By Phil Wade
Director, PBR Indiana

As we prepare for our 2014 high school preseason coverage, we are going to take a quick glance at teams from across the state.

Team: Fishers
Class: 4A
League: Hoosier Crossroads

Head Coach: Matthew Cherry
2013 Overall Record: 14-17
Conference Record: 8-10
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS

Nathaniel Rhodes, RHP, 2014
Griffin Hulecki, C/RHP, 2014
Connor Christiansen, OF, 2014
Brandon Yoho, RHP/SS, 2015
Mike Chakiry, RHP/IF, 2014
Jacob Totman, OF, 2015

OUTLOOK:

The Fishers Tigers and Head Coach Matthew Cherry return lots of talent in 2014, and are hoping to make some noise in Indiana's best baseball conference, the Hoosier Crossroads.  The HCC currently has seven ranked Teams in the 4A Preseason Poll, and despite not being ranked, the Tigers have the talent and experience to compete with anyone in the HCC.  Leading the way on the mound is Marshall University commit, Nathaniel Rhodes, a 6-foot-1 righty that finished last season 3-2 with 1 save. In 2013 Rhodes struck out 52 batters in 46 IP and held opponents to a .225 BA.  Senior Griffin Hulecki will return after an injury plagued Junior season.  Before shutting down last year Hulecki was 6-22 with 11 BB in the cleanup spot, and also struck out 11 hitters in 12 IP.  Finishing up last spring as the cleanup hitter was OF Connor Christiansen, an Elon University football commit. The 6-foot-2, 175 pound left handed hitter batted over .400 in the last 12 games of the season with 6 2B and 2 3B.  Junior Brandon Yoho will play a key role in the field, on the mound, and at the plate.  The RHP/SS finished his sophomore year hitting .311 with 11 RBI in the 3-hole.  On the mound Yoho pitched in 52 innings, which included 5 complete games. Another righty Coach Cherry will look to for quality innings is senior Mike Chakiry. The 6-foot, 225 pound RHP finished the 2013 season 4-3 in 37 IP and held opponents to a .237 BA.  Expected to make some noise on the bases is Junior OF Jacob Totman.  As a sophomore, Totman hit .266 and swiped 9 bags.  

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COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate the strong response so far from high school coaches across the state assisting with our pre-season coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches pre-season questionnaire online by clicking here.

click here for more 2014 Team Previews