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Harrington leads area youngbloods

By Dave Rogers

The Port Arthur News

Port Neches-Groves’ baseball coach Jay Stone doesn’t mince words when talking about junior Eric Harrington.

“He’s the total package,†Stone said of the player who was District 20-4A newcomer of the year last season.

“He’s a great hitter and he should be one of the better pitchers in our area.

“He’s multi-talented. He can play any position out there. We’ve had him everywhere but first base. He can catch or play any infield position. He’s a very good outfielder, too.â€

Harrington batted over .300 last year, but pitched very little. PN-G was blessed with four senior pitchers then, all of whom ended up getting college scholarships.

The mound beckons Harrington this year and Stone expects him to succeed.

“He has a very strong arm he’s gifted with,†Stone says of the right-handed brother of former PN-G standout and current Lamar lefty Allen Harrington.

“And Eric has some different off-speed pitches. The thing that makes him successful is he’s constantly throwing strikes. Whether it’s a fastball or an off-speed pitch, they’re strikes.â€

Whether it’s third base, where he started most of last season, or shortstop, where he’s been working some this winter, Harrington will be a regular in the PN-G lineup.

And he’ll take a prominent place among what many people are saying is an outstanding junior class for area baseball teams.

From Ozen lefty D.D. Lott, to Vidor shortstop V.J. Bunner, to Bridge City catcher Casey Jackson, to the Nederland duo of Ryan Sampere and Aaron McFarland, area 11th-graders have the pro and college scouts drooling.

Harrington is just one of nine juniors PN-G will carry on its roster when it opens the 2007 baseball season Thursday at the La Porte tournament.

The Indians, who compiled a 14-18 season record and finished third in district before losing to Brenham in the area round of the playoffs, have two other juniors who started last year as 10th-graders, catcher Jon Carnahan and infielder Drew Barnett.

Outfielders Matt Johnson and Brett Doty are juniors who have impressed Stone with their hitting.

Harrington and senior Shawn Flores are expected to be PN-G’s top two pitchers this season.

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