By Bobby Allen

SDN Sports Editor

After losing thre e of their four pitchers to graduation, the main mystery for the Snyder Tigers heading into the 2004 season would be on the mound.

And with opening day on the horizon Tuesday at Abilene Wylie, head coach Charles Bollinger feels like the team is in prime position to contend for a district title with quiver full of arms and a versatile line-up.

“Right now, I feel pretty good about the team,” he said. “Pitching was going to be a question, but we worked a lot of kids and have eight or nine guys who can throw.”

Bollinger said the Tigers, who took third in District 3-3A last season and beat Midland Greenwood for the bi-district title, have a line-up of players that can man three different positions and have gotten solid leadership from seniors Blake Grimmett and Bradley Price.

“Blake and Brad have been awesome leaders,” he said. “They are taking the young guys under their wing -- it’s like having assistant coaches on the field.”

Grimmett will handle second base again this season, and also will see time on the mound, while Price takes over centerfield this year, moving Marcus Villarreal to right field -- maximizing Price’s range and Villarreal’s strong arm.

“Bradley is quick and gets a good jump on the ball, and I wanted a stronger arm in right field.”

Bollinger said he challenged his charges to master three positions to help give the team flexibility in the lineup and the pitching rotation.

“The big key for us this year is there is a lot of depth,” Bollinger said.

Losing seniors Chance Greenwood, Tyler Trout and Logan Hill during the offseason left a gaping hole in the rotation, but Bollinger has gotten strong showings on the hill from freshman Ryan Mitchell -- who pitched two shutout innings against both Midland Lee and Lubbock High in the final two scrimmages -- and sophomore Lico Castillo.

The Tigers gave up just six runs in 12 innings against Lubbock High, which is one of the best 5A clubs in the region.

The emergence of the two from the JV squad, as well as first baseman Jordan Dea, did not surprise the second-year coach.

“I expected them all to compete hard and be successful at this level,” he said.

Ty Collier will get the opening day start, and from there, Bollinger has several options to choose from, including Nathan Hernandez and Alex Neal, which also will help the defense.

“Our defense is pretty salty,” he said. “Our pitchers can step on the hill full of confidence. They can throw strikes and let the defense make plays.”

Sophomore catcher Eric Martinez has been effective behind the plate during the scrimmages, showing quick movement to go with his rifle arm.

“And he’s just going to keep getting better,” Bollinger stated.

The pitching depth also gives Bollinger more leeway when one of the pitchers is missing his spots or fatigued.

“With so many pitchers, all of them are not going to have to be on every day.”

Senior Isaac Ramon returns to third base this season, with Hernandez able to man the hot corner, also.

Marcus Rodriguez, who worked some at third last year, takes over as the full-time shortstop, while Collier, Castillo and Hadley Hunt round out the outfield.

Bollinger said the Tigers will be even more aggressive on the base paths than last year because of their speed.

“We’ve got guys who can steal and several know they’ve got the green light once they get on. It gives them a lot more leeway on the base paths,” he said.

The team hit well against Midland Greenwood, but was not as effective against the top flight pitching of Midland Lee and Lubbock High.

“It’s going to come around once guys get the timing down,” he said. “We are going to have nine guys who can produce.”

The Tigers open at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Abilene Wylie, and will debut at home at noon Saturday with a doubleheader against Pecos.