By John Cackowski
State Director

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: ThunderRidge
Preseason Rank: 33
2015 Record: 9-11
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Joe White
Playoff Run: Lost to Cherokee Trail 8-1 in 5A District 8 Playoffs
2015 Final Rank: 54
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 6

TOP PLAYERS:
Jake Eissler, RHP/3B, No. 3 2016 and No. 91 Overall (Texas Christian)
Anthony Camacci, RHP, No. 77 2016
Evan Mares, 3B, No. 153 2016
Tim McIntyre, RHP, No. 58 2017
Jake Haze, INF/RHP, No. 13 2018
Brett Jones, OF, 2016
Cole Butler, OF/RHP
Chase Noel, 1B/RHP, 2016

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT BE A FACTOR
Quincy Ulrich, RHP/OF, 2017
Cody Kohl, RHP, No. 32 2017

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Aaron Germani: Metropolitan State

X-FACTOR:
The Grizzlies had a hard time replacing the offensive production that the 2014 class of seniors provided. They will need to find a way to take pressure off a solid pitching staff.

STAT RAT:
In 2015 the Grizzlies scored 1 or less runs 6 times losing all 6 games.

BOTTOM LINE:

The Grizzlies are coached by Joe White who opened the school in 1997. Under Joe White the Grizzlies strength has been pitching. Last year the Grizzlies struggled offensively down the stretch, and lost 5 of their last 6 games of the season before losing to Cherokee Trail 8-1 in the Class 5A District 8 playoffs. The Grizzlies however do return a potent pitching rotation in 2016. The Grizzlies are led by No. 3 2016 and Texas Christian Commit Jake Eissler. Eissler is one of the best pitchers in the state. In 2015 Eissler was limited to 24 innings pitched due to shoulder soreness later in the year. Eissler had a 1.74 ERA with 33 strikeouts before he was shut down. Eissler will also give the Grizzlies some munch important offense leading the Grizzlies in homeruns and runs batted in last year. The Grizzlies have other weapons on the mound in 2016. Look for 2016 right handed pitchers Anthony Camacci and Chase Noel to make an impact along with 2017 RHP Tim McIntyre will also contribute on the mound. 2016 C/3B Evan Mares hit .324 in 2016 and 2018 INF/RHP Jake Haze will be asked to produce as well. As a freshman 2015 Haze showed he can produce in limited at bats. The Grizzlies have experience coming back in the OF. 2016 OF Bret Jones hit .290 in 2015, and 2016 Cole Butler hit .318. 2017 OF/RHP Quincy Ulrich was called up late in the year and hit .364 in 9 games. He will also be asked to toe the rubber.  The Grizzlies are a well run program that will overcome any adversity thrown at them, and will look to reload for 2016. 

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