Zach Bradbury
UNION CITY, Ind. – Union City Head Baseball Coach Bill Bradbury is enthusiastic as the 2016 season approaches.
“I’m very excited about the group of players we have this year,” Bradbury said. “We lost four good players from last year’s squad, but we have seven varsity players returning.”
The Indians were 8-13 overall a year ago and 1-6 in the Tri-Eastern Conference.
“We are still a young team,” Bradbury said. “We have two seniors Bailey Hughes and Jaydan Baker and junior Aaron Foster, who are returning from last year’s ball club.”
“We have picked up another junior for this year, Tyler Thornhill,” Bradbury added. “Tyler is a tremendous athlete and we are excited to see him back out on the ball field and looking forward to what he will add to our team.”
All-TEC Honorable Mention selection Zach Bradbury along with Trevor Spence, Keaton Collins, and Jacob Fulk are sophomores expected to start, while Gabe Loesch, the top pitcher from last year’s varsity team, suffered a season ending injury during basketball.
“We were looking for big things from Gabe on the hill and behind the plate,” Bradbury said.
Dawson Thornburg, Kayled Leedom, and Jacob W. Moore are the other sophomores on the roster.
“Offensively, we are returning with some very key bats, Bradbury (.377), Hughes (.366) and Spence (.333),” Bradbury said. “Defensively, we should be strong.”
“Our outfield is going to be quick, with strong arms,” Bradbury added. “Our infield is looking good as well. It looks like we will have a lot of options on the hill this year. I am looking for a strong year from Bailey Hughes this year. Bailey has been a strong pitcher for us in the past, and I’m expecting him to finish his career strong. Foster, Spence, and Fulk are all expected to get a lot of time on the mound as well.”
Union City begins the season at Cowan on Tuesday, April 5. The Indians face Tri at home for their first TEC contest of the spring on Thursday, April 14.