Pitching-rich Indians GAC contender

Suburban Journals file photo | Holt senior Robbie Douthit led the Indians with 53 2/3 innings pitched last season. Douthit recently signed to play baseball at Lindenwood University.

Just like every other team in the Gateway Athletic Conference South, the Holt Indians finished 2009 with a winning record (15-11).

After losing just one starter (Mark McClelland) to graduation, and possession a deep, talented pitching staff, the Indians appear ready to challenge for one of the toughest conference titles in the state, and beyond.

“We haven’t won conference since 2005 but I will take our district titles in 2007 and 08 over that any day,” said Holt coach Joel Adam, who led the Indians to a second-place finish in Class 4 in 2007. “We’ve got a lot of guys coming back and lots of at-bats and innings on the mound. We have a more veteran team than we did last year. I think we’ll be competitive.”

Large and in charge on the mound for the Indians is right-hander Robbie Douthit (6-foot-5, 225 pounds). Recently signed to play baseball at Lindenwood University, Douthit is next in a line of college-level pitchers at the Wentzville school. Douthit’s fastball is reaching the upper 80s. He led the Indians with 53 2/3 innings pitched and was 4-5 last season.

“He’s filled out a lot and worked hard in the weight room,” Adam said. “He has tried to find that third pitch. He threw some changeups the other day nobody touched. He has hit the ball as well.”

Senior Mason Queen pitched 29 1/3 innings last year and will be No. 2 on the mound. Queen was 3-1 with a 3.34 ERA last season, and Adam said he’s got one of the best changeups he’s seen to go with an 84-, 85 mph fastball.

“Mason’s looking at various colleges. Good grades. good kid.”

Behind Douthit and Queen are several other pitchers who bring a variety of talents to the mound. Dan Dickey, Kyle Warrington, Conner Hales, Ben Snarr, Nolan Fisher, Spencer Wageman, Mike Rivolta and Trey Pirkle will all pitch. Dickey was 3-0 with an ERA of 1.14 last season. Warrington is a lefty. Hales can reach the mid-80s, and Rivolta has a nasty split-finger fastball.

Snarr, who also plays in the infield, had a breakout season as a freshman last year. He pitched for the Indians, but also led them with a .411 batting average. He throws right and bats left.

“I don’t see many fresdhman hit .411 at the varsity level,” Adam said.

Pirkle is a three-year varsity player and the starting catcher. He was on the quarterfinal team two years ago, and can also play shortstop or center field. Pirkle and Queen are the team captains.

Douthit, Warrington and Justin Hellman will split time at first base. Hellman (6-3, 240) led the Indians with three homers last year. Junior Brennan Nabholz, Joe Caughlin and Wageman will split time at second base. Fisher, Snarr, Queen and Pirkle will share the shortstop duties. And Hales, Hellman and Queen can all play at third.

“I like our versatility. That’s a good problem to have,” Adam said.

Nick Dawson is the left fielder and Adam expects him to be one of the Indians leading hitters. Dawson batted .373 last year. Adam said the other two outfield spots will be filled by “whoever’s not playing the infield”.

“We’ve got 16 guys and we’ve had very good competition for spots right now,” Adam said.

The Indians open the new season Tuesday against GAC South rival Fort Zumwalt West in the Troy Tournament.

Popularity: unranked