It’s been quite a while since Winston Academy has been able to produce a great season on the diamond but they’re looking to get back to big things this year under new leadership.
That leadership comes from someone that’s quite familiar with Winston county baseball and he’s had his share of success in his coaching career. After years in the public school system, many of which came at Louisville High School, Charlie Smith is taking over this season for the Patriot baseball team. He finished off a successful softball season in the fall with a young roster and he’s hoping to do the same with a lot of youth on his baseball team.
“We’ve got a hard-working bunch of kids that seem excited,” Smith said of his team. “They’re very young as a group. About 22 of our 29 kids are seventh, eighth and ninth graders. We do have some older guys that we’re really counting on that we think will help us a lot.”
Among those older players are three seniors that Smith is going to rely heavily upon if the Patriots are to get back to the winning ways.
Middle infielder, outfielder and pitcher Noah Dempsey is one of the most important for the Patriots as he is important both in the field and on the mound. Smith also said that catcher Brian Woodward and shortstop Bryce Waggoner will be among the most important pieces for the team.
“We’re looking forward to seeing those three lead us on the field,” Smith said. “They have some tremendous upside so we’re ready to get them out there and see what they can do.”
Among the juniors that will also be looked at for some leadership are Hunter Gregory, Cage Palmer, Jody McCorkle and Josh McGinnis who is one of the team’s top returning pitchers. Most of the rest of the team is sophomores or younger which makes the season one where players will have to cut their teeth in a big way.
Just getting on the field has been a chore in the first couple of weeks, though. The Patriots didn’t get a chance to play a game in the opening week as heavy rainfall over a few days time kept teams all over the state from playing. The team is hoping to get its first bit of action on Wednesday at home against Eupora, a team that they picked up because everyone else fell through after the rainouts.
“Just like everybody else, the weather has messed us up,” Smith said. “We’re hoping that we can play this Wednesday night against Eupora. I’ve coached a long time but I haven’t seen anything like the last few days where we couldn’t get out at all. It’s just sit and wait.”
It could be a busy week for the Patriots if they get games in. After the Eupora game, they have a game scheduled at Newton Academy for 6 p.m. on Thursday, a rematch against Leake Central in Carthage on Friday and back at home against French Camp Academy on Saturday at 2 p.m.
For Smith and his players, they just want to play someone. The team has been cooped up inside for far too long and now they’re ready to be unleashed. There might be some bumps in the road early, but Smith likes the makeup of his squad.
“I’m really, really proud of my guys. From all the conditions we’ve had we’ve worked really hard,” Smith said. “We’re fortunate to have the indoor hitting facility that we have. We were down last week when we were supposed to play but we’re trying to stay ready to play. Not much of anybody has put some defensive work in so that’s going to be difficult to start.”
