The one certainty about being the defending state champion is that all of your upcoming competition will be seriously bent on preventing a repeat performance.
Such is the case for the 2019 Indianola Academy baseball team.
After last spring’s campaign which saw the Colonels capture the State AAA crown while accumulating a 26-8 record, IA Head Coach Clete Putnam’s squad returns to make another run at earning that elusive title.
On paper at least, the prospects appear very good for the Colonels to make a serious bid at accomplishing that goal.
To reach that state championship status, Coach Putnam noted, “I think that the number one key to another successful season is staying healthy.”
“We play in a tough district and a strong classification”, said the veteran coach who enters his 15th season at the helm of the IA baseball program. “It is always a challenge to get to the playoffs. You need to get great pitching, solid defense, timely hitting, and have a little luck.”
With eight of nine starters returning to the field this spring, a group which includes the top three pitchers in the rotation, the Colonels are hoping to once again peak at the right time of the season.
Last spring, the IA squad did just that as they opened their playoff competition with a loss but then reeled off six consecutive victories to claim the state championship.
Impressively, two of those victories were over a pair of pitchers who have either signed or have committed to play Division 1 baseball.
With the 2019 season scheduled to open this Saturday against Heritage Academy in Columbus, the opportunity exists for fans to see a pair of future Mississippi State University pitchers toe the rubber against each other.
For IA, it will be Josh Hill while the Patriots are expected to counter with Blayze Berry, a right-hander who has also committed to the Bulldog program in Starkville.
However, this Saturday’s game could be postponed due to the North AAA basketball playoffs; competition which both IA and Heritage are expected to be heavily involved.
The next action for the Colonels is scheduled for next Tuesday when a trip to Manchester Academy in Yazoo City offers a 6 p.m. first pitch to be thrown.
When it comes to the group of players who must make it happen on the playing field, the old saying is that success begins and ends on the pitcher’s mound.
As mentioned, the Colonels bring back their top three arms in the rotation; a group of right-handed seniors which include Hill, Will Davis, and Reed Junkin.
Last season Hill posted uncommonly strong numbers while on the mound as his work resulted in a 1.21 ERA; an ultra-low number which was aided immensely by the 124 batters he fanned while only issuing 23 base on balls during his 13 appearances on the mound.
When not pitching, Hill also saw time in the middle infield and his bat produced a .408 average which drove 46 runs across the plate.
Next in line on the mound is Davis, an East Central Community College signee whose 8-0 pitching record last spring earned a 1.19 ERA with 61 strikeouts and only 18 walks.
While spending all of his other playing time at the shortstop position, Davis returns after posting a .333 batting average which produced a dozen doubles and three triples – both team high numbers.
Rounding out the primary pitching corps is Reed Junkin, whose 2018 work produced a 9-0 record with a 1.86 ERA when not playing first base. In the batter’s box Junkin’s three home runs helped drive 26 runs across the plate.
At third base, senior Wesley Lester is returning to hopefully turn in another impressive season.
A Northwest Mississippi Community College commit, last spring Lester led the team in six categories which included batting average (.485), home runs (11), RBI’s (48), and stolen bases (14).
Rounding out the returning infielders is a pair of juniors in the form of James Hill and Thomas Putnam.
Holding down second base, Hill accumulated a .297 batting average last season while his fielding play was instrumental in the Colonels’ success.
After making the transition from outfield to catcher last spring, Putnam is expected to use that experience to further enhance his play this spring. In addition to using his strong arm to throw out base stealers during that 2018 campaign, Putnam’s bat drove 21 runs across the plate.
In the outfield another pair of juniors is expected to hold down starting positions earned last season.
Also blessed with a high-velocity arm, Spencer Roberson returns after posting a .337 average which included six home runs and 30 runs batted in.
Rounding out the returning outfielders is Woods Toler who will bring much experience back to the field in tracking down balls hit his way.
The only position left open following Sebastian Harris’ graduation is in center field.
However, there are players waiting and working in the wings to hopefully earn a starting spot in this IA lineup.
Two players specifically listed as expected to contribute this season are Randy Kimble and Walker Zepponi.
According to Coach Putnam, “Kimble served primarily as a courtesy runner last season and I expect him to contend for a playing time in the outfield.”
While “Zepponi was injured most of last year, he should contribute both offensively and defensively as well as helping on the mound,” said Coach Putnam.
