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: Avon
Class: 4A
League: Hoosier Crossroads

Head Coach: Troy Drosche
2013 Overall Record: 15-17
2013 Conference Record: 6-12
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS

Chandler Sanburn, RHP/INF, 2014
Khristian Reynolds, SS/RHP, 2014
Matt Moore, LHP/1B, 2016
Brayton Nyland, INF, 2015
Nick Handlon, RHP/3B/OF, 2015
Jake Smith, P/INF, 2014

OUTLOOK:

The Avon Orioles and Head Coach Troy Drosche return depth and talent this spring with expectations of a deep post-season run.  Returning for Avon is RHP Chandler Sanburn, a 6-foot-1 senior signed to play at Wichita State, and the No. 16 ranked prospect in Indiana's class of 2014 rankings.  On the mound last season Sanburn compiled 27 K's in 23 IP and was also a contributor at the plate batting .306 with 12 RBI. Four-year starter Khristian Reynolds returns for his final season with the Orioles. The Indiana University signee will be key contributor at SS, on the mound and at the plate.  Reynolds, ranked No. 29 in the 2014 class, posted a 1.87 ERA with 36 K's as a Junior and finished with a .344 BA and 13 2Bs. Sophomore and recent Purdue commit Matt Moore will play a key role in the pitching rotation.  The left-handed pitcher struck out 24 hitters in 20 IP as a freshman.  Moore is currently ranked as the No. 9 player in Indiana's class of 2016 rankings.  Two Juniors expected to contribute to the Orioles this spring are infielder Brayton Nyland and RHP/3B Nick Handlon.  Nyland received some varsity experience last season.  Handlon, now ranked No. 40 in the class of 2015 rankings, has a fastball that was up to 86 mph this winter.  Senior RHP's Jake Smith and Austin Gossman (Vincennes commit) will add depth to the Orioles pitching staff this spring.  

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Click here for the 4A Preseason Team Rankings

click here for more 2014 Team Previews