The 2013 Bay County baseball preview capsules:
Arnold
Head coach: Mitch Kelly, seventh year.
2012: 14-12
Leading returners: Justin Bynum, Connor Montfort, Sean Reichert, Juan Ulloa.
Key losses: James McKenzie, Connor Sleeth, Erik Ihaksi, Ben Clark, Hobie Yuhas, Rayce Yuhas, Hank Hobby, Nick Frost.
Notable: Arnold will be young this season with underclassmen fighting for starts and playing time on the varsity. The team will return a young coaching staff comprised of David Pedro (pitching coach), and Matt Emory (head JV/outfield coach) that will bring a passion for the game while teaching the fundamentals of play. … Arnold will compete with Bay, Gulf Breeze, Rutherford and West Florida in District 1-5A.
Quotable: “We always expect great things from our teams and this year is no exception. The boys have worked hard on and off the field and a growing sense of team is showing at practice and in the hallways. If we continue to gel and push ourselves daily I am sure this team will be successful.” — Mitch Kelly
Bay
Head coach: Daniel Davidson, second year.
2012: 6-13, lost in the second round of the state playoffs
Leading returners: Thomas Johnstone (sr., IF), Austin Haddock (sr., OF), Alec Gordon (so., OF), Jimmy Nolan (so., IF), Marcus Kinsey (so., C).
Others to watch: Seth Walker (sr., P-IF), Garret Whittle (so., P-IF), Kristian Brogdon (so., OF), Nelson Scott (jr., IF).
Key losses: Cooper Harrison, Spencer Cowan, Austin Hancock, Dylan Barker, Preston Brown.
Notable: Assistant coach is Andrew Starr. Teams in Bay’s district are Rutherford, Arnold, West Florida Tech, and Gulf Breeze.
Quotable: “We have had some guys that have stepped up in leadership roles early this spring. I hope that they continue that role throughout the year. We are going to have to do all of the little things right in the game in order to have some success.” — Daniel Davidson.
Mosley
Head coach: Todd Harless, fifth year.
2012: 24-5, county champion, District 2-6A champions, Class 6A Sweet 16.
Leading returners: Joey Hair (sr.), Jordan Larry (sr.), Bowen McGuffin (jr.), Zach Rhodes (sr.) Logan Quimuyog (sr.), Clay Causey (so.), Greg Gladden (sr.), Andrew Deramo (jr.).
Others to watch: Ashton Rodgers (jr.), Conner Greene (jr.), Brady Bell (jr.).
Key losses: Aaron Thompson, Alex Simoneaux, Jordan Smith, Mason Downey.
Notable: Mosley competes in District 2-6A with Niceville, Choctawhatchee, Fort Walton Beach and Crestview.
Quotable: “We are returning seven starters and the top three pitchers; we will look for their leadership to carry us this season. We are in a different role this year, no longer the underdog in a strong district which boasts five Division 1 signees. We will be the team with a target on our backs, and it will be fun to see how our boys respond.” — Todd Harless
Rutherford
Head coach: Jon Hudson
2012: 17-9, lost in district semifinals
Top returners: Dondrell Harris (sr., SS), Dondrayas Harris (sr., OF), Dallas Davis (jr., P-1B), Nick Nelson (jr., P-3B), Zach Davis (sr., C), Andrew Mask (sr., IF-P), Heath Holmes (sr., P), Cody Roby (sr., P), Tyler Chatman (P-1B).
Others to watch: Gary Pope (sr., OF), Justin Bailey (sr., OF), Jack Mitchell (jr., IF), Tyler Broxson (jr., OF-P), Kendall Herron (jr., IF-OF), Joe Ernst (P-IF), AJ Thornton (jr., OF).
Biggest losses: Brady Colburn, Robert Palo, KJ Herron
Notable: Junior Nick Nelson returns after missing 2012 season with a leg injury. … The Rams have had four seniors sign college scholarships this spring.
Quotable: “We certainly have the talent around the field to play at a high level. If we can show improvement in a few areas and play unselfishly as a team, this group is capable of a long playoff run in 2013.” — Jon Hudson
