Moving on up

Moving up to Class 4A will present Purcell 2024 baseball team with extensive challenges.

Gone from last year’s 17-15 squad are Zach Idlett, Logan Roberts and Kevin Garcia.

Coach Cole Sharp, who begins his seventh season at the helm of the Dragons, said he is excited about this year’s club.

Sharp welcomes seven returning starters including senior Carter Goldston who will anchor the catching duties, senior outfielders Jett Tyler and Cole Smedley, who will also play third base and pitch, junior Boston Knowles at short stop and pitcher, junior Parker Page in the infield and pitcher, sophomore Bryce Blair at first base and pitcher and sophomore Deaken Dobbins, utility and pitcher.

Page will be slowed in the early portion of the season due to an arm injury but Sharp expects him back soon.

Other guys who will battle for playing time include sophomore Casey Billingsley at third and second and will pitch, sophomore Carter Bennett in the outfield, freshmen Kash Knowles at second and pitch and freshmen Cooper Selman in the outfield.

Our Season Outlook:

“I am very excited for this year’s team,” Sharp said. “We are moving up to 4A this year. The district we are in will be tough with the defending state champion Tuttle in it. But we are up to the challenge.

“We bring back a lot of guys who have played a lot of baseball from last year and bring in some younger players who will compete with the older guys this year.

“Some of the strengths will be our defense and pitching. I believe that both will be a key to have a successful year for us.  Also, our speed will be another key strength.  We will have a lot of guys who will be able to play multiple positions for us,” he concluded.