By Nick Cicere
PBR Texas Writer

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Texas

School: Lubbock Cooper
Head Coach: Terry Baxter
Conference: 4-5A
2016 Finish: 31-6-2 (1st)
Playoff Run: Regional Semi-Finals

 

players to watch

+  Seth Watts, 2017, SS/OF (Abilene Christian commit)
+  Logan Patterson, 2017, RHP (Abilene Christian commit)
+  Jake Hahn, 2017, 1B (Brookhaven JC commit)
+  Austin Baxter, 2017, RHP (Lubbock Christian University)
+  Seth Freeman, 2018, SS
+  Tommy D’Alise, 2018, RHP
+  Trey Garlett, 2018, RHP
+  Connor Denham, 2018, RHP (Texas Tech commit)

 

season preview

After a first-place finish in the 4-5A Conference and a semifinal postseason run, Terry Baxter’s 19th season steering the Pirates’ ship looks to be as splendid as the last. A loaded Cooper pitching staff, led by last year’s District 4 Pitcher of the Year Logan Patterson, has the jib to cut through the toughest of competition.

Patterson, who’s verbally committed to Abilene Christian, tossed 65 innings as a junior, racking up seven wins to go with a sterling 2.85 ERA and 61 strikeouts. Fellow senior Austin Baxter, a Lubbock Christian commit, is set to be the ying to Patterson’s yang. An All-State Honorable Mention and 2nd-Team All District selection a season ago, Baxter won eight games while totaling a 1.91 ERA to go with 58 strikeouts. Tommy D’Alise, now a junior, saw his 1.58 ERA in 2016 equate to a 2nd-Team All District choice in 2016. 

Like Patterson, Cooper’s starting shortstop Seth Watts is not only looking to build off of a tremendous junior campaign, but the 5-foot-10 swiss army knife is also committed to play at ACU following graduation this spring. Watts’ blend of speed and contact skills contributed to a solid .281 batting average and .423 on-base average as a junior, adding 10 steals. Senior Brookhaven JC commit Jake Hahn will spend his time manning first base for the Pirates. Cooper’s lone 1st-Team All District selection last season, Hahn is a run producer (17 RBI) with a knack for getting on base (.461 OBP).

Though Coach Baxter may be looking for younger players like right-handed pitcher Connor Denham to fill the shoes of departed veterans, the Pirates still carry a boatload of star power as they cruise into 2017.

 

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