Consistency is key for PC baseball
In order for the Phil Campbell Bobcats to return to the final four like they did in both 2023 and 2024, head coach Griffin Harris said it will come down to one thing — consistency.
“We just have to get more consistent,” Harris said. “We need to swing the bats better and just continue to play baseball the way we know how to play.”
Early in the 2026 season, Harris said he has had several players stand out, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Juniors Isaac Duboise and Chandler Benford, along with senior Hagen Raper will provide most of the thump in Harris’ lineup. Duboise will normally hit in the third spot in the lineup while Benford will primarily be the cleanup hitter for the Bobcats.
A returning starter, Raper posted the highest batting average for the Bobcats a year ago. While he hasn’t been off to a hot start, Harris believes once he gets going, the rest of the lineup will follow.
“He was our best hitter last year and he’s came out of the gate kind of slow this year but he’s starting to figure things out,” Harris said. “He’ll hit leadoff for us. He can hit with a little bit of power and he’s got some speed to him as well.”
In terms of pitching, Duboise and Benford will also be called upon to start on the mound during the Bobcats’ area play and potential playoff games.
Aside from Duboise and Benford, Harris said the rest of the pitching staff will be put together by an assortment of arms. Jack Owens, Reed Jackson and Sage Morgan, who Harris said has been a bit of a “late bloomer” with the program, will see time on the mound.
“They’re probably our most experienced arms we have,” Harris said. “We’ve thrown a lot of guys early, and they’ve all thrown fairly well. It’s just kind of been piecing some games together and seeing who fits best in various roles.”
While some fans may see this season as a sort of “rebuild,” Harris said he believes the Bobcats have a legitimate shot to compete for an area title. In order to get back to the playoffs, the Bobcats will have to go through Colbert County, Sheffield and Colbert Heights.
“We’re a fairly young team, but I think we have a really good shot in our area,” Harris said. “All it takes is for us to just get to the playoffs and then anything can happen.”
