A new Indianola Academy baseball season brings new district competition, five returning starters, and a scarcity of pitching experience to the Colonels.
Entering his 15th season at the helm of the consistently successful IA baseball program, Head Coach Clete Putnam notes that “We have an athletic team that runs well. Hopefully, that will allow us to be aggressive offensively. It also gives us a chance to put a solid defense on the field.”
However, the veteran coach also observed “We have very little experience on the mound at the varsity level.”
Suffering the loss of their top three pitchers following last season’s14-8 campaign now demands new faces to step onto the mound this spring.
Last season’s efforts saw the Colonels’ season end in the playoffs at the hands of eventual state champion Heritage Academy of Columbus.
The process of discovering who will emerge strong on the mound in 2020 is supposed to commence today when the Colonels are scheduled to travel to Kirk Academy in Grenada for a 6 p.m. non-district game.
Additional action on the immediate horizon has Kirk Academy visiting the IA field next Monday while next Tuesday will have the Colonels traveling to Washington School in Greenville. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 6 p.m.
As for the five returning starters, two have already committed to further their baseball careers at the collegiate level.
Returning to play outfield again this spring is Spencer Roberson. However, the Hinds Community College pitching commit is being counted on to be a force during his time on the mound.
At the plate last season, Roberson displayed power in his bat as well as he drilled five doubles, two triples, and three home runs.
Meanwhile, Mississippi Delta Community College baseball commit Thomas Putnam returns as a three-year starter for the Colonels.
An All-District selection at catcher last season, Putnam will also see time as an infielder and on the mound during this spring’s action.
While in the batter’s box last year, the senior recorded the third highest number of hits on the team and tied for the lowest number of strikeouts among starters; an effort which helped drive 17 runs across the plate, fourth highest on the team.
When not pitching, James Hill will begin his fourth year as a starter on the infield.
However, Hill also brings the most experience to the pitcher’s mound this spring. The senior logged 19.67 innings and a 2.14 ERA during last season’s campaign.
His body of work recorded 23 strikeouts while yielding 15 hits and issuing five walks.
Another senior, Woods Toler, returns to chase hit balls to the outfield.
A part-time starter last year, junior Walker Zepponi is expected to hold down an infield position while also seeing time on the pitcher’s mound.
A pair of new faces Coach Putnam expects to make an impact this spring is sophomore catcher/pitcher/OF Leland Selby and junior outfielder John Reece Jackson.
When assessing district competition, Coach Putnam noted “We are new to this conference (District 2-3A) but I understand that Winona Christian School and Oak Hill Academy (West Point) are expected to field strong teams.”
With the help of assistant coach Kenny Strong, Coach Putnam will be guiding the Colonels through a 26 game schedule which also includes a Spring Break Tournament in Vicksburg.
