The Allen County-Scottsville Patriot baseball team takes to the diamond in the days to come seeking to capitalize on returning experience to produce a winning season for the first time in eight years.
“ I have been impressed with our guys so far,” noted sixth-year coach Brantly Bray. “Work ethic and leadership has been a big positive so far. We have a lot of guys competing for varsity roles and that has proven to bring out a variety of positive things so far in our team. We are returning quite a bit of varsity experience this year coupled with some young guys that are ready to step in and make an immediate impact. The standard is to win in everything we do. The guys are embracing that and I'm looking forward to them upholding that standard as the season unfolds.”
Seven seniors---Keagan Towe (P/IF), Spencer Calvert (3B/P), Randy Stebbins (OF/P), Edy Chavez (OF/P) Foster Berry (OF), Laken Clark (OF), and Wesley Steenbergen (OF)---will be asked to lead the way for the Patriots
“Keagan (Towe) is a big piece of what will be accomplished this year,” Bray said. “He is a great kid first, but secondly one of our top arms as well as bats in our lineup. A tough competitor who sets the tone for our guys. Spencer (Calvert) has worked really hard this offseason to put himself in a position to have a good year. He still has to keep improving every day and maturing as a leader and player but I believe he will be a solid piece of our offense. Randy (Stebbins) probably returns just as much varsity experience as a pitcher as anyone on our staff. He has improved so much since he came to AC-S a few years ago. He has now solidified himself as a major ingredient of what will make our pitching staff successful. We will lean on him a lot this year on the hill.:
Bray continues to talk about his senior leaders.
“Edy (Chavez) is one of my favorite kids to come through our program even though he's the reason I keep an Advil handy for some of the headaches he gives me,” notes Bray with a chuckle. “Edy is an ultimate competitor and I’m so glad he belongs to us. He will be an every day guy for us and has had a great pre-season. He competes hard and is a great example to our guys of playing the game full tilt. Foster (Berry) is a great leader on and off the field and does things the right way. He will play multiple roles for us whether that be in the outfield, baserunning, or in our lineup. Wesley (Steenbergen) is coming into this season with the chance to help us in the outfield. He has been battling an injury that has lingered from football season so hopefully he can get over that hump and back on the field.”
The final senior is a new face to the team this year but comes to the Patriots with raw talent, a strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
“I was able to talk Laken (Clark) into playing this year,” Bray pointed out. “It has been a while since he has played but he has been here every day, worked hard, and proven varsity value to our team. He is probably the fastest player I have ever coached and one of the fastest I've been on the field with. I’m proud of him for giving it a try and a true example of what
Several underclassmen will be keys for AC-S this spring as well.
“Noah Towe is obviously our biggest returner as far as offensive production,” Bray elaborated. “ He has really improved behind the plate as he was already really good for us. He will control the running game back there for us which alleviates a lot of pressure for our pitching staff. We are really glad he is ours but at the same time he has to keep working and fight complacency every day. Ty Wilson is a junior who has to step up this year. He is a leader in the clubhouse and he loves to play the game. If he can grab that next step on the ladder, he has shown glimpses of what he can do at the plate. He has some power but also has the ability to drive the ball with carry. He's our every day first basemen as well as an important piece to our bullpen. Parker Meador is a sophomore who plays the game like an upperclassmen. He's a mature player who the game moves slow for considering he's young. He will be an everyday middle infielder and play a pivotal role in our lineup as well as our bullpen. He is a student of the game and loves the process of getting better just as much as he does the outcome.”
When asked about the Patriots’ strengths for the 2026 season, Bray is quick to mention his pitching staff.
“We have a handful of guys that are going to contribute at the varsity level this year on the mound,” Bray said. “. We've spent the last few months helping our pitchers develop some identity for what they do well and pitching towards those strengths. They have embraced that and now it is up to us as coaches to put them in a position to succeed.”
Bray points out that he likes what he sees with his team and notes that he’s yet to discover a glaring weakness.
“As far as weaknesses, I believe in this group and if we have a weakness it's going to be up to someone to expose that so we can get better at it,” Bray explained. “We will hit, throw, catch, and run to the best of our ability every day. If we identify any flaws it becomes something we have to correct. We will experience failure. It's baseball. But I never want these guys to think it's because we have a weakness. It's just something that needs reps and practice.”
Coach Bray feels as if the Patriots will be in the discussion in the District 15 championship race.
“ I believe we have as good a chance as anyone,” Bray stated. “I don't doubt my guys one ounce nor what they bring to the table. Winning is our goal and losing is not in the plan. What that means for us is we have to keep our head down and continuously improve every practice, every pitch, and every game.”
AC-S starts their 320game schedule with a road trip to Edmonson County---the first game of the 2A Sectional tournament---on Thursday, March 19. The Patriots’ home opener is Friday, March 20 against Metcalfe County. Most afternoon home and away games start at 5:30. AC-S will play Saturday home games against Bowling Green at 11:00 a.m. on April 4 and at 11 a.m. on May 9 against South Warren.
The schedule includes District matches against Warren East, Barren County, and Glasgow. Like in recent seasons, District matchups are home-away games on back-to-back days in late April and early May. AC-S also will participate in the Green County Wooden Bat Tournament during spring break. The District tournament is at Warren East the week of May 16 with the Region 4 tournament at Western Kentucky University starting around Memorial Day.