By: Brian Alderson –
The 2016 North Myrtle Beach Chiefs return four starters from last year’s playoff team and will look to some younger guys to step in and fill some big rolls.
The team will rely on senior outfielders Mathew McGhee and Michael Genovese to be major contributors offensively being the top two returning hitters from a year ago. The other outfield spot could be filled by juniors Jarrett Lewis, Donald Hansis or senior Joe Kelly.
The infield will be swamped with youth for the upcoming season. Returning starters Dylan Doolittle (Jr) and Cole Gasque (Soph) will be the lead candidates to secure the spots up the middle. Junior Donald Hansis and sophomore Chase Hudson will also compete for these jobs going into the spring. Third base responsibilities will be distributed amongst senior Joe Kelly, Donald Hansis, Chase Hudson and Dalton Simpson (Fr).
The competition at 1B will be between Simpson and junior infielder Michael Swann. Behind the plate the Chiefs will look to River Newman to man the catching position and Dylan Doolittle will assume his job behind the plate when Newman takes the mound.
On the mound the Chiefs lack varsity experience. Dylan Doolittle will be the only returner with more than 10 varsity innings pitched. Other arms that will be relied on heavily are sophomores Cole Gasque, River Newman and Chase Hudson. Freshman Dalton Simpson saw some time last year on the mound for the varsity squad and is another right-handed arm that could provide depth to this young rotation.
This year’s Chiefs team, though inexperienced, expects the competition for playing time at several spots to be a leading factor in this year’s success. The Chiefs have established more depth on the roster of a team that is coming off a 10- win season and the players are focused on improving that mark in the upcoming season.
DP Fist Bump: We extend our thanks to Coach Alderson for providing a look inside his program and the 2016 club.