GO FALCONS!!!! ABINGDON The Falcons (17-5, 7-1) won the Southwest District regular-season title last year behind district player of the year Cody Hahn. Longtime AHS coach Mark Francisco must replace all-district pitcher Cade Berry along with Hahn, who is now on the roster at King University. In addition to his hitting prowess, Hahn compiled a 7-1 pitching record and 1.45 earned run average. Several familiar names return, including four-year starting catcher and former first-team All-Region IV pick Clint Ratliff. Other veterans include sure-fielding junior second baseman Andrew Francisco, (.353 batting average), junior outfielder Jacob Doss, junior first baseman Matt Ratliff (.346), junior shortstop Lukas Hart and junior centerfield Jaylen Claridy. Matt Ratliff earned first-team All-Region IV honors last season at designated hitter. Hart is a three-year starter who formerly played third base. Claridy, a three-sport athlete, suffered a hand injury in this season’s third game while colliding with a fellow outfielder. Sophomore Justin Miller will be a factor at third base. The pitching candidates are Doss, Clint Ratliff, senior Tyler Arnold, Zach Fritz and a group of four freshmen. “Our guys have high expectations,” Francisco said. “We have several experienced players mixed with a very young pitching staff. Because of our move to 3A, we decided to make our regular-season schedule as challenging as possible with the goal of playing our best baseball in the postseason.” The Falcons also advanced to the SWD tourney championship last season against Richlands but that game was not played due to repeated rainouts. AHS dropped a 5-4 loss at home against Cave Spring in the Region IV playoffs despite a three-run homer from Hahn in the sixth inning.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:45:13 +0000
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