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By CODY TOMER
Staff Writer
SISTERSVILLE -- The great thing about spring is that every team gets a fresh start and the way last season ended is history.
A fresh start is important for the Tyler Consolidated baseball team and fifth-year coach Robby Jones as the Silver Knights dropped a heartbreaker in last year's sectional championship and finished the year with a 15-9 record.
Tyler held a 9-4 advantage over St. Marys, but surrendered seven unanswered runs and fell to the Blue Devils in a game the Knights would love to have back. But now the focus turns to the 2017 campaign.
"Our goal this year is to continue to get better every game," Jones said. "We want to go further in the postseason this season than we did last year."
For the Silver Knights to accomplish their goal, they will have to fill the roles of six seniors.
Jordan Baker, Colby Lash, Ty Pratt, Isaac Hall, Austin Thompson and Dillon Glover all picked up diplomas at season's end and seven returning lettermen will be called upon to step up.
"Baker went 8-2 on the mound last year and Lash was a .500 hitter and played center for us," Jones said. "We have seven returning kids that have experience on this team and all of the guys put the work in during the offseason."
Lash also slashed 39 hits, 10 doubles, 22 RBI, while scoring 30 runs and swiping 22 bases, while Baker provided 30 hits, eight doubles, three long balls, 25 RBI, 30 steals and 31 runs, along with a 2.28 earned run average and 53 strike outs on the mound.
Leading the Knights into action this year are seniors Nate Lantz (3B/P) and Trent Smith (OF/1B/P).
"We can count on both Lantz and Smith for team leadership on the field," Jones said. "We also have junior Colby Buchanan who is a three-year starter at catcher. He is very talented and does a good job behind the plate, while junior Dylan Roberts will be counted on to be the head of our pitching staff."
Two other juniors who will make a major impact on the club are second baseman Kyle Mason and shortstop/pitcher Luke Daugherty.
James Seago (C/DH) is the third senior suiting up for the Silver Knights.
The sophomore class consists of Noah Smith (P/OF), Dylan Seckman (1B), Tyler West (OF/1B/P), Jake Rice (C/OF/DH) and Cody Klages (OF) and the freshmen taking the field at Tyler include outfielders Gavin Morris, Creed Ammons and Braden Rine, along with Gage Huffman (SS/OF/P).
"We are going to make the routine plays, throw strikes and play fundamentally sound defense," Jones said. "We will also get on base at a high rate and be aggressive on the base paths, which is our philosophy."
Jones will be assisted by Vance Ash and Jordan Ash in the Knights' dugout.
March 17:at St. Marys 5 p.m.
March 20: Williamstown 5 p.m.
March 21: at Paden City 5 p.m.
March 23: Paden City 5 p.m.
March 25: Wirt County (2) 12 p.m.
March 28: at Doddridge County 5 p.m.
March 30: St. Marys 5 p.m.
April 1: Valley (2) 12 p.m.
April 3: Doddridge County 5 p.m.
April 4: Cameron 6 p.m.
April 5: at Parkersburg Catholic 5 p.m.
April 8: Ravenswood 4 p.m.
April 11: at Williamstown 4:30 p.m.
April 13: at Magnolia 5 p.m.
April 15: Calhoun County (2) 12 p.m.
April 17: at Cameron 5 p.m.
April 18: at River 5 p.m.
April 21: Ritchie County 7:30 p.m.
April 22: Matt Boggs Wood Bat 3 p.m.
April 26: Parkersburg Catholic 5 p.m.
April 27: at Ritchie County 4:30 p.m.
May 1: Magnolia 5 p.m.
May 4: LKC Placement Game 5 p.m.