KFDM COOP Posted February 16, 2008 Report Posted February 16, 2008 PN-G expectations remain high By Cody Pastorella The Port Arthur News PORT NECHES — As far as typical standards for success in baseball at Port Neches-Groves go, the Tribe had a pretty average season last year. PN-G went 18-12 overall and 11-3 in District 22-4A where it finished second behind Little Cypress-Mauriceville. But 11-3 in district and a playoff berth would suit a lot of teams just fine. In fact, with the youth in last year's Indian squad, second place in this district was very respectable. "Every year we come out with the expectations and with the goals that we are going to win district, go to the playoffs, get to state and win state," said PN-G head coach Jay Stone. "I think that's what every team has to believe at the beginning of each year. If you can't think big, you can't achieve big." Stone went on to say his bunch is still young in a lot of positions, said there are questions in the outfield and the district is as tough as ever. What the Tribe does have is the experience from last year's district dog fight, where LC-M, PN-G and Vidor advanced to the postseason, leaving Nederland at home for a rare change. What the Tribe also has is two seniors who Stone expects to lead his team in a very nice direction, maybe the same direction Allen Harrington and Jason Stutes did in 2004, when the Indians made a trip to State. This year's seniors are Jon Carnahan and Allen's younger brother, Eric Harrington. Last season, Harrington hit for a .340 average and posted a 10-2 pitching record with an ERA of 2.52. Carnahan, meanwhile, batted for a .300 average last season. Other returning starters for the Tribe include senior J. J. Garcia, who hit for a .350 average last season, junior Jerin Spikes and sophomores Blake Reyenga and Kane Benoit. Spikes, a pitcher, posted a 1-1 record last season with a 1.35 ERA. Joining Spikes and Harrington on the mound, will be Mitch Todd, who in limited innings picked up one win and never surrendered a run. PN-G kicks off its regular season Tuesday night at home against Kelly. That game is set to start at 4:30 p.m. February 21-23, the Tribe will be in the LaPorte Tournament. February 28 through March 1, PN-G will be in the West Brook tournament and March 6-8, it will be in the Lufkin Tournament. The Indians travel to Ozen March 11 for their first district contest. All league games are set to start at 7 p.m. "District is going to be tough," Stone said. "It always is tough and it seems it's only getting tougher. But I think it's that level of competition that makes baseball so great down here."
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