Members of Brewer High School’s 2015 baseball team, from left are (front) Josh Colbey, Zach Kodra, Zack Self, Kevin Lang, Christian Shirey, Blake Golden, Chance Stone, Tristen Weathers, Noah Stapler, (back) Eli Linderman, Jacob McMinemon, Josh Sides, Austin Cantrell, Kolton Bramlett, John Graves, Wade Baker, Nick Humphries, Dakota Bennett, Eli Carnes, Will Caudle, Riley Hall, Brennen Garrett and Ryan Oden.

Brewer High School’s baseball team is struggling to recover from a string of injuries, and inexperienced players have to step up to fill the gaps.

“We’ve lost our shortstop for the season. Our No. 1 pitcher is recovering from a high ankle sprain he sustained in basketball. Our No. 2 pitcher is lost after having Tommy John surgery, and our No. 3 pitcher has been diagnosed with a torn labrum,” said head coach Tony Drinkard. “To fill the gaps, we’re having to shuffle players from one position to another and turn to a large sophomore class for help.”

The Patriots lost three seniors to graduation after they struggled through a losing season and failed to get into the postseason last year.

Those players were Austin Bentley, a catcher, shortstop and pitcher and outfielders Louis Daugette and Nathan Stewart.

Seven players on Brewer’s roster are returning starters. They are Kolton Bramlett, a senior outfielder, pitcher and utility player; senior Caleb Criscoe, pitcher and shortstop; senior Wade Baker, pitcher; junior leadoff hitter Kevin Lang, an outfielder, third baseman and pitcher; junior Will Caudle, a catcher, infielder and pitcher; sophomore Dakota Bennett, a pitcher, infielder and outfielder; and junior Austin Cantrell, a pitcher and infielder.

Other players returning with varsity playing time are senior Christian Shirey, utility player; sophomore Skylar Bennett, a catcher and infielder; and sophomore Noah Stapler, a pitcher and infielder.

Newcomers to the varsity are senior Nick Humphries, junior Riley Oden and sophomores Eli Carnes, Blake Golden, Josh Sides, John Graves and Tristan Weathers.

Humphries played on the varsity as a freshman and Oden missed last season with an injury.

The Patriots will face Arab and Lee-Huntsville as area opponents.

“I’m familiar with Arab because we’ve played them in the past, but I know very little about Lee,” said Drinkard.  “Of the two, Arab is probably the stronger team. I feel good about where we are as far as the area is concerned. I think our players feel they’ve got a good shot to move past the area into the postseason.

“We have a great group of kids on this team,”  Drinkard pointed out. “They work hard and have good leadership.

“The biggest challenge they face is overcoming injuries and developing strength and depth on the pitching mound.”

Working with Drinkard as assistant coaches are Kenneth Golden, Richard George and Randall McCutcheon.

The Patriots season opener on Feb. 16 was postponed against Elkmont and will play Fairview in a home opener Feb. 19.

2015 Brewer Varsity Baseball

Feb. 16 at Elkmont 4 p.m.

Feb. 19 Fairview 4 p.m.

Feb. 20 at West Point 4:30 p.m. (DH)

Feb. 21 at West Morgan 2 p.m.

Feb. 23 Athens Bible 4 p.m.

Feb. 24 Curry 4:30 p.m. (DH)

Feb. 27 at Danville 4 p.m.

Feb. 28 Falkville (at Dec. Her) noon

Feb. 28 at Dec. Her. 2 p.m.

March 3 at Priceville 4:30 p.m. (DH)

March 5 West Morgan 4:30 p.m.

March 9 at Austin 4 p.m.

March 10 at JB Pennington 4 p.m.

March 14 Austin 4 p.m. (DH)

March 17 Hanceville 4:30 p.m. (DH)

March 20 Wenonah (Rickwood Field) 4 p.m.

March 23 at Arab* 4:30 p.m.

March 24 Arab* 4:30 p.m. (DH)

April 2 Fairview 1:30 p.m.

April 4 at West Morgan 10 a.m. (DH)

April 7 Lee* 4:30 p.m.

April 9 at Lee* 4:30 p.m. (DH)

April 13 at Madison County 4:30 p.m. (DH)

*-area game (first game of DH)