Patrick Innes (front) and Thomas Dale look to win their third state ti

Will Bates (sitting, center) stretches during warm-ups. The Thomas Dale Knights look to bring home another state title this year.

Thomas Dale

BOYS SOCCER

Click here for the Thomas Dale boys soccer team page
2007 record: 14-0 Central, 19-1
Coach: Mark Fowler
Preview: It is no surprise to hear that the Thomas Dale boys varsity soccer team will once again be stacked this year.

The Knights are led by their three standout captains, Patrick Innes (Sr.), Patrick O'Connor (Sr.) and Will Bates (Jr.). All three are headed to play Division I soccer after high school.

Innes has signed his letter of intent to play for James Madison University under coach Tom Martin. He will join former teammate and friend Matt White, who graduated from Thomas Dale last year.

"This is going to be another great year, like my freshman and sophomore year [when the Knights won back-to-back state titles]. We have good depth this year and are 13 to 14 strong," Innes said.

O'Connor has committed to play for Ferrum next year.

"We are faster this year than last year and have some younger players stepping up...we are looking to score a lot more goals," O'Connor said.

O'Connor is right about younger players stepping up. Bates already has quite the accomplished soccer resume.

Bates is on the U-17 National Team, plays for the Richmond Kickers club team and has already verbally committed to play soccer at the University of Virginia.

Innes and Bates will play together in the midfield while O'Connor will hold down the back line of defense.

With the overall speed of the Knights this year, one could argue Thomas Dale has a very good chance of bringing home its third state title in four years.

BASEBALL
Click here for the Thomas Dale baseball team page
2007 record: 9-5 Central, 11-12
Coach: Christopher Marshall
Preview: Four starters are returning from a Thomas Dale team that went 9-5 in the Central District and 11-12 overall last season.

This will be Christopher Marshall's second year as the Knights' head coach and he has a good mix of veteran and young talent on his roster this year.

Senior shortstop Kevin Curd is back after batting .362 with four HRs and 21 RBI last season.

Junior Ryan Carter will be returning as the Knight's starting catcher after a great season last year. He hit three home runs, had 20 RBI and batted .310.

Also returning to the starting lineup is junior second baseman Taylor Britt and outfielder Michael Green who batted .397 with 15 stolen bases and 13 RBI.

The Knights will also have youth in their pitching rotation as sophomore sensation Bill Cullen returns after striking out 52 batters while walking 19 last season.

Thomas Dale should be solid at the plate and in the field but will need a second starting pitcher to step up and give them more depth on the mound.

Dale Spring Preview

Patrick Innes (front) and Thomas Dale look to win their third state title in four years this spring. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO INTERVIEWS!

Published: 03/06/2008

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Dale Spring Preview Patrick Innes (front) and Thomas Dale look to win their third state title in four years this spring. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO INTERVIEWS! Published: 03/06/2008 Will Bates (sitting, center) stretches during warm-ups. The Thomas Dale Knights look to bring home another state title this year. Thomas Dale BOYS SOCCER Click here for the Thomas Dale boys soccer team page 2007 record: 14-0 Central, 19-1 Coach: Mark Fowler Preview: It is no surprise to hear that the Thomas Dale boys varsity soccer team will once again be stacked this year. The Knights are led by their three standout captains, Patrick Innes (Sr.), Patrick O'Connor (Sr.) and Will Bates (Jr.). All three are headed to play Division I soccer after high school. Innes has signed his letter of intent to play for James Madison University under coach Tom Martin. He will join former teammate and friend Matt White, who graduated from Thomas Dale last year. "This is going to be another great year, like my freshman and sophomore year [when the Knights won back-to-back state titles]. We have good depth this year and are 13 to 14 strong," Innes said. O'Connor has committed to play for Ferrum next year. "We are faster this year than last year and have some younger players stepping up...we are looking to score a lot more goals," O'Connor said. O'Connor is right about younger players stepping up. Bates already has quite the accomplished soccer resume. Bates is on the U-17 National Team, plays for the Richmond Kickers club team and has already verbally committed to play soccer at the University of Virginia. Innes and Bates will play together in the midfield while O'Connor will hold down the back line of defense. With the overall speed of the Knights this year, one could argue Thomas Dale has a very good chance of bringing home its third state title in four years. BASEBALL Click here for the Thomas Dale baseball team page 2007 record: 9-5 Central, 11-12 Coach: Christopher Marshall Preview: Four starters are returning from a Thomas Dale team that went 9-5 in the Central District and 11-12 overall last season. This will be Christopher Marshall's second year as the Knights' head coach and he has a good mix of veteran and young talent on his roster this year. Senior shortstop Kevin Curd is back after batting .362 with four HRs and 21 RBI last season. Junior Ryan Carter will be returning as the Knight's starting catcher after a great season last year. He hit three home runs, had 20 RBI and batted .310. Also returning to the starting lineup is junior second baseman Taylor Britt and outfielder Michael Green who batted .397 with 15 stolen bases and 13 RBI. The Knights will also have youth in their pitching rotation as sophomore sensation Bill Cullen returns after striking out 52 batters while walking 19 last season. Thomas Dale should be solid at the plate and in the field but will need a second starting pitcher to step up and give them more depth on the mound.
PHOTOS (click here for all photos)