By BUTCH HARMON
When it comes to bringing heat from the mound, few teams can rival the hard-throwing arms that the Portland baseball team has this spring.
In senior pitchers Tanner Allison and Andrew Click, Portland has as hard-throwing a duo as any team in the state. The pair helped Portland to a 21-14 record last year and a second-place finish to Grand Ledge in the Diamond Classic.
“Tanner and Andrew may hit 90 mph on their fastballs,” coach John Davids said.
Allison and Click, along with fellow senior Austen Brandt, also get the job done at the plate. Allison hit a scorching .491 last year, with 16 doubles, four triples, 29 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. Brandt hit .367, with 10 doubles, 34 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases. Click was Portland’s power source last year, as he hit .276 with eight home runs, seven doubles, and 27 RBI.
All three players will be playing college baseball next year, as Allison signed with Western Michigan University, and Click and Brandt have signed with Davenport University.
Blending in with the veterans are some skilled newcomers, including senior Tyler Schrauben, who is returning from an injury; junior Clay Morris; and sophomore Noah Hengesbach.
“We need to develop a young inexperienced infield,” Davids said. “All of the 2013 infielders are gone with the exception of catcher Andrew Click.”
Even so, with the return of Allison, Brandt, and Click, the season looks promising for Portland. The trio has combined for 62 wins over the last three seasons and has won two district championships and reached the regional final twice.