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2016 Team Preview: Liberty-Raleigh Raiders

March 31, 2016

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

http://teamonthreeprod.blob.core.windows.net/images/cdbf68cf-c195-4bd8-be32-f7a08fc863b1.jpgTeam: Liberty-Raleigh
Nickname: Raiders
Class: AA
League: Coalfied Conference
Head Coach: J.J. Tabor
2015 Overall Record: 19-11 (lost in Sectional Finals)

The Raiders are off to a hot start at 4-1 with Trenton Begley carrying the load on the mound. The sophomore is 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA. In two complete games he has given up 12 hits, with 20 strikeouts and zero walks.

The Raiders have also swung the bat well collectively with six players hitting .400 or better through five games (Trevor Quarles .500, Tyler Mullins .438, Michael Banks .438, Zach Martin .412, Josh Cook .400 and Chris Begley .400).

TOP PLAYERS:

  • Trenton Begley, LHP/1B, Ranked No. 3 in Class of 2018
    + Honorable Mention All-State in 2015. Off to 2-0 start with 0.50 ERA.
  • Zack Martin, 3B/RHP, Class of 2016
  • Trevor Quarles, C, Class of 2016
  • Adam Banks, RHP/3B, Class of 2017
  • Brandon Lemon, SS, Class of 2016
  • Tyler Mullens, 2B, Class of 2017
  • Dylan Basham, OF, Class of 2017
  • Chris Begley, RHP, Class of 2019

KEY LOSSES:

  • Dylan Keel, 1B/3B,  1st Team All-State in 2015
  • Jake Lacek, RHP/C, 2nd Team All-State in 2015
  • Jordan Atkins, RHP, Special Honorable Mention All-State in 2015

ACCORDING TO THE COACH:

"We expect to compete for a State Tournament berth but have to deal with the toughest section in AA Region 3. We defeated all Regional teams we played including state participant and 3rd ranked Pikeview and Independence twice(ranked 5th) last year. Trenton Begley returns for his sophomore season and will be on of the best pitchers in the area. As a freshman he beat 5th ranked Independence and was first team all-coalfield and honorable mention all-state. In all the Raiders return 6 who hit over .300 last year. Two seniors expected to provide leadership is 3B Zack Martin and Trevor Quarles who could be the best defensive catcher in area. Junior Adam Banks will hit in the middle of the order and be expected to build off his strong sectional tournament where he hit two homersmand four doubles. The middle of the defensive will be anchored by SS Brandon Lemon, 2B Tyler Mullens and CF Dylan Basham. Basham, Banks, Lemon and Martin will all be expected to provide quality mound time. Freshman Chris Begley will be expected to compete for playing time and mound time. The loss of Keel and Lacek will be irreplaceable by one or two players and we will have to pick up the slack collectively. If we can do that then we should be able to play with anyone in Region 3."

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