By James Tatter, Staff Writer

Trophies.

It’s everything any team ever wants. And the Demons are out to get one.

The R.J. Reynolds High School baseball team has high hopes for this season: to win the Central Piedmont 4-A Conference Tournament.

This year’s squad has the talent to do it, too.  The team lost only two players from last year’s squad, which made it to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.

On the mound, the Demons have an array of talent. Pitchers include seniors Hunter Anthony and Brandon Sullivan, juniors Drew Fisch, Shane Sullivan and Ty Andrus, sophomore Logan Welch and freshman Laney Orr.

“The RJR pitching staff has it all: lefties, submariners, multiple-arm angles and hard throwers,” said Doug Welch, who is coaching Reynolds baseball for his 17th year.

Anthony and Sullivan both return from stellar 2012 seasons. While Anthony’s speed keeps batters on their toes, Sullivan uses his control and location to keep hitters guessing. His trick pitches allowed him to throw a two-hitter against a solid Reagan team last year.

Many of the pitchers excel in positions off the mound. Such is the case with Andrus, who is a rocket on the basepaths and is described by Welch as the “best centerfielder in the CPC.”

Shane Sullivan, the younger brother of Brandon, is known for his quick hands at shortstop when he isn’t pitching. Orr, the only freshman on this year’s varsity squad, has a cannon on and off the mound, not to mention a powerful left-handed swing. His fastball clocks in at more than 85 mph, securing his spot as the second-hardest-throwing  pitcher on the team. Only Logan Welch hurls it faster. Orr also plays third base and shortstop, where he can zip the ball across the diamond

Orr is just a part of a stellar offense Coach Welch has put together. Fisch returns after having earned the Demon MVP award and all-conference honors last season. Fisch is a slugger who hit .472 and led the team in almost every offensive category last year.

Behind the plate, the Demons will have sophomores Ben Cook and Stephen Greene. Both had varsity experience last year. Rounding out the Demons’ lineup are seniors Dean Vlasis, Andrew Thomasson and Juan Monteagudo, and junior Warren Hill. With the exception of Vlasis, the other three did not play Reynolds baseball last year and could prove versatility as this season develops.