2017 TAPPS DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONS - EMERY JAGUARS
2018 RETURNING STRENGTH TEAM PREVIEWS - EMERY JAGUARS
by Randy Byers - Houston 5A Baseball
for Texas Prep Baseball - Copyright 2018
The Emery Jaguars sent a message to the baseball world in 2017; 4-years of hard work can pay off. That certainly rings true with the Jags run to the TAPPS Div II State Championship Semi Final where they defeated heavily favored Second Baptist Eagles and then defeated a strong Fort Worth Christian team in the Championship to bring the hardware home to Houston. In 2018 Coach Adams and Staff must find a way to replace the abundance of production lost with the graduation of Evan Sack, Jacob Grzebinski, and Michael Ran; three of the most talented players across all baseball classifications in Texas.
It is not doom or gloom for the Jags in 2018 as they return H5AB, All-Houston, Ben Blachman, Coby Lowenstein, Joe Sondock, and three other starters as well as five other lettermen and a host of talent from the rising classes. Playing in by far, the most difficult division/district in TAPPS Baseball, the Emery Jags will have to be at the top of their game to avoid the shots they are sure to get from their Div II, District 7 foes in 2018.
SCHOOL NAME & MASCOT:
Emery High School Jaguars
DISTRICT:
TAPPS Division II District 7
HEAD COACH & RECORD:
Adrian Adams (79-67-3 in 5 seasons at Emery, 123-160-3 overall record)
ASST COACHES:
Michael Jonkins, Aaron Reichek, Dado Rodriguez
PREVIOUS SEASON RECORD:
23-12 Overall, 8-2 District Runner-Up
PREVIOUS SEASON PLAY-OFFS:
TAPPS Division II State Champions
KEY LOSSES: PLAYERS:
Evan Sack – TAPPS Div. II 1st Team All-State / Private School All-Houston Hitter of The Year (Playing at McClennan Community College)
Jacob Grzebinski – TAPPS 2nd Team All-State / Private School All-Houston Pitcher (Playing at Georgetown University)
Michael Ran – 2nd Team All-District / Private School All-Houston Infielder (Playing Football at Pomona-Pitzer College)
RETURNING STARTERS, & HONORS
|
Ben Blachman |
Sr. |
SS/RHP |
2nd Team All-District Private School All-Houston Infield |
|
Noah Brener |
Sr. |
DH / LHP |
|
|
Coby Lowenstein |
Sr. |
Catcher |
TAPPS Div. II Honorable Mention All-State 1st Team All-District Private School All-Houston Catcher |
|
Joe Sondock |
Sr. |
LHP / 1B |
Signed with NCAA DI UNC Asheville TAPPS State All-Tournament Team TAPPS Division II 2nd Team All-State 1st Team All-District Private School All-Houston Utility Player |
|
Ryan Tiras |
Sr. |
OF / 3B |
2nd Team All-District |
|
Ethan Samuels |
Jr. |
DH / IF |
|
RETURNING PLAYERS:
Jr. - Aaron Newar, OF / RHP
Jr. – Max Karkowsky, 1B
So. – Gabe Sondock, OF
So. – Max McKee, OF
So. – Benji Hananel, MIF
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
Sr. – Jonathan Blum, 1B / 3B
Jr. – Mitchell Robbins, MIF / OF
Fr. – Josh Blum, 1B / 3B / RHP
Fr. – Alex Mintz, OF
Fr. – Brett Bazarsky, LHP / OF
Fr. – Max Roffwarg, MIF
FROM THE DUGOUT: 2017 was the season we’ve been waiting for in the Emery Baseball program. Over the years we had been building with players with varsity experience since their freshman season. All the hard work finally paid off with a TAPPS Division II State Championship. We return a solid core of players in 2018, and have a talented young group of players coming in. The goal still remains the same to be a solid contender within our tough TAPPS district and to make a run in the playoffs.
