Rising Sun baseball preview

    The Rising Sun baseball team is loaded with talent.
    "Like I told them, they can be as good as they want to be and go as far as they want to go," coach Clyde Van Dyke said.
    The Tigers boast a strong defense and a potentially dominant pitching staff.
    "We have to throw strikes and have got to swing the bats better," said Van Dyke. "We're weren't aggressive at the plate last year and if we're not aggressive we're going to be in trouble.

---

    Starting pitcher Cole Benjamin is coming off a stellar sophomore season. “He's going to be the ace more than likely," pitching coach Rick Marcus said.
    Rising Sun will also rely on two more hard-throwers – seniors Chris Melrath and Danny Richardson.
    Junior Brennan Martz and seniors Nick Luciano and Danny Willert add both talent and depth.
    "We're hoping (our pitching) will take us all the way deep into states," said Marcus. "We need to cut down on our walks. We gave up way too many walks last year."
    Sean Goodie returns at catcher and will be backed up by Benn Lukk.
    Benjamin and Luciano will each see time at first base.
    Zack Van Dyke is slated to be the starting second baseman. Jake Bower is capable of playing either second base or third base.
    Adam Janney returns at shortstop and Richardson and Luciano will each see action at third base.
    Willert will patrol centerfield with Martz in left.
    Melrath, Will Barton, and Jared Hoag are vying for playing time in right. "We have kids who can go get it out there," van Dyke said. "They have good speed and get good jumps."