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Phantoms hope magic<br>carries over into 2003 season

On the final day of the 2002 season, the Grand Canyon High School baseball team performed a little magic. Mitchell Walker hit two home runs in the first game and sophomore Shane Cox sent a game-winning shot into the street in the second game to give Grand Canyon a pair of 11-10 wins over Ash Fork in games played at Williams.

Shane Cox is mobbed at home plate by his teammates after hitting a home run in last year’s season finale. Coach Andrew Aldaz hopes Cox will bring some power to the lineup this season.

The Phantoms will be hoping that magic carries over into 2003. All-star players Walker and Michael Vincent graduated, but coach Andrew Aldaz feels the team has plenty of talent returning.

"We have a lot of players back this year," Aldaz said. "A lot of them have been playing for four years and are more versatile."

The roster includes 15 players, which is typical for Grand Canyon’s baseball program. Aldaz has five seniors and three juniors on the team with the other seven being sophomores and freshmen.

Pitching will be important and the Phantoms lost Vincent, who played in a state all-star game last season. Miles Hunter, Tempy Walker and Danny Vincent, all sophomores, will be in the spotlight this year.

"We lost Mike, he was a guy who did it all last year," Aldaz said. "That puts a lot of pressure on Miles, Tempy and Danny. They’re the most experienced players. Tempy and Miles did really well while we had them on the team and Danny did a pretty good job with pitching."

Behind the plate, Grand Canyon actually goes deep with three players interested in those duties. Joe Wilkerson, senior, did a lot of catching last year for the Phantoms and Miles Hunter has experience behind the mask as well. Sophomore David Robinson and freshman Jesse Hunter would also like to catch and will be working out there in preparation for the future.

Around the infield, the Phantoms will be experimenting in preseason drills to determine their opening-day lineup.

Vincent, Wilkerson and Ed Hazlett will see time at first base. Newcomer Travis Schmidt, senior, could also play some first base along with third base. Aldaz has Walker penciled in at shortstop, along with Hazlett. Cox appears to have the inside track on third base, but could also play some first base.

Younger players like Jesse Hunter and Robinson will plug needed holes. Miles Hunter, Robinson and Wilkerson are listed as "everything" on the preseason sheet for positions.

In the outfield, Chris Mickelson and John Gabaldon return, along with student manager-turned-player Matt Hender. Seniors Shaun Cochran and Travis Schmidt, along with freshman Brian Schmidt will also see time in the outfield.

The Phantoms will be looking forward to this weekend’s Phoenix Country Day School Tournament. It will be the first time Grand Canyon will play on an actual baseball diamond. The baseball field is torn up because of a sprinkler system installation and when they moved down to the lower field with the softball team, heavy snowfall set in.

"Not doing a lot of practicing really hurts us," Aldaz said. "Playing baseball in the spring is an annual problem we have to deal with. The Phoenix tournament will give us some time on the field."

Grand Canyon’s schedule this season is heavy on travel and light on home games. Athletic directors at Grand Canyon and Seligman have been trying to work out a scheduling problem and the latest word is those two schools will meet April 23. If that holds true, that would be Grand Canyon’s first home game.

The only other home games are set for April 25 against Joseph City, although other home games may be added if opponents can be found.

Aldaz said Joseph City should be the favorite to take the conference crown. "They have the numbers, it’s tough to compete against them," he said.

It all begins Friday and Saturday in the tournament at Phoenix.

"Overall, I think baseball is a good program for the kids," Aldaz said. "It gives them something to do in the spring."


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