Cane Baseball Season to Open Tomorrow

The Diamond ‘Canes will play their first regular baseball game of the season at home versus Jackson, tomorrow, Feb. 24. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 5 p.m. All home games are played at the field at the middle school.

Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Chris Jenkins said, “We’re just now getting a few more players from basketball and wrestling, and we expect to suit up 25 to 26 players.

“All positions are open and the starters won’t be announced until I give out the line-up prior to the game. I am hesitant to say what my gut feeling is about the team because I felt good going into last season, which according to our standards, turned out to be disappointing, so I am cautiously optimistic.”

On the mound the ‘Canes will return seniors Brady McMichael and Kevin Camp. After that they’ll also be returning Dustin Womack, who saw some time on the mound last year.

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Coach Jenkins said, “Pitching will be the key for us. If we can find four guys who can throw strikes consistently we’ll have a good season.”

The team will return nine players from last year, six of which were starters.

Senior players returning include Dee Chapman, Tyler Couch, A.J. Thomas, Taylor Fields, Jonathan Bell, McMichael and Camp.

Coach Jenkins said, “Defense could potentially be our strong suit. We have a good bit of experience on the field and they are an athletic group of