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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2018)
MARCH 9, 2018, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE C7 McNary opens baseball season Monday By DEREK WILEY Of the Keizertimes McNary’s roster is full of players who have been wait- ing their turn. With the graduation of 10 seniors, they’ll fi nally get their shot. “We had proven guys that were coming back to last years team and this year no one would be considered a proven high quality varsity player,” McNary head baseball coach Larry Keeker said. “I think we have them. No one has actu- ally proven it yet.” McNary’s two most ac- complished returning hitters are juniors Tyler Covalt and Jacob Jackson. Covalt, who was primarily used as a des- ignated hitter last season, will catch this season. He has a .353 career batting average with 19 runs and 14 RBIs. “Tyler is highly skilled,” Keeker said. “He works a lot. He spends a lot of time on his craft and he’s been waiting his turn. He’ll hit in the middle of the order. He has a little pop in his bat.” Jackson, who played in the outfi eld for the Celtics last season, could move into the infi eld in 2018. He scored 12 runs and drove in nine while posting a .293 average. Senior Collin Wentworth also returns at shortstop but the rest of McNary’s starting lineup is up for grabs. “Collin is our shortstop and Tyler is our catcher,” Keeker said. “After that it’s how the pieces come together. That’s the fun part about coaching is trying to fi gure out how those pieces are going to fi t.” File LEFT: McNary senior Kyle McCallister, who posted a 3.75 ERA and recorded 16 strikeouts over 28 innings, returns on the mound for the Celtics in 2018. RIGHT: Tyler Covalt, a junior, will start at catcher after batting .353 with 19 runs and 14 RBIs last season. The Celtics have another big senior class. Kyle McCal- lister and Carl Rumbaugh will lead McNary on the mound. McCallister had a 3.75 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 28 in- nings while Rumbaugh post- ed a 3.15 ERA and recorded 11 strikeouts over 20 innings. When they are not pitch- ing, McCallister could play at third base and Rumbaugh at fi rst. John Catron, Danny Ocada, Brady Ellis and Ryan Thomp- son could also eat up innings. David Allen, a junior, is the favorite to be the Celtics No. 3 starter and could also play in the outfi eld. Alex Berger, Lance Beck- tel, Robert Benson, Devon Bedoya, a transfer from Salem Academy, and David Alfaro, who is trying to return from injury after breaking his foot playing football, will also compete for playing time. “The good news is we have some competition in the pro- gram but the bad news is we have competition in the pro- gram, so someone is not going to get in the lineup,” Keeker said. “That makes for a healthy team when you get a chance to compete amongst your- selves.” McNary is scheduled to open the regular season on Monday, March 12 at home against Roseburg at 4:30 p.m. The Celtics will spend spring break, March 28-31, playing in a tournament at Volcanoes Stadium and then open league play April 3 at North Salem. “We’re really optimistic,” Keeker said. “The kids they’ve been doing a good job in the offseason in terms of working out on their own and showing up to conditioning sessions. We had 20 guys on a regular basis doing the conditioning sessions. There’s a commit- ment level there that’s actually a lot better than we’ve had in the last couple of years. That’s really been nice to see.” Keeker expects South Sa- lem to be the favorite to win the Greater Valley Conference, at least on paper. The Saxons return catcher Aaron Zavala, who has committed to the University of Oregon, as well as a strong rotation on the mound. “They have some really high caliber type players in their lineup that our coming back,” Keeker said. “Just per- sonnel wise you have to look at that team and think that they are probably the favorite.” File McNary senior Carl Rumbaugh will be one of the Celtics top pitchers this season. Visit our showroom to see how you can receive UP TO $250 OFF on a new fuel effi cient, direct-vent gas fi replace! E XPERIENCE THE EXCEPTIONAL “ I am very happy with the products provided and with the installation process. The team really went above and beyond!” — Houzz Reviewer 1695 Market St NE, Salem • (503) 894 - 6075 • homefi restove.com As an Energy Trust of Oregon trade ally, we can help you access cash incentives to make it easier to improve your home’s energy effi ciency.
