By By Jeff Byrd/staff writer
Feb. 14, 2002
With the loss of five good seniors from last year, the Northeast Lauderdale Trojans will have their work cut out for them in the 2002 baseball season.
Northeast will get a stiff test from the start when it plays in the Coca Cola Lauderdale County Baseball Tournament at John Moss Field in Meridian this weekend. The Trojans will open against host Meridian on Friday night.
Trojan head coach Chris Harper says his team must stay healthy through the first part of the season and gain experience.
The biggest losses were second baseman Phillip Garrett who is now at Meridian Community College and catcher Chase Spencer who will play for East Mississippi this year.
The pair, along with seniors Steven Bergin and Kyle Stoddard, helped lead the Trojans to a 14-10 record and a third place finish in Division 5-4A.
The Trojans will have to pin their hopes behind returning No. 1 pitcher Matt Locke and hitter Drew Anderson.
Backing up Locke on the mound will be Anderson, Jason Pritchett and Wesley Gray.
Anderson was the Trojans' top batter last season, hitting .421 along with four home runs.
J.R. Smith should be another contributor but he is currently hurt. First baseman Dusty Hedgepath brings a solid bat.