Prep Baseball: West Rowan preview

West pitchers D.J. Webb, left, and Zach Zimpson. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

West batters Hayden Untz, left, and Tyler King. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

West seniors leaning on fence are, from left, Chris Neal, Garrett White, Jonie Bautista, Corey McVay, Ethan Marsh and Thomas Hester. Photo by Ronnie Gallagher, Salisbury Post.

By Ronnie Gallagher

rgallagher@salisburypost.com

MOUNT ULLA — There's a lot of coaches out there who would love to finish their baseball season with a 15-10 record.

West Rowan's David Wright wasn't one of them after the Falcons lost to Fred T. Foard in the first round of the 2009 playoffs.

"I've buried it," Wright said of last season. "We just need to move on. There's nothing left there."

Although standing just 1-4 going into today, things could take a turn for the better if pitchers D.J. Webb and Zach Simpson find their groove. Both were four-game winners last year. Simpson, a strapping, 6-foot-4 left-hander, is 1-1 so far.

"When he's got all his pitches going, he's tough," said Wright, who adds Simpson has four good pitches. "He'll throw all the big games for us. He needs to be more consistent with his out pitch (breaking ball.)"

Webb has been a middle-to-long reliever with about 5-6-7 innings a week. He will also start.

Junior Chandler Jones is a right-hander who has joined the rotation. Sophomore Matt Miller is coming off an injured tendon in his foot, but already has three strikeouts this season in relief stints.

Other potential pitchers include Ethan Marsh, Garrett White, Chris Neal and Thomas Hester.

"We've got to stay healthy," Wright said.

Senior Jonie Bautista takes over behind the plate from Hernan Bautista, the county's player of the year.

"Most places, he'd have seen a significant amount of time," Wright said. "He's got to hit for us."

Freshman Hunter Teeter and junior Steven Whitmore will be backups.

Hester and Simpson will play first base, along with Madison Osborne.

"Simpson hasn't hit a lot the last couple of years," Wright said. "He's a defensive first baseman."

Hayden Untz is a returning starter at second base. The senior hit .280 and drove in 14 runs last year.

"He's a big, strong kid who will provide power in the middle of the order," Wright said. "He's a real good defensive player."

Wright lost shortstop Philip Miclat to Boston College so Tyler King has big shoes to fill. Wright feels he can do it after moving him over from third base.

"Tyler's the team captain," Wright said. "I hope it's a challenge for him."

King hit .266 last year and led the team in stolen bases, while driving in 16 runs.

Jones is slated for third, but needs playing time.

"He's got to get some experience," Wright said. "He hasn't played on the varsity level. He's getting better on a daily basis."

Webb and Teeter can also play there.

Hester, Patrick Hampton and Jon Crucitti are outfielders, with Crucitti leading the way in center.

Crucitti led West in runs scored (27) in 2009, while knocking in 19 runs. The West Point signee will bat in the top three in the lineup.

"Jon's energy-driven," Wright said. "He makes the rest of the kids play up to his level. He's so confident. He always has a sense of urgency. Every game is like his last game."

Crucitti will have two 6-foot-3 guys on each side of him. Hester, a senior, should be a solid right-fielder after a productive junior year.

"He's grown up a lot," Wright said. "He's a very good team player. He has one of our best arms."

Hester also had a good bat in 2009, hitting .339 with two homers.

Hampton has already shown power, slugging a homer against Mount Pleasant.

"We're not putting a lot of pressure on him," Wright said. "He's a big, strong athletic kid."

Wright has kept two freshmen on varsity in Teeter and Taylor Garczynski.

Teeter can pitch, catch, play infield and outfield. Wright says Garczynski is a speedster who can play outfield and infield.

"He swings the bat well," Wright said. "He's going to be a good player."

Garczynski has proven he belongs on varsity. Against Northwood, he batted ninth and went 2-for-4 with two runs. The next game, against Mount Tabor, he led off and went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Corey McVay will also see time for the Falcons.

Wright enters his fourth season having never suffered through a losing season. He isn't expecting one now, but does admit he has a strong schedule.

"I think we have a chance to be a really good team," he said. "If we play together, we've got a chance."

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NOTES: West is scheduled to go to West Iredell today at 4:30 and travels to Davie on Saturday for a 3 p.m. start.