Spartans have won 4 straight games
Beamer pitches 8 strong innings Tuesday
Made up of players mainly from Francis Howell Central, the Spartans compete in District 9 with 15 other teams that encompass several counties.
In such a spread out district, Central's coach has the longest drive to and from games. Scott Taylor, who grew up in St. Louis and lived in St. Charles County for 15 years, now lives in Jefferson City, which gives him an hour-and-a-half commute to the ballpark."It's a whole lot of driving and coaches Marty DeMay and Tyler DeMay help me out and there's not much practice in the summer time," Taylor said. "I get off work at 4:30 or 5 (p.m.) and drive up. I stay with friends on the weekend, and most of our games are Saturday and Sunday so it's not as bad as it sounds."
The biggest change the Central players have had to get accustomed to is District 9's switch from alloy bats to wooden ones. District 9 is the only American Legion district in the state that is competing full time using wood bats.
"All the kids enjoy it," Taylor said. "They have fun with it because you're going back to what I'd say is real baseball and how it's supposed to be played. None of them have played an entire season with wood bats. And this is the first time I've been involved with bats an entire season. We won't pick up a wood bat unless we get out of districts."
Consistent pitching has helped the Spartans to get off to a district-winning start. Carter DeMay and Eric Radel are both off to good starts this summer. DeMay has had two strong outings and Radel pitched well enough to beat Ste. Genevieve in the opener but didn't get enough run support.
DeMay finished the spring season at Howell Central with a 4-0 record and ERA of 2.75. He pitched a shutout in his team's 3-0 win over the West Jaguars Saturday.
"It's a tossup between Carter and Eric as to who's the No. 1 pitcher," Taylor said. "Carter has a better fastball, His control is very good. Eric is a spot pitcher who moves the ball up and down. He makes his fastball look faster because his changeup is so good."
Tyler Beamer threw eight solid innings in the win over Warrenton. Taylor pulled Beamer after eight innings because of a high pitch count and Radel tossed nine pitches in a scoreless ninth.
Beyond those three guys, I don't know what I'll do pitching wise," Taylor said.
Andrew Ulrich and Zach Levy are splitting time behind the plate. Levy caught his first game against Warrenton. Taylor called both solid defensive catchers.
When not on the hill. DeMay will play first base. Taylor said he's counting on DeMay to hit for average and drive in runs this summer.
Taylor called second baseman Joey Hoeferlin a "welcome surprise" and Hoeferlin was part of a double play that ended the win over Creve Coeur.
Hoeferlin will team with shortstop Steve Rose to give the Spartans a well-oiled middle infield.
"After the double play to end the game against Creve Coeur, I looked at Marty DeMay and said, 'It's good to have a solid combination down the middle,'" Taylor said.
Third base is in the hands of Andrew Sprenke, who has yet to get a hit this year but can play several positions and is good defensively.
In left field, Andy Craven isn't the most technically sound player but Taylor said he always makes the play. Craven bats leadoff.
Speed is the key ingredient to playing center field and Denny Lawler doesn't lack that quality. Lawler bats third and Taylor said once he gets used to swinging a wood bat will be a dynamite player this summer. He had three hits on Tuesday.
Jeff Shadrach had two hits against Warrenton and has thrown out two runners at home plate from right field the past two games.
Infielder Vince Caraffa had a double Tuesday and is a valuable reserve infielder. Andy Ehman, Dan McCleester, Brian Radel and Matt Mason are other Central reserve players.
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