By PBR Staff

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The Top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here   

Team: Eaton
Preseason Rank: 19
2016 Record: 20-3 
Conference: Patriot League
CHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Bob Ervin
Playoff Run: Lost to Lamar 3-1 in the 3A Final 8
2016 Final Rank: 14
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 1

TOP PLAYERS:
Jake Sandau. RHP/OF, 2018
Dallas Duran, 3B/RHP, 2018
Travis Cunningham, RHP, 2018

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Ryder Rich, C, 2018
Micah Dorsey, C/RHP, 2017 

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Dalton Lind
JT Mossberg
Matt Burkart
Joe Mondragon
Joe Kuhn

Stat Rat:  The Reds graduated 10 players and only bring 28 innings of pitching back to the 2017 season.

Bottom Line:  The post season accomplishments of the Eaton Reds are long and distinguished, including 11 3A State Championships.  The 2016 team lost 3-1 to Lamar in the 3A final 8 round.  Graduation hit the Reds hard this last season losing 10 players who saw significant time.  A rebuilding year is not an option for Eaton with their high expectations so they will reload for the 2017 season.  At the plate, look for Jake Sandau, .351 with 26 hits and 20 RBI, Dallal Duran, 18 RBI and Travis Cunningham, .400 avg. to lead the way for the Reds.  On the mound the Reds will turn to Cunningham who will bring 24.2 innings of experience back from 2016.  He finished the season with a 3-2 record and 21 K’s.  Eaton will need to find 2 more arms to compliment Cunningham in order to keep their dominance in the Patriot League and once again make a run deep into May.