Grizzly Baseball Team Finds Success In Region 3
May 15, 2015 07:16PM ● By Greg James
The Grizzlies Cody Barkdull leads the team with four doubles and one triple. Photo courtesy of Copper Hills Baseball Boosters
West Jordan - The Copper Hills Grizzlies boys baseball team has had a rocky start to the season, but since they began playing against the other Region 3 teams they have found some success.
The Grizzlies preseason was marred by nine straight losses. Six of those losses came by three runs or less.
“We started our season very slow. This team is completely different from last year’s. We have figured things out and started to play together and believe in each other. Since the beginning of the year we have changed every position player,” head coach John Morgan said.
They appeared determined to make an impression on the Brighton Bengals in their first region series. They scored six runs in their first inning against Brighton and won 12-6, 4-1 and 17-7 in their three-game series.
The 2015 Copper Hills boys baseball team. Photo courtesy of Copper Hills Baseball Boosters
The Grizzlies swept Alta 16-2, 14-4 and 8-3. They then lost two of three to West Jordan and two of three to Jordan. At press time they are tied with Jordan for second place with an 8-4 record.
“We have jumped on Cody’s [Barkdull] back. Our team has picked up enthusiasm from him. He has the tools to become a big time player. He is a leader on our team,” Morgan said.
Barkdull has committed to the College of Southern Idaho to play baseball after he graduates. He is hitting .371 this season and has three homeruns.
“Our preseason was terrible. I do whatever the coaches need me to do. I know my bat [hitting] is very important to our team. Defensively, I can play anywhere they need me to,” Barkdull said.
Junior Trevor Hoffman and senior Jordan Johnson (JJ) are the leaders of a Grizzlies pitching staff that has struck out 121 hitters collectively. Hoffman has a 3.31 earned run average and Johnson 2.29.
“Trevor is a lefty that has had some interest from colleges. He is sneaky fast and always wants to pitch all the time. J.J. has done a great job. He has a changeup that goes with his fastball. He is able to get the ground balls from the other teams. Our defense needs to play well behind him,” Morgan said.
The Grizzlies close out the season against Bingham May 4, 5 and 6 (after press deadline).
The state baseball tournament is scheduled to begin May 12.
