Maplewood Richmond Heights Baseball Season to Begin Wednesday

The baseball team has a mix of returning veterans and talented freshmen this season, and head baseball coach Jonathan Webb expects great things from his Blue Devils squad.

This will be . He graduated from MRH in 2007 and worked as an assistant coach for two years following his graduation. He said his team is versatile, and he likes how well players progressed through last season. MRH won eight of its last 12 games in 2010.

"They had a lot of momentum heading into the last game," Webb said.

Webb commended his seniors for working at new positions this year. He shuffled players such as Tony Bidenstein and Charles BoClair from their natural positions to fill gaps on defense.

Bidenstein played outfield last year but will take over at third base and pitch some. Webb said he's handling the transition well.

"He's really showing his ability," he said.

BoClair played centerfield last season but got moved to second base. Webb said BoClair has worked hard during practice.

"He's a guy who really leads by example. He doesn't talk much, but when he's going at it, guys take notice," he said.

Senior Kevin Sapp will be the team's ace pitcher. Sapp went 3-2 last year with a 2.56 ERA over 27.3 innings, according to STLhighschoolsports.com.

"He had a strong year last year. We're really looking forward to seeing big things out of him," Webb said.

Sapp will be tested early when he takes the mound against McCluer in the Blue Devils' home opener at 4 p.m. Wednesday.