PRAIRIE’S BLANE ROBB (on right) is shown here tagging out a Heritage runner at third base during Friday’s baseball season opener between the two teams at Prairie High School.
PRAIRIE’S ALEC GAWLEY attempts a bunt during the Falcons’ non-league baseball game with Heritage Friday. The Falcons lost the opener 10-4.
The Prairie Falcons expect to score some runs during the 2015 high school baseball season.
“We will put up some runs in every game, it’s just a matter of whether or not our pitching can keep us in games,’’ said Prairie coach Mark Ripley, whose team opened the season with a 10-4 loss to Heritage in a non-league game played Friday at Prairie High School.
Ripley likes the potential of his offensive lineup from the top of the batting order to the bottom and he thinks the Falcons should have the potential to return to the postseason, where they lost in the first round of the Class 3A bi-district playoffs to Auburn Mountainview a year ago.
“This year, our squad is pretty solid,’’ Ripley said. “We’ve still got a lot of younger guys in the starting lineup.’’
Among those many threats in the lineup for Prairie this season will be Bryce Gould, a first team all-Greater St. Helens League selection a year ago.
“He’s probably our best hitter,’’ Ripley said of Gould, who plays left field for the Falcons.
Michael Guenther, Prairie’s second baseman, is also a key offensive player.
“He usually hits in the three spot,’’ Ripley said of Guenther. “He hits the ball pretty well.’’
Sophomore Greg Bernash, the team’s center fielder, bats leadoff for Prairie. He was an all-league performer last season as a freshman.
“He’s a real solid all-around guy for us,’’ Ripley said of Bernash.
Ripley calls shortstop Brendan Callaway the Falcons’ sparkplug on both offense and defense.
“He gives 110 percent all the time,’’ Ripley said of Callaway.
Heading into this season, Ripley said the Falcons didn’t have a catcher. Junior Jacob Brown approached his coach and said he could fill the void.
“He stepped up and I think he’s going to be a pretty good catcher,’’ said Ripley of Brown, who bats second in the Prairie lineup.
Senior Blane Robb and junior Brayden Heaps will likely be the Falcons’ top two pitchers and will alternate playing third base when the other pitchers. Robb got roughed up a little bit in the opener but Ripley thinks his senior righthander will be just fine.
“He will do the bulk of the pitching for us this year,’’ Ripley said of Robb. “He’s not a hard thrower but he has a really good curveball that seems to keep hitters off balance.’’
Callaway and Bernash will also log some innings on the mound as will freshman Blake Robb, a lefthander.
Blane Robb and junior Cory Bryan, Prairie’s rightfielder, each got two hits in the opener against Heritage.
“This squad doesn’t have a superstar but they’re all pretty decent from 1-9 in the order,’’ Ripley said. “We’ve got guys who can hit, field and pitch and do everything it takes to win some games. I think they is going to be our pitching. The biggest thing in high school baseball is pitching. If you have a couple of good arms you can go a long ways.’’
