The French Camp baseball season is about to begin, with jamboree games Feb.16 and a classic game Feb. 21, but coach Nathan Wright is not sure how his team will look when it takes the field.
“Right now we have a lot of question marks,” he said.
The Panthers return only four starters from last year’s team that finished 7-9-1 and second behind state champion Nanih Waiya in Region 5-1A. The Panthers suffered a couple of one-run losses to Sacred Heart in the opening round of the playoffs.
Wright is hoping some players will fill the gaps, but said, “I don’t know who are the ones who are going to step up.”
One possibility he mentioned is senior outfielder Zach Gilmer, a standout in football for Wright who is playing baseball for the first time. “I’m hoping he emerges as a leader for us.” He added, “Clayton Leathers was my best hitter the last two years, but he’s not going to come out.”
Leathers decided to pass up his senior year due to a shoulder separation suffered in football that still bothers him. “That’s going to really hurt us,” Wright said.
Returning starters are senior Holman Edwards, senior Phillip Lucas, junior Seth Box and junior Javen Anderson.”
Edwards will pitch and play shortstop. He had an outstanding junior year, batting .351 with a team leading 14 RBIs and picking up three saves in 10 appearances with a 1.85 earned run average.
Box will pitch, catch and play third base. He batted .263 a year ago and was 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA.
Lucas is a pitcher and corner infielder who had a 1.85 ERA in six appearances and batted .245. Anderson is penciled in at centerfield. He batted .250 a year ago.
Other players who should see considerable action include junior Bradley Edwards at catcher and third base and junior Jarren Holmes as an infielder and pitcher.
In limited action last year, Holmes batted .444. “He has a really good swing,” Wright said. “He’s coming off knee surgery, which is a little scary, but he’s doing well.”
A key to success will be “unifying as a team,” Wright said. “That’s always significant for us, especially this year with only four starters and a lot of new faces. Pitching is always an issue, trying to figure out who those guys are going to be for us.”
Saturday's jamboree, scheduled for French Camp, opens at 11 a.m. with FCA and Calhoun City. The 12:30 p.m. game has Calhoun City vs. Winston Academy, while the 2 p.m. contest is between WA and Eupora. The 3:30 p.m. game is between Eupora and French Camp..
French Camp will entertain Winona on Feb. 21 and visit the Tigers two days later.
The Panthers will again compete in Region 5-1A with Nanih Waiya, Ethel, Noxapater and McAdams.
