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Local Sports

Local sports in the Panhandle are not just a game, they are a lifestyle. Our community eats, sleeps and breathes cheering on our local athletes.
News13 is On Your “Sidelines” bringing you more than the score.
News13’s Stephen Gunter is committed to giving you stories of the Panhandle’s top athletes, intriguing match-ups and unusual sports you may not even know exist.
sgunter@wmbb.com

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Opening Day Not Far Away

PANAMA CITY - The Gulf Coast Community College baseball season should be an interesting one.  The Co-Panhandle Conference Champions are only returning five players from last year’s team that chalked up a 40-10 season. 

Despite lacking experience, the 2007 Commodores are ranked 12th nationally.

Thirteen freshman are on the roster.  Five are local guys, including pitchers Ben Francis (Mosley), Kyle Mitchell (Mosley), and Curt Trexler (Bay), catcher Eddie Cassidy (Mosley), and outfielder Drew Benton (Rutherford).

The Commodores also acquired two transfer players, Scott Beckwith (U. Conn.) and Alex Kubal (Concordia University).

Head coach Mike Kandler needs his guys to grow-up fast for Panhandle Conference competition.

“The conference isn’t going to go away,” Kandler said.  “It’s been good for 20, 30, 40 years that’s not going to change. 

“One way to figure it out and that’s to get in it.  That’s why we’re playing Young Harris from the start.  We want our guys to see good competition. ‘Cause come March 9th when we open up with Chipola, they’re going to get a dose of real baseball.”

Gulf Coast opens the season on Saturday with a double-header against Young Harris (GA) at Bill Frazier Field.  First pitch is scheduled for noon.

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