Youth is the word most mentioned when discussing the 2023 version of the Gentry High Rams baseball team.
However, despite only four returning starters coming back from last year’s squad which posted a 7-18 record, second year Head Coach Eddie Ivory is optimistic about the upcoming season.
This new season will commence next Friday with a trip to Humphreys County High in Belzoni. First pitch of that season-opener against the Cowboys is expected to be thrown at 4 p.m.
“This year’s team will be young in experience, but we have a lot of heart and will hopefully surprise a lot of teams.”
That optimism is partially fueled by the fact that two of the returning starters are All-Division picks from a year ago.
With Troy Griffin and Elijah Power making the Rams potentially strong defensively up the middle, Coach Ivory is expecting to see a “strong infield defense. I really don’t expect to have many errors this season.”
Last spring Griffin held down the shortstop position and was potent as well in the batter’s box.
In addition to leading his team in base hits, the senior speedster also led the entire Division 3-4A in stolen bases.
Another returning All-Division pick comes in the form of second baseman Elijah Power. However, when not playing the infield, Power will once again see time on the pitcher’s mound this spring.
Other returning starters include third and first baseman Jordan Davis and outfielder Raphael Ross. Both Rams were divisional Honorable Mention selections last year.
On the all-important pitcher’s mound, Power will be joined by Charles Jennings in attempting to give the Rams the chance to win games. According to Coach Ivory, both righthanders “ended the season with great strikeout to base on balls percentage”.
Another promising new face coming to the mound this spring will be righthander Mitchell Davis.
When discussing his concerns about the upcoming season, Coach Ivory noted the youth of his team but also “As a young team we will have to learn how to make a mistake and turn the page on them.”
Coach Ivory’s 19 member roster will play a schedule containing 16 games and a mid-March tournament at Hollandale Simmons High School.
As for his Division 3-4A competition, Coach Ivory expects Senatobia High School to make a run to repeat as the division champion. “They are ranked as the top seed because of the number of starters they have returning”, said Coach Ivory.
Also competing with the Gentry High Rams for a playoff spot and the divisional crown this spring will be Clarksdale High, Greenwood High, and Yazoo City High School.
