NEWS

The Winchester Royals open the season on the road with a match-up versus the Charles Town Cannons on opening day, May 30. New head coach Stu Richardson becomes the 20th head coach in Royals history, while Wesley Hoover (University of Central Arkansas/Conway, Ar.) returns from the 2013 Royals team to provide veteran leadership.

Rising senior Green Campbell (Yale University/Shreveport, La.) will play a versatile role for the team as both a pitcher and outfielder. Campbell holds similar duties at Yale, where he played in both the infield and outfield and was used as a starting and relief pitcher. He played a key role in Yale’s early season upset win over then-#1 LSU, scoring two runs and making a diving catch in the outfield to prevent a few runs. Campbell scored 23 runs, batted in 20 on the season and was tied for first on the team with nine stolen bases.

Also joining the Royals in the bullpen from San Jose State University are rising sophomores Jackson Berumen (Modesto, Ca.) and Logan Handzlik (Fresno, Ca.). Berumen led the Spartans with 23 appearances and was tied for second on the team in saves. Handzlik pitched 51 innings for the Spartans and started eight games.

Infielder Michael Landestoy (Fort Worth, Texas) is prepared to make an impact after redshirting his freshman season at TCU. Landestoy was one of the top prospects at the 2013 World Uncommitted Showcase and National Academic Showcase.

Richardson returns to coaching in the Valley League after spending the 2013 season in the Coastal Plain League and two previous seasons in the Hawaii Collegiate League. He owned the Woodstock River Bandits from 2004 to 2009, recruiting 56 players who went on to play professionally. In an interview, he said that he was glad to be back with Valley Baseball League and wanted to improve on the Royals’ 2013 campaign. 

Also on the coaching staff is Alex Gonzalez, currently the pitching coach at Barry University. In 2011, he coached All-Sunshine State pitchers Manny Rodriguez and Corey Witkowski. Gonzalez formerly pitched at Barry University and is the school record-holder with 285 career strikeouts.

The Royals’ first home game will be June 1 against the Front Royal Cardinals.

— Michael Lynch

Photo by HaymarketJoePhotography.com