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: Hamilton Southeastern
Class: 4A
League: Hoosier Crossroads

Head Coach: Scott Henson
2013 Overall Record: 20-13
2013 Conference Record: 9-9
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS

Tre Gantt, CF, 2014
Brendan Burns, P-RF, 2014
Aaron McGee, 1B, 2015
Erik Dewael, 3B, 2014 
Matt Nash, C, 2014
Brian Roberts, P-3B, 2014

OUTLOOK:

The Hamilton Southeastern Royals and Head Coach Scott Henson are coming off an impressive 2013 campaign going 20-13 overall and winning a sectional crown in arguably the toughest sectional throughout the state.  Henson's squad returns five positional starters and five arms this spring with enough talent to once again compete for a sectional championship. Returning for the Royals is senior OF Tre Gantt, an Ohio State signee ranked No. 8 in Indiana's class of 2014 rankings. Gantt, a 1st Team Preseason All-State selection, hit .411 in 2013 with 28 RBI, 13 2B, 4 3B and 4 HR. The Royal's will be led on the mound by Ball State signee Brendan Burns, a 6-foot-6 righty.  Burns, ranked No. 19 in the 2014 class, was 1-1 with a save last year and a 1.91 ERA.  HSE will look to left handed hitting 1B Aaron McGee for production at the plate.  McGee, ranked No. 83 in Indiana's class of 2015 rankings, possesses an explosive bat from the left side of the plate with good power. Senior Erik Dewael returns after hitting .288 with 12 RBI as a Junior.  Returning to fulfill the catching duties is senior Matt Nash who drove in 9 runs last season. RHP/3B Brian Roberts, who played an important role last season as a reliever, will most likely make his way in to a starting role this season. Last spring Roberts finished 1-1 with a save and compiled 18 K's in 22.1 IP. The Royals are one of seven Hoosier Crossroads Conference teams ranked in the Preseason 4A Top 25 poll.    

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Click here for the 4A Preseason Team Rankings

click here for more 2014 Team Previews