2018 High School Team Spotlight: Highland School
January 31, 2018
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Less than two months remain before the start of the 2018 high school baseball season. We will spotlight teams from around the state as we near the start of our high school preseason and season coverage.
Team Spotlight: Highland School Hawks
Head Coach: Micah Higgins (7th Season)
Classification: VISAA D-II
Conference: Delaney Athletic Conference
2017 Record: 20-6
2017 Post Season: Conference Champs; VISAA State Semifinals
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 2
Returners with Post Season Honors
Luke Burner
Ty Gravett
Key Returners (2017 Stats)
Luke Burner OF/LHP 2019 (.339 BA .434 OBP 20 R 19 RBI, 12.2 IP 1-1 2.21 ERA)
Ty Gravett IF 2019 (.328 BA .439 OBP 16 R 21 RBI 12 SB)
Eddie Gimbel OF/RHP 2019 (.316 BA .435 OBP 6 SB, 15.2 IP 0-0 5.81 ERA)
Key Losses
Jacob Zoller
Timmy Stephan
Noah Lerman
Josh Pittman
Danny Singleton
Key Newcomer(s)
Garrett Pancione C 2021
Matt Michel RHP 2019 (Transfer) 
Blake Fisher SS/RHP 2020 (Transfer)
Dylan Fisher OF 2019 (Transfer)
Joe DeBardi UTL 2019 (Transfer)
Evan Evans LHP 2020
Adam Dressler LHP 2020
Outlook
The Hawks will have a new look team in 2018 after losing numerous key players from their 2016 campaign. Gone is DAC conference player of the year in Jacob Zoller, and key players Timmy Stephan, Noah Lerman, Danny Singleton and Josh Pittman. Though the Hawks future does look bright with young new faces looking to contribute immediately. Returning back to the offense are Luke Burner, Ty Gravett and Eddie Gimbel who will anchor the lineup and be leaders on the team after being the young bucks on a senior laden roster. Some of the new faces that should contribute to the offense as well this year include Garrett Pancione, a young 2021 catching prospect that should see plenty of playing time as a freshman. Also look out for newcomers Blake Fisher, Dylan Fisher, and Joe DeBardi to see large roles for the Hawks. The mound looks to be a bigger question for the Hawks. Burner and Gimbel might see larger roles this year and keep an eye on Matt Michel, who has potential to be a higher level type arm. Blake Fisher might see some time on the mound when not playing short. Keep an eye on LHP's Evan Evans, and Adam Dressler to add innings as well for the staff and could develop into nice prospects.