Marble Falls High baseball team keeps same goal, prepares for tougher competition
MARBLE FALLS — If the Marble Falls High School baseball team intends to advance to the playoffs and win a round, it first must have to survive one of the toughest districts in the state.
“Our goal is to win a playoff series,” head coach David Norwood said. “The hardest part is getting to that series.”
“It’s the American League East,” he added. “It rivals (District 31) in Corpus Christi.”
Lake Travis battled Corpus Christi Calallen in the regional final. Dripping Springs pitcher Parker French throws a 94 mph fastball and “has as much talent in the state,” Norwood said. “Cedar Park was extremely solid last year and played sophomores (in Class 5A). (Cedar Park) Vista Ridge has always been very competitive and athletic. (Leander Rouse and Leander Vandegrift) because of where they are means they’re so strong.”
Good thing the Mustangs, which began the season at Canyon Lake 6 p.m. Feb. 22, have several weeks to prepare.
They participated in four scrimmages. The first two, against Wimberley and Brownwood, were strictly used to evaluate players. Coaches used the last two, against Kerrville Tivy and Liberty Hill, to put players on the varsity roster, Norwood said.
“At times we’ve looked very, very good,” he said.
The pitching staff will be led by senior Brian Hicks, a three-year letterman who has been part of each of the bi-district teams that lost to Dripping Springs the last two years.
“He threw three innings against Kerrville,” the coach said. “He looks very, very sharp. Brian has proven he’s able to help us.”
Senior Dusty Hibler is the rotation and was a member of the junior varsity a year ago.
“He’s kind of hung in there and continued to work,” Norwood said. “He played numerous positions last year. He has more velocity this year. He’s always had a good changeup.”
The Mustangs have a slew of young pitchers, he said, and coaches are still evaluating the best places for them.
“We’re trying to put together a pitching staff,” he said.
Last season, Marble Falls had plenty of talented infielders who lacked varsity experience. This season the infield has performed very well, Norwood said.
Sophomore Stacy Heinatz, sophomore Cole Ridgely, senior Will Shirey, junior Zed Woerner and Hicks return.
“I’m very pleased with the way our infield is playing,” the Mustangs skipper said. “We have several freshmen right now we’re evaluating and will move up and down to help us week to week.”
The underclassmen have loads of talent, Norwood said, adding the dilemma is promoting some to the varsity to be reserves or letting them say on the junior varsity where they can play.
“We want them to get as much playing time as possible,” he said. “We want to make sure they’re getting quality reps.”
Last year’s outfielders, which included Justin Garcia and Cooper Bowen (they were named the team’s most valuable players last season), and Thomas Nichols, were all-district players in 2010 and have graduated.
“You can’t replace those guys,” Norwood said. “We have talented guys able to run down flyballs.”
Junior Ryan Garcia, who was on the playoff roster last season, Hibler and sophomore Carson Bowen are penciled in as outfielders.
Junior Derrick Steffek will start at catcher.