2015 Collierville Baseball Team Preview

Thirteenth-year Collierville head coach Jeff Hopkins has a positive outlook for
the 2015 season, as do many of the coaches in the state this time of year.
Collierville returns 12 from the class of 2015, including four dual players, five
position players and three focusing on just pitching. The Dragons are coming off
a 29-12 mark in 2014.
Team Tennessee power-right handers Alex Hicks (Memphis) and Peyton
Culbertson (Arkansas State) will look to continue their success on the mound
as the 1-2 punch. Hicks will also be a force in the middle of the Dragons
offensive line-up. The offense will be led by fellow Team Tennessee member, 1st
Baseman, Parker Phillips (Austin Peay). Penciled in as the No. 3 starter and
deserving of a starting outfield spot based on last springs and summers
performance will be left-handed senior Bo Sutton (Ouachita Baptist).
Pitching depth is the strength of the 2015 Collierville Dragons. The final two
spots in the rotation and bullpen roles are still to be determined. Seniors Hunter
Hollis (RHP, Purdue), Alex Johnson (LHP, North Alabama) Ryan Tow (RHP,
Arkansas-Monticello), junior left-hander Justin Fowlkes and junior righthanders Chandler Causey, Matt Loeffler and Clay Murphy are likely to have
an impact role. Highlighting the list of upcoming prospects are sophomore righthander Brayden Green and left-hander Adam Hall.
Catcher Jesse Kelley (Union) has shown tremendous work ethic and
improvement over his career and will get the nod behind the plate. Loeffler and
Phillips are each expected to see catching duties during the year as well.
On the Infield, Phillips is set to man first base, with Junior Jacob Gill backing
him up and a left-handed bat off the bench. The middle infield has four
competing for time: Senior CJ Fleming (Christian Brothers), Senior Austin
Hall (Memphis - football) and twin brothers Parker and Peyton Cathey
(2016s). All four have showed the signs to have success. Third base is still a
question mark any of the infielders mentioned above could man the hot corner,
as could Juniors Murphy, Causey and Southaven transfer Corbin Thurmon.
In the outfield, Hicks and Sutton will roam when not on the mound. Seniors
Fulton Johnson (Mississippi College), Bryan Doss, Tow; Juniors Fowlkes and
Gill; and sophomore Adam Hall are competing for the third and fourth outfield
spot.
Hopkins thinks the Dragons have the tools they need to battle for a District 15
title, regional and sectional championships, especially with their balance and
depth. If they can stay healthy and mesh as a team, the Dragons could be
looking at a chance to return to Murfreesboro and reclaim the State
Championship earned in 2013.