Preseason Preview: Martinsville HS
March 7, 2013
By Thad Satre
Prep Baseball Report, Indiana
Martinsville High School, led by Coach Mike Swartzentruber, finished the 2012 season with an overall record of 13-13. The Artesians also finished .500 in the Mid-State Conference at 6-6. A young team in 2012, Martinsville returns six starters and five pitchers, mostly sophomores and juniors ready to take the next step.
Leading the way for Martinsville is junior pitcher Mason Kutruff. The 6-foot-4 right-hander was only 2-6 in 2012, but had a 2.16 ERA and 61 strikeouts. Kutruff is currently ranked No. 8 in Indiana’s 2014 class. This winter at a PBR Indiana showcase he was up to 87 mph with his fastball, showcasing a quick, loose arm with good movement on his pitches.
Junior shortstop Caleb Milner is a three year starter who is a stalwart in the middle of the lineup. Milner hit .360 with three home-runs and 21 RBI last season.
Coach Swartzentruber’s lone senior is P/3B David Elkins. Elkins will be the No. 2 pitcher on the staff. He was 2-3 with a 2.86 ERA last season. One of the sophomores who was a valuable contributor is 2012 is second baseman Nolan Lavender. Lavender will be an offensive catalyst after hitting .293 and scoring 25 runs in 2012.
Other impact players in 2013 will be juniors Lloyd Stewart (OF), Sam Walls (1B/P) and sophomore Ryan Thomas (UTL/P). Martinsville will be chasing defending champion Greenwood for the 2013 Mid-State Conference title.
