Bridgeport High School baseball Coach Robert Shields knows about pressure. In fact, he welcomes it because he knows it’s already there.

 

This year, much like the last two, the pressure is already ratcheted up. The reason for that is simple – the Indians go into the year as the three-time defending Class AA state champions.

 

“The expectation for this team, and I want it to be a known expectation, is to get back to Charleston. Pressure follows us and when you’ve done well, it should,” said Shields, who is now at the 30-year mark of coaching and counting. “Not just us, but I would think most coaches are setting their goals to win it all. You have to set your goals high and our goals are the same every year.”

The goals may be the same even if the roster isn’t. Several multiple-year starters and all-staters are gone due to graduation for this year’s team. Just how well the Tribe does will begin to be determined this Thursday when the Tribe opens at Liberty with a 4:30 p.m. contest.

 

Last year, BHS went 30-6 and moved strongly at states to its third straight title in Charleston. What many may not remember is they had to rally from a 6-5 deficit in a postseason elimination game against Grafton to stay alive.

 

BHS won the game 10-6 before rolling through the rest of the postseason. If they get back to Charleston, they’ll use the same formula that worked well last year – depth.

 

“That was do or die and our kids responded. The wins at the state tournament were obviously huge, but a lot of people forget about how we responded to the pressure of that Grafton game,” said Shields. “I already knew we were a tough team with leaders last year, but that game exposed it. I want to see the same thing this year. We need to find leaders and when that happens, you go from having talent to having a team.

 

“The good thing is I think we have leadership from our seniors,” Shields continued. “They’ve grown and matured so we’ll see how things turn out.”

 

The Indians will likely get plenty of leadership from senior catcher Drew Hefner. The all-stater logged a ton of innings behind the plate last year and will be counted on for the same this year.

 

“He’s going to need to be a leader on the field and the dugout. He’s got to produce offensively and defensively and I expect him to do that. When it comes to handling pitchers, I don’t think there’s a better catcher in the state,” said Shields. “He’s a pretty complete package as a player.”

 

The Indians, who will again play an aggressive schedule, have players to turn to if Hefner needs a rest. Senior Andrew Barker and juniors Sebastian Meade and Brice Haines can play if necessary at catcher.

 

At first base, the versatile Brine Takahashi – who Shields called a legitimate infield utility player – will likely get the nod there when not on the mound. Barker will also see some starts there, while junior Noah Drummond rounds out a position that will see players shuffled frequently.

 

Second base was the domain of J.T. Harris last year, but it is now the home to junior Koby Kiefer. Shields said Kiefer got several starts, and responded well, when Harris went out with an injury in 2016. Kiefer has plenty of players that can spell him in junior Tyler Pitzer, who is also a utility player, and Takahashi.

 

Harris wasn’t demoted, but instead the senior has been moved to shortstop. Harris has great range and Shields said he’s worked hard on his arm strength with the switch to short where he’ll be forced to go deeper into the hole and make longer throws than during his time at second. Pitzer will likely spell Harris if needed.

 

Chapin Murphy, who got the start at third base in the state title game last year by “busting his tail in practice in May,” didn’t relinquish the spot. Murphy will be backed up by junior Nate Cole, who could also see time at first base.

 

The outfield, according to Shields, could be the team’s strength. He said it’s deep and talented.

 

“Our outfield is good. It’s one of the deepest units I’ve had and we’ve had some good groups in the past,” said Shields.

 

In leftfield, junior Cooper Hineman will see the bulk of the time. He’ll be backed up by senior Seth Friel, who could also see time as a designated hitter.

 

In centerfield, the tandem of Braden Lesher and John Merica, both juniors, lend plenty of speed to that position. Senior Chris Lhotsky, who will see time there and in the lineup also as a pinch runner due to his speed, could also spell those players.

 

In right field, seniors Gordon Swiger and Haden Miller will handle the bulk of the innings. A lot of who starts will depend upon who’s pitching as well as who has the hot hand at the plate.

 

“A lot of times we have someone batting for our pitcher so that causes a lot of changes in the lineup,” said Shields. “You’ll likely see that again this year.”

Sophomore Tim Via will be able to back up at all the outfield positions and is currently the only sophomore on the varsity roster. He’ll also be able to back up at first base if needed.

 

As always, it will be pitching that will make or break the team. Last year, the Indians proved they had more depth than anyone imagined – including Shields – when the top two starters returning in Logan Smith and Jared Cleghorn were lost for the season due to injuries.

 

“Gordon and Brine will be out two leaders this year and they both had a leading role last year,” said Shields. “The good news is that they worked hard in the offseason and it is showing in our preseason.”

 

Those injuries last year opened the door for Hineman, Murphy and Lesher to get innings they may not have otherwise received. That should benefit the team this year.

 

“They had to step up due to those arm injuries last year,” said Shields. “They’re not raw like they would have possibly been and now they’re going to be a key to what type of success we have this season.”

 

The Indians pitching staff only has one lefty. Haden Miller will log a lot of innings, said the coach, and he added that it’s key that he is able to locate his pitches for strikes.

 

Who else is available?

 

Shields said Kiefer has improved his arm strength, while Pitzer is coming off of a solid jayvee campaign and a strong summer of pitching. Merica, Zia, Lhotsky and Cole also will figure into the rotation this year.

 

“We’ll need a lot of arms because we plan on playing as many games as we’re allowed with good weather,” said Shields. “We’ve got another pretty solid schedule.”

 

Along with many of the local powerful Harrison County and Big 10 teams, the Indians will play George Washington and St. Albans, will battle Class AAA power Jefferson again and will have a twinbill during their annual road trip to Potomac Falls, Va. The Indians will also battle Woodrow Wilson, Frankfort and McDowell High School from Erie, Pa., in the McDonald’s Classic.

 

“I think it’s possible to have another title run. This group has to have the right temperament because early on I’ve seen a few kids get down too easy. We want that structured as a staff to have everyone even keeled,” said Shields. “The good news is that we have enough depth on the bench that if someone is sulking a bit or has their head down we can bring someone in. Sometimes the best way to keep them on an even keel is have them sit a bit to understand what we need. I have faith, though, that won’t be an issue.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.