JOHN DAY After a successful 2012 baseball season, when Grant Union finished with a 14-10-1 record, the Prospectors are back for more.

The quest for success comes amid some unknowns, as the Prospectors move to the 2A/1A Special District 7. The Prospectors have never been matched up against three of their opponents in the new conference.

Roster

The Prospectors varsity squad has fielded 12 players seven returning seniors and five juniors.

Grant Union also has a formidable junior varsity squad consisting of seven freshmen and two sophomores who could have the potential to be strong varsity and junior varsity swingers, according to coach Brian Delaney.

The arms

This years team features a diverse pitching trio and strong relievers. Jordan Ackerman, Rayce Houser, and Lane Williams will be the starters on the mound for Grant Union.

All three of our pitchers have been clocked in the range of 78-82 mph, said Delaney. They all want the ball, they are competitive, and they are all extremely tough to face.

Ackerman has a strong fast ball, and mixes in three other pitches, said Delaney. He has an effective curve, slider, and is one of the few pitchers in this league who can throw an effective knuckle ball.

Houser throws hard and is able to keep the ball low. He has a good curve and change-up, Delaney said. Williams has a hard 2-string fast ball, and a deadly, tight inside curve.

Overall outlook

Delaney said the Pros plan to fight hard in every game, and always put their best foot forward.

He cited the teams internal optimism as an asset.

The Prospectors set a goal to finish the season with a .978 fielding percentage, which is committing one and a half errors per game on average. They hope that this goal will help them finish undefeated in the district, and gain them a chance at state.

Ultimately, we have set a goal to make it to state and win, said Delaney.

The skinny

Offensively, the entire Prospector hitting lineup can can hit to all fields. Delaney said batters No. 3-7 have the potential to be power hitters, and the No. 8 and 9 hitters are strong as well, wrapping up solid lineup.

Our lead-off hitter is possibly one of the fastest guys in the state, said Delaney. Every player can put the ball in play, moving runners and not just trying to hit home runs.

Delaney is confident in his relief batters as well.

We have guys who can come off the bench and not miss a beat, said Delaney.

Defensively, the Prospectors are solid.

We are exceptionally strong defensively, and we have good chemistry, said Delaney. We only had one error against Pilot Rock, and I feel really good about our offense.

The Prospectors focus on quick hands and feet and fielding fundamentals.

Pilot Rock, 10-0 shut-out in 5 innings

In their first outing on March 12, the Prospectors broke the silence in the bottom of the second inning to score the first run. However, the Pros didnt hit their full stride until the fourth and fifth innings as they dialed in to the Rockets pitching game.

David DesJardin came to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out and Kolton Boethin on first, to hit a deep double off the wall and an RBI. The action began an irreversible fourth-inning surge.

Doubles by Dalton Reimers and DesJardin and a triple by Boethin fueled the 9-0 fourth- and fifth-inning rally.

Jordan Ackerman had two RBIs, DesJardin had three, Soren Larsen had two, and Reimers hit one.

The Prospectors tallied only one fielding error, 10 quality at-bats, and 51-33 pitching from Ackerman and 26-16 pitching from Lane Williams, opening the season with determination and focus.

Ackerman allowed one groundout and three fly-outs in 84 pitches, while Williams allowed for one groundout and two fly-outs in 42 pitches.

The Prospectors will hit the road Wednesday, March 20, to take on Ridgeview High School at 2 p.m. in Redmond. The road trip continues Thursday, March 21, as the Pros travel to Stanfield to take on the Stanfield/Echo Tigers in a doubleheader at 12 p.m.