Coach's comment: "One of the things I'm excited about is this team will have more baseball experience than any team we've had. We've had good athletes, but not a lot of baseball experience. I don't think we've seen (a love for the game) in the past, but this year we've had a lot of practices that we've enjoyed."
LINCOLN COUNTY
Coach: Danny Masten
2005 record: 2-23
Top returnees: Noah Keeton, So., SS-2B; Eric King, Jr., OF-3B; Tony Martin, Sr., 3B-OF; Trevor Merriman, Sr., 2B-3B-P; Steve Middleton, Jr., C-P; Jared Rogers, Jr., OF-P; Ryne Tolar, Sr., SS-P; Ryan Young, So., OF-2B.
Key statistics: Lincoln lost nine games by three runs or less, including both of its one-run games. Merriman hit .290 with 10 doubles last season, and he was the team's top pitcher.
News and notes: Lincoln has reached the regional tournament in three of the last five years but had a losing record each time.
Coach's comment: "We're pretty solid on the mound. We're hitting it quite well. These guys are knocking it around the park. Defensively we're making less errors in practice and better throws. I think realistically we can compete with anybody in (our) district and region."
MERCER COUNTY
Coach: Spence Chitwood
2005 record: 28-9
Top returnees: Ethan Ashford, So., IF-P; Aaron Bee, Jr., OF; Michael Bottoms, Sr., P-C-3B; Evan Ethington, Jr., OF-C; Chris Lewis, Sr., IF; Justin Morgan, Jr., IF-C; Matthew Robertson, So., P; Brandon Scheller, Sr., OF; Blake Yeager, Sr., IF.
Key statistics: Bottoms hit .500 with 42 RBIs and was 8-2 on the mound with a 1.50 ERA. Scheller hit .386, and four others were over .300. Lewis was 7-1 with a 2.88 ERA, and Robertson was 6-1 with a .384.
News and notes: Mercer had the highest win total and second-highest winning percentage in the 12th Region last year. ... Mercer had a team batting average of .362 and returns seven of its top nine hitters but still lacks much home-run power. ... The Scotties have won three straight 46th District titles and have been regional runners-up in two of the last three years, losing to Boyle County in last year's final.
Coach's comment: "We feel like we have had a very successful program over the last several years and are looking forward to the 2006 season. Our team strength should be pitching, with our top three pitchers - Bottoms, Robertson and Lewis - returning from last season. One area of work will be team defense after losing last year's starting shortstop and first baseman. People will be asked to learn new positions and be able to play multiple positions."
