PineBeltSPORTS.com Baseball Preview 2013 by Hattiesburg Publishing, Inc.

from the sports editor...

think I may actually be starting to get the hang of this. Four magazines into my tenure and it feels, at least, like I know what I’m doing well enough to fake it. That means that in my totally biased opinion, we’ve again upped the ante when it comes to our sports annuals. You may not notice major differences on the surface, but with each issue we find a way to tweak, add and subtract in a way I think creates a better product each time. Of course, it helps that the product on the field never lets us down. In my two baseball seasons here, four of our six teams have won state championships. At some point that will stop happening, right? Then again, these guys are just good at playing baseball. Another thing they’re good at? Our magazine photo shoots. Any day now a few of these guys should be receiving pro contracts ... for modeling. This issue features a number of shoot veterans: Lumberton’s Junior Johnson and Joe Edwards have done two, PCS’ Hunter Norton has done two and Petal’s Larson Barkurn and Trevor Williams are at three apiece now. Oak Grove’s Jalen Haskin has become the first player to ever appear in the magazine for two different schools — also for North Forrest in our 2012 Football — and his teammate Kirk McCarty may as well run these things at this point. It would save me a lot of time and stress. McCarty just wrapped up his third shoot for us, and by the time he graduates could potentially appear in six magazines. I told him next year I’m just going to call him up, tell him we need magazine photos, and let him send me the finished product. As usual, there are plenty of people to thank. All six of our head coaches are indispensible sources of help and information, and all have been gracious in providing it. Thank yous go out to the photographers who helped us with shots that we needed (see the special thanks on the page at right). We can’t thank enough the two photographers who have become the go-to guys for our magazine shoots — Artie Rawls and Matt Bush. They’ve helped not only capture the great images on these pages, but also give the magazine its flavor. The standard thank yous go out to all the staff here at Hattiesburg Publishing that helped make this magazine a reality, whether it’s editing my work, assisting with a page or selling the ads that allow us to do this in the first place (thanks to our advertisers, as well). But special notice goes to our new graphic artist, Charley Tynes. This was his first sports mag, and I think he did a pretty darn good job. He’s part of the reason it’s better than ever. I leave you with the below photo, capturing some of our professional models at work. I hope you enjoy the 2013 magazine and, most of all, the 2013 baseball season.

Josh Mlot PineBeltSPORTS.com

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

The Lamar Times

PineBeltSPORTS.com

BASEBALL TABLE OF CONTENTS DRIVING FORCE

5 Aces abound across Pine Belt mounds THE ROAD LEADS BACK HOME 10 SHIFTING GEARS 15 18 PRE-SEASON ALL-AREA TEAM 21 OAK GROVE TEAM PREVIEW 24 SUMRALL TEAM PREVIEW 26-43 TEAM SEASON CAPSULES 45 PURVIS TEAM PREVIEW 49 PETAL TEAM PREVIEW 53 PCS TEAM PREVIEW 56 LUMBERTON TEAM PREVIEW 58 SOUTHERN MISS TEAM PREVIEW 59 PEARL RIVER CC SEASON CAPSULE 60 JONES COUNTY JC SEASON CAPSULE 62 WILLIAM CAREY TEAM PREVIEW 63 WILLIAM CAREY SEASON CAPSULE 64 FUTURE WATCH Few coaching staffs anywhere are this unique

Transfers boost depth of defending champs

A guess at who might shine in 2013

Rings on fingers, what can the Warriors do now?

Will experience lead to title contention (again)?

ON THE COVER: The 2013 cover was taken at Petro Nissan in Hattiesburg. In front, from left, is PCS’ Hunter Norton, Oak Grove’s Mark Worley and Petal’s Trevor Williams. In back is Sumrall’s Austin Watts, Lumberton’s Logan Crider and Purvis’ Lane Ratliff. Photo by Artie Rawls.

All the raw data you want and need

New group, same old wins?

Panthers never fall far. Was last year a ‘down’ year?

SPECIAL THANKS: Tony Petro and Petro Nissan, Chris McCardle, Larry Watkins, Tony Farlow, Larry Knight, Josh Anderson, Kyle Maxie, Richard Thompson, Stone Photography, Joy Davis, Bruckner’s Photography, Artie Rawls Photography and Matt Bush Photography.

PineBeltSPORTS.com

The online sports home of: The Lamar Times • The Petal News

About the Photographers: Artie Rawls

JOSH MLOT Sports Editor

DAVID GUSTAFSON Editor/Publisher

MISSY AKINS

Artie Rawls has been an awardwinning professional photographer in the Pine Belt for more than 20 years. Specializing in weddings, seniors, commercial and children’s photography, he is also a regular contributor to Signature Magazine. www.artierawlsphotography.com

Advertising Manager

EMILY HALL Production Manager

BETH BUNCH Managing Editor

SONYA JAMES Office Manager

Matt Bush

CHARLEY TYNES

A long-time photojournalist, Matt Bush has won awards for everything from breaking news to sports, including the 2011 MS Press Photo of the Year. When not shooting for The Lamar Times and Petal News, he does wedding and portrait photography and works at Forrest General Hospital. www.mattbushphotography.com

Graphic Artist

SHANNON FIELDER Advertising Sales

JESSICA WALLACE Advertising Sales

DANA GOWER Staff Writer

BRANDON MADDOX Distribution

Hattiesburg Publishing, Inc. • The Lamar Times • The Petal News • Signature Magazine 103 N. 40th Ave. Hattiesburg, MS 39401 • (601) 268-2331 • www.HubCitySPOKES.com

The Petal News

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

Can local standout turn Bobcats in right direction?

Will new leadership help Panthers to playoffs again?

Can experience and talent equal a return to Omaha?

Roster & schedule for PRCC

All the Bobcats info you need

Will a little bit of health go a long way in 2013?

Roster & schedule for WCU

A stab at who might be the next impact players

Photos by ARTIE RAWLS

ast year was quite a boon for good, young pitchers in the area. So much so that we need more than two hands to count the hurlers back and ready to own 2013. But we were only equipped with a pair of hands, so we used those digits to tally up the guys that are set to reprise the No. 1 roles they locked down last season. Then we talked to them about their rise and how they plan to stay on top.

KIRK MCCARTY SCHOOL: Oak Grove ARM: Left PITCHES: Fastball, changeup, curveball, cutter OUT PITCH: Fastball

CHANDLER MASSENGALE

LARSON BARKURN

SCHOOL: Sumrall ARM: Left PITCHES: Fastball, changeup, curveball OUT PITCH: Changeup

SCHOOL: Petal ARM: Right PITCHES: Fastball, changeup, curveball, slider OUT PITCH: Fastball

irk McCarty understands something. As the Oak Grove junior feels the weight of a 2012 championship ring in his hands, he makes it clear how special it was to throw a shutout in the title series and then lift the Class 6A trophy. So special, in fact, that he can’t really describe it. But he wants to relive that feeling — “Two more times, actually.” But as far as what he’s accomplished in his first two varsity seasons and what it means going forward, that’s when he cuts through the fat. Last year was nice, but it doesn’t affect what’s to come. “All we’ve got are expectations,” McCarty says.

And, boy, are they high. But McCarty is not alone. With five area teams returning No. 1 pitchers — a pair, in the case of Sumrall — there are a number of pitchers who will be expected to do big things in 2013. McCarty, Petal’s Larson Barkurn, Purvis’ Joe Barrett, Lumberton’s Junior Johnson and Sumrall’s 1A and 1B of Chandler Massengale and Will Simon all showed they could carry big responsibilities on their shoulders. It wasn’t always easy, but each of the above-mentioned individuals, as underclassmen, outclassed the competition. “Knowing I had to be the main guy pitching may have been a challenge, but I welcomed it,” said Barkurn, who was mostly an afterthought in the pitching picture before 2012. “I wasn’t scared. I’m just playing the game I’ve always played and I enjoyed it. It’s something I always wanted to do.” Of course, he’s playing it well, and that’s what makes these No. 1 pitchers stand out. They achieved enough at a young enough age that they get to not only reprise their top-shelf roles, but also grab a hold of the opportunity to raise the bar

to a new level. How far can they push themselves in 2013?

f the returning No. 1s, Junior Johnson was, along with McCarty, the only known commodity coming in to the last season. Johnson, even more so than his Warrior counterpart, was already an experienced veteran as a junior. McCarty’s innings were managed carefully as a freshman, but Johnson — who long ago picked up his moniker due to the fact he shares a given name with his father — actually led the Panthers in innings pitched as a sophomore, when he logged nearly 40. As a rookie workhorse, Johnson was up and down but showed moments of brightness. Clearly the experience was good for Johnson, because as a junior he honed his craft, became more consistent and sliced his ERA in half to 2.49 over nine starts and 50 2-3 innings. He didn’t allow an earned run in four appearances and upped his dominance by a large amount, striking out 8.2 batters per seven innings. “He’s got pretty good velocity,”

new Lumberton head coach Josh Anderson said. “He works hard in the weight room and on the field. He tries hard to get better. He asks me every day what he can do to get better on the mound. That’s one quality he has that’s just a step above everybody else. He’s always trying to find something to get better at. “I expect him to be our No. 1 guy. I expect him to win the game as soon as he steps on the mound. … And everybody can jump on his back and go win ballgames.” In some ways, Johnson does win from the moment he steps on the mound. An intimidating presence at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, many batters are already asking themselves questions before a pitch is even thrown. “With some of the younger kids, they say its intimidating seeing someone as big as I am out there,” Johnson said. “I think it gets in people’s heads.” Johnson also happens to be the team’s leading returning hitter, and after batting .368 last year his goal is to breach the .400 mark this year. Anderson said the key for Johnson taking the next step is to hold the little things in high regard, something the coach already sees his senior leader doing. And according to the head coach, it is paying off. That’s exactly what Johnson wants, because as he heads into his final year in a Panther uniform he’s not ready to settle on what he has already achieved. “I see myself as a leader out

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

here,” Johnson said, “and I need to set an example for the younger kids and have them do like I did and bow up and step up and hopefully make a run. It’s my last year and I’d like to make it deeper in the playoffs. “I just have a will and drive to be the best I can be. I want people to remember who I am around my town. I want to play at the next level, so I knew I needed to step up. I want to be remembered for what I do on the field.”

oe Barrett understands where Johnson is coming from. Already a Class 4A title winner — he earned both of the Tornadoes’ wins in the championship series — the senior righthander is ready to outdo his 2012 form. “I asked the coaches what I could do to improve on what I didn’t know,” Barrett said of his offseason preparation. “I did extra on top of what we already had to do, and I think that helped me a lot more.” If extra prep means extra results, look out. Unlike Johnson, Barrett was a total unknown entering 2012. The Purvis coaching staff knew he was going to need to pitch some innings, but as for what he would give them, there was little clue. Barrett was virtually unused in 2011 after an injury wiped out his season. “So we didn’t really know that much about Joe,” Purvis head coach Tony Farlow said. “He pitched in junior high and was obviously dominating at the junior high level. We didn’t necessarily have Joe penciled in as our No. 1 or No. 2 pitcher last

The Lamar Times

JOE BARRETT SCHOOL: Purvis ARM: Right PITCHES: Fastball, curveball, changeup OUT PITCH: Fastball

year. It was obviously a positive surprise that he was able to do what he did.” What he did was go 10-1 in 52 1-3 innings over 12 smartly managed appearances, with a 1.87 ERA and a miniscule .180 batting-averageagainst. His pitching IQ stands out, as he is not a strikeout pitcher, but still posted a 0.89 WHIP. The key to his success is quite simple. “Mess with the batter’s mind and keep him off balance,” Barrett said. “Keep him wondering what’s going to come next.” What comes next for Barrett? First on the docket is keeping him healthy all year, something that Purvis was able to do last year thanks to a strong bullpen. But the Tornadoes are revamping their pitching depth, which means new faces will need to step up to keep the team’s ace fresh. On a technical level, Barrett feels his fastball and curveball are his strongest pitches, leaving him working to improve his changeup to really leave batters in a tizzy. More bad news for the opposition is that Barrett is distraction free. The senior recently signed with Pearl River Community College, leaving his future sewn up so he doesn’t need to worry about it once the season is underway. And a clear mind allows Barrett to do what he does best — get out on the mound and battle. “Joe’s going to have the bulldog approach,” Farlow said. “Joe’s the one when it’s a 1-1 ballgame, you’re

The Petal News

WILL SIMON

JUNIOR JOHNSON

SCHOOL: Sumrall ARM: Right PITCHES: Fastball, slider, changeup OUT PITCH: Slider

SCHOOL: Lumberton ARM: Right PITCHES: Fastball, curveball, changeup, splitter OUT PITCH: Slider

going to feel really good about him having the ball on the mound.”

t’s funny how quickly things can change — how they can go from unknown to known. Much the way Barrett solidified his position out of nowhere, so did Larson Barkurn. The difference for the Petal standout is that the role was pushed on him — not that he didn’t want it. “He kind of takes to it naturally,” Petal head coach Larry Watkins said. “He’s real confident. When he was a freshman he thought he should be starting every game. And it’s good to have that confidence. He really believes in himself and he goes into games and expects to do well.” As a sophomore Barkurn started at third base on a state championship winning team, but his pitching experience was limited to only a handful of innings in relief as the fourth pitcher on the Petal totem pole, behind two starters who pitched a ton of innings. But with all of Petal’s key innings lost to graduation entering 2012, someone had to step up. The coaching staff clearly knew it had a star in waiting. Barkurn exploded with the bat — .462, 39 RBIs, nine doubles — and his arm. He went 10-0 on the mound, posting a 2.28 ERA with 7.9 Ks-per-7. If that doesn’t convince you, try asking McCarty what his goals for the season are. “Win a state championship,” McCarty said. “That’s the goal. And beat Larson.”

