2017 Palo Verde Baseball Capsule
PALO VERDE
Head coach: Joe Hallead, second season
2016 record: 19-15 (11-7 Division I Sunset, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Fifteen (seven)
Top players: OF/P Dylan Orlando (Sr.), 3B/P J.D. Brooks (Sr.), 2B/SS Jaxon Hammond (Sr.), 1B/P Tanner Lewis (Sr.), OF Asher Bouldin (Sr.)
Outlook: Coming off a solid season last year, the Panthers welcome back 15 lettermen.
“We have a lot of experience coming back this year,” Hallead said.
Brooks (.385 average) has 83 career RBIs and is joined by Hammond (.323, 25 RBIs), Bouldin (.340, 10 doubles, 23 RBIs) and Orlando (.335) on offense.
Orlando (4-1, 38 K) and Lewis (3-2, 3.66 ERA, 31 K) return on the mound.
“Our strength will be our deep pitching staff and our experienced batting lineup,” Hallead said. “I like the younger players that we added to the experienced roster. They will provide great depth for our team.
“I have been impressed with the leadership on this team. Practices are intense and competitive; that will help with our very tough conference schedule.”
