BLUE DRAGONS PICKED 4TH IN KJCCC BASEBALL PRESEASON POLL
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
Coming off a 38-win season in 2022, the Hutchinson Community College baseball team is picked to finish in the middle of the pack in what should be an ultra-competitive Jayhawk West in 2023.
The Jayhawk Conference Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Thursday with the Blue Dragons picked to finish fourth this season, which opens on Thursday, February 7 at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Nebraska.
The fourth-place preseason pick is the lowest for the Blue Dragons since 2015. Last season the Dragons were picked third and wound up placing fifth in the Jayhawk West. The Blue Dragons went on the road for the Region VI Tournament and pulled off a 2-0 opening-round sweep of Fort Scott before finishing 2-2 in the Central District Tournament and closing the 2022 season with a 38-23 record.
The Blue Dragons are looking up at preseason favorite Barton, Butler and Cloud County in the preseason poll. Colby, Dodge City, Seward County Pratt and Garden City round out the rest of the 2023 preseason poll.
Head coach Ryan Schmidt begins his 11th season at the helm of the Blue Dragons. He is 354-192 in his first 10 seasons.
The 2023 Blue Dragons return seven pitchers and six position players from last season.
The Blue Dragons look to make a big improvement on the mound after the 2022 Blue Dragons posted a 6.65 earned-run average last season.
Ben Dandelet (2-1, 5.62 ERA) made 11 starts last season and returns as the most experienced starting pitcher. Reed Scott (1-1, 5.87 ERA, 4 saves) and Kaden Wickersham (3-2, 8.19 ERA, 3 saves) both return to lead the bullpen.
Offensively, outfielder Braedyn Sommer is the top returning batter for 2023. Serving as the designated hitter last season, Sommer returns to the outfield after hitting .366 with 48 total hits, seven home runs and 33 RBIS. Kael Babin (.308, 41 hits, 30 RBIs) also returns in an experienced outfield.
Sophomore Ryan Henderson (.311, 10 home runs, 41 RBIs) is the top returning infielder, playing primarily the corner infield positions last season.