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By CHUCK HATHCOCK
Sports Editor
After making the postseason for the third straight year, the Grenada Chargers had some areas that needed improvement heading into the 2010 season.
One of them was finding a third baseman and the other was building some depth on the pitching staff.
Head Coach Jake Yarborough begins his fourth season leading the program. He says their is good competition for the third base spot and the pitching staff should be much improved.
“We’ve got some guys at third who are competing for that spot,” Yarborough said. “It’s a spot that was a sore point for us last season.”
From the pitching standpoint, the veteran coach thinks that the Chargers have a chance to be solid.
“It’s probably the best group of pitchers that we have had since I’ve been here,” Yarborough said. “We don’t have a 90 (MPH) guy, but we have some guys that can throw strikes, use their change and hit their spots. I’m looking forward to seeing them throw this spring.”
Yarborough will have to bring the staff along slow like all coaches in the state. This season, the start date for practice was pushed back a month. In contrast, games are just a week later. Coaches are going to have to be careful with their pitchers particularly early in the season.
“We will defintely have our pitchers on pitch counts early in the season,” Yarborough said. “It will be important to bring them along slowly. In the past, we would begin right after Christmas. This season, we are starting a month later and playing just a week later. It’s put everyone behind the eight ball not wanting to hurt pitchers’ arms.”
The late start will also put the hitters behind.
“Most of the time, hitters are behind pitchers anyway,” Yarborough said. “This year, it may be more so because they won’t see as much live pitching as in the past.”
Last season, GHS finished 14-16 losing in the playoffs at Tupelo. They did down Desoto Central in the playoffs.
Third base battle
Early in practice, there have been three players working at the position.
Senior Channing Martin transferred from Kirk Academy. Martin will figure in heavily in the Chargers’ plan at pitcher.
He will work at the position along with freshmen Chase Carpenter and Javarius Brown.
Returning players
The Chargers return experience up the middle, which is important.
“It is always good when you have returning players in the middle of your defense,” Yarborough said. “We feel really good about this area of our team.”
Michael Montgomery, a junior, returns at catcher after starting last season at the position. He will also see some time on the mound.
The most experienced of the group is senior second baseman Garrick Hardiman. He is a four-year starter at the position.
Brandon Sivley, a junior, returns at shortstop. Turner Neely, a junior, saw extensive action at first base and was one of the pitchers. Hunter Carpenter, another junior, will work at first base and in the outfield.
Outfield
The outfield returns a wealth of experience in two of the three positions.
Senior Ladarius Redditt anchors the middle in centerfield. He is a four-year starter.
Another senior, Rafiel Johnson returns in right field. Johnson will also see time as a pitcher.
When Johnson pitches, senior Hayden Horan will occupy right field and also pitch.
In left field, Jaylan Bledsoe, a sophomore, is competing for time. Martin could also see time there.
Freshmen Blake Williams and Trey Bledsoe are also working in the outfield. Junior Justin Hurd and freshman Kedric Bailey could also figure into the mix.
Dalton Thomas and Justin Kinard, both freshmen, are fighting for time as the starting designated hitter. Thomas works at first base, also.
Sophmore Skye Little could see time at catcher. Paul Liberto and Taylor Worsham, both sophomores, are competing for time and second base and shortstop, respectively. Freshman Cody Carson is working at shortstop. Clayton Walls and Jacob French, a pair of freshmen, are both second basemen.
Pitchers
A pair of sophomores, Garth Huddleston and Blake Guinn, saw extensive action as pitchers uring their freshman campaign. Junior Tyler Tindall pitched during the playoffs last season.
Brooks Sivley, a sophomore, looks for time as a pitcher. Michael Logan, Payne Horan, and Hunter Bull are all freshmen that could figure into the plans at pitcher.
Region breakdown
Grenada once again will compete in arguably the toughest 6A region in Mississippi.
Defending state champion Madison Central leads the list along with perennial power NW Rankin. It makes the challenge even tougher this season.
“No question, this is the toughest region in the state,” Yarborough said. “Madison won it all last season and will be among the favorites again this season. They just reload year after year. NW Rankin always has a quality team. It will be a tough challenge for our players everytime we go out and play.”
The challenge is compouned this season because the format for the playoffs has changed. During the last two years, three teams have made the playoffs. It has changed back to two teams.
“It makes the margin for error very small against Madison and NW Rankin,” Yarborough said. “We just want to got out and compete each and everyday.”
The division schedule is nine games, three each against Madison Central, NW Rankin, and Murrah
Schedule
The Chargers open the regular season at home Saturday against 6A foe Horn Lake in a doubleheader. It’s the first of what promises to be a solid slate in 2010.
“Games like the Horn Lake game do nothing but make you better,” Yarborough said. “It will give us a gauge as to where we are as a baseball team.”
The Chargers have home and home games with Cleveland and Winona. They also have a road contest at South Panola.
Grenada will play in the Oxford Tournament during Spring Break. They are slated to play Lafayette and Tupelo along with Water Valley. They will also play South Panola and Independence in a home tournament.
The Chargers also plan to take part in the Desoto County Tournament. Last season, they met a team out of Kentucky.
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Submitted By:
Fan
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Submitted:
2/25/2010
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