Plenty of power back for Patriots

Logic would indicate that a team having graduated players who combined for 39 home runs might be in for a power outage. That is not the case for Jay County.

Sure it's not likely the Patriots will even come close to approaching the 65 home runs they hit last season to finish just three short of the state record. But there are some big bats.

The biggest among them is that of Billy Wellman, who will also be the team's top pitcher. He was one of the state leaders in bombs last year, blasting 13.

Phil Powell, who is also a senior, hit nine homers last year, and classmates Colton Lombardo and Trey Dunn hit two apiece.

"I told them the other night, 'I don't expect you go to out there and knock 64 home runs because I didn't expect last year's group to do that,'" said JCHS coach Lea Selvey. "We lost a lot of power, but I've got more power coming back than I've ever had. I don't think anybody should feel sorry for us power-wise."

The team lost a pair of Division I players in Josh Ludy (Baylor), who owns school records for home runs, on base percentage and batting average, and Thomas McCowan (IPFW), who holds the JCHS record for doubles.

Michael Jobe (17 home runs) and Luke Goetz (31 hits, 31 runs, also were among the graduating class.

But with Wellman (.397 average, 39 RBIs, 33 runs, 31 hits, 15 walks, 11 doubles) and Powell (.420, 29 hits, 28 RBIs, 25 runs, 14 walks), the team still has plenty of offensive leadership.

Dunn added 23 hits, 23 runs, 13 RBIs and 12 walks, and Lombardo was in double digits in hits, runs and walks.

Selvey said Lombardo, who will play left field, Powell, the third baseman, and first baseman Willie Mayfield have led the team during its winter preparation.

"Colton and Willie have really stepped up," said Selvey. "In the off-season they were really trying to get guys to do what they need to do. ... And Phil too. ... I've been very pleased with their attitudes and their work ethics."

When he's not on the mound, Wellman will join Powell on the left side of the infield at shortstop. Michael Daniels will play second base, and Dunn will be in center field.

Right field is open between John Pettus and Nathaniel Brown, who could also see time at shortstop and second base.

Tyler Freyburgher and Andre Duke will have the task of taking over behind the plate for Ludy, a four-year starter at catcher.

In addition to his offensive prowess, Wellman became the Patriots' ace during the late portion of the 2008 season.

After working his arm up to full strength following the basketball season, he allowed just five earned runs in 38 1/3 innings for a 0.91 ERA.

He struck out 47 batters and finished 6-1, with the only loss coming to Homestead in the sectional finale.

"It'll be tough to duplicate what he did last year," said Selvey of Wellman, who had one of the best ERAs in the state. "We've got to be very careful with him early. ... He might only be an inning or two and then we'll just stretch him out from there, and the same with Trey (Dunn).

"It's going to take more of a committee early."

Dunn and Powell are the other returning pitchers who saw significant time on the mound last season. Dunn was a perfect 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA, and Powell went 4-1 with a 3.59 ERA.

Skyler Petty and Mike Masters will round out the rotation to start the season.

Selvey said his team may not win with the same bombastic power it did last season, but he's not lowering expectations. He believes his team will have a chance at what he considers the benchmark for wins, and be able to contend for conference and postseason glory.

"I do expect them to go out and try to win 20 games, the conference and the sectional," said Selvey. "Those things are constant year-in and year-out goals.

"I feel pretty good about this year."[[In-content Ad]]