For the last 10 years, Porters Chapel Academy has had a bonafide ace pitcher. From Heath Smith to Ryan Hoben, Michael Busby to Matt Cranfield, a dominant arm at the top of the rotation has been a staple for the Eagles and a big reason they’ve made 10 straight playoff appearances.

Times change, though.

As they head into 2009, the Eagles are searching for their next great hurler. Coach Randy Wright spent most of the summer auditioning candidates — nine different players threw at least a few innings during a 20-game schedule that ended Thursday — and hopes a few are ready for the show next spring.

“We used the summer to try and develop our pitching,” Wright said. “It’s all about pitching. We’re going to hit the ball and play pretty good defense, but it’s all about the pitching. That’s what we’re going to work on. I’ve got to have four guys that we can have confidence in.”

PCA had one last season, and a host of others that struggled mightily.

Ace Matt Cranfield, who signed with Hinds Community College, went 9-1 with a 0.85 ERA in 65 innings. The rest of the staff combined was 9-11, and only freshman Montana McDaniel threw more than 19 innings.

Heading into next season, McDaniel figures to be the ace of the staff. He was the Eagles’ No. 2 starter behind Cranfield in 2008, finishing with 37 strikeouts and a respectable 2.80 ERA in 32 1/3 innings — but only a 1-4 record to show for it. Wright said he had confidence in the sophomore-to-be, and blamed his subpar record on a lack of support.

“Montana did well all year. He just had some hard luck because we didn’t play a lick of defense behind him,” Wright said. “I’ve got a boatload of confidence in Montana. He’s going to be able to win a lot of ballgames for us these next three years.”

Behind McDaniel, PCA’s top returning pitcher is Clayton Holmes. He threw 16 1/3 innings last season, and was the only pitcher besides Cranfield with a winning record. Holmes was 2-1. Also returning are Joe Borrello (2-2, 5.41 ERA in 12 innings pitched) and Reed Gordon (1-1, 6.50 ERA in 14 innings). Colby Rushing, Zach Rachal, Gabby Hays and Matt Warren have also seen time on the mound this summer, although none pitched during the high school season.

Wright was looking for Gordon, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior, to emerge as the team’s No. 3 or 4 pitcher after a change to his delivery.

“Reed was a submarine guy and we changed him to over the top. He could be an upper 80s guy. He’s got a cannon,” Wright said.