CRESTVIEW — Expectations are high for Crestview High School's baseball team.
The Bulldogs have made the playoffs three straight years under Coach Tim Gillis, and this year’s team should once again be in the playoff hunt in the new District 2-7A, where Niceville, Navarre and Milton join them.
“Three of the four teams were in the playoffs last year and they didn’t lose anybody (to graduation)," Gillis said. "We are going to have our work cut out for us."
Players to watch:
●Shortstop Corey Armstrong — who leads Crestview’s offense and recently signed with Northwest Florida State College — is the reigning Hitter of the Year.
●Zach Degraaf hit .420 last season and is expected to have another big year.
●Devin Wimmer and Matt French, who return after missing the 2015 season with injuries, will bolster CHS's offense. “Those guys swing the bat really well and are a threat in the lineup,” Gillis said.
●“We have Austin Polk, who is back," Gillis said. "We have Colter Hancock … he’s been solid for us his whole career. Dayne Justice, Alik Whited, BA Larkins also are back.”
●Blake Vann, a transfer from Nebraska, could have an impact on the team.
●Hancock, Jeremy Willis and Ryan Weekley lead the Bulldog pitching staff. Matthew Bottom, Seth Forrest, French, Trey Herring and Armstrong are pitchers who could help on the mound.
“These guys have been in the program three, now four years and they’ve been to the playoffs every year,” Gillis said. “They know what it’s about and what it takes.
"They also know it’s a long season and they have to keep progressing and get better as the year goes on.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Batter up: Crestview Bulldogs ready for 2016 season