Young Bobcats wise beyond their years
By Staff
Mike Self, Franklin County Times
Coming off back-to-back appearances in the Class 2A state finals, the Phil Campbell Bobcats are faced with the daunting task of maintaining that high level of success this season while replacing three senior standouts from last year's team.
"We only lost three guys, but they were three of the most important positions on the field," head coach Micheal Beck said, referring to catcher Randy Cochran, shortstop Griffin Harris and third baseman Kevin Lacey, who combined for 126 RBIs a year ago. "That's our whole left side of the infield. We have some younger guys this year who will have to step up."
'Younger' will be the operative word for this year's team, which has no seniors and may feature a freshman and an eighth-grader in the starting lineup. Still, as the Bobcats prepare to open their 2007 season Thursday at Sulligent, Beck stressed that experience means far more to him than age.
"We have six guys who have been to Montgomery two years in a row," said Beck, who has guided Phil Campbell to consecutive 31-win seasons. "We're young, but we have a lot of guys who have played in some big games. I don't look at our players in terms of how old they are-I look at baseball experience. I don't expect a guy to play a certain way because he's in ninth grade, tenth grade, eleventh grade, or whatever. I expect them all to play like baseball players, because that's what they are."
A seasoned junior class will be the foundation of this year's team, particularly on the mound.
Jonathan Dill followed up an outstanding freshman season by leading the team in wins last year, posting a 10-6 record with a 4.26 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 96 innings.
Fellow junior Steven Lacey emerged late last season as the team's No. 2 starter behind Harris, helping fuel Phil Campbell's return trip to Montgomery. Lacey finished the season 6-3 with a 3.06 ERA and won three games in the state playoffs.
Beck said that Dill, Lacey and the rest of his pitchers have benefited this preseason from having more time to get their arms ready.
"Last year, basketball season ended on a Friday and we had baseball games the very next day," Beck said. "This year, our guys have actually had a chance to throw off the mound a few times and build up their arm strength. They've looked pretty sharp so far."
Aside from Dill and Lacey, four other starters return from last year's team that lost to Ranburne in the state finals.
Junior Caleb Thompson, who had 30 RBIs last season, is expected to move in from the outfield and take over for Cochran behind the plate. Junior Tate Canida, who tied for fourth on the team in runs scored a year ago, returns at first base.
Outfielders Adam Mitchell and Korey Pounders are also back after playing key roles on last year's squad as freshmen. Mitchell batted .302 with 18 RBIs, and Pounders scored 25 runs and made a handful of highlight-reel catches in center field.
When they're not on the mound, Dill and Lacey will form an experienced double-play combination up the middle. Dill batted .277 last season with 27 RBIs and 28 runs scored, and Lacey ranked third on the team with a .353 average and also drove in 33 runs.
Freshman Dylan Hamby and eighth-grader Jordan Benford are expected to fill holes on the infield, and Chase White and Jake Dill will also play key roles.
Beck said that time will tell which of his returning players will step up and fill the leadership void left by last year's senior trio.
"We'll have to wait and see, but I know we have kids who want to do it," he said. "Our guys work hard and they want to win. If we do all the little things right and focus on being fundamentally sound, I think we'll win our share.
"We had a lot of good things happen for us the past two years. On one hand you have to make your own breaks, but on the other hand we also realize that there are certain factors in play that we as coaches and players don't have any control over. We've been very blessed and fortunate the past two years, and hopefully that will continue."
