A new high school baseball season is set to begin for the Indianola Academy Colonels.
And for the first time since 2005, there will be a new head coach guiding the Indianola Academy baseball team.
Filling that position will be Head Coach Scooter Prince, who will begin his tenure at the helm of the IA baseball program when his 2022 squad takes the field this Friday.
This season’s first varsity pitch is scheduled to be thrown that day in Greenwood at 6 p.m. against Pillow Academy.
This opening game for the Colonels also begins a schedule which includes 26 regular season games plus a Spring Break Tournament.
Additional play this next week will take the IA squad to Riverside High School in Avon next Monday for another 6 p.m. varsity contest.
Coach Prince replaces long-time head coach Clete Putnam, who remains at IA as the high school principal and assistant football coach.
Owning 17 years of coaching experience, Coach Prince has come to IA from Mt. Olive Attendance Center.
In addition to his coaching career, Coach Prince also has a wealth of experience gained from his 13 years served in the military and law enforcement.
“I use some of what I learned in the military and law enforcement in my coaching philosophy,” said Prince, who will also teach biology at Indianola Academy.
A product of University Christian School of Brandon, Coach Prince played baseball at Hinds Community College prior to beginning his military career.
As for what he sees thus far out of his Colonels, Coach Prince noted “I feel we are going to be fundamentally sound and be able to do the small things that will help us win games. My coaching philosophy centers around being fundamentally sound and working hard plus giving 100% effort every time we step on the field.”
This season, the Colonels will be looking to improve the 5-14 record earned in 2021 by a very young squad.
Coach Prince notes that the possible strengths of this year’s team will be “Hitting and pitchers being able to throw strikes while hoping our defense catches up down the road.”
As for his most immediate concerns, Coach Prince observed that “Right now in the early part of the season my concerns are making routine plays and mental toughness. We need to get better at understanding the game and not let the small thing or failures get in our way of being successful. As a team, we are going to have to realize baseball is a failure sport and when we fail we are going to need someone else willing to pull the weight.”
With Coach Prince’s approach to the game in hand, the Colonels open their season with six experienced players expected to lead the way.
This group is led by seniors Leland Selby, Wade Lang, and Walker Anthony.
While all three will see time on the pitcher’s mound this spring, Holmes Community College baseball signee Selby will also bring his potent bat and experience in center field for one final season as a Colonel.
Meanwhile Lang is projected to hold down third base while Anthony returns to his role as a second baseman.
Representing the junior class will be outfielder/pitcher Conner Roncali while sophomores Walker Perkins (IF/OF/P) and Tyler Alford (1B/P) are expected to bring much-needed offense and defense to the field.
The Colonels’ first home game will occur on February 22, a date with Tunica Academy which begins a string of four games on the IA field.
Meanwhile, District 2-4A competition commences March 22; a rash of district dates which includes playing a three-game series against each district member.
Competing against IA for the district title will be Carroll Academy, Central Holmes Christian School of Lexington, Greenville St. Joseph High, and Winona Christian School.