Of course, that was said with tongue firmly planted in cheek — McCarty also described himself as “a non-athletic dual threat player” — but there is plenty of truth to McCarty’s response. Nobody got the better of Barkurn in 2012. The key to his immediate and monumental success was simply learning from those that came before him. “Just learning a lot from the guys that were in front of me,” Barkurn said. “Cody Conkle and Brandon Smith, they threw every pitch for a strike, and that was a big key. You don’t have to throw 90 miles per hour, you have to throw strikes and mix it up a little bit.” Barkurn knows his team can have a better result than last year — a second round playoff exit is a major disappointment in Petal — but the question is whether the senior hurler can be even better with a year of experience. He comes into the year named a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American and a Dandy Dozen selection. “I’ve looked at the numbers (last year) and they’re pretty good,” Barkurn said, “but I feel like I can do a lot of things better. Whether it results in better numbers, I don’t know, but I feel like I can be a better overall player.”

f Barkurn surprised with how well he settled into the No. 1 role, there aren’t words to describe what Will Simon did at Sumrall. The Bobcats came into 2012 with even less returning innings than the

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

Panthers — zero, to be exact. The player to pick up the mantle of go-to hurler for the Bobcats was Chandler Massengale, a junior looking to follow in a strong tradition of Bobcat pitchers. And that’s how things worked out — Massengale took the ball in Game 1 and was counted on time and time again. He answered the bell by throwing a team-high 57 1-3 innings with a 2.20 ERA, six wins and 7.7 Ks-per-7. “I have to admit it was tough,” Massengale said of following in some big footsteps at Sumrall, where he says baseball is no longer just a game, but a job. “All the work Coach (Larry) Knight has put in with us and the repetition that we do in practice helped me handle the pressure and become mentally strong. That’s mostly what Coach Knight teaches — being mentally strong on the mound, having confidence and being the best one out there on the mound.” Ironically, despite the strong performance, Massengale may not have even been the best pitcher on his team. Simon came into the 2012 baseball season fresh off the frustration of a lost football season. A devastating leg injury ended his first year as starting quarterback in just the second game of the season. He was still working his way back to action when the baseball season rolled around, and so the Sumrall coaching staff brought the player along slowly. Simon was an effective reliever through the first few weeks of the

season, but in mid March he was given the chance to start against Tupelo Christian. As they say, the rest is history. “It was like the door was opened for him,” Knight said, “and he said, ‘All right coach, here it is.’ ” Simon struck out 14 batters in seven innings, and the kraken had been released. The young pitcher went on to an 8-0 record with a 1.28 ERA in 54 2-3 innings, 8.1 Ks-per-7 and a .158 battingaverage-against. “He came in one game and shocked us,” Massengale said. “We’re hoping he can come back this year after his knee injury and help us on the road to state.” Oh yeah, about that injury… Simon opens the 2013 campaign with a knee injury that will force him to miss the first few weeks. Simon’s biggest concern is that his main area of focus — derailed by the injury — was learning to use his lower body more, but he doesn’t have too many doubts about his ability to get back to his high level of performance. “I was able to come back from my last injury,” Simon said. “I’m doing upper body and core workouts. I feel like my arm’s already in shape with the whole football deal. Maybe it will be better with the rest.” Most impressive about Simon is that so much of what he achieved came from natural ability. Knight says his slider may be the best he has ever coached. Simon has room to grow, seeing as how he didn’t even begin pitching until the age of 12 or 13; the senior credits his coaches with helping him come so far so fast. If there’s anybody that believes he can get even better, it’s Simon himself, who boasts a quiet confidence and seems wholly unaffected by his meteoric rise to

All-State pitcher. “I knew I had it in me, just because that’s what I wanted to do,” Simon said. “I want to be the best at everything I do. It was nice to get there. It wasn’t the position I thought, because I didn’t see myself as a pitcher, but I’m OK with that now. “I still like to say I can go out there and field and hit at the next level, but pitching, I think, is what I can be the best at, and that’s what I’m going to try to be.” What he will need to be is a 1B to Massengale’s 1A. Or maybe it’s a 1A to Massengale’s 1B. Regardless of how you categorize them, it’s clear they both bring a lot to the table. “Will’s the type of kid who is a winner,” Knight said. “He’s going to compete and figure things out. “Chandler, the first thing is he is lefthanded, and along the same lines as Will he’s very, very competitive. He’s a small guy but he believes he’ll get you out no matter what. He can command four pitches and change speeds and he’s got good movement on his changeup and fastball. He may top out at 80 or 81 (miles per hour), but he’ll get you out. He knows how to pitch.”

he one thing that sets all of these guys apart is that they know how to pitch. Kirk McCarty has made knowing the game his bread and butter. It’s been critical to his progression from freshman starter to junior star. “There was a learning curve for me on how to go deeper into the games,” McCarty said. “The first year I’d just kind of rear back and throw as hard as I could on every pitch. But I wasn’t going to do

that for seven innings, so I had to pace myself more and really learn how to pitch instead of just throwing.” The results have been stunning. McCarty’s sophomore year saw him throw more innings than anyone else on a deep and experienced pitching staff. In 61 innings he went 6-2 with a 1.49 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 8.4 Ks-per-7. But none of that was good enough for McCarty, who as a junior still has two seasons ahead of him to build himself into the player he wants to be and can be. One of the key points on his agenda is to perfect a cut fastball he’s been working on for two years and improving a curveball that has been inconsistent at best. “Last year I wasn’t really where I wanted to be,” McCarty said. “I threw all right on some nights, but some nights I just had that good of a defense behind me. I want to get more consistent, throw harder in the later innings. “I’m trying to throw some new stuff this year and be more of a pitcher. Last year teams knew they were going to see a fastball and changeup, and probably three curveballs that hit the backstop.” While outsiders may just assume he’s extra gifted — which he is — it’s McCarty’s intelligence that allows him to utilize his talent so well. “One thing about Kirk is he’s a student of the game,” Oak Grove head coach Chris McCardle said. “Kirk is a special player. What people don’t understand is he works at it year-round. That’s why he’s such a good player. He never takes days off. He’s always studying the game and trying to make himself better. Guys like him don’t come around very often.” Neither do groups of guys like this one.

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The Petal News

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

The road lead

ome coaching trees have a sturdy trunk, but few are rooted as deeply as this one. These roots push up through freshly tilled home soil in a place as fertile and baseball rich as any. What grows there is a love and a passion that never seems to die. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why, after experiencing the world, everyone is returning to the Petal baseball program. As the Panthers take to the field in 2013, they will feature a situation paralleled by few teams anywhere in the country â&#x20AC;&#x201D; every varsity assistant coach, and a few beyond the varsity team, played under head coach Larry Watkins at Petal.

ds back home...

By JOSH MLOT Photos by MATT BUSH

“Everything’s first class here,” Tyler Watkins said. “That’s what you learn when you leave. These guys (playing here now) think that this is normal, and it’s not normal. (Coach Watkins) takes care of us and he takes care of his kids. He gets them nice stuff and he works them hard. You learn pretty fast, even going into college, that you had it a lot better than everyone else.” Tyler should know — the elder

Watkins is his father. He grew up with the man before playing under him at Petal High School and graduating in 2006. He then pitched at Pearl River Community College for two years before heading to Southeastern Louisiana, where as a senior he was named the Louisiana Pitcher of the Year. From there he became an assistant coach at Laurel High School, before getting a surprise opportunity to play profes-

sional baseball with the independent Schaumburg Boomers outside of Chicago. The pull of his roots back home was so strong though, that when an assistant position on the staff opened up this offseason, Tyler passed up his pro dreams midseason to take the job. But the son’s opinion is far from biased. In fact, it echoes what others say. “There’s a great tradition here,”

JUST SOME HARDWARE — It’s no coincidence that all of Petal’s varsity staff played under head coach Larry Watkins and were a part of the winning tradition he’s built at the program. On the facing page, (from left) Glennie Thompson, Tyler Watkins, Patrick Ezell and Shane Kelly don the throwback jerseys they wore in their Petal heyday for a little time in the Petal indoor facility.

——— “You just don’t realize what you have until you leave here.” —Shane Kelly

———

Patrick Ezell said, “and to be involved with this program is just something special, for all of us. Tyler said it’s one of the best places to be. I’d say it’s the best place to be in the state.” Ezell was a standout and a part of the 2003 class at Petal, after which he starred on the mound at Southern Miss. His first year coaching was as an assistant at Hattiesburg, but when a position was offered at Petal — a position that wasn’t originally a coaching job, but was tweaked to accommodate the situation — Ezell returned to a home he never really left. “It was an opportunity to come back and be at home,” Ezell said. “I’ve never lived anywhere else. Even in college, I didn’t even live on campus — I still lived at home.” Glennie Thompson is the oldest of the group, playing out his Petal career from 1991-94 before playing two years at PRCC. He was a member of Watkins’ staff two years ago before taking off to join the staff at Presbyterian Christian — then led by another former Panther, Ryan Lott. Just a season removed, Thompson was drawn back to the Friendly City for a second time. “I consider Petal home,” Thompson said, “and being the school I played at, it’s a whole lot more fun for me. Private school is a little bit different and I’m happy to be back here. I got to experience something different, but this is where I want to be.” Shane Kelly is the last of the group to re-

turn. A two-year Panther who graduated in 1996, Kelly is well traveled as a player and a coach. He first stopped at Meridian Community College, turning his playing stint there into an opportunity to pull on a jersey at Mississippi State for two years. That was parlayed into a summer playing for Tampa Bay’s Single-A affiliate. With his on-field career finished, Kelly became the head coach at Starkville Academy for one year before moving to Hillcrest Christian as an assistant for a season. That job turned into a head job with the same program for nearly a decade. But for all his travels, Kelly was drawn back to the place where he spent his formative baseball years. “There’s the tradition aspect of it,” Kelly said. “The players that come out of this program are baseball guys. And there are the facilities and academics. I’ve got an almost-two-year-old and, just looking long term for the future, it’s a great place to raise a family. “I’d always kind of hoped (I’d end up at Petal). I had to wait for a door to open to come down, and luck had it that it did.” All four men will assist Larry Watkins with the varsity team. Tyler Watkins will also head up the ninth-grade squad. But the connections go even further than that. Bo Hust, who was a varsity assistant last year, will lead the eighth-grade team. Hust was a Panther for four years from 2004-08, leading to a stint at William Carey post-graduation. But

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

Hust found that playing college baseball just wasn’t for him, and was out of the game for a year when the opportunity came up at Petal to replace Thompson after his departure. He’s currently finishing his degree at Southern Miss — hence scaling back his coaching duties. “I just think with the facilities and the program and the tradition we have,” Hust said, “I think we do things the right way. It’s a thriving school academically and athletically. It’s a premier place to coach and to teach.” There are other faces throughout the program that tell similar stories — Ezell’s former Petal teammate Corey Bass, or former Panther Matt Warren, who just finished his Southern Miss career and is helping as a volunteer assistant. The stories are all different yet the same: Where else would they want to be, given the choice? “I knew I wanted to be a coach back when I was in school,” Thompson said, “but I didn’t really enjoy the school aspect of it. I told the kids when I started, I don’t think I ever knew I would end up coaching here, but I consider it an honor.” And these aren’t bench players. They were talented baseballers who credit Petal and Watkins with much of their success. Each of them holds some school record of note. Thompson has a season-record seven sacrifice bunts. Tyler Watkins holds the record for games pitched in a season. Ezell, Hust and

