DHS picked to finish first in region, state

Despite graduating seven seniors, the Dickinson High baseball team was picked to finish first in the West Region and state in the preseason coaches poll.
The Midgets received six first-place votes to finish at the top in the West Region. Mandan garnered two first-place votes for second, while Bismarck Century and Minot are tied for third. The Patriots also received one first-place vote.
Bismarck High is picked to finish fifth, while Jamestown is sixth, Bismarck St. Mary’s is seventh and Williston is eighth. Bismarck Legacy will play a junior varsity schedule throughout the regular season and be in the play-in game for the West Region Tournament. Turtle Mountain is going to play a JV schedule and be in the JV tournament.
In the East Region, Grand Forks Red River was picked to finish at the top with three first-place votes. West Fargo received one first-place vote for second, while Grand Forks Central collected three first-place votes for third.
Fargo Davies, Fargo North, Fargo South, Fargo Shanley, Wahpeton, Devils Lake and Valley City were chosen in the Nos. 4 through 10 spots respectively. West Fargo-Sheyenne will play a JV schedule and be in the JV tournament.
The Midgets ended the 2014 season with a 25-7 record and fourth place at the state tournament. They bring back a mix of returners, which are seniors and underclassmen.
Mike McChesney returns with the highest batting average, .385, for the Midgets. The junior also had 10 doubles, one triple, 15 RBI and 26 runs scored. Luke Herauf followed closely with a .369 average with five doubles, three triples, one home run, 22 RBI and 23 runs.
On the mound, Dickinson’s Mark Erickson went 5-1 in seven starts with a 2.14 earned run average. He had 34 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings. Herauf went 3-1 and collected one save in 33 innings. He ended with a 1.06 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
Erickson, who splits time between catching, pitching and outfield, ended with a perfect percent in the field. He was errorless in the 78 total chances, which was the second most on the team.
The Midgets begin their season hosting Bismarck Century at 4:30 p.m. on April 9.