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Preseason Preview: No. 6 ranked Raymore-Peculiar

March 8, 2013

The past few year Raymore-Peculiar has stared in the top half of the preseason rankings, but have had a tough time holding that spot with the tough competition in the Kansas City area. Once again this season, Ray-Pec is ranked No. 6 in the preseason, and has a solid core of five returning players who should help in remaining in the top half of the rankings. 

SS/RHP Storm Rynard will fill the role of No. 1 pitcher, as well as a middle of the line up contributor. Rynard is currently ranked No. 2 in Missouri and No. 12 in the combined rankings. The junior Arkansas commit has shown a 88-91 mph fastball, as well as setting the Midwest Future Games record with an infield velocity of 91-mph across the diamond.

Joining Rynard on the mound will be senior RHP Cort Lesmeister and LHP Hunter Phillips. Lesmeister (ranked No. 37 in the Missouri Class of 2013, and Pittsbugh State signee) has a mid-80s fastball and the experience to lead, with this his third year on varsity. Phillips saw some time on the mound in 2012 as a junior, and is expected to be a solid presence this season. 

Offensively Rynard, 2B Mason Newell, C Jordan VanTrump, and 1B/DH Jake Scribner should provide enough offense to stay competitive and give Ray-Pec a chance to win. OF Austyn Cochran also has the potential to provide some power to the line up, and combined with Scribner should drive in plenty of runs.

With a good chuck of their pitching staff back, combined with some established top notch players and some up and comers who look to contribute immediately, Raymore-Peculiar has the pieces to be a competitive team this season and try to knock off Liberty as the top team in the Big 6 conference.

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