The Lamar Times

Warren were all members of the .400 club. Kelly was a member of the .500 club with the thirdhighest single-season batting average in school history, and a Petal record 35 steals in a single campaign. Ezell was the only one of the group to not play for at least one state championship as a Panther — cited universally as the best memories of their high school careers. All of them played at the next level for some length of time, and the shared feeling was that it was the lessons they learned at Petal that allowed them to succeed there. “Just baseball-wise, the jump from high school to Division I is so big because the game speeds up so much,” Ezell said. “But being around Coach Watkins for four years, you’re so much more prepared — more so than several guys that I played with.” Kelly concurred. “You just don’t realize what you have until you leave here and compare yourself to the other players in college in Division I. What you know, what they don’t know. There’s just a huge gap in between because of how practices are run and what you learn here compared to the information the other kids have.” Donning a Panther uniform was a shared experience for everyone in the group, and despite the fact they were all at Petal at different times, their stories were virtually the same. “I learned more in high school than I did in college,” Hust said. “Which is surprising. You take away that tradition and competitive edge. When we had that uniform on, we didn’t think we could

be beat.” In the end, the reason they have all come back is to share that experience with the next generation of Panthers. It seems to be something the current players appreciate and respect — the tradition involved and the respect for the program and head coach that all of the assistants ooze. These were title winners; Division I players; professional ball players. And here they are in red and white. “I think, too,” Ezell said, “just us all being players here, it adds to that bond. Just being a part of the tradition of the program and knowing what it means to us; being able to translate that to the players.” Larry Watkins is the glue that holds it all together. He taught the boys as players, and they came back to learn from him as men. Again, different people cite the same thing — Watkins’ passion for the game is what drives him and his program forward. After 33 years at the helm of the one and only program he’s led, those that have been around him for decades on the baseball field are still in awe of how much of himself he gives to the game. Watkins himself laughs off the influence he may have had in drawing these former players back under his wings. Whether he’s unaware of the part he’s played in their lives or is just too modest to admit it, he concedes only that Petal is a fine place to be. “We do have a lot of former players,” Watkins said. “That’s good because they know what the expectations are. We’ve got a great staff, we do, and it’s going to be fun coaching with them. I’m just

blessed to have those guys with me. “I don’t know (why they all came back). You’d have to ask them. They know we’ve got a firstclass program and we try to do things the right way. We really take pride in our program and they love it and want to be a part of it.” Then again, at this point, Watkins and the Petal baseball program are inseparable — one and the same. That’s what three decades of iconic success will do. “He’s the best,” Ezell said. “You can say what you want to about records and all that, but he’s the best high school baseball coach in the state. There’s no doubt in my mind.” But what about when Watkins calls it a day? Surely one of the homegrown boys will do good on their return, take over their program and keep the Watkins way alive. But the esteem in which the head coach is held is so high that the thought of such a day makes all of the protégés uncomfortable. Kelly says nothing. Thompson is succinct — “Don’t want it.” Ezell can’t seem to even wrap his mind around Petal baseball without Watkins. Tyler Watkins — who jokes by saying, “I’ve known him for a long time” — perhaps because of the close relationship with the man, sums it up for everyone. “I tell you what,” he said, “no matter who does it, that’s going to be some big shoes to fill. That will be a tough position.” But the elder Watkins will have done his part to ensure the future. He will have planted the seeds along the road that returns home. PineBeltSPORTS.com

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

The Lamar Times

Fresh off a title, Oak Grove is receiving an unexpected boost from a group of transfers that have already made names for themselves. But how will they handle the pressure of the Warrior baseball legacy?

Meet Jalen Haskin...

...and Cam Myers

Photos by MATT BUSH

By JOSH MLOT

Shifting Gears

T ——— “When coach asked me what positions I played, I said, ‘Coach, if I don’t know it, I’ll learn it.’ ” —Jalen Haskin

———

here’s something different about pulling on an Oak Grove jersey. It’s not the only place like that in the state — not even the only place like that in the Pine Belt — but it’s still rarified air. The stillgleaming 2012 Championship trophy hints at that. So no matter what you’ve done or who you are, if it’s your first time in black-and-gold, things are going to be a little different than you’re used to. Jalen Haskin learned that very quickly. In the first scrimmage he participated in this year his eyes were opened “I hit against (our pitchers) in a scrimmage and I can honestly say, you could tell just by looking at me that I understood it was different. … I really feel like over the last few weeks I’ve become a better player.” Haskin’s not just some average Joe trying to learn the ropes as a freshman or sophomore. He’s a proven athlete, and a good one at that. Before Haskin, a senior, pulled on that

Oak Grove uniform for the first time this spring, he was an Eagle at North Forrest. He was a multipleyear starter at quarterback there, and as a junior on the baseball team — he says baseball is his first and truest love — he led the team in virtually every batting category: .407 batting average, .532 on-base percentage, six doubles, two triples and 17 RBIs. On the mound he was second on the team with 32 1-3 innings and a 1.42 ERA. But when Haskin’s grandparents up and moved in the middle of the year, he went with them. And he landed in Oak Grove. “I’ve been in North Forrest for so long,” said Haskin, who’d been in the school district since kindergarten, “I still feel as if it’s home for me. “The transition wasn’t as hard as I thought. The first day I walked in everyone was nice and friendly and showed me everything. The teachers are the best of the best and they’re doing everything to make sure I can graduate. I’m enjoying it. I’m looking forward to the great season we’re

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

about to have. I’m having a lot of fun so far.” It can’t hurt that Haskin’s not alone. The Warriors have three transfers on their roster in 2013, and not only are they new faces, but they’re potentially impact players. The player that threw more innings than Haskin at North Forrest last year? Laken Wilson. Yep, also a Warrior now. And most Oak Grove fans already know who Cam Myers is — the Hattiesburg transfer who flashed his talent on the gridiron in the fall. All three have proven themselves in some way, but none of them have proven themselves on a baseball field while in Warrior colors. Kirk McCarty — who as a third-year starter for Oak Grove is as well established in the program as anyone — may not have been in the same shoes as the transfers, but he sympathizes and respects the work they’ve put in. “They’ve all learned what is expected of them here,” McCarty said. “I think all three of them have really stepped up big in practice and shown what they’re all about. It’s not easy

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coming in and all eyes are on them. “Jalen coming in as a senior, that’s hard to do. He’s done a really good job and he works his butt off. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve had in a really long time. There are not many guys that are more fun to be around.” While each of the three players may be in slightly different spots in their development, it’s pretty clear that all will have the opportunity to make their presence known, whether it’s this year or down the road. For Haskin, this is it. And Oak Grove head coach Chris McCardle expects to call his number on a regular basis. “Certainly Jalen’s going to make an impact as a senior,” McCardle said. “He’s a good player and he understands the game. The other two guys have played in high school games, but when you get to the level we’re at it takes a while to get used to. “They’ve had an impact already because they work hard and have added competition, and that makes you better. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens and see how good they can be.” Haskin won the second base job outright in the preseason, but his only concern is fitting in wherever he’s needed.

“Coming from North Forrest, with the school being little and not a lot of depth, we had to play multiple positions,” Haskin said. “The only position I haven’t played is first base. That’s why I think North Forrest was so valuable to me. It was a time for me to learn all the positions. Coming to a school like Oak Grove, all you want is a spot on the field. When Coach asked me what positions I played, I said, ‘Coach, wherever you want me, that’s where I’ll be. If I don’t know it, I’ll learn it.’ ” New guy or not, that certainly should show well for his younger teammates. “Kids are starting to look up to him and realize what kind of kid and player he his,” McCardle said. “He’s on of the hardest working kids we have. He came over with no expectations. He wanted to play 6A baseball so he could learn. He’s only had a PRCC scholarship, so he’s got nothing to lose. We’re glad we have him.” His former Eagle teammate, Wilson, has impressed for similar reasons. He, however, is only a sophomore. Wilson started as a freshman at North Forrest, throwing 35 innings for a 3.00 ERA and batting .393 — quality numbers for a rookie. Wilson should thrive — now or

down the road — at Oak Grove for the same reasons he was successful out of the gates in varsity baseball. In fact, McCardle said Wilson is the heir apparent at shortstop next year after Mark Worley graduates. Even his teammates take notice of his work ethic. “Laken has an attitude that’s hard to find,” McCarty said. “He comes to work every day, and you don’t see that much in a sophomore. He’s a leader in practice even though he might not start this year. He picks people up in practice.” Then there’s Myers. Much like Wilson, he’s a sophomore, and even if he’ll always be a football player first, there won’t be too many on the baseball field that can match his athleticism. For now, the pitcher and outfielder will get his opportunities to learn before too much is placed on his shoulders. “Cam, he’s got God-given talent that a lot of kids don’t have,” McCardle said. “Some of that talent is raw. We’re going to give him a chance to learn and we expect before he leaves here to be a great player for us. We won’t just throw him to the wolves — we’ll make sure he’s ready to play. But he’ll definitely have some opportunities to play and we’ll teach him the things he needs to learn.” Oak Grove always has a pipeline

of talent in its backyard, so it’s no surprise that when an incredible senior class graduates like the one that just left the Warriors, there will be players to fill in the cracks. But McCardle and his coaching staff could have never known, as they were lifting that trophy, the injection of explosive talent that was about to fall into their laps. The transfer trio may have come from different places, but now they are Warriors, and with that comes expectations beyond what most programs can imagine. But that pressure doesn’t fall on the new guys alone, leaving the question to be asked: who will reap the greater benefits, the team or the player? Chances are, both parties will get what they want. “I have moments where I’m like, what if?” Haskin said. “Coming over, I had doubts. What if it doesn’t work out? But the group of guys I’m surrounded by, they’ve helped me to gain so much confidence. “My father brought me up as a competitor. I’m here to compete. So whether things are going wrong or right, I’m going to continue to compete. My goal is to play whatever role it is on the team ... and possibly help them to get another ring.” Sounds like he’s already got a good grasp on the Warrior Way. PineBeltSPORTS.com

PineBeltSP The number of seconds it takes the Nissan GTR, featured in this magazine (available in Petal red) to reach 60 miles per hour from a standing start. You don’t even need a full hand of fingers to count the other cars on the planet that can do that, and they all have European names.

OUTFIELDER

Kyle Smith, Petal MIDDLE INFI

Mark Worley,

The number of dollars you would need to purchase the Nissan GTR.

THIRD BASEMAN

Taylor Braley, Oak Grove

The number of baseball players that participated in this photo shoot: Larson Barkurn, Joe Barrett, Garren Berry, Jansen Bounds, Taylor Braley, Levi Brewer, Logan Crider, Joe Edwards, Jalen Haskin, Bryant Hensleigh, Junior Johnson, Chandler Massengale, Kirk McCarty, Cam Myers, Hunter Norton, Lane Ratliff, Luke Seymour, Will Simon, Lee Smith, Austin Watts, Devontea Watts, Trevor Williams, Mark Worley and Tyler Young.

DESIGNATED HITTER

Lane Ratliff, Purvis

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

The Lamar Times

PORTS.com

Preseason All-Area Team

OUTFIELDER

Austin Watts, Sumrall

OUTFIELDER

Lee Smith, PCS

I ELDER

Oak Grove

MIDDLE INFIELDER

Devontea Watts, Sumrall FIRST BASEMAN

Junior Johnson, Lumberton PITCHER

Kirk McCarty, Oak Grove PITCHER

Joe Barrett, Purvis PITCHER

UTILITY

Will Simon, Sumrall

Garren Berry, Petal

CATCHER

UTILITY

Tyler Martin, Lumberton The Petal News

Larson Barkurn, Petal

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

The Lamar Times

Photos by Artie Rawls

Oak Grove

2013 Outlook

Last year the Oak Grove baseball team was a luxury vehicle seemingly destined for greatness. But now that the Warriors have rings on their fingers, it’s time to get back on the field and sell a new model — one led by a fresh core of players that includes (from left) Jansen Bounds, Taylor Braley, Mark Worley and Kirk McCarty. Can the rest of the pieces steer this hot rod back to State?

