Semoball

Spring Preview: Senath-Hornersville baseball program ready to start season, more ready for playoffs

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Pictured is the 2013 Senath-Hornersville varsity baseball team.

SENATH, Mo. - The Senath-Hornersville Lions baseball program has plenty to be excited about entering the 2013 spring season.

An upgraded home facility, strengthened schedule, strong fall performance against district opponents and roster filled with young talent are among the reasons the Senath-Hornersville baseball program could emerge as a serious contender to advance to the Class 2 playoffs in the near future.

"We are looking forward to the spring because we had a good, competitive fall," Senath-Hornersville baseball coach Jamie Johnson said. "We are young with a lot of freshmen and sophomores, but we've really got a positive outlook on it. I think it will be a fun spring for us. The schedule is beefed up for us and we are going to some different tournaments this year. The kids are excited and so am I.

"We are going to be tested in the spring," Johnson added. "But all-in-all we are trying to get ready for that district tournament. That's what we play for."

Winning district tournaments has become a habit in Senath-Hornersville. The Lions have placed first in its district 17 times and advanced to the state final four three times.

Senath-Hornersville will compete in a recently realigned Class 2, District 1, at South Pemiscot High School at the end of the season.

"We want to win," Senath-Hornersville outfielder Louis Guerra said. "Our top goal is to win our district tournament and move on to state competition."

Campbell, Hayti, Holcomb, Portageville, Senath-Hornersville and South Pemiscot will compete in the 6-team district.

The two teams that advanced to the championship of Class 2, District 1, each of the last three seasons - Twin Rivers and Malden - have moved to Class 3, District 1, this season.

"In the fall we played every team that was going to be in our district and we were fortunate enough to beat every team that is in that district, even though we are young," Johnson said. "If we can play good, sound, fundamental baseball we will be fine. We are kind of looking forward to the challenge. We are young right now, but we accept that and we are going to build on it."

Senath-Hornersville has three seniors - Mariano San Miguel, Dennis Kempf and Guerra - on its roster and an ample supply of talented underclassmen.

"I think we've got some pitching," Johnson said. "I've got about eight guys who can throw and I have a couple of good left-handers in Austin Autry, who is a six-foot-five left-hander and Joel Sawyer, who we lost all fall because of a wrist injury. Having those two left-handers really helps the top of the pitching rotation. We've also got some solid sophomores and a senior in Mariano San Miguel who are pitching. Overall, I think pitching depth will be our strength.

"Defensively, I think we will be as good as anybody," Johnson added. "Swinging the bats is just a little bit of an adjustment for freshmen facing juniors and seniors, but we saw it in the fall and we are going to see great, quality competition in the spring. It is just a matter of getting them to adapt and once we adapt and figure out we can play at this level I think we can play with any team."

The Lions have spent past weeks preparing for what could be a challenging opening week of the season. Johnson said his players have taken swings in the tunnel inside, had their pitchers participate in simulated games indoors against hitters and taken fly balls outdoors. Johnson said wet weather has prevented the team from taking ground balls outdoors frequently.

"I'm pumped up," Lions first baseman Kempf said. "This is my last year and I think we are ready for it. We've been working hard in the gym and outdoors as much as we can. The pitching is solid and our hitting is getting there. You've got to thank coach Johnson for a little bit of it.

"Hitting, hitting, hitting," Kempf added, when asked what he has worked on most. "We've learned how to bunt. That's been a weakness for us. We've also learned how to drive the ball instead of just hit it over the fence because line drives turn into home runs."

Senath-Hornersville will open its season Friday at the 9-team Valle Catholic-Ste. Genevieve Tournament. Valle Catholic, Crystal City, Cape Central, Jefferson, West County, Father Tolton, Chester, Ill., and Ste. Genevieve will also compete in the 2-day tournament.

Johnson said the tournament is divided into three 3-team pools and each team is guaranteed four games. How teams perform on Friday will determine Saturday's matchups.

Senath-Hornersville will play two games at Valle Catholic Alumni Field Friday. The Lions will take on Crystal City Friday at 2 p.m. and Valle Catholic Friday at 4 p.m. Valle Catholic is ranked No. 1 in Class 2 and Crystal City is ranked No. 4 in Class 2 in the preseason state rankings provided by the Missouri Baseball Coaches Association.

"It's great," Guerra said of playing Friday's opponents.. "Usually we start against a team like Bernie or Gideon here. It's kind of a different thing to start off against a team like Crystal City or Valle Catholic because over the past few years they have been really good. It's great to start off against top-notch competition."

Senath-Hornersville will play closer to home on Mar. 18 when it plays at Gideon. Senath-Hornersville's home opener is Mar. 19 at 4:30 p.m. against Neelyville.

"We've got plenty of pitching," Miguel said. "I'm thinking we throw a little bit harder than the past few years. I'm thinking we've got pitchers who throw a little harder than a couple of years ago.

"I'm going to say 1 through 5 is going to be able to hit for power in our lineup," Miguel added. "Then our No. 6, 7, 8 and 9 will be able to bunt and slap hit. We are going to be a dangerous team."

Senath-Hornersville will complete in the Bootheel Conference with Malden, Kennett, South Pemiscot, Portageville, Caruthersville and Hayti. Kennett has defeated Malden in the championship of the Bootheel Conference Tournament each of the last three seasons. Malden will host the Bootheel Conference Tournament Apr. 29 - May 3.

"Hopefully, we are right in the thick of it," Johnson said of the conference. "We are young, but have a lot of arms. We've got a lot of good, young talent to mix with a few upperclassmen. Hopefully, we can make a little noise in the conference tournament."

A new wind screen, new padding in front of the dugouts and a new infield surface are among the improvements to a Senath-Hornersville baseball field that also received upgrades last fall.

"The administration has been very good in allowing us things to upgrade our ballpark somewhere in the neighborhood that I would be afraid to say," Johnson said. "This place will look nothing like it did in the fall when teams come in here this spring. You couldn't ask for more than what they are doing for our facility and we would like to thank them for that because you don't always get that. They want it to be nice for our kids and are doing everything possible to make it that way."

2013 Senath-Hornersville Varsity Baseball Schedule

DateOpponentLocationTime
3/15-16Valle/St. Genevieve Tourn.Ste. GenevieveTBA
3/18GideonAway4:30 p.m.
3/19NeelyvilleHome4:30 p.m.
3/21HaytiHome4:30 p.m.
3/25CampbellAway4:30 p.m.
3/26KellyHome4:30 p.m.
4/2HolcombAway4:30 p.m.
4/4South PemiscotHome1 p.m.
4/8BernieAway4:30 p.m.
4/9KennettAway4:30 p.m.
4/11CaruthersvilleAway4:30 p.m.
4/18CooterAway4:30 p.m.
4/18-20Dyersburg TournamentDyersburgTBA
4/21MaldenMemphis5 p.m.
4/23PortagevilleHome4:30 p.m.
4/29-5/3Bootheel Conf. Tourn.MaldenTBA
5/6North PemiscotAway4:30 p.m.
5/7Delta C-7Home4:30 p.m.
5/9HolcombHome4:30 p.m.
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