Ahead of schedule

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Athens baseball coach Mike Morris, left, works on base running with senior Jake Koelzer. Athens returns just three starters from the 2008 team that went to the district final.

With nine seniors and five pitchers gone, rebuilding is under way

If nothing else, at least Mike Morris has kept his sense of humor.

A year ago, the Troy Athens baseball coach had a senior-laden team that went 19-11, won its second straight division title and advanced to the district final before falling to Troy High.


The problem, however, is what happened next.

“Life after a senior-loaded team isn’t going to be easy,” Morris said with a laugh last week. “We’re essentially starting over.”

“Starting over” may be putting it mildly.

The Red Hawks graduated nine seniors that helped the team to back-to-back crowns in the Oakland Activities Association Division II. Of those nine seniors, six were regular starters, and just for good measure, all five pitchers also graduated.

“I wouldn’t call it a shock, but the first few days at practice were real tough,” senior outfielder Ian Land said. “There were plenty of mistakes. At the same time, I know a lot of these guys have experience in baseball. Right now, they just need some time to get accustomed to the varsity level.”

Morris said it’s going to be those three returning starters — Land, fellow senior outfielder Robert Kilgore and junior shortstop Mike McKinnon — who will have to carry the load in the early part of the season.

“Their leadership is going to be key,” Morris said. “The way they prepare for games and for practices is something these younger guys will have to see and follow.”

“We know what our responsibilities are going to be,” Kilgore said. “We’re captains, and we know why. Leading by example is going to be key. At the same time, we have keep things positive for everyone else.”

As far as the pitching is concerned, well, Morris admitted the path to the drawing board has been visited extensively.

“It’s going to be interesting,” he laughed. “We’re going to have to throw just about everyone we have until we figure out a rotation. We’re working a few different guys, so once we get the season rolling, I’m hoping we have a better idea.”

While his team had yet to play a game at press time, Morris said things had gone better than expected in the first couple of weeks of practice. Fair weather has allowed his squad to work outside more than planned, speeding up the maturity process slightly.

Land agreed.

“To be honest, things have come together pretty well in the time we’ve had so far,” Land said. “I’m not sure how good we can be, because I don’t know too much about the other teams we’ll play. It’s up in the air right now as far as potential is concerned.”

Still, even with all the youth and the rebuilding under way, Morris quickly explained how the goals his team has set out to accomplish have not changed.

“As it is every year, our objective is to win the last game,” he explained. “We’d love to repeat in the league, and come district time, we hope to be playing our best baseball of the year.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.