SPRING SPORTS 2009: Diamond Panthers Reloading Again
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Despite the loss of seven key performers from last year's state third place team, including three collegiate signees, the Pinckneyville Community High School Baseball cupboard is anything but bare.
The Panthers return 11 letter winners from a 30-8 squad and again expect to rank among Southern Illinois' elite when tournament time rolls around.
Slated to open its season March 24 against Freeburg, the Panther roster will include plenty of new-and several familiar-faces.
"We have a team that has a good core of returning players," third year PCHS coach Alan Engelhardt (64-15) said. "We will be inexperienced at several spots. I think we will have some hitters with good power which will be the strength of our team."
Engelhardt looks for three seniors to lead his young squad, led by Kaskaskia College signee Matt Gill (SS-C-P) and Shawnee College recruit Garrick Hale (1B). Thomas McConnell is back for a third year in the outfield.
Gill (4-1, 1.80 ERA) will assume the role of pitching staff ace with 6-foot-5 senior Taylor Tabing (2-0, 3.82 ERA) also returning. At the plate, Gill (.427) smacked seven home runs in 2008 with 34 RBI. Hale (.294) adds tremendous power from the left side. McConnell (.291) knocked in 23 runs.
Sophomore Christian Shopinski (3B), junior Michael Rakers (3B-C-1B) and senor Dustin Winter (2B/SS) bring back plenty of experience.
Drew Dudek (jr., SS-P), Jeff Thorton (P-OF, jr.), Landon Chander (jr., 2B) and Matthew Nichols (OF-P, so.) continue battling for starting positions.
"I have been very pleased so far in practice with how our fielding has progressed," Engelhardt said. "We think we'll become above average in terms of defense. Our biggest question marks will be on the mound. The good news is we have some very talented young arms. Hopefully we swing the bats and defend well enough to let our pitching develop. We just want to be a tough out by the time post season arrives."
PCHS will be forced to mature early as a difficult schedule awaits.
Besides the River-to-River Conference slate, the Panthers face non-league battles against upstate powers Seneca and Zion-Benton while also again playing in the Pleasant Plains Showcase.
Marion, Murphysboro, Carterville, Red Bud, Mt. Vernon, Wesclin, Herrin, Eldorado and Harrisburg are also on the docket.
2009 Pinckneyville Panthers Baseball Schedule
March 24-Freeburg, 4:30
March 25-Seneca @ Rent One Park
March 26-@ Murphysboro, 4:30
March 27-@ Carbondale, 2:00
March 28-@ Harrisburg w/Eldorado, 11 a.m.
March 30-Trico, 4:30
March 31-Zion-Benton @ Rent One Park, 3:00
April 1-Seneca @ Rent One Park, 3:00
April 2-@ Steeleville, 4:30
April 6-Nashville, 4:30
April 7-@ Du Quoin, 4:30
April 10-Sparta, 4:30
April 13-@ Chester, 4:30
April 14-Anna-Jonesboro, 4:30
April 15-@ Trico, 4:30
April 17-@ Nashville, 4:30
April 20-Du Quoin, 4:30
April 21-@ Sparta, 4:30
April 23-Chester, 4:30
April 24-25-Pleasant Plains Showcase, TBA
April 27-@ Anna-Jonesboro, 4:30
April 29-@ Red Bud, 4:30
May 4-Carterville, 4:30
May 5-@ Marion, 4:30
May 6-Murphysboro, 4:30
May 7-@ Waltonville/Sesser-Valier, 4:30
May 12-Mt. Vernon, 4:30
May 13-@ W. Frankfort, 4:30
May 15-@ Marissa/Coulterville, 4:30
May 16-Herrin (2), 10 a.m.
May 18-Wesclin, 4:30
May 19-23-IHSA Regionals
May 27-30-IHSA Sectionals
June 1-IHSA Super-Sectional
June 5-6-IHSA State Finals, Joliet