NTL BASEBALL: WILLIAMSON WILL RIDE DEFENSE AND TEAM CAMARADERIE THIS SEASON (2021-03-19)
Northern Tier West Sports ReportLAWRENCEVILLE — Despite an anticipated roster of only 10 players, Williamson head coach Bill Fye is not only staying positive, but is listing the low numbers as a strength.
“The biggest strength for this team is how closely they will be able to bond,†Fye explains. “And our defense is very sound. It will keep us in games.â€
Fye is looking toward a pair of seniors and a junior to help lead his young squad, all of who were big contributors two seasons ago as sophomores and a freshman.
Owen Gontarz will pitch and play short for the Warriors. Prior to the lost covid season, Gontarz batted .333, had on on-base percentage of .383 and a slugging percentage of .411.
Fellow senior Andrew Berkan will play first base, where two seasons ago he played in all 20 of the Warriors’ games and had a fielding percentage of .952.
Junior Gabe Kaufman can play any of the outfield spots as well as third base. As a freshman two seasons ago, he batted .241 and got on base at a .353 clip.
As far as newcomers, Fye is looking for major contributions from junior Wes Carlton and sophomore Cody Fleming. The coach relays that Carlton is a “speedy outfielder with a great armâ€, and that Fleming is a “solid hitter and fielder†with “a lot of talent and knowledge of the game.â€
The Warriors will open their season on March 26 at home against NP-Mansfield.
See Williamson baseball's full season schedule
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