Shorthanded Vikings making ends meet

By: Brad Norman | Mooresville Tribune
Published: March 10, 2010

South Iredell's baseball team is making the most of a tough situation.

Expected to return several key contributors from last year's playoff team, the Vikings are gutting it out early in the season with more new faces than they thought.

"It's been rough," South coach Trey Ramsey said. "I thought we were going to be senior heavy and get off to a quick start. Instead, we're off to a pretty slow start after the first two games. Four would-be starters didn't try out for various reasons, and three of those were unrelated to baseball.

"That's real tough. It's been tough mentally for our players, but we'll find a way through it."

The Vikings essentially have a brand-new infield this year.

Sophomore Colby Dishmond played some first base last year, but he is likely going to just be the designated hitter for the time being.

With a rocket arm and a big frame, it was South's intention to pair Dishmond with ace Chris Dula to give South a nice one-two punch.

But Dishmond was injured before a preseason scrimmage this year.

"That's probably been the hardest one to take," Ramsey said. "He's such a hard-working kid. Something just popped before a scrimmage while warming up in bullpen."

That, of course, affects the rest of South's rotation.

Guys like Cory Cerven and Eric Hinceman will probably have to pitch more innings than usual.

"The kids all work hard, and the kids stay after to get work done," Ramsey said. "They're good kids, and that's the one thing that takes away some of those frustrations."

With 11 players on varsity right now, South welcomed the addition of three transfers from Mooresville.

Hinceman, a senior, along with junior Tyler Marlowe and sophomore Ryan Mullins are first-year players for South Iredell.

"They didn't play baseball at Mooresville, but I think they'll help us out," Ramsey said.

Marlowe was the starting pitcher in South's game last week against West Iredell. Hinceman can also pitch.

When not on the mound, they will likely help make up the new infield: Hinceman at first base, Mullins at second and Marlowe at third.