BASEBALL TAB -- Spring Creek preview

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on March 15, 2014 11:12 PM

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astevens@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek's young players grew up toward the end of the 2013 season.

Head coach Heath Whitfield hopes they're another year wiser this spring.

The Gators won seven of their final 10 games a year ago and shared third place in the Carolina 1-A Conference. Their season ended with a second-round defeat in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.

Whitfield lost just two seniors -- Luke Miller and Ian Ladd. He returns a class stocked with sophomores and juniors.

"I think the way we finished last season will definitely help us," Whitfield said. "A lot of those young guys got a lot better. Hopefully that will carry over. As long as we can stay healthy and get our pitchers in shape we'll be OK."

Injuries, particularly to pitchers, were a big obstacle for Spring Creek last year. Chad Spurgeon dealt with arm discomfort and didn't pitch until late in the season. Allen Coor was bothered by a bone spur that required offseason surgery.

Spurgeon, Coor and Logan Miller should be the top three arms in the Gators' rotation. Sophomore Will Rouse is also expected to log some innings.

"We're expecting big things from Logan Miller," Whitfield said. "He should be our No. 1 starter. Hopefully Chad should be back to 100 percent and Allen is throwing without pain right now. I hope those three guys will be our horses."

Finding reliable bats to fill out the bottom half of the lineup has been a priority early in the season. The first six spots in the order appear to be settled, but Spring Creek entered the season with question marks about the bottom third of the lineup.

"We know who the first five or six guys in the lineup are," Whitfield said. "After that everything is up in the air. We have five or six guys battling for those positions. We've still got some holes to fill and we're still trying to find the right fit.

"We've got two outfield spots to fill."

Neuse Charter, Lakewood, Hobbton and James Kenan each joined the conference back in the fall and the league has a 14-game baseball schedule.

Defending champion North Duplin lost just one senior from a year ago.

League play began today.

"I would definitely say North Duplin ... I would put the preseason favorite tag on them" Whitfield said. "They won it last year and they have a lot of good, young talent. I think Rosewood will be right there in the mix with (Reed) Howell and (Jordan) Gurley on the mound. Those guys have a lot of experience and I think Princeton will be a lot better.

"With a 14-game schedule it is more challenging, but it gives you a chance to overcome losing a few games in row."