By Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Texas

School: Wichita Falls Rider
Head Coach: Jeremy Crouch
Conference: District 5-5A
2016 Finish: 25-10 (1st Place)
Playoff Run: Regional Quarter Finalist
2017 Ranking: To be updated upon release

Players to watch

+ Parker Kelly, 2017, SS/RHP (Texas Tech commit)
+ David Moffat, 2017, RHP/3B (UT Arlington commit)
+ Bryce Hughes, 2017, OF, (Cedarville Univ. commit)
+ James Johnston, 2017, 1B
+ Cason Jackson, 2017, CF
+ Deven Smith, 2017, OF/RHP
+ Rayce Radtke, 2018, OF
+ Hunter Klasse, 2018, C/DH
+ Kaden Teafatiller, 2019, C (Oklahoma commit)

season preview

Wichita Falls Rider returns about as much talent as any team in the state, only losing two starters from a 2016 club that went 25-10 en route to the Regional Quarter Finals. Last season the Raiders went 12-2 in district and brought home the District Championship. Although many could argue that Region 1 is the toughest around, with roughly 10 of the top 20 teams in 5A, the Raiders will rely heavily on a group of returning lettermen if they want to make another deep run in the playoffs.

The Raiders return their ace David Moffat, a senior right-handed pitcher and UT-Arlington commit. Last season Moffat posted 11 wins and a miniscule ERA of 1.15 to earn him a 1st Team All State selection. Moffat, a two-way player at third base, also hit .375 and drove in 20 runs. Another two-way player returning for Rider is senior Deven Smith. Last year Smith posted 3 Wins and a 3.00 ERA while batting .360 with 15 RBI as an outfielder.

Parker Kelly will anchor the defense in the middle of the field at shortstop. Kelly, a Texas Tech commit, stands 6-foot-2, 200-pounds with an athletic, strong frame. The infielder shows great actions on the left side of the field with plenty of arm strength. Last year, Kelly batted .405 with 25 RBI and 25 stolen bases on his way to a 2nd Team All State selection. James Johnston is another returning starter and All State Selection at First base. Johnston was a 3rd team selection after batting .380 with a whopping 35 RBI. Senior Cason Jackson is back in centerfield as he received Honorable Mention All District last year. Joining Jackson in the outfield is junior Rayce Radtke, a 1st Team All District selection that hit .350 with 22 RBI. The Raiders return two catchers with Hunter Klasse and Kaden Teafatiller. Klasse, a junior catcher/designated hitter, batted .275 with 20 RBI. Look for sophomore Kaden Teafatiller, a recent Oklahoma commit, to build off a strong freshman campaign where he batted .320 and drove in 10 runs. Teafatiller is currently ranked #37 Texas in the 2019 class. With all of the experience in the line-up and on the mound, Wichita Falls Rider will be a tough team to beat.

 

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