It’s year two for Charlie Smith coaching baseball for Winston Academy and the longtime coach is excited about the challenges that are coming with it in 2020.
The Patriots had to work through some youth a year ago as they started the season strong at 11-2 and then ended 1-8. The team returns all but three hitters and two pitchers this season as they look to be much-improved.
Among that group are four seniors that will carry the load. Jody McCorkle is one of the biggest pieces as the outfielder is coming back from a shoulder injury in basketball and should return to the lineup as a designated hitter this week and to the field next month.
Josh McGinnis is the returning cleanup hitter, the starting first baseman and a starting pitcher that hit .406 with 28 hits and five doubles and also threw 20.1 innings. Hunter Gregory is team captain and made the move from second base to catcher with high reviews from Smith so far.
Left fielder Jackson Joiner also returns after hitting .312 a season ago and the Patriots have added Louisville transfer and junior second baseman Camden Sanders who is working through injury. As good as his older players are, Smith also needs a lot from guys like Mississippi State commitment and sophomore outfielder/pitcher Aiden Fancher among others.
“We’ve got three or four young guys that have to figure it out especially against guys that are throwing 88-90 mph,” Smith said. “Our district is so tough and we have to play people with really good arms. Heritage has four or five quality arms, Starkville has two that I know of, Lamar, East Rankin and Leake have good arms as well. You’ve got to be able to hit those guys so we’re trying to find people that provide us with an opportunity.”
The season began with two tough opponents already for the Patriots as they lost a 7-2 decision to Madison-Ridgeland and a 15-5 game to Central Hinds last week.
Errors were the name of the game in both losses as the Patriots had 12 of them combined between the two of them.
“We just played really bad at short stop. Nine of our errors are at short stop and second this year and that’s three different short stops,” Smith said. “Our starting short stop has elbow issues right now so it’s been an issue.”
One good thing about the first two ball games is it allowed the offense to get acclimated to talented pitchers that they’ll see this year. As time moves on, Smith is confident that his players will be prepared mentally for what they’re going to see.
“We’ve seen three D-1 signees and three JUCO signees already. We’ve seen a lot of good senior pitchers but if we don’t make errors we have a chance in those games,” Smith said. “We don’t have seven or eight seniors like those teams but we’ve got some good players.”
Rain in the forecast this week has messed the schedule up a bit again for the Patriots. They were slated for a double-header against Indianola on Tuesday weather permitting and will travel to Indianola on Thursday night. WA will also play Oak Hill on Friday and Manchester on Saturday at home.