The Petal News

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

ome people may still be talking about last year, but don’t count the Warriors among them. The Oak Grove baseball team fulfilled their destiny as Class 6A champs in 2012, and now with a big chunk of that group gone, the only concern is with the future in west Hattiesburg. “We’re comfortable because we don’t talk about last year,” Oak Grove head coach Chris McCardle said. “We know that last year’s group was a special group and this year’s group is totally different. We had some guys last year hit for power, and this year we’ve got a little different look. We’ve got a little more speed and a little different personality.” The good news for Oak Grove fans is that the Warriors never seem to drop too far, and this year’s “different personality” is still shaped by a core that returns from last year’s 34-3 team, plus contributions from some players who may have been in uniform while the trophy was lifted but may not have gotten on the field. That’s kept the group hungry, which is good because the expectations aren’t going to ever change — play for a state title in Jackson. That’s not to say there aren’t questions for the Warriors, because there are plenty. “We have several young guys that will get an opportunity to play,” McCardle said, “and we’re just trying to get the best nine guys on the field. We don’t know who that is right now. Hopefully we’ll get to that point (soon). “They’re hungry and we’ve got a lot of competition for spots. It makes it easier for me to know that the expectations are high and if they aren’t motivated and don’t play like they’re supposed to then the next guy will.” There are some known quantities though, and that’s why the leadership will begin with a quartet of players who played major roles in last year’s banner campaign. So much starts with junior Kirk McCarty, who enters his third year as a starter looking to continue to move toward fulfilling his far-reaching potential. The lefthander took on full responsibilities on the mound last season, and showed that the ability he showcased as a freshman was for real. McCarty settled in as the team’s top pitcher, posting sparkling numbers and getting the nod in the State Championship opener, where he pitched a

shutout. When he’s not on the mound, McCarty — who has already verbally committed to Southern Miss — handles right field. His offensive numbers were down after hitting .400 as a freshman, but he attributes that partly to learning a new role in the batting lineup as he moved into the leadoff spot. He still got on base at a .493 clip and led the team in walks by a large margin. Expect to see his offensive numbers trend upward again. The rest of the veterans fill out the infield for Oak Grove. Senior Jansen Bounds reprises his role at first base opposite junior third baseman Taylor Braley. Both will be asked to step up their games in the batter’s box, and can provide a little pop for a batting order that lost so much power to graduation. Braley also emerged as a powerhouse piece of the pitching unit, throwing two complete games and taking on the role of closer as well, to the tune of a 1.30 ERA while averaging a strikeout per inning. He appeared on the hill in more games than anyone not named McCarty. He’s coming off an injury that kept him out of the state championship series, but will be counted on in a big way in 2013. Senior Mark Worley took a hold of the second base job last season as a solid defensive piece and an underrated hitter, but in 2013 will slide over to shortstop to take over for the departed Drew Standland. After hitting near the bottom of the order — with a .360 average — he’ll likely be asked to slide into the top third of the lineup. “No question (the veterans) have stepped up big,” McCardle said. “They’ve done a great job with the younger guys, and those guys followed our seniors last year. They’ve stepped up and have done a good job as leaders and I’m very pleased with that. I expect a lot out of those guys and they’re bound and determined to get it done again.” There was an unexpected infusion of leadership as well, with the incoming transfer of Jalen Haskin. Already an experienced standout at North Forrest — .407 average, .532 OBP, 17 RBIs last year — the versatile athlete came in and won the second base job outright in the preseason. Although he’s a new face on the team, he knows some of his teammates well from summer baseball and the grounded upper classman will be expected to

IMPACT — Looking for renewed pitching depth in 2013, the Warriors may rely heavily on sophomore J.C. Keys.

Photos by Josh Mlot

——— “We know that last year’s group was a special group and this year’s group is totally different.” — Chris McCardle

———

set an example in his short time in black and gold. “With him at second base and Worley in the middle, I expect us to be really good up the middle,” McCardle said. The rest of the group will be a good bit greener. Behind the plate, John Clayton Nelson, a junior, steps in after the graduation of 2012 PineBeltSPORTS.com Player of the Year Cort Brinson. His lack of experience, his coach said, is not related to a lack of ability. “He’s a good, solid player,” McCardle said. “He would have started last year for anybody around, except he was behind Cort Brinson.” The outfield may have the most room for competition, with a host of new players looking to steal time. The surest thing may be senior Colton McMurry, who saw limited time on the field last season. His most immediate impact may come on the defensive end, and he’ll play both center field and left field. Sophomore Matthew Guidry is being given every opportunity to win the left field spot, with McCardle saying, “He’s got an opportunity to be a realy really good hitter for us,” and that Guidry just needs to get some game experience under his belt. Sophomore J.C. Keys will likely fea-

ture in the outfield, where his speed will play as an asset, and classmate Cam Myers — a fall transfer from Hattiesburg who has already starred for the football team — features in the mix too as he tries to refine his athleticism into baseball smarts. Fellow transfer Laken Wilson, a 10th grader from North Forrest, would appear to have a bright future and has the ability to play both outfield and infield. Senior Max Bloomingburg will back up at the corner outfield spots. “We’ve got some options to try some people out,” McCardle said. “Hopefully whoever makes the most of their opportunities will be in there.” One of the biggest questions the Warriors will face will be who fills out the pitching depth behind McCarty, although there are some hopeful contributors lined up. Big righthander John Carter Sanner appeared to be in line as the No. 2, but an injury is keeping him off the mound and limiting him to designated hitter duties — where he may still swing in the heart of the order. Without Sanner, others will have to step up. Keys appears to be the brightest possibility, having impressed with his ability coming into the season. Look for him to carry a heavy load in just his first varsity season. Seniors Jack

Gratwick and John David Oubre and junior Matthew Lowe are tabbed for bullpen duties. Haskin — a player who can literally play every position — is also likely to contribute as a pitcher. This year’s team is undoubtedly different from last season’s in personnel. Most important, however, will be how different it is in mentality — did the 2013 Warriors learn how to win from their predecessors? “It did (rub off),” McCardle said. “This year is kind of like my second year (at Oak Grove). That year we kind of started over from scratch. They didn’t have a lot of guys that had seen the field. “These guys, last year, they saw what it takes and they learned and they bought in to how we do things. So the transition from losing those guys last year to this year is a lot better than from my first to second year. We didn’t have to reteach a lot of stuff.” You would be hard pressed to convince anyone that the 2013 version of Oak Grove baseball can be as good as the 2012 version. But with a little taste of the top, these Warriors aren’t ready to concede that notion just yet. “Winning rings is contagious and infectious,” McCarty said. “I want to win again and again and again and again. It’s just more motivation.” PineBeltSPORTS.com

Photos by Artie Rawls

2013 Outlook

Sumrall

After a second-round exit put an end to four consecutive state titles, Sumrall doesn’t plan on spinning its tires in 2013. Led by an impressive stable of arms and a more experienced core, (from left) Chandler Massengale, Austin Watts, Will Simon, Devontea Watts and the rest of the Bobcats want to lead the 3A race back to Jackson.

t some schools, a berth in the second round of the playoffs would be an excellent season. Not at Sumrall. The Bobcats are trying to live up to a different plane of expectations than most teams — last year was the first without a title in four years. Although 2012’s 25-7 campaign should be considered — and was — a good year, after the successes of years past the Bobcats are left searching for more. “I think our older guys, they all were dressed out when we won those state championships,” Sumrall head coach Larry Knight said. “I want the younger guys to catch a hold of that too. From

a team standpoint, I think, overall, there’s that feeling there.” While last year left Sumrall searching to fill the holes left by double-digit graduation losses, the 2013 squad now boasts a solid foundation of experience. Add in the next wave of youngsters that the coaching staff is high on and it creates a recipe for success, yet again. After having as many question marks as they could possibly have a year ago, the Bobcats will find some relief in not having to figure out an entire team. It also gives the group a little bit of a head start.

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

“I think there were just a lot of questions last year,” Knight said. “We had a situation where we did not have anybody with innings returning on the mound. When you have that you’re concerned with how they’ll respond to big games and if they’ll be consistent. Comparing that to last year, without a doubt we’re ahead of the game. We’ve got plenty of guys who’ve gotten that experience, not only pitching but from a defensive and offensive standpoint. We think that that’s going to make a big difference for us. We’re excited about things.” The senior class will set the tone, leading the

The Lamar Times

——— “Without a doubt we’re ahead of the game compared to last year. We think our experience is going to make a big difference for us.” —Larry Knight

———

way as a decent-sized group that learned what life as a starter is like last year. It’s also a group of all-star caliber talent. Two of the upperclassmen return on the mound after outstanding years in which the pitching staff was a major question mark. Not so anymore. Lefthanded Chandler Massengale is back after carrying the heaviest workload in his first season as a varsity contributor. Massengale posted a 2.20 ERA and threw 57 1-3 innings as a junior. The biggest surprise of the year was Will Simon, who came off an injury suffered in football season and was simply dominant on the mound en route to All-State honors at the position. Although he began the year in the closer role, Simon was too good to keep penned up, and after entering the starting rotation proved he deserved to reprise the role again this year. “I think really from a pitching standpoint, we feel good about it,” Knight said. “We feel like we can compete and throw strikes. We don’t have anybody that’s going to consistently throw 88-90, but we have guys that can change speeds and compete. “We’ll have some guys that have been through it and know what to expect. We had some ninth graders that got thrown to the wolves as pitchers last year.” Landon White and Alex Knight — now sophomores — will likely be asked to shoulder a bigger load in 2013, and should be more prepared to do so. Junior Nick Clark will also likely see a larger role. A major reason the Bobcats may be able to continue to utilize Simon as a starter is the development of

The Petal News

sophomore righty Drake Pace. The big sidarmer is poised to take on a late-innings role. “(Pace is) an underneath guy who’s really developed well,” Knight said. The wild card is Devontea Watts, the team’s Swiss Army knife and a player who seems poised for a big senior season. He’ll likely be asked to play at least four positions, including on the hill. In 2012 his 40 innings pitched were third most on the team, and with Simon out for about the first month of the season, Watts may have to take a starting job. Last year Watts was arguably the team’s best hurler, with a 0.88 ERA and the team’s best pitch-to-out ratio — making him the most efficient pitcher on the roster. “Devontea’s a guy that can be interchangeable,” Knight said. “He’s a guy that will get some starts and will also be used in relief if needed. He throws a lot of strikes. He’s the type of guy that’s going to really do what he needs to do. “ When not pitching, Watts will be slotted in at shortstop, although his flexibility will also see him at second base — where he played a bit last year — and the outfield. Second base will also be held down by Simon and sophomore Alex Boutwell, who could pop up at either of the middle infield positions. Junior Brady Hicks, a player Knight praised for his offseason improvement, is also in the mix at both spots. The rest of the infield will feature players taking new or more prominent roles. At first, Skylar Flowers is set to take over for the departed Dylan Dobbs. Flowers spent last

season behind the plate, a position he will find himself in occasionally in 2013. White is the backup at first after swinging the bat well in the preseason. He also hit well as a freshman, albeit in very limited at-bats. At third, Alex Knight should get the starting nod after seeing limited varsity time as a freshman. Offseason growth, physically, should help the head coach’s son transition into the varsity picture. “He shot up a good bit and is just about taller than me,” coach Knight said. “He’s swung the bat well in scrimmages and has looked good at third.” Flowers — who put on 20 pounds in the offseason — will continue to catch occasionally, especially with his experience working with Massengale, but the role should be turned over to junior Stephen Newell. Newell looked ready to see varsity time entering 2012, but an injury kept him out of the picture. His availability has created a buzz for the coaching staff. “He has really, really improved tremendously,” Knight said. “We’re excited about how much he’s improved.” The only sure thing in the outfield is Austin Knight, who is the team’s second-leading returning hitter (.314) and is coming off a tremendous football season. He should provide offense and defense for the Bobcats. The corners are a different story, with a big group of potential contributors all battling for playing time. Sam Clark is the lone senior without much experience, but that will change in 2013. Expect him to be a common face in the corners of the

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

outfield, with the capability to fill in at shortstop as well. “He didn’t get a lot of playing time, but had a good summer and played travel ball and has looked really, really good for us in the preseason,” Knight said. Devontea Watts will slide into the outfield occasionally, while sophomores Joseph McLaurin and Zach Berry — neither of who stretches the tape past 5-foot-8 — will get run out as well. Freshman Trace Jordan has impressed and could get varsity playing time in the outfield from the jump. The key to realizing dreams in Jackson again may come down to offensive development. While the pitching was reliable and returns in spades, the Sumrall bats were inconsistent in 2012. A year of experience may help a number of players, and Knight seems confident the team will be able to generate runs. It helps that a couple of the squad’s best hitters in 2012 — Simon and Austin Watts are the returning leaders — are back, and the coaching staff is very excited about a big group of sophomores that are poised to make their impact felt this year. “Last year we tried to play into the bats and knew our talent pool was down a little, comparatively speaking,” Knight said. “We didn’t hit for a high average or swing the bats well, but we got on base and tried to make things happen. “This year we feel like we should hit better, whether it’s guys with experience or just new guys that we think can hit better.” With the pitching already in place, that could be bad news for everyone outside of Sumrall. PineBeltSPORTS.com

DIAMOND KINGS

Kirk McCarty (Jr.) — P/OF

ince McCarty was a freshman, Oak Grove head coach Chris McCardle has called him a senior in the body of a fill-in-his-grade. That’s not to say McCarty can’t continue to improve, but it is to say that the talented athlete has long been ready to lead. Now is his chance. After taking a small step back offensively as a sophomore, all signs would seem to indicate that McCarty can get back to where he was as a freshman, when he hit over .400. Although his average dropped last year, he led the team in walks as he adjusted to the leadoff role. The Southern Miss verbal commit has speed and intelligence and, oh yeah, he can pitch the heck out of the baseball. Already a decorated player with a state championship ring as only a junior, McCarty is the type of difference maker that even his coaches admit doesn’t come around very often.

