The Mustangs went on a fantastic run in the post season last year as West Orange-Stark made it to the state championship game. Four key starters are coming back from that state finals team for Coach Shea Landry.
Senior Payton Robertson will return at shortstop for the Mustangs and may have to pitch more this season. Ryan Ragsdale is back and will float between first and third depending on who is found to play different positions. On the mound as well as being available at several other positions is Jack Dallas. The coach advises that Jack is coming off knee surgery and has been released to get back into practices. Landry adds that joining the club with the conclusion of the basketball season is K. J. Miller who moves right in at second base.
Holes to fill for West Orange-Stark include catcher and all three outfield spots. Jack Dallas’ younger brother Chad saw limited action last season, but did play in the championship game. Landry believes Chad could be a battery mate for his brother at catcher. Chad could see playing time elsewhere in the field and pitch. Blake Robinson just a sophomore has been playing centerfield for the Mustangs. Landry is trying to mold him to be a replacement for 4-year starter Grant Lapoint-Teate who graduated. Keyshawn Holman has been playing a good leftfield. Two or three Mustangs are being platooned in right.
Offensively Coach Landry is counting on the four or five players that were clutch hitters last year in the playoffs for the Mustangs to swing big bats this season. Landry expects Robertson to lead the pack at the plate followed closely by Jack Dallas and Ragsdale. The coach points out Miller got hot in the playoffs and found a groove that should carry over to this season. Chad Dallas will do a good job according to Landry. He is hopeful the other players which are coming up from the junior varsity will gain the timing of the better pitching at the varsity level and get the ball in play to get the batting order back around to those guys at the top of the order with experience.
On the mound the Mustangs’ pitching will start with Jack Dallas, but Landry has a number of good arms to call on. Jack saw limited innings in the regular season, but was stellar in the playoffs. Landry thinks Payton Robertson has thrown well in the scrimmages. Chad Dallas has had quality innings on the mound. Lefty Vince Toledo is coming up from the JV and has worked hard throwing some pretty good innings so far. Kaleb Ramsey is just a sophomore who has thrown in the varsity scrimmages. Ryan Ragsdale has even seen time on the mound, and Landry points out Rags throws strikes keeping the ball low.
Can West Orange-Stark make another trip to the state finals in Austin? Coach Landry says it starts by first making the playoffs in a very tough district. Landry admits it is hard to prepare for the Mustangs’ district it being difficult night in and night out. Landry says their expectations are to always make the playoffs by finishing in the top four, if there is a chance for the district championship they will go after it, but the ultimate goal is to make the playoffs because once a team is in the playoffs there is the opportunity to make it to championship just like the Mustangs did last season.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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