Knox and pitcher Philip Tonseth. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

Important Hornets are, from left: Scott van der Poel, Nolan Meyerhoeffer and Kyle Wolfe. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

The 2010 Salisbury Hornets are: Front row, from left: Brian Bauk and Clint Veal. Second row: Dante Hoover, Nolan Meyerhoeffer, Kyle Wolfe, Scott van der Poel, Philip Tonseth and Jeremiah Stockdale. Third row: Jordan Fuller, John Knox, Ian Swaim, Keion Adams, Jeremy Forbis and Spencer Carmichael. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

By Bret Strelow

bstrelow@salisburypost.com

Given the youth on his team, Salisbury baseball coach Scott Maddox jokingly compares himself to Eddie Murphy's character in "Daddy Day Care."

First baseman Jeremy Forbis and catcher Jordan Fuller are the only experienced seniors — football standout Jeremiah Stockdale is a varsity newcomer — on a roster filled with underclassmen. The Hornets, who are 2-0 following wins against Statesville and A.L. Brown, could develop into a CCC title contender.

"We are pretty young, but most of the guys have been playing AAU, summer ball and fall ball for some time," Maddox said. "Age, to a large extent, really shouldn't play a role after the season gets going."

Fuller, who batted .284 while catching every game last season, drove in two runs against Statesville from the cleanup spot.

His ability to throw out baserunners was critical in the seventh inning of a 4-2 victory over A.L. Brown.

"He will have to drive in runs from his spot for us to be successful," Maddox said. "With our pitching staff being so young, we will need him to step it up behind the plate and keep the pitchers focused."

Forbis, a returning starter at first who bats from the left side, is currently the Hornets' No. 3 hitter. He drove in two runs against the Wonders.

Forbis finished last season with a .232 average.

"Jeremy has been waiting for his time to step up, and now that it is here, he has embraced it," Maddox said. "He has worked as hard as anybody we have at improving his game, and hopefully it is going to carry over to the field for him."

Salisbury's junior class includes multi-sport star John Knox, talented distance runner Philip Tonseth and Spencer Carmichael.

Knox was the quarterback for a football team that reached the state semifinals and the point guard for a basketball team that reached a sectional final.

He will bat first and play shortstop after spending last season, when he scored 11 runs, at second base. He can also pitch — he picked up the save against A.L. Brown.

"John played more baseball in the past year than he has in a long time, and you can really see the difference it has made," Maddox said. "He is much more comfortable in the field and at the bat."

Departed senior Forrest Buchanan pitched a team-high 522/3 innings last season, and Tonseth was next with 461/3 innings of work. He picked up one win and had a 4.08 ERA.

Tonseth, a lefty who occupies a spot in the outfield when he's not pitching, started on the mound against A.L. Brown. He allowed one earned run in 41/3 innings and collected the win.

"Philip is a smart pitcher," Maddox said. "He may not blow you away with his fastball, but he will keep you off stride."

Carmichael will move to second base this season but return to short, his position last year, when Knox pitches. Maddox said Carmichael worked hard in the offseason to improve his hitting.

Tyler Crisler (outfielder/infielder), Donte Hoover (first baseman) and Ian Swaim (outfielder, strong baserunner) provide depth as they move up from the jayvee level.

Nolan Meyerhoeffer, Kyle Wolfe and Scott Van der Poel are part of a talented sophomore class.

Meyerhoeffer can contribute on the mound, behind the plate, in the outfield or as an infielder. He homered against Statesville and leads the team with five RBIs through two contests.

Wolfe has played third base and pitched in each of those games. He's been the No. 2 hitter behind Knox.

Van der Poel will see time at third, first and the outfield.

Sophomores such as Nathan Foster and Sam Murph along with freshmen such as Ben Ritchie, Parker McKeithan and Skylar Mikelson could help on the varsity level this season. Maddox already is counting on production from ninth-graders Brian Bauk, Clint Veal and Keion Adams.

Bauk plays in center when he's not pitching. He earned a win in relief during his varsity debut.

Veal started that game on the mound. He is an option at second base and the outfield.

Adams, who is playing baseball for the first time since he was in youth leagues, has a strong arm.

"Early on defense seems to be our strong point, with hitting lagging far behind," Maddox said. "But in all honesty, I have had teams with much higher expectations struggle more with the bat early than these guys have.

"If we keep at it, it will work itself out. So far, this has been a really enjoyable bunch to coach — no prima donnas or attitudes, just a bunch of guys who like being around each other and working hard. We are all anxious for the season to get started and see where it takes us."