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High school baseball story lines

By Star Tribune, 04/08/14, 10:22PM CDT

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Story lines for 2014

1 TOUGH TO

DEFEND CROWN

Mounds View is the Class 3A defending state champion. Now comes the task of successfully trying to defend that crown. No team has since Cretin-Derham Hall accomplished the feat in 1997 and 1998. Since then 13 schools have won the title over a 15-year period. Mark Downey replaces Jon Nuss at the helm of the Mustangs. Nuss was relieved of his coaching duties two months after winning the state title. Downey previously coached the Mustangs from 2007-10.

 

2 NOT AS MUCH

STAR POWER

The senior class of 2013 had an abundance of talent, and two elite players in Ryan Boldt, now at Nebraska, and Logan Shore, playing at Florida. The best of this year’s group is Mounds View lefthanded pitcher/1B Sam Hentges. The Arkansas recruit has been named to the Louisville Slugger preseason high school All-America team.

 

3 PITCHING AT

A PREMIUM

With section play roughly six weeks away, pitching depth will be the big concern for coaches during the regular season. Another long winter has meant the boys of summer have logged plenty of gym time this spring instead of practicing outside. The first games officially could have been played March 27.

 

4 BROTHERLY LOVE

IN CLASSIC SUBURBAN

Brothers Charlie and Tony Cicalello grew up in St. Paul, playing for perennial power Cretin-Derham Hall. Now they get to go head-to-head as coaches after accepting positions in the Classic Suburban Conference. Charlie has been hired to guide Hill-Murray while Tony returns to St. Thomas Academy, where he coached from 2006-08.

 

5 STATE TOURNAMENT TAKES ON A NEW LOOK

So much for the best pitchers on each team taking to the hill in the championship matchups. The state tournament will be played on three consecutive days this year. Previously, there were two days off between the semifinals and finals, allowing most teams’ No. 1 pitcher an opportunity to start two games (quarterfinals and championship) in the state tournament.

RON HAGGSTROM

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