morgan n' 7
01-24-2008, 01:29 PM
Published: January 24, 2008
Riverside baseball tops Class AAA poll
Warriors have been ranked No. 1 every preseason since 2002
By Bob Castello
STAFF WRITER
bcastell@greenvillenews.com (bcastell@greenvillenews.com)
Riverside High School's baseball team is back on top.
The Warriors have been chosen No. 1 in Class AAA in the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association preseason poll.
"It's an honor," Riverside coach Chris Bates said. "A lot of people kind of shy away from being No. 1. We know we've got a playoff system. We know that's where we want to finish the season, but it's nice to be recognized. It's nice that the program has gotten to the point where it's recognized by the other coaches as one of the better programs in the state."
Riverside has been No. 1 in the preseason every year since Bates took over the program in 2002.
Last year, the Warriors finished 25-7 and were runners-up in the Upper State, losing to eventual state champion A.C. Flora.
Bates said the No. 1 ranking "probably means a little bit more because we did not win it last year."
Riverside has a pair of NCAA Division I signees in pitcher-first baseman-outfielder Michael Roth (University of South Carolina) and shortstop Will Owens (Furman University).
The Warriors have several other key returnees, including senior third baseman Chipper Daniels, senior pitcher Rob Kish and junior pitcher-first baseman Matt Pegler.
"We'll have our hands full," Bates said. "Our conference (Peach Blossom AAA) will be very difficult. Greer's in there at No. 6, and the Upstate has a lot of other good teams."
Practice for spring sports begins Monday. The Warriors open the season March 3 at home against J.L. Mann.
"Our kids still have a bitter taste in their mouths about not winning last year," Bates said, "and they're hungry to get started this year."
Two other Greenville County teams were ranked: Mauldin at No. 6 in Class AAAA and Southside Christian at No. 4 in Class A.
http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/PREPSPORTS/801240331/1028/YOURUPSTATESPORTS02
Riverside baseball tops Class AAA poll
Warriors have been ranked No. 1 every preseason since 2002
By Bob Castello
STAFF WRITER
bcastell@greenvillenews.com (bcastell@greenvillenews.com)
Riverside High School's baseball team is back on top.
The Warriors have been chosen No. 1 in Class AAA in the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association preseason poll.
"It's an honor," Riverside coach Chris Bates said. "A lot of people kind of shy away from being No. 1. We know we've got a playoff system. We know that's where we want to finish the season, but it's nice to be recognized. It's nice that the program has gotten to the point where it's recognized by the other coaches as one of the better programs in the state."
Riverside has been No. 1 in the preseason every year since Bates took over the program in 2002.
Last year, the Warriors finished 25-7 and were runners-up in the Upper State, losing to eventual state champion A.C. Flora.
Bates said the No. 1 ranking "probably means a little bit more because we did not win it last year."
Riverside has a pair of NCAA Division I signees in pitcher-first baseman-outfielder Michael Roth (University of South Carolina) and shortstop Will Owens (Furman University).
The Warriors have several other key returnees, including senior third baseman Chipper Daniels, senior pitcher Rob Kish and junior pitcher-first baseman Matt Pegler.
"We'll have our hands full," Bates said. "Our conference (Peach Blossom AAA) will be very difficult. Greer's in there at No. 6, and the Upstate has a lot of other good teams."
Practice for spring sports begins Monday. The Warriors open the season March 3 at home against J.L. Mann.
"Our kids still have a bitter taste in their mouths about not winning last year," Bates said, "and they're hungry to get started this year."
Two other Greenville County teams were ranked: Mauldin at No. 6 in Class AAAA and Southside Christian at No. 4 in Class A.
http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/PREPSPORTS/801240331/1028/YOURUPSTATESPORTS02