(by Don Meador, Used with permission)
The bats will be swinging within the next two weeks for the Allen County-Scottsville Patriot baseball team. With the new season comes new hopes for an experienced team. Pitching, senior leadership and experience will be among the team’s strengths.
“We are going to rely heavily on the guys on the mound,” seventh-year coach Scott Stamper said. “If you talk with guys who have been around baseball a long time, they will tell you that it all starts with the guy on the mound. Every day, we’ll send someone (to the mound) that will give us a chance to win or to compete. Pitching is our strength, a strength in n umbers. We don’t have a lot of Division 1, big-time arms but we have a lot of guys who can toe the rubber for us.”
In addition to a strong array of pitchers, Stamper is expecting eight seniors to provide leadership, on and off the field.
“These kids have grown up with some great leadership and influence ahead of them in the last three years but now it’s their turn,” Stamper added. “They all have different roles and they all seem to cherish their roles and buy in. I hope that will trickle down. We have a large group of freshman so I hope that the freshman can learn from the seniors.”
The seniors include Bryce Carter, Tristen Brooks, Cayden Ross, Brett Rippy, Aaron Howell, Zack Ausbrooks, Hunter Foster, and Colby LaFitte.
“Bryce is coming back to play this year after not being with us for a couple of year,” Stamper said. “Tristen Brooks is one of the best defensive infielders we have had and he can play multiple positions. Cayden Ross has been in centerfield since about halfway through his freshman year. Brett Rippy is a middle infielder and pitcher. Aaron Howell has been a mainstay in right field since his freshman year. Zack Ausbrooks is a left handed pitcher. He was kind of dinged up with his arm last year but he is healthy and we are expecting big things. Hunter Foster is a first baseman and pitcher who will eat some big innings this year and throw some big ball games. Colby LaFitte is a middle infielder that will be on the mound some too.”
The seniors bring a wealth of experience---experience that will mesh with the three-member junior class of Tanner McPeak, Zane Ward, and Owen Stamper.
“Tanner McPeak is kind of banged up right now but he is a guy we are hopeful that can get behind the plate,” Stamper noted. “Zane Ward is an athletic kid that he’s competing for a couple of different spots. Owen Stamper understands the game. He will pitch some big games and when he’s not on the mound, he’ll be around the infield. We are trying every way in the world not to put him behind the plate to help make us stronger in other places.”
Expected to be in the mix for field time will be sophomores Mathew Brown, Tyler Ford, and Justin Charlton.
“Matthew is a pitcher and infielder,” Stamper said. “I anticipate Tyler Ford having a breakthrough year and getting some varsity time on the mound. Justin is trying to figure things out we could use him on the mound for us.”
Stamper points out that freshman Kalen Coleman is working hard on his catching skills while outfielder Brady Johnson continues to work hard developing his outfield skills.
“We have a lot of young kids,” Stamper added. “Our freshmen are eager to learn and they work really hard.”
While the Patriots rely on pitching to set the tone, their offense will revolve around scoring runs anyway possible.
“We graduated a couple of big bats from the middle of our line-up last year,” Stamper explained. “We got guys that are ready to step in and take on that role. But, we may not hit the big ball. I have told the guys that we may not hit many home runs this year but our number one goal is to score runs. So, we will figure out different ways to score runs.”
The Patriots are looking to get out of the District and reach the Region 4 tournament for the first time since 2016. Stamper admits, it’s a challenge given the competitive nature of District 15.
“Every discussion I have with coaches from outside the district, they all say they are glad they are not in District 15,” Stamper noted. “I don’t know if there is a favorite. I would have to lean toward Barren County because they won the District and have their two left handers back. Glasgow will come out and play hard, you just never know. Monroe County will play hard and be scrappy. In my opinion, the District is wide open. If we can figure out how to score some runs, we’re right there in the mix.”
Stamper adds that his seniors are “hungry” to return to the regional tournament.
“This group of seniors experienced the regional tournament as freshman,” Stamper said. “They are hungry to get back to Western. They are working hard every day on improving individual skills.”
The Patriots will open the season on Tuesday, March 19 on the road at Warren East. The home opener is scheduled for Monday, March 25 against Logan County. Highlights of the season include a spring-break trip to Fort Walton Beach as well as home-and-away games with district rivals Glasgow, Barren County, and Monroe County.