On its quest to improve on a district-playoff season last year, the Hazen baseball team has one thing not many other teams have: A legitimate ace.
Highlander junior Jimmy Schmidt led the Seamount with a 2.47 earned-run average (ERA) and 30 strikeouts. He also tied for the league lead in wins. Schmidt made the all-league first team.
“He’s the ace of our staff without a doubt,” said Hazen coach Gary Jacobs. “With him and Zac Kolterman we have a good one-two at the top of the rotation, which isn’t something we’ve had consistently for a while.”
Kolterman, a 6-foot-6 junior, was excellent in limited innings last season. He struck out 14 and totaled an ERA of 0.78 in nine innings. He will play first base when he’s not pitching.
Zac’s brother Jake, a 6-foot-2 freshman, should also help the rotation.
Seniors Travis Johnson and Jeff Beckman will lead the offense. Both made the all-leaue second team last season, Beckman at catcher and Johnson at third base.
Johnson will slide to shortstop to fill this year to help the Highlanders get the strongest team on the field. He hit .386 with 20 runs, six doubles and three home runs last season.
Beckman hits .348 with 25 RBIs, eight doubles and two home runs.
“Those two senior captains are the heart of the lineup,” Jacobs said. “We’ll have a good balance of small ball and power in the lineup this year.”
Hazen will also have an all-new outfield. Juniors Alex Gate and Eric Jacobs will start. Schmidt will get time in the outfield when he’s not pitching, as will sophomore Cody Moorhead.
Despite big change in the outfield, Jacobs said the middle infield was the team’s biggest concern in the offseason. Hazen graduated first-team all-league second baseman John Wall and all-league honorable mention Brenden Campbell.
Johnson shifting to shortstop will help. Sophomore Tony Nipert and junior Sam Cook are battling for the starting second base job.
The Highlanders have a lot of talent and hope to repeat last season’s success, when the team went 15-7 and made districts. It all depends on how the young players fit in.
“We’re young but talented,” Jacobs said. “If we can get our chemistry and confidence together early enough, we’ll compete.”
HAZEN HIGHLANDERS
Coach: Gary Jacobs
2010 record: 15-7
2010 scoring: 217 (3rd in league) – 93 (1st in league)
Key losses: John Wall (2B)*, Brenden Campbell (SS)*, Anthony Pina (OF), Chadd Garton (OF)
Key returners: Travis Johnson (SS)*, Jeff Beckman (C)*, Jimmy Schmidt (P/OF)*, Zac Kolterman (P/1B)
Strengths: The Highlanders have the league’s best pitcher in Schmidt returning and what should be a strong offense built around Beckman and Johnson.
Weakness: Hazen graduated seven seniors, including key pieces of the infield and the entire starting outfield.
* – 2010 Seamount all-league team