DIAMOND KINGS

Larson Barkurn (Sr.) — P/C/3B

t’s not often that you own a championship ring, rake the ball and go 10-0 on the mound and aren’t the main attraction on your team, but that was Barkurn last year. That’s no longer the case, as this is clearly Barkurn’s team in 2013. As a junior, Barkurn was an RBI machine with a .462 batting average and an undefeated pitching record despite having no varsity pitching experience. As a senior, he has a chance to be even better, if that is possible. Seemingly a born leader, Barkurn will add a new position to his repertoire as he heads behind the plate in addition to his previous experience at pitcher and third base. Not sure if he can be any better? Consider he may truly have found his home at catcher — his grandfather was a catcher in the Major Leagues and Barkurn himself says he always knew he’d end up at the position.

Date

Opponent

Feb. 16 Feb. 16 Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 26 Feb. 28 Mar. 1 Mar. 2 Mar. 5 Mar. 8 Mar. 11 Mar. 12 Mar. 13 Mar. 14 Mar. 19 Mar. 22 Mar. 23 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Mar. 29 Apr. 2 Apr. 5 Apr. 6 Apr. 9 Apr. 12 Apr. 13 Apr. 15 Apr. 19 Apr. 23

Date

Feb. 16

Perry Central Greene County Biloxi Sumrall Purvis Lumberton Petal Petal Poplarville (NEJ Tourney) Ridgeland (Jackson Prep) Ridgeland West Jones1 Meridian Meridian Purvis Hattiesburg Hattiesburg Clinton Petal Meridian Taylorsville Hattiesburg South Jones West Monroe Sumrall Clinton Tournament

Bay High (PRCC Jamboree) Columbia (PRCC Jamboree) FCAHS Petal Stringer Oak Grove Lumberton Purvis West Marion West Marion Gulf Shores Tournament Gulf Shores Tournament Gulf Shores Tournament Gulf Shores Tournament Pass Christian Pass Christian FCAHS Collins Collins Purvis Seminary Seminary Taylorsville St. Patrick St. Patrick Brookhaven Perry Central Oak Grove Perry Central

Opponent Purvis

Time

Place

4:30/6:30 5:30 5:00/7:00 7:00 5:00 3:00 5:00/7:00 7:00 2:00 5:00 7:00 2:00/2:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 11:00/1:00 6:00 5:00/7:00 12:00/2:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 2:00/4:00 6:00 11:00/1:00 5:00 5:00/7:00 TBA

WCU WCU Away L始ton L始ton L始ton Away USM Away Away Away Away Away JCJC Away USM WCU USM Away Away Sumrall USM Away USM Away Away

Time

Place

2:00 5:00 7:00 12:00 7:00 7:30 7:30 12:30 7:00 7:00 TBA TBA TBA TBA 7:00 7:00 1:00 7:00 7:00 TBA 7:00 7:00 TBA 7:00 7:00 1:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

Time 9:30

PRCC PRCC Away FCAHS Home Lumberton Lumberton Lumberton Home Away Gulf Shores Gulf Shores Gulf Shores Gulf Shores Home Away Home Home Away Home Away Home Oak Grove Away Home Away Away Home Home

Place

PRCC

PCS

Opponent

Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 25 Feb. 28 Mar. 1 Mar. 2 Mar. 5 Mar. 8 Mar. 11 Mar. 12 Mar. 12 Mar. 16 Mar. 19 Mar. 22 Mar. 23 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Mar. 29 Apr. 2 Apr. 5 Apr. 6 Apr. 8 Apr. 13 Apr. 15 Apr. 19 Apr. 20

LUMBERTON

OAK GROVE SUMRALL

Date

Opponent

Date

Opponent

Feb. 18 Feb. 22 Feb. 26 Feb. 28 Mar. 2 Mar. 4 Mar. 6 Mar. 9 Mar. 15 Mar. 16 Mar. 19 Mar. 21 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Apr. 2 Apr. 4 Apr. 9 Apr. 11 Apr. 13 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 30 May 2 May 7 May 9

Jackson Academy Silliman Institute Purvis Greene Co. (Petal Invit.) Stringer (Petal Invit.) Starkville Academy Starkville Academy Columbia Academy Silliman Institute Pearl High School Hillcrest Christian Hillcrest Christian East Rankin Academy East Rankin Academy Parklane Parklane Jackson Prep Jackson Prep Petal Copiah Academy Copiah Academy AAA Division 1 Playoff AAA Division 1 Playoff AAA Division 1 Champ. AAA Division 1 Champ.

Feb. 16 Feb. 22-23 Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 26 2/28-3/2 Mar. 5 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 Mar. 16 Mar. 19 Mar. 22 Mar. 23 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Apr. 2 Apr. 5 Apr. 6 Apr. 9 Apr. 12 Apr. 13 Apr. 16 Apr. 19

W. Marion Jamboree H.E. Byrd Classic Sacred Heart Enterprise Lin. Salem Lamar Co. Tourney Richton Richton Perry Central Perry Central Mize Mize East Marion Taylorsville Taylorsville North Forrest North Forrest FCAHS Bay Springs Bay Springs West Marion Purvis Prentiss

Date

Opponent

02/15 02/16 02/17 02/19 02/22

Missouri Missouri Missouri Alabama Eastern Illinois

Time

Place

Time

Place

6:00 4:00 5:00/7:00 TBA 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 11:00/1:00 11:00/1:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 11:00/1:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 11:00/1:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 11:00/1:00 5:00/7:00 3:30

Home Home Home Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Away

6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 4:00 4:00 6:00 2:00 6:30 1:00/3:00 7:00 5:00/7:00 7:00 5:00/7:00 6:30 4:30/6:30 6:30 5:00/7:00 1:00 6:00 4:00/7:00 TBA TBA TBA TBA

TBA

Time 4:00p 2:00p 1:00p 6:05p 6:00p

Away Home Home Petal Petal Away Home Away Away Away Home Away Home Away Away Home Home Away Away Away Home TBA TBA TBA TBA

Away

Place

The Pete The Pete The Pete Tuscaloosa, AL The Pete

Feb. 16

2/25-3/2 Feb. 26 Mar. 1 Mar. 2 Mar. 5 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 3/11-14 Mar. 19 Mar. 22 Mar. 23 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Mar. 30 Apr. 2 Apr. 5 Apr. 6 Apr. 9 Apr. 12 Apr. 13 Apr. 16 Apr. 19 Apr. 20 Apr. 23

Purvis Pearl River Central Sumrall (Classic) FCAHS (Classic) Petal Invitational Tourney Picayune St. Martin West Lauderdale Oak Grove Oak Grove Columbia Gulf Coast Classic Hattiesburg Hattiesburg Brookhaven Meridian Meridian Gulfport Oak Grove Hattiesburg Brookhaven Meridian Richland PCS Taylorsville Purvis TBA Purvis

Date

Opponent

PETAL

Feb. 23

PURVIS

Opponent

Feb. 16 2/22-23 Feb. 26 2/28-3/2 Mar. 5 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 Mar. 12 Mar. 15 Mar. 19 Mar. 22 Mar. 23 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Mar. 29 Apr. 2 Apr. 5 Apr. 6 Apr. 9 Apr. 12 Apr. 16 Apr. 19 Apr. 23

Petal (PRCC Jamboree) Oak Grove Classic PCS Lamar County Tourney FCAHS FCAHS Hattiesburg Tournament South Pike South Pike Columbia Columbia Oak Grove Lawrence Co. Lawrence Co. Sumrall Tournament N. Pike N. Pike Hattiesburg Tylertown Tylertown Lumberton Petal Petal

Time 9:30 12:30 11:00 1:30 7:30 7:30 1:30 7:00 7:00 1:00 TBA 7:00 7:00 1:00 7:00 7:00 1:00 7:00 7:00 1:00 7:00 7:00 1:00 7:00 7:00 TBA 7:00

Time

9:30 TBA 5:00/7:00 TBA 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 TBA 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 11:00/1:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 TBA 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 11:00/1:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00 5:00/7:00

Place

PRCC PRCC FCAHS FCAHS Home Home Home Home Home USM Away Gulf Shores WCU Home Away Home Away Away Home USM Home Home Home Home Away Away Clinton Home

Place

Away Away Away L始ton Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Away Home Home Home Away Home Home Away

UNIV. OF SOUTHERN MISS

Date

02/19 02/22 02/23 02/24 02/26 03/01 03/02 03/03 03/06 03/08 03/09 03/10 03/12 03/15 03/16 03/17 03/20 03/22 03/23 03/24 03/26 03/28 03/29 03/30 04/03 04/05 04/06 04/07 04/09 04/10 04/12 04/13 04/14 04/16 04/19 04/20 04/21 04/24 04/26 04/27 04/28 04/30 05/03 05/04 05/05 05/10 05/11 05/12 05/14 05/16 05/17 05/18 05/22 05/23 05/24 05/25 05/26

Alabama Eastern Illinois Missouri State Alcorn State Louisiana-Monroe Troy Troy Troy South Alabama Louisiana-Lafayette Louisiana-Lafayette Louisiana-Lafayette Mississippi State Central Arkansas Central Arkansas Central Arkansas Auburn Rice Rice Rice South Alabama UCF UCF UCF LSU Tulane Tulane Tulane New Orleans New Orleans Marshall Marshall Marshall Ole Miss Memphis Memphis Memphis Alabama UAB UAB UAB Louisiana-Monroe East Carolina East Carolina East Carolina Southern IL-Edwardsville Southern IL-Edwardsville Southern IL-Edwardsville Ole Miss Houston Houston Houston C-USA Tourney C-USA Tourney C-USA Tourney C-USA Tourney C-USA Tourney

6:05p 6:00p 4:00p 3:00p 6:00p 6:00p 1:00p 1:00p 6:30p 6:00p 2:00p 1:00p 6:30p 6:00p 1:00p 1:00p 7:00p 6:00p 2:00p 1:00p 6:00p 5:30p 5:30p 11:30a 7:00p 6:00p 2:00p 1:00p 6:30p 6:00p 6:00p 2:00p TBA 6:30p 6:30p 2:00p 1:00p 6:00p 6:00p 2:00p 1:00p 6:00p 5:00p 1:00p 10:00a 6:00p 2:00p 1:00p 6:00p 6:30p 6:30p 1:00p TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Tuscaloosa, AL The Pete The Pete The Pete Monroe, LA Troy, Ala. Troy, Ala. Troy, Ala. Mobile, AL The Pete The Pete The Pete Trustmark Park The Pete The Pete The Pete Mobile, AL The Pete The Pete The Pete The Pete Orlando, FL Orlando, FL Orlando, FL Metairie, LA The Pete The Pete The Pete New Orleans The Pete The Pete The Pete The Pete Park Trustmark Park Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN The Pete The Pete The Pete The Pete The Pete Greenville, N.C. Greenville, N.C. Greenville, N.C. The Pete The Pete The Pete The Pete Houston, TX Houston, TX Houston, TX TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

DIAMOND KINGS

Lane Ratliff (Sr.) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; P/1B

atliff may not only be the best athlete on the Purvis baseball team, but possibly the best to ever take to the diamond in a Tornado uniform. With so many members of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title-winning squad gone, Ratliff is one of the few returning with experience. The senior could be ready to break out in a major way as he takes on more responsibility. Although Ratliff was third in the pitching pecking order and largely used as a reliever in 2012, his 0.47 ERA provides a tantalizing carrot as he heads into 2013 seemingly poised to take on a starting job. Ratliff was also a surprise with the bat, earning himself the DH job despite little prior basis to believe that would happen. It all paints a picture of an all-around player that could be the biggest spark the Tornadoes have.

