PREVIEW – Experienced Rebels Swinging for District Breakthrough in 2023

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No one on the Todd County Central baseball roster was alive the last time the Rebels won a postseason game almost 20 years ago, but with a talented and experienced senior class leading the way, the time may be now for a deep playoff run.

Coach Greg Shelton, Sr., stepped down in the offseason after leading the Rebels to 44 wins over two seasons.  However, Shelton left behind significant firepower for new coach Jim Daigle, beginning with five seniors who have been instrumental in the Rebels’ success.

Infielder/pitcher Preston Rager led the team with a .403 batting average as a junior while also driving in 23 runs and drawing 45 walks.  He also had a 3-4 record on the mound with a 3.35 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 37 innings.

Jacob Brandon and Jase Hampton also split time between the mound and the infield last season.  Brandon hit .326 with 20 RBI and pitched his way to six victories with a 3.17 ERA and 49 strikeouts through 35 frames.  Hampton was 6-1 on the mound with a 2.67 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 42 innings while hitting .286 with 28 RBI.

Senior Nate Reding returns behind the plate after hitting .392 with 26 runs driven in last year, and centerfielder Gavyn Nolan hit .370 and stole 21 bases in 21 attempts as a junior.

Devin Schutt returns after hitting .321 with 30 RBI as a freshman, and junior Grady Reding steps into an infield spot after hitting .233 in 2022.  Junior Zack Robinson hit .222 last year and chipped in on the mound with a 2-2 record and a 4.13 ERA.

The Rebels opened the season with shutout wins over Fort Campbell and Northeast, TN, ahead of a visit from Hopkinsville on Monday.

Todd Central will head to Glasgow to open the 4th Region All-A Classic on March 25 and will spend spring break in Florida for the Fort Walton Beach Bash.

13th-District play begins with home and away matchups with Franklin-Simpson on April 17-18, and the Rebels will play Edmonson County in the Kelly Russell Classic at Russellville on April 22.

 

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