By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 75 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: Mt. Vernon
Preseason Rank: 75
2013 Record: 30-10-1
Conference: South Seven
IHSA Class:  3A
Head Coach: Tim Holloway
Playoff Run: Fourth-Place Finish in 3A
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked
Returning Starters: 1
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Brock Fulkerson, RHP, 2014 (Rend Lake JC)
Thomas Weber, RHP/C, 2014 (Parkland College)
Jake Pike, OF/1B, 2014
Ryan Campbell, MIF, 2014
Tyler Morgan, RHP, 2014
Zach Brookman, OF, 2015
Blake Jones, RHP/OF, 2016
Darick Hayes, RHP/3B, 2016

X-FACTOR
Brock Fulkerson. The 6-foot-6 right-hander returns as the Rams’ big-game pitcher. No player was more instrumental in leading the team to its first state trophy last year. As a junior, Fulkerson posted an 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA.

STAT RAT
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Thomas Weber posted a 2-1 record with a 1.62 ERA. Weber will also be counted on to deliver at the plate this year as the team’s starting catcher.

OUTLOOK
Any time a team only returns one starter back, it’s never good. But coach Tim Holloway has the pitching and overall talent to win the school’s fifth consecutive South Seven championship. It helps that the Rams’ ace, Fulkerson, returns to lead the way. Between Fulkerson, Weber and Tyler Morgan (2-0), they combined to win 15 games, half of their victories last year. Left-handed hitting Jake Pike (.328 BA, 28 RBI, 14 SB) will need to produce again at the plate to help along an inexperienced offense.

BOTTOM LINE
If pitching and defense in fact wins championships, then the Rams should be in for another strong season. How consistently its inexperienced offense delivers will ultimately determine if Mt. Vernon can make a repeat trip to Joliet come June.

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CLICK HERE To See the Preseason Team Rankings