DIAMOND KINGS

Devontea Watts (Sr.) — SS/P/2B/OF

atts may not be the most celebrated player on the Sumrall roster, but the truth is he may be the most important. The team’s Swiss Army knife, Watts is likely to play at least four positions — if not more — this year, providing head coach Larry Knight with flexibility in his lineup. Some growth with his bat could provide a major boost in the order, but he already got on base at a .487 clip last year and provides some speed and athleticism — he led the team in walks and tied for the lead in stolen bases. And although Watts may be mentioned after Will Simon and Chandler Massengale in the team’s pitching staff, his numbers suggest we should do otherwise. His 40 innings pitched more than substantiates his team-best 0.88 ERA, and his team-best 2.5 pitches-per-batter-faced indicates he may be the most efficient of the group. Sounds like a game changer to us.

DIAMOND KINGS

Hunter Norton (Sr.) — C/P

resbyterian Christian has been in transition a lot in recent years, with struggles to win consistently and three coaches in as many years. But the program hopes it may begin to stabilize things with new head coach Kyle Maxie, and if there’s a player he can lean on in his first season, its senior Hunter Norton. Will the Bobcats set the world on fire? Likely not, but Norton is an experienced player who will set the tone on and off the field and try to leave something behind that the younger PCS players can build on. He’ll be taking on a new role this season, going from the middle of the infield to behind the plate to catch. Considering catcher is one of two positions on the field that Maxie is unsure of, it makes sense to put a reliable veteran in that spot. The bottom line is, nobody starts on the varsity baseball team for five years — as Norton is this season — unless they’re bringing a lot to the table.

DIAMOND KINGS

Tyler Martin (Jr.) — C/P

here are a few critical, returning players back in the lineup for Lumberton, but the one with the highest ceiling might be Martin. Already a third-year starter as a junior, Martin will reprise his role as catcher and No. 2 pitcher while hitting in the heart of the lineup. His coach calls his stuff on the hill “incredible,” and his numbers have shown improvement each year of his varsity career — he posted a 2.70 ERA and a .357 batting average last year. While senior Junior Johnson might be considered the “top” pitcher and is the team’s leading returning hitter, it should shock nobody if Martin’s numbers are atop the stat sheet when everything is said and done. Not only that, but he’s got two full seasons of high school baseball still ahead of him to refine his game. If the Panthers want to improve on last year’s finish, Martin looks like the guy to build around.

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Purvis

2013 Outlook

Purvis hopes that the 2013 Tornadoes don’t need more than a quick alignment, despite losing a mega class of title-winning seniors. The new upperclassmen — (from left) Joe Barrett, Bryant Hensleigh and Lane Ratliff — will try to help with a quick tuneup before Purvis is off to the races again in Class 4A.

The Petal News

s far as fairy tale seasons go, 2012 was a pretty good one for Purvis baseball. On the backs of one of the most experienced groups in the state, the Tornados made the plays, got the bounces and took home a Class 4A title that seemed, in many ways, to be their destiny. Welcome to 2013, where only one defensive starter returns for Purvis and as much as last season was a known quantity, this one throws things into the realm of the unknown. But that doesn’t stop head coach Tony Farlow from maintaining high expectations for a new group.

“The expectations from around the state may not be as high as they were last year,” Farlow said. “I think everyone I talked to last year (said) Purvis was the favorite to be in Jackson. I don’t think we’ll be there this early in the year, but I think we’re going to field a team that’s in the middle of everything. “I think with us returning the two pitchers that we’re returning, there are some expectations for us to make a run and get back to where we were last year. By all means, it’s a completely different team. It’s a completely different makeup.”

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The two pitchers referenced are Joe Barrett and Lane Ratliff, and much of the responsibility will be shouldered by them, especially early in the year. Barrett is coming off a year in which he earned an AllState nod for his 10-1 record and 1.87 ERA through 52 1-3 innings pitched. Ratliff wasn’t asked to throw as many innings — mainly as a reliever and closer — but the lefthander was just as impressive in just under 30 innings, with a 0.47 ERA and 49 strikeouts (that’s more than 11.5 whiffs per seven innings). The senior will likely be asked to shoulder more of the load as a starter in 2013. “The way I look at it is I feel we’ve got two No. 1 pitchers,” Farlow said. “We’re hoping (Ratliff is) going to lead. I think he’s going to perform at a really high level. Lane is probably one of our best athletes, and he can have a very special year. He has the potential.” Ratliff is also the team’s leading returning batter, hitting .320 last

year after settling in to the designated hitter role. He’ll need to reprise his role as a solid bat this year, whether he is on the mound or at first base, where he’ll often be found when he’s not pitching. “He was kind of a surprise with his bat last year,” Farlow said. “We had no idea he’d be DH-ing for us. He stepped in and did a really good job. Lane’s going to be somebody that’s going to have to be in the lineup with the bat, defensively and pitching — whatever role it is. Lane’s got all the tools to be really special.” Beyond that there are many questions. The lone additional senior alongside Barrett and Ratliff in a small group of upperclassmen is Bryant Hensleigh. Hensleigh has been around the varsity program for a few years, but will get his first chance to start this season at second base. He hit .400 in very limited plate appearances as a junior. Nathan Roseberry is the only returning defensive starter for the Tornadoes. He grabbed a hold of the

third base position as just a freshman in 2012, contributing to a very solid defensive infield and hitting .279. But more will be expected of him now. The good news is that Roseberry has already been in that position before, having started at quarterback for the football team for two years. That experience should help him grow into more of a leader on the diamond. Can the rest of the lineup fill the void left by a championship-winning group? That’s the big unknown, although Farlow has liked what he’s seen from a talent perspective so far. “You had seven or eight seniors on the field (last year),” Farlow said. “Several of them were twoyear starters and one of them was a four-year starter. So experience is going to be a big question, and the leadership. Last year’s team had a lot of leaders. This year’s team is still trying to find itself, and we’ll probably be trying to find ourselves for a little bit at the beginning of the year. But I think, talent-wise,

——— “By all means, it’s a completely different team. It’s a completely different makeup.” —Tony Farlow

———

Photo by Josh Mlot

ACE IN THE HOLE — Senior Joe Barrett proved himself on the mound last year. In 2012, he’ll now be asked to be a leader as well as a performer.

we can put some pretty good players on the field.” In fact, Farlow admits that this year’s group may be a little bit ahead of where last year’s squad was at this same point. Whether they develop during the course of the campaign is yet to be seen. The team profile, though, shouldn’t change much. Last year’s group was balanced throughout, not relying on just a few individuals to carry the load. The 2013 Tornadoes will fit the same mold. Junior Brady Anderson will round out the infield, trying to fill the deep void left by four-year starter Logan Ferrell. The outfield will be a lineup of fresh faces, with juniors Tyler Abney and Braxton Carter manning the corners and sophomore Will Curtis in center field. A pair of sophomores will be behind the plate, as Shelton Smith and Ethan Taylor are expected to split time.

When Ratliff is not at first base, Barrett and junior Seth Beal will fill in. Purvis will also have to develop some pitching depth, something it had a healthy dose of last year. But that group was an unknown coming into 2012, so the hope is that this team’s pitchers will make themselves known in the same fashion. That will be of major importance to keep Barrett and Ratliff fresh. Roseberry and Curtis are expected to handle some innings in relief, but the player that Farlow is highest on is sophomore Jacob Williams. “Jacob Williams, to me, is probably going to be the key for us,” Farlow said. “Right now I’ve got a lot of confidence in Jacob. He threw well last year when we moved him up to jayvee. He’s got kind of a submarine sidearm and can throw the ball hard with some sinking action. He gets a lot of ground balls.” The hope is there, now the new

guys just have to go out on the field and prove their worth. Some of that will be a matter of talent, while some of it will be a matter of strong mental makeup — something the 2012 side had in spades. The coaching staff thinks it has what it takes to be in the mix at the end of the year in what Farlow calls a “very balanced 4A South,” but how the youngsters take to their new roles — expect to see as many as five sophomores on the field at the same time — will be critical to the Tornadoes’ success. “They were successful in jayvee last year — they won most of the time they took the field,” Farlow said. “They’re used to winning at whatever level they’ve been at. Now we’ve just got to do it at the varsity level. We’ve got a lot of young kids, and mentally there’s a big difference. “I can honestly say that at this time last year I couldn’t have given much thought to us actually playing

for and winning a state championship. Everybody else was talking about it, but I really didn’t know if it was a realistic goal. … In a lot of ways we look better than we did at this time last year, but I just don’t know if mentally we’re where we were last year. The leadership is still trying to be developed.” The table was set by a winning class that graduated after bringing home a title; now time will tell if the current players were watching closely to see how things are done. “I tell them all the time, ‘You are very, very lucky to have had such a remarkable class ahead of you that showed you the right way to do things,’ ” Farlow said. “Hopefully we’ve learned from that, and I think they have. “Every team has its own identity, and this year’s team will be different from last year’s. We’re not trying to emulate last year’s team. We know it’s different kids. But I think that they’re hungry to get started.” PineBeltSPORTS.com

The Petal News

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Photos by Matt Bush

Petal

2013 Outlook

So what if one of the biggest stars Petal has ever seen is gone? The program isn’t about stars, it’s about an assembly line of players that work hard and play harder. The team now belongs to (from left) Larson Barkurn, Tervor Williams, Levi Brewer and Garren Berry, and they plan to rev the engine into high gear and drive right back to the program’s rightful place — competing for state titles.

The Petal News

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

ast year’s season was bright but ultimately frustrating for Petal baseball. The Panthers went 25-7, won a Region 5-6A title and handed rival Oak Grove two of their three losses on the year. But when it was all said and done, Petal walked off the field with a loss, just short of yet another South State appearance. That’s not the sort of thing that sits well with a program for which the only reasonable goal each year is to play for a state championship. “Last year it didn’t end the way we’d like for it to, and hopefully we’ve learned something from that,” Petal head coach Larry Watkins said. “Harrison Central played really good (in the second round of the playoffs), not taking anything away from them, but I don’t think we were playing as well as we had been.” Will 2013 be a return to how things have been? That’s certainly possible for a squad returning six of nine starters from a year ago. The catch is that the trio that is gone will be sorely missed, including one of the best the program has produced, Anthony Alford, and a threeyear starter behind the plate, Taylor Graves. That pair also represents two of the team’s top three hitters from a year ago. “That’s a lot of experience we lost and great leaders,” Watkins said. “We’re really going to have to step up in those spots.” The void will have to be filled

with contributions up and down the lineup, something Watkins said has always been the key to his successful teams. Another constant? Good pitching and defense, which are two things the Panthers should again have. Last year saw Petal enter the season with a complete mystery on the mound. The resulting performances should give the side high hopes in 2013, as the program returns 182 of its 184 innings from a year ago. “We went in last year with no experience,” Watkins said. “It really is amazing that we won that many games.” If the Panthers want to reprise their role as the frontrunners, they will likely need another strong year from their best player, Larson Barkurn. Already tabbed as a PineBeltSPORTS.com Preseason All-Area player, a 2013 Dandy Dozen member and a Louisivlle Slugger All-America selection, Barkurn will be a threat in the batter’s box and on the mound for Petal. As a junior, Barkurn debuted as a pitcher and didn’t disappoint, rolling to a 10-0 record with a 2.20 ERA, while allowing opponents to hit only .192 off him. Despite not being overpowering, he struck out nearly eight batters per seven innings. Barkurn was also second on the team with a .462 batting average and was third with a .545 on-base percentage, clearly taking the next

step offensively. He drove in an eyepopping 39 RBIs. This year, along with his traditional positions of pitcher and third base, he’ll be spending time behind the plate at catcher as the Panthers try to replace Tyler Graves. A smooth transition to a position Barkurn says he always had a feeling he’d end up at may be key, as the Panthers will need him to be on his game. The irony of Barkurn’s breakout performance was that, pitchingwise, he posted the highest ERA of the three hurlers who threw the most innings. No. 2 starter Calder Mikell may be the piece that can push the team to the next level, as he flashed his talent as a sophomore, posting a 6-2 record in nine starts with a 2.09 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 44 innings. The expectation is that last year’s experience will allow the talented junior to contribute more innings while performing at an even higher level. “Experience is so important for kids that have been there and realize you don’t have to go out there and strike everybody out to win games,” Watkins said. “You’ve got to keep the pitch count low and things like that. I look for Calder to have a great year for us. He’s a junior and he could be one of the top prospects next year as a senior. A lot just has to do with maturing and understanding.” Trevor Williams was also a pleasant surprise on the mound, throw-

PineBeltSPORTS.com ’ s BASEBALL 2013

ing 35 1-3 innings, winning four games and posting an ERA under 2.00. Top reliever Levi Brewer, a sidearmer, is back after a solid season, and juniors Drew Smith and Bryant McDuffie will likely see more innings. With the pitching appearing to once again be strong, it will be a matter of rounding out the lineup for Petal. The good news is that players have gotten experience at a young age and are on an upward trend. The most critical development may be that of Williams, who is going into his third season as a starter at first base. Already a known quantity defensively and athletically, it has been a matter of finding consistency with the bat for the senior. After his batting average jumped nearly 130 points last season, it’s quite possible Williams will see another large improvement, especially with the offseason progress the coaching staff believes he has made. That will be essential, as he would appear to be a natural fit to slide into one of the key spots in the batting order in 2013. “Trevor’s a lot bigger and stronger than last year and I think he’s going to have a great season,” Watkins said. “We look for this to be his best year.” Shortstop Jacob Hiatt has flashed the leather defensively since he became a starter as a freshman, but it was his offensive contribution that was a pleasant surprise last season.

The Lamar Times

UP THE MIDDLE — Petal returns their infield intact, including shortstop Jacob Hiatt, who, as a junior, will be entering his third year as a starter and is coming off a breakout year with the bat.

——— “Last year it didn’t end the way we’d like for it to, and hopefully we’ve learned something from that.” —Larry Watkins

———

Now a junior, Petal will need Hiatt to again post the above-.500 OBP that saw him become a legitimate leadoff hitter for the Panthers. Another bat primed to hit in the heart of the lineup is Garren Berry. The son of Southern Miss head coach Scott Berry became a full-time starter as a junior and was a versatile piece of the puzzle. After hitting .346 while getting hit by a team-high 14 pitches and sharing the team lead with nine doubles, Berry will be expected to again do it all for Petal. He will play at first base, third base and share catching duties with Barkurn. The final incumbent will be Levi Brewer, set to reprise his role as second baseman. The outfield, however, won’t have the same level of experience. With center fielder Alford gone, along with right fielder Kyle Giacona, at least two of the faces roaming the outer reaches of Panther Stadium will be new. Replacing Alford in center is junior Kyle Smith, who may have a bright future ahead for the Panthers. Smith — who is poised to succeed Barkurn next year as Petal’s quarterback on the football team — has filled out and gotten stronger while impressing Watkins. “He’s a good athlete who runs good and works hard,” the head coach said. “We’re looking for a lot of good things from him.”

The Petal News

The corner spots will be a battle. Senior Slade Buckley returns after seeing playing time in the outfield in 2012, but he’ll have to fend off a challenge from juniors Jalen Boney and Kye Broom as well as sophomore Drew Smith. “It’s going to be real competitive for a couple of outfield spots out there this year,” Watkins said. Expectations are always high at Petal — that’s something that never changes. So it’s clear that the Panthers are not satisfied to simply settle for a season like the last one. “I hope they’ve got a bad taste from the way it ended,” Watkins said. “The previous two years we’d had two great endings up there (in Jackson with state titles). You want to be playing your best at the end.” To do that, the Panthers will have to fill some big shoes, but the program has done that plenty of times before. In 2013, Petal will once again define and epitomize success on its own terms. “Whenever you feel like you’ve got the most out of your kids; you see your kids competing,” Watkins said of what he wants out of the year. “Some people may think it’s a successful season when you win State, but state championships are hard to come by. They’re tough. I think just seeing the kids come together and play hard every time out — usually the wins will take care of themselves when everyone contributes.” PineBeltSPORTS.com

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PCS

2013 Outlook

Three coaches in three years has left the Bobcats searching for consistency and an end to their struggles. But a new leader brings new hope to PCS, where the parts are in place — starting with (from left) Luke Seymour, Hunter Norton, Lee Smith and Tyler Young — to do a little turning of the wrench and start steering the program in the right direction.

resbyterian Christian has been trying to get its baseball program on track, but the results have left something to be desired. Witness the team’s third coach in as many years. But the Bobcats hope that with its most recent hire it’s got the man in place to help PCS get back to earning positive results on the field. After a 5-21 season in one year under Ryan Lott, now it’s Kyle Maxie in charge. If the name’s familiar, there’s good reason. Maxie was a standout player in high school just down the road at North Forrest, from where he was drafted in the 22nd round by the New York Mets. Instead of going the pro route, Maxie chose to sign with Florida State. He

The Petal News

spent one season there before returning home to play at Pearl River Community College for a season, before finishing up his college career for two years at Southern Miss. His playing days ended with the Golden Eagles in the College World Series, and he headed off to start his coaching career at Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville, Ala. After two years there he moved to Southeastern Louisiana for a season as a volunteer assistant before finding a reason to come back home. “It’s been a long struggle,” Maxie said. “I’ve always grown up here. I knew about (PCS) and watched them grow to what it is now. It’s been a great transition for me, getting back,

and it’s been a pleasure working with these kids. They’re hungry to get better every day.” Maxie, for one, thinks he has something positive to offer a program looking to re-find its footing in the MAIS baseball picture. “Baseball’s been my life,” Maxie said. “These kids need some direction and leadership and just learning the ins and outs of baseball. That’s something I felt I could give them. It’s been evident since I’ve been here that these kids really want to work and are striving to get better each and every day.” The Bobcats will work to build a bigger and better foundation of talent, but an even larger focus is being placed on the mental aspect of the game. With the current roster used to

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little but losing, the attitude around the squad needs to change before the program can truly turn around. The new coaching staff has already gotten started preaching that to its players. “I said when I took the job that the mentality has to change,” Maxie said. “They’ve had up and down years, and they need to get back to that winning mentality. No matter who you’re playing you’ve got to execute and get your job done. We’ve been stressing mental toughness — you can’t let anything affect you. You’ve been taught the right way, and now you’ve got to do your job and execute.” The players who will be trying to perfect that execution are a mix of experienced veterans and new faces looking to prove themselves. The nucleus of returning players will be expected to set the tone, because it will take everyone working together for Presbyterian Christian to experience success. “Everybody’s got their own role,” Maxie said, “and they’re starting to figure out what that is and become a team. It’s not one single guy that’s going to make or break us.” Senior Hunter Norton is, unquestionably, one of the main pieces of that nucleus, as a fifthyear starter. It’s not often a player has that much experience, and the Bobcats will certainly lean on that in 2013. Norton has long manned the shortstop position, but this year he’ll likely find himself some-

where else — though still up the middle — as he shifts behind the plate to catcher. Fellow upperclassman Tyler Young brings his experience to the diamond as well, where he’ll roam center field in front of a newly-constructed outfield fence. Junior Lee Smith will stand alongside Young in right field, while senior Chris Addison will find himself in left field. Junior Luke Seymour will play second base, while sophomore Dustin Webster will step in for Norton in the hole at shortstop. Senior Zach Simms will try to fill the large shoes left by the departed Brandon Sullivan at first base. The hot corner is probably the biggest question mark for PCS, with Maxie still looking for a definitive starter at the position. The head coach said that senior Robbie Broadhead and junior Brendan Jones are battling for playing time at third base. Stephen Jones is another allaround athlete with some experience, though his role is still to be determined. With Jones tied up playing basketball early in the preseason, the senior was unable to make an early impression on the new head coach. On the mound, the Bobcats will have to find a way to make up for the lost innings and productivity of Sullivan, who was the team’s No. 1 pitcher for a number of years. The good news is that the coaching staff feels they have a large num-

ber of potential hurlers, so the pieces should be there to put together a pitching staff. “It’s really going to be a tossup,” Maxie said. “We’ve got about eight guys that have stepped up. You can set a rotation and whatnot, but the ultimate goal is going to be who stands out when the game’s on the line.” Preseason work left Young and Smith as the top two standouts, but virtually every starter could be called into action on the hill. PCS hopes that whoever is sent out onto the field can help get things turned around, and Maxie spoke highly of the group’s ability to adapt to the different things he’s asked of them. That’s a good start, as is the strong chemistry the squad has. That may be something forged under the weight of losing seasons suddenly buoyed by some hope. “I would say the strengths right now is the team unity we have,” Maxie said. “These guys really like playing with each other. As far as the game is concerned, some guys are stepping up and showing a little leadership. “This is a group that has come through and struggled in the past. They haven’t had the success they hunger for. It all goes back to changing that mentality. We’ve got to play the right way and let the results take care of themselves. They’ve been like a sponge and implemented things. The guys have handled it very, very well.” PineBeltSPORTS.com

——— “We’ve been stressing mental toughness — you can’t let anything affect you. You’ve been taught the right way, and now you’ve got to do your job and execute.” —Kyle Maxie

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The Petal News

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Photos by Artie Rawls

2013 Outlook

Lumberton

Fresh off a return to the preseason, the Panthers return a talented core — including (from left) Logan Crider, Joe Edwards and Junior Johnson — to lead the way back to the promised land. A new head coach will do a quick oil check to make sure the engine is running smoothly, but there’s no reason Lumberton can’t have its best season in some time in its last hurrah in Class 2A.

umberton baseball had a straightforward goal in 2012 — get back to the playoffs, where the program felt it belonged. The Panthers did just that, reaching the second round of the postseason. Now, with a strong core returning from that squad, optimism abounds for 2013. “I’ve got five seniors, and four played last year,” new Lumberton head coach Josh Anderson said. “They know what it’s like to be team leaders and what it’s going to take to get to a South State championship and even State championship. They know why they got beat (last year) so they know what to work on and what to preach to the younger guys.” The key will be how the group buys in to Anderson, a first-time head coach, who walks into a position leading a team with playoff goals. Anderson is a graduate of Stringer, from which he moved

on to play baseball for two years at Jones County Junior College. He wrapped up his degree at Southern Miss before jumping right into coaching at Poplarville, where he was an assistant coach for three years. Last year Anderson was at West Jones as the pitching coach. “I’ve always wanted to be a head coach,” Anderson said, “and I felt like with the four years of coaching, I was ready. This job came open and there was a good group of kids. I came and watched them a few games in the playoffs and interviewed. I felt like this was a good place to start. With a good group of kids, I think I can win here.” There’s good reason to believe that winning can start this year. The biggest loss for Lumberton is that of shortstop Caleb Davis, a 2012 PineBeltSPORTS.com All-Area selection, but the rest of the team’s top contributors are back. The Panthers’ top three hitters are back in the form of

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The Lamar Times

derson said. “I’m unsure about hitting. We’ve been hitting the ball well (in preseason) and I’m expecting us to hit well, but it’s something I’m not real sure about.” It will largely depend on how the rest of the lineup settles in. Second base will likely be manned by some split between senior Demario Hughes, who is coming off a football injury, and junior Justin Nall. Crider, who was a sort of jackof-all-trades a year ago, should settle in at third base. Martin and freshman Jared Walters will back up at the spot when the need arises. Matthan Jenkins, who may be the most promising young Panther, will back up first base and catcher as just a freshman. With Johnson or Martin set to pitch on most nights, that will translate into a lot of playing time for the young Jenkins, who was already being hailed as a talent by the last coaching regime when he was just an eighth grader. “I’m expecting big things out of him just based on how much he’s improved,” Anderson said. The outfield will have a totally different look from a year ago. It will also be one of the biggest outfields in the state, with two offensive linemen roaming the grass. Senior Joe Edwards returns after starting at third base in 2012, but he will be asked to hold down center field in his final season at Lumberton. Fellow lineman Matt Gay, a junior, will be in left and may be able to contribute offensively.

——— “They know why they got beat (last year) so they know what to work on and what to preach to the younger guys.” —Josh Anderson

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The Petal News

“He’s got a big stick and can hit the ball pretty good,” Anderson said. Right field is the most hotly contested position on the diamond, with junior Shelby Barnett, senior Tarrius Clark — “He’s an incredible player, he’s just got to get some experience,” Anderson said — and junior Jatarrin Clark all in the mix. The latter Clark, a bruising running back for the football team, is no small fry himself. The 2013 campaign will be Lumberton’s final in Class 2A before it slides down a classification, and the Panthers will surely want to leave behind a season to be remembered by. If the mixture of veterans and new talent can unify under Anderson’s watch, the squad has every belief it can put such a season together. “I’m really preaching to them about working as a team,” Anderson said. “I think they’re going to realize if we work and play together as a team and encourage each other, we’re going to do OK. That’s going to carry over into games and that’s what’s going to push us to the next level. “We have the talent to go as far as we want to go. I told the guys as soon as I got the job that if they work hard they can go as far as they want. I think we’ve got a team to compete in the playoffs — they went to the second round last year, and I believe we can go even further than that. We want to compete for a championship just like everyone else.” PineBeltSPORTS.com

Photo by Josh Mlot

senior Junior Johnson (.368), junior Tyler Martin (.347) and junior Kale Lancaster (.368). First baseman Johnson and catcher Martin provide the most pop, while Lancaster — who will slide from second base to take the shortstop spot vacated by Davis — provides some speed. That trio will also be the team’s top group of pitchers. Johnson has already led the team in innings pitched two years running, and continued steps forward saw him post a 2.49 ERA last year while throwing 50 2-3 innings. Martin threw 41 innings with a 2.73 ERA. Lancaster contributed 23 innings and will likely see a mixture of a starting and relief role in 2013 as he is groomed as a full-time starter. “My two starters I’m really counting on are Junior Johnson and Tyler Martin,” Anderson said. “(Johnson) did well for them last year and I’m expecting big things from him. He gets up there and has a pitching mindset. He knows what he’s doing out there and how to pitch. “Tyler Martin has incredible stuff. He throws the ball hard. Once we get him in shape I think he’ll be fine. He did well last year as a sophomore, so this year he’s really going to step up.” Senior Logan Crider will be asked to shoulder a good deal of the relief role out of the bullpen. “I think our strength is going to be our pitching,” An-

NEXT UP — Kale Lancaster is one of a few underclassmen who have already gained experience for the Panthers.

2013 Outlook

n paper, all of the question marks Southern Miss had last year should be answered in 2013. Then again, games aren’t played on paper, but that hasn’t kept the Golden Eagles from being very optimistic about the season ahead. Last year saw a streak of nine straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament come to an end. The program has reached the tournament 12 times in its history dating back to 1990, and will certainly be looking to make it 13 this spring under head coach Scott Berry. The major concern a season ago was youth and the resulting lack of experience. The Golden Eagles enter the new season still a young team, but inexperience is no longer an excuse. The team returns 22 letterwinners including seven starting position players, as well as its entire weekend rotation from a year ago. The bulk of the roster — 10 juniors and 11 sophomores — is now a year older. Many of those returnees went from unknowns to decorated performers. Two Golden Eagles were recognized with AllAmerica honors, including righthanded pitcher Andrew Pierce and lefthanded pitcher and outfielder Mason Robbins. The former was recognized by Collegiate Baseball while the latter by Baseball America. That alone should indicate how high the hopes are for the USM rotation in 2013. Many were surprised that Pierce was around to return to Hattiesburg after the Major League Draft after a season in which

Southern Miss he posted a 1.99 ERA and a 7-4 record. Robbins — 2011’s Mr. Baseball in Mississippi as a high school senior — didn’t enter a starting role until later in the year and finished with a 4.01 ERA in 10 appearances with six starts. He also hit .330 with 38 RBIs and three home runs. The third starting pitcher back is leftie Jake Drehoff, who earned praise coming into the season and mostly lived up to it, despite being only a freshman. Now a sophomore, Drehoff will look to build on a year in which he finished with 3.51 ERA and a 62 record in 15 starts. Pierce and Robbins were also named to the Conference USA Preseason All-League team, along with reliever Bradley Roney. Top hitter and shortstop Ashley Graeter is gone, but there is plenty of optimism through the rest of the lineup, as Austin Roussel (.338) is back, along with Dillon Day, Isaac Rodriguez and Blake Brown. And the experience around the diamond is vastly superior to 2012. Behind the plate both Chase Fowler and Roussel return. Fowler appeared in 44 games a year ago. In the infield, Blake Brown returns to hold down first base, with Tim Lynch an option at first or designated hitter. Isaac Rodriguez returns yet again to hold down second base and hit near the top of the order (.276 batting average a year ago) and Bradley Roney looks like a frontrunner to take over at third base when he’s not pitching while Michael Sterling may hold down Graeter’s old position at short, although a

number of players may see time on the left side of the infield in the season’s early going. Dillon Day returns as a mainstay in the outfield after starting 50 games last year and hitting .290. Who fills in around him may be somewhat of a revolving cast as sophomore Andrew Furr may be in line for more playing time and redshirt freshman Breck Kline may be called on in any number of roles. When Robbins is not on the mound, he will reprise his role in right field and enter the batter’s box as one of the team’s most dangerous hitters. Former Sumrall standout Connor Barron could be the outfield’s wild card as he transitions from the infield. He showed flashes of promise as a true freshman — appearing in 39 games (32 starts) and hitting .250 with a 3.92 on-base percentage — before losing the end of his season to injury. Barron is now healthy and more experienced, but will be learning a new position. After playing shortstop in high school and then in his first season on campus, he’ll play any of the three outfield slots in 2013. Despite the disappointment of not making the NCAA Tournament last year, the Golden Eagles did finish the year winning seven of the last nine games. That resulted in the program’s 11th straight winning season, picking up 30 wins a year in over that time. That’s not bad, but everyone wants more in 2013. PineBeltSPORTS.com

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The Lamar Times

William Carey

2013 Outlook By DJ PULLEY

ntering his 28th season at the helm of the Crusaders, head coach Bobby Halford comes off of an injury-plagued 2012 season which saw the William Carey Crusaders finish the season with a 29-27 record which included a 15-14 record in SSAC play. Still, the Crusaders advanced to the SSAC Conference Tournament in Columbus, Georgia for the second straight year. “We went through a lot last year with injuries. I really can't remember a season quite like it. I was proud of the way our guys competed no matter the situations they were put in,” said Halford. A large group of junior college transfers highlight the new additions to the 2013 pitching staff including Casey Wells (East Central CC), Landon Brister (ltawamba CC), Hunter Phillips (Florida State College at Jacksonville), Cade Leblanc (Baton Rouge CC), as well as two Delgado CC standouts Josh Wood and Cody Deckwa. Additional newcomers Jake Fabre, Cullen Babin, and Vito Perno, will also be looked upon fill the holes left by graduating seniors Taylor Martin, Zac Magee, Kye Wilson, and Sean Carter.

Fabre and Babin are expected to anchor the staff. Returning to the hill for the Crusaders is Brandon Jones, J.D. Little and Michael Coelho. Jones provided stability to the WCU bullpen last season and was also effective in several starts. Jones finished with a 3-2 record, 4.50 ERA, and recorded 31 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings. Little and Coelho both saw extensive action as freshmen and received valuable experience that will benefit the team in 2013. “The group as a whole has the ability to develop velocity wise more than we have been able to in the past and each one brings a wealth of experienc,” said Halford. In the infield the Crusaders return starting third basemen Mitch Bohon, second basemen Sean Hodges, and first basemen Jackson Posey. In 2012 Bohon started all 56 games and hit .300 with 4 home runs, 13 doubles, and a team high 51 RBI's. Another option at third base is Itawamba CC product Chris Hannig. At shortstop J.C. Cassidy (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) will step in and fill the void left by the graduation of two-year starter Ronnie Camacho. The Ocean Springs native hit .305 and drove in 37 runs in two years at MGCCC. Hodges is back at second base and will be joined by East Mississippi transfer Tyler Bonaventure.

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Last season, Hodges successfully returned from a one-year layoff and hit .295 with 22 RBI's and sported a .960 fielding percentage. In addition to spending time on the mound lefthanded power threat Cade Leblanc will join Jackson Posey at first base. Posey hit a team high .328 with 10 doubles and 34 RBI's last season and fielded a team best .990 with 379 assist and 28 double plays. “Both guys are really good at first. Posey was solid last year for us, and Leblanc was tremendous in the fall,” said Halford. Behind the plate the Crusaders will turn to redshirt freshmen Harrison Foster and Nick Lowe to fill in the gap left by the graduation of Quinn Stokes. The Crusaders will sport a revamped outfield in 2013 after graduating all starting outfielders from a year ago. Senior Carlos Castro returns after missing last season due to injury. During his junior year in 2011 Castro hit .315 with 3 home runs, 14 doubles, and 34 RBI's. Transfers Fabre (Delgado CC), Jeremy Ferguson (Itawamba CC), Aaron Brady (East Mississippi CC), and Tre Keys (Mississippi Delta CC) will join the outfield mix. True freshmen Richard Hensarling (Lafayette, LA) will also join the Carey outfield. PineBeltSPORTS.com

The Lamar Times

FUTURE WATCH J.C. Keys

There are a lot of young players with a bright future on the Oak Grove roster. Cam Myers is a standout athlete, Laken Wilson has already been tabbed as a potential successor at shortstop as soon as next year. Matthew Guidry has been praised for the potential his bat brings. All are sophomores. But if you’re looking for a young Warrior whose future may be sooner rather than later, you should turn your eyes to J.C. Keys. The 10th grader is already set to make an impact in 2013 as he takes his speed to the outfield

and his arm to the pitching mound. In fact, Keys drew the opening day start on the hill and flashed ability that could be honed into something special. If you’re not convinced, current Oak Grove standout Kirk McCarty certainly is. “He’s been swinging well,” McCarty said, “but actually, on the mound he’s been a dog. And quote me — ‘dog.’ He’s a dog on the mound.” And we’re guessing that’s a good thing.

Jacob Williams

Things always start with pitching, don’t they? Purvis relied on its pitching and defense to bring home a title in 2012, and it will be largely the same formula going forward.So it should come as no surprise that the Tornadoes are hoping for a breakout from a young pitcher. That pitcher is Jacob Williams. Just a sophomore in his first varsity season, Tornado head coach Tony Farlow went so far as to call Williams “the key,” as the team tries to replace a good deal

of its pitching depth. If Williams can perform as expected, it will allow Purvis to ration the arms of its known quantities and provide strong support out of the bullpen. From there, the ceiling would seem rather high on a player so young. “Right now I’ve got a lot of confidence in Jacob,” Farlow said. So we do too.

Matthan Jenkins New Lumberton head coach Josh Anderson says something telling when talking about freshman Matthan Jenkins. “I’m expecting big things out of him just based on how much he’s improved,” Anderson said. The reason this is notable is because Jenkins was already on the verge of varsity playing time as just an eighth grader. That would seem to indicate that any noteworthy improvement should push him into the “major impact” range. And he’s still just a freshman. That makes two head coaches that have specifically targeted

Jenkins for praise, as previous headman Jason Oxenrider did so as well. The young catcher and first baseman is on the verge of developing into a very good player, and one that the Panthers will run out in their lineup for years to come. Jenkins time may be now. On most nights there will be an open spot in the lineup for the frosh to fill. “He’s going to be a very good ballplayer in the future,” Anderson said, “but he’s going to see a lot of playing time this year.”

DeMarcus Evans

Petal head coach Larry Watkins has been around long enough to know talent when he sees it. He’s fostered numerous future collegiate and professional baseball players. When looking at his 2013 squad he can call to mind a number of underclassmen he expects to play bigger roles and make improvements, including a handful of juniors as well as sophomore Tristan Labove, who’s flashed his flame throwing since he was an eighth grader.

But the most intriguing might be DeMarcus Evans. Evans may or may not see varsity time this season, but he is probably the first player you notice at a Panther practice. The big 6-foot-2, 241-pounder stands out in a major way. Watkins describes him as “a big kid with a good arm.” Will Evans be the next standout Petal pitcher? Only time will tell, but he’s already attracting our attention.

Drake Pace

There is also the expectation in Sumrall that a number of younger guys will get the chance to play in 2013, setting the table for a quality nucleus for years to come. The Bobcats showed last year it will utilize freshman, and yet another may see time this season as outfielder Trace Jordan has impressed. But it’s the group of 10th graders looking to make their mark that could be the future for the Bobcats. “I really think that’s our next big group of talent,” head coach Larry Knight said. The legendary coach says he could envision as many as five of those sophomores making an impact this year, one of

which is Drake Pace. Pace stands out even on paper, with a unique name and a body that already stretches the tape at 6-foot-4. If Knight’s to be believed, he could be ready to standout on the field as well, with a submarine throwing style that the coach says he has the “perfect” build for. “He’s really, really looked good in preseason,” Knight said. Pace can fill the closer role for the Bobcats, freeing Will Simon 100 percent to start. Sounds like music to the ears of Sumrall fans.

Dustin Webster Nowhere does the young future mean as much as at PCS. The Bobcats have struggled in recent years, and new head coach Kyle Maxie hopes the team’s youthful faces will help change the culture. Maxie is loath to pick out any particular individuals, saying the entire group is critical. But actions speak louder than words anyway, and a quick look at the lineup reveals something significant. The head coach has penciled

Dustin Webster in at shortstop, which is telling because Webster is the youngest player in the projected starting lineup. He’s also taking that spot in lieu of an experienced player that could play the position. “Our young kids are where our program’s going to be,” Maxie said. “That’s where your program is built. “I’m very high on our young guys.”