Returning players metformin hydrochloride 500 mg key to winning season

By Jim Rogers

Damian Smith, varsity baseball coach at Waterville school, gave his assessment of the 2011 season.

He said, “Returning from last season: Cristian Munoz was picked first team all league last season. He will be our ace on the mound as the only pitcher returning from last season.

“Russel Whitehall will give us lots of experience behind the plate catching. He has really developed his arm this year. Sophomores Jacob Sayan, infielder and pitcher, and Marco Caballero and Junior Alex Mosqueda will return for play this year.

“Jesse Tollackson, who has golfed the past two years, has joined the team. Freshman Tate Newcomb will step up to be the number two guy on the mound.

“The most difficult thing we are facing this season is the weather,” Smith said. It was doubtful the first game would be played March 22 against Almira-Coulee-Hartline in Waterville. The team has practiced on the Orondo school field since the Waterville field is not in condition for play. For hitting practice, the team has used the cage indoors.

Smith added that the team practice has focused on small ball — making the most of every opportunity at the plate. The team can hit the ball, but with a lack of experience throughout the lineup, bunting, stealing and hitting in runs can make things happen and get the game moving.

The Shockers played a non-league scrimmage against Eastmont’s ninth grade March 19. Munoz pitched and threw well, especially for not having thrown off a mound this year. Smith said, “I think his arm has a lot of strengthening to do still, but he hit the strike zone well in the four innings he threw. Tate Newcomb made his pitching debut for the shockers in the fifth inning.

“With two innings assisted by double plays he kept us close. The final score was 6 to 0 in favor of Eastmont.

“For not having been on a baseball field yet I was pleasantly surprised by our defense. We only misjudged a few balls and made a lot of plays. We never really got anything going offensively, and that is where we will need to work. The only two hits we had were a double by Newcomb and a single by Mars Chambers.”