If Connie Mack was right that pitching is 75 percent of baseball, Choctaw County could be in line for a big season in 2021.
First year coach Justin Flake said a deep pitching staff should be the Chargers' strength. “We have a lot of capable arms. That's one thing I have been pleased about.”
Senior Justin Jenkins could be the ace of the staff, but Flake has options to round out a rotation. They include senior Zay Coleman, senior Brian Threadgill, junior Trace Beard, junior Connor Jewell and sophomore Alex Telano.
Versatility is another plus. All of the pitchers can play other positions. When Jenkins isn’t on the mound, you can find him in the outfield.
Jewell is one of the most versatile Chargers. “You can play him anywhere, infield, outfield, pitcher, catcher, a little bit of everything,” Flake said.
Sophomore Eli Dell and junior Micah Gammill are catchers. “Whoever is hitting will probably hold down the fort for us,” Flake said. “They both can play third base. Eli can pitch.”
There is also competition at first base between Beard and Telano. “That has kind of been the theme of everything. We have depth. We have guys who can go in and not miss a beat.”
Coleman, sophomore Wesley Vowell and junior Clark Crowley are infielders.
Senior Ques McNeal, playing baseball for the first time, is penciled in for the outfield. “He’s hitting the ball really well.”
The Chargers will play Louisville and Nanih Waiya in four-inning games at a jamboree at Nanih Waiya Saturday and will be at Louisville for a classic game next Tuesday.
Flake joins the Choctaw County coaching staff after three years at Heritage Academy, including an MAIS championship in 2019. His 2020 team was 11-1 and top-ranked among AAA teams when the season came to an early end.
He is stressing fundamental baseball. “We want to throw strikes. We want to make the routine plays in the field. Put the ball in play. We have been doing a lot of scrimmaging. Hopefully, our bats are ready to go.”
In the school’s final year before dropping down to 2A, the Chargers will compete in Region 4-3A with Hatley, Houston, Noxubee County and Aberdeen. Flake said Houston, always strong in baseball, and Hatley shape up as the teams to beat.
“They know winning,” he said of Houston. “They’re well coached and talented.”
He said Hatley has quality pitching. “They can match up with anybody in the district.”
