By Ben Grossberg
Lead Scout, PBR Indiana 

The Silver Creek Dragons and Head Coach Joe Decker are coming off a successful 2012 campaign where they went 22-10 overall, 8-1 in conference, won a sectional title, and a first round regional win. While Silver Creek has lost some talent from last year’s squad, they expect to be contending for a shot at the State Title in 2013. The Dragons return five starters and three of their top pitchers. 

Leading the way for the Dragons is Senior RHP/SS Lucas Barnett. In 2012 Barnett went 8-3 with a 2.18 ERA and 79 Ks in 67 innings pitched. He was also one of their top hitters batting .345 with 25 RBI. 

Senior outfielder Jamie Valvano and junior infielder Shae Durham bring back the best two batting averages from 2012. Valvano hit .376 with 28 RBI and 15 stolen bases and Durham hit .347 with 27 RBI and 38 runs scored. Durham will also be important on the mound after going 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA in 2012.  Senior outfielder Layne Taylor had a down year batting average wise last season, after hitting over .400 as a sophomore. He did post other impressive numbers in 2012 with 32 runs scored and 29 stolen bases. 

Junior Brooks Howell and sophomore Cameron Cook will be relied on heavily to throw quality innings in 2013. Howell went 3-2 with a 4.04 ERA and Cook went 4-2 in 37 inning pitched. Howell also hit .265 with 18 RBI.  Junior Drew Sherrow will be relied on after playing in the outfield during his sophomore year. 

Cody Razer (INF) and Logan Murphy (C/1B) are two talented freshmen that will push the upperclassman for playing time for the Dragons. Silver Creek fell short of their goal in 2012, winning the state title, but should be one of the top contenders this season.