2018 Team Preview: Long Beach
January 10, 2018
The Mississippi high school season kicks off on February 26, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on January 29, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.
Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.
We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.
Team: Long Beach
MHSAA Classification: 5A
MHSAA District: 8-5A
Head Coach: Shane Rutledge
Playoff Run: 3rd Round
2017 Final Rank: 2nd in district
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2
Top Players
Name | State | School | Class | Position | Commitment |
Austin Allen | MS | Long Beach | 2018 | RHP | - |
Dalton Cook | MS | Long Beach | 2020 | C | - |
Kobe Cook | MS | Long Beach | 2020 | 3B | - |
Cade Crosby | MS | Long Beach | 2020 | 2B | - |
Matt Hertzog | MS | Long Beach | 2019 | OF | - |
Ethan Nichols | MS | Long Beach | 2020 | RHP | - |
Kyle Parks | MS | Long Beach | 2020 | 2B | - |
Scotty Spears | MS | Long Beach | 2018 | RHP | - |
Logan Sutherlin | MS | Long Beach | 2019 | OF | - |
Kai VanCourt | MS | Long Beach | 2019 | 2B | - |
Charlie Wescovich | MS | Long Beach | 2018 | SS | - |
Stat Rat (X-Factor)
Cade Crosby (.474-BA, 2-3B)
Charlie Wescovich (.244-BA, 2-HR)
Scotty Spears (1.25-ERA, 26-K, 7-BB)
Austin Allen (1.99-ERA, 62-K, 28-BB)
Outlook
The Bearcats are poised for another strong season as they return five starters and two pitchers from last season’s 21-win team. Leading the way for the Bearcats will be senior pitchers Austin Allen and Scotty Spears. Defensive consistency will be key for Coach Rutledge who will turn to several underclassmen to play impactful roles this upcoming season.