Loaded lineup

PALMER — Last season, the Colony Knights finished undefeated in region play, won their fourth Southcentral Conference title in program history and capped the year with a third-place finish in the ASAA state tournament.

And this year, the Knights may be even better.

“With what we’ve got, this team is better than last year,” Colony head coach Jamie Mayo said after his Knights handed rival Palmer a 12-4 defeat.

Colony opened the win, putting 10 hitters on base during an eight-run first inning. At one point, the Knights collected five straight singles, helping prove Mayo’s belief that Colony may just have its most potent lineup during his 16 years as head coach.

“Originally I started by saying (hitter) one through seven, this is the best group we’ve had,” Mayo said. “Based on the last several games, I’m going to have to expand that to one through nine. We’ve got some kids at that bottom of our order that are really hitting the ball well.”

The lineup is so solid, Mayo said, it’s hard to even list a few notables.

“I’ve got to name everybody,” he said.

Steven Sinnett has played well in the leadoff role, he said. Veterans Mike Wagner, J.D. Mayo, Matt Packa, Rhowe Stefanski, Kody Ziter and Colter Peterson are all putting together impressive numbers. Youngsters Damon Hammer and Taylor Palmer are also contributing.

“They’ve all hit the ball well,” Mayo said. “We’ve got some good hitters on this team. If a pitcher makes a mistake, they’re going to have a problem.”

Colony lost only three players to graduation last year.

“Granted one of them was Chris Breck, who was the No. 1 hitter in the conference and the No. 1 pitcher in the conference,” Mayo said. “That’s a big loss.”

Colony did lose a pair of players due to eligibility prior to the year. With the combined losses, Mayo said the Knights do not have the depth they did a year ago, but the younger players who have come in to fill the void are giving Colony arguably the best lineup Mayo’s seen.

Two of the players who have filled large holes are Hammer and Taylor.

Hammer, a freshman, has taken over at shortstop. Palmer, a sophomore, is at second base.

“Those guys have stepped up and done a great job,” Mayo said.

Despite the loss of Breck on the mound, Mayo said Colony’s pitching staff could also be better in 2009.

Peterson has inherited Breck’s spot as the staff ace. Packa is back as Colony’s No. 2 starter, and Stefanski, has also pitched well, Mayo said.

Wagner has been Mayo’s top choice out of the bullpen.

Mayo said he would like to work some younger arms into the rotation, but the veterans have pitched so well, the Knights simply haven’t needed the extra help.

As of the win over Palmer, Colony stood 6-3 overall and 5-0 in Southcentral play. The Knights won the first two of their five games that factor into qualifying for the state tourney. Colony played Wasilla at Hermon Brothers on Monday, but that score was unavailable prior to press time.

Colony have another state qualifying game against Soldotna on Saturday, and the Knights will continue their quest for not only their fifth conference title but another berth to the state tournament.

This year, Colony also has the added incentive to play in a state tournament in which the Knights are hosting.

Mayo said, as long as the Knights play to their potential, Colony is capable of a lot this season.

“If this group of kids stays focused the whole game and attacks, I think we’ve got a great chance to not only make the state tournament, but get into the championship game,” Mayo said. “Obviously there’s a lot of things that have to go right for us and wrong for other teams, but talent-wise, I think we’ve got the ability to do it.”

The eight-team state tourney is scheduled for June 4-6 at Hermon Brothers.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.