By Ben Grossberg
Lead Scout, PBR Indiana 

Head Coach Matthew Cherry and the Fishers Tigers are coming off a good 2012 season, finishing 22-9 overall, and going 13-5 in one of the toughest conferences in the state, Hoosier Crossroads.  This year they bring back just one starter and one pitcher after losing a lot of senior talent from last year's team. 

Junior Griffin Hulecki and Senior Garret Schlotter are the two returning starters, and will be relied on heavily. Huclecki (RHP/C) will again be the No. 1 on the mound after going 6-4, with a 3.25 ERA in 60.1 innings pitched last year. Schlotter (SS) brings great defense up the middle and holds the school record for fielding percentage in a season.  At the plate he hit .300 with four doubles and 14 RBI in 2012. 

On the mound senior Derek Ely and junior Nathaniel Rhodes will be counted on to provide quality innings. Ely threw in 26.1 innings, going 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA in 2012. When not on the mound Ely will start in the infield. Rhodes went 1-0 in three appearances last year as a sophomore, but should see a much bigger role in 2013 likely moving into the No. 2 spot on the mound. At the PBR Preseason All State Showcase Rhodes sat 82-86 showing a good breaking ball, and a changeup with arm side run. 

Fishers' outfield will be comprised of a senior and two juniors. Senior Ben Pritchett is expected to be a main contributor in 2013 hitting in the middle of the Tigers lineup. Juniors Connor Christiansen and Taylor Canter will make up the other outfield spots. Both players had big years in 2012 on the junior varsity level. Christiansen will hit at the top of the Fishers lineup. 

Junior Mike Chakiry and sophomore Brandon Yoho will also see time at the varsity level. Chakiry has good pop in his bat and will serve mainly as a designated hitter, but will also see time as a relief pitcher. Yoho will see innings in the infield as well as coming in as a relief pitcher. 

Fishers may have lost a lot of talent from the 2012 squad, but they also had a lot of talent at the JV level now getting their first varsity experience.