Sports

Baseball: Orchard Farm Eagles Enthusiastic About This Year

Coach Phil Kendall has high expectations for the team.

Orchard Farm High School Baseball Team

Team Name: Eagles

2010 Record:  16-8 overall, 9-1 in Eastern MO Conference and winner of conference. 

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Head Coach: Phil Kendall

Key Players:

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  • Senior Daniel Kuehler returns as the top pitcher this year following a stellar season with 7 wins and no losses last year. Kuehler will also lead off the batting order. "We're going to put him here to start the year," said Kendall. "If he gets comfortable, and grows into that spot, great. If not, we'll do some experimenting." Kendall said the team doesn't have a true lead off person who can look at a lot of pitches and be a tough out. Last year senior Joe Ross hit in the lead off spot but he's ineligible to play this year. It's still unclear whether he'll be able to play at all this season, Kendall said.
  • Senior Zack Jones was named second team all-state player last year. His batting average was .469. Jones will play shortstop and bat third in the lineup.
  • Senior Justin Weber will play first or third base and bats fourth. "He's got a lot of pop in his bat," said Kendall.
  • Freshman Cody Arella will step in as catcher this year, replacing Brett Nardoni who graduated last year. "He's looked really good in practice," said Kendall.
  • Infielders: Junior Chris Melius at second, junior transfer student from Alton Marquette High School Kyle Burgan at first base.
  • Outfielders: Junior Kyle Kramer will move from third base to outfield, junior Nick Knobbe will return in center field, sophomore Chris Lindhoff will also play outfield.
  • Pitchers: Junior Spencer Pugh, senior Andy Plackmeyer

Expectations: Kendall said he's reluctant to create too much pressure on the team by setting the bar too high, however, he has high expectations. "I expect our team to be competing for championships," he said. "Anything else than that is underachieving for the level of talent that we have."

Key games: Kendall said he expects Lutheran St. Charles High School to field a competitive team this year. Fort Zumwalt North and Winfield High School are also top competitors. "Winfield High School had a great year last year," he said. "They're reloaded and they're going to be every bit as good this year."

  • Lutheran St. Charles High School: 4:15 p.m. April 11 (away)
  • Westminster High School: 4:15 p.m. April 12 (away)
  • Winfield High School: 4:15 p.m. April 13 (away)
  • Fort Zumwalt North High School: 4:15 p.m. April 6 (home)
  • Lutheran St. Charles High School: 4:15 p.m. May 10 (home)

Overview:

Kendall said he's struck this year by how much enthusiasm the students have for the game this year.

"That's their thing," said Kendall. "We've got a lot of multi-sport kids, but this is a year where the kids in baseball, baseball is their top sport."

He said his team is looking forward to games against rival Winfield High School. Last year, the Eagles lost in the district championships to Winfield High School at the end of the season, 0-11. Winfield went on to take second place in state in the Class 3 championships. Orchard Farm did win the Eastern Missouri Conference Championships title, however.

"Winfield was heavily favored last year to win the conference," he said. "We did just enough things right to win our game with them to win the conference."

The team's first game is at home against Louisiana High School at 4:30 p.m. March 21.


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