Vina baseball is off to a good start

Adam Pharr gives Vina a solid defender at first base and is one of the Red Devils’ top pitchers. Scot Beard/FCT

VINA — The Vina baseball team had an excellent season in 2010, finishing the season ranked ninth in the final Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, winning the program’s first area title, hosting its first playoff series and winning its first playoff game.

This year the Red Devils are hoping to exceed those accomplishments, but it will not be easy.

“We have to realize this isn’t last year,” said Vina coach Greg Hamilton.

Gone from last year’s team are Brent Townsend and Morgan McCarley, a pair of pitchers who accounted for 17 of Vina’s victories last season and are playing college baseball this year. When not pitching Townsend played second base, earning All-State honors at that position.

Despite losing Townsend and McCarley, the Red Devils are off to a strong start in 2011, compiling a 6-1 record through last Friday.

“We’re definitely a work in progress,” Hamilton said. “We have improved since the first game.”

Vina will have a four-man rotation on the mound with Clay Pierce, Adam Pharr, Mick Schmittou and Brody Roberts sharing the duties.

Pierce and Pharr saw plenty of action last season, but Schmittou and Roberts lack a depth of experience on the pitching mound at the varsity level.

“The big question is pitching. It should be solid,” Hamilton said. “We have potential if our pitching comes through.”

Aside from the losses on the pitching staff, Vina returns several starters from last year’s team. That returning experience should pay off for the Red Devils both in the field and at the plate.

Hamilton said the defense is strong at times, but there is room for improvement.

One place Vina does not seem to need improvement is at the plate. The Red Devils have outscored their opponents 94-43 through seven games, with four of their six wins coming with winning margins of 10 runs or more.

Clay Pierce has led the way for Vina, getting off to a hot start, picking up at least three hits in most games. In two games against Covenant Christian last Friday Pierce when 6-for-8 with two doubles and three RBIs.

Last season Pirece’s batting average was .495 and he wants to improve on that this year. Hamilton said that is a possibility.

“He’s really been hitting the baseball,” Hamilton said.

Vina also has other hitters producing. Pharr and Schmittou are capable of reaching base almost every at bat while Ethan Pharr, Patrick White and Drake Hester are also threats at the plate — they combined to drive in seven RBIs against Covenant Christian. Channing Haithcock gives the Red Devils a power hitter to bring those runners home.

Vina will have to be solid in all aspects of the game if they want to repeat as area champions this season. Thanks to realignment, Hackleburg — which was ranked No. 1 in the final ASWA poll last year — moves into the area.

“Hackleburg will be extremely tough,” Hamilton said. “Tharptown is good and I expect Belgreen to be improved.”