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By TRACY WATSON
For The Times Leader
HANNIBAL - River will be a young team in 2022, having lost five seniors and its top four pitchers from last year's squad.
But there is still talent for second-year Head Coach Tim Blue and his staff led by a pair of seniors, four juniors and a group of underclassmen who have the capabilities of helping build a strong team right away.
"We have a very young team and are expecting a rebuilding year after the loss of six seniors to graduation a year ago," Blue commented. "We have a pair of good senior athletes on the roster however, both are out for high school baseball for the first time."
Leading the way are five lettermen from last year's team and a recognizable name that has transferred in from across the Ohio River. Junior Brody Lollathin was honorable mention Eastern District as a sophomore and batted over .300. The others are juniors Max Castro, Elijah Wayt and River Thompson along with sophomores Hunter Nething and Magnolia transfer Colton Cisar.
Due to transferring during the school year Cisar will only be eligible to play in the Pilots' initial 13 games of the 2022 campaign.
"We won't have him for the whole season but with his versatility I fully expect him to be a big asset for the first half of the year" Tim Blue added.
Lollathin will play shortstop and second base with Castro behind the plate, at short and on the mound. Wayt can be used at catcher, third, in the outfield and pitcher while Thompson is a third baseman and can play outfield and pitch as well. Nething can play first base, third base and pitch while Cisar is a middle-infielder and will play center and pitch.
The two seniors are Austin Creamer and Zack Hocutt. Creamer is a heavily decorated football and basketball player and will be vying for playing time in the outfield and possibly at shortstop. Meanwhile, Hocutt could be utilized in the outfield and at second base.
Rounding out the roster will be sophomores Brady Harlan (OF, P), Finn Bowers (OF, 2B, P) and Ethan Fowler (OF) along with freshmen Peyton Blue (1B, 3B, C, OF, P) and Lucas Dennis (OF, 2B, P).
"We had some bad news with Lollathin, who has a torn labrum and will not be able to pitch this Spring," Blue said. "But we will still be relying heavily on his hitting and fielding. Max Castro is a kid who is only in his second season and already has a number of colleges looking at him to catch on the next level. Wayt and Thompson will play a few different positions but will be counted on big to pitch for us while Nething will also be versatile and used on the mound.
"Sophomores Harlan, Bowers and Fowler will all be rotated around and used in the field, on the mound and as designated hitters.
"There are only two freshmen to be thrown into the first this year, but we are going to ask a lot of both of them. Dennis with his speed will probably be patrolling center field along with some pitching while Peyton Blue (Tim's son) is a three-sport standout and will be relied upon at a handful of positions, including first base and pitching.
"Our numbers are low, which means we are going to be depending on a lot of players to play multiple positions and just about everyone will get their opportunity to pitch."
Lost to graduation from last year were do-it-all Jake Rose, who was first team Eastern District and OVAC, as well as OVAC AA player of the year; Carter Dennis, first team Eastern District and OVAC; Mark Martie, second team Eastern District, as well as Connor Hunter and Chris Heavener.
Assisting Blue will be Aaron Cisar, Dan Lollathin, Carter Dennis, Caden Cisar and Tucker Roberts.
River will open the 2022 campaign with a pair of home games against Bridgeport and Cameron on March 28 and 29 before traveling to Bridgeport for its first away game a day later. The Pilots' fourth game will be against Monroe County rival Beallsville which will be played at Pioneer Park at Marietta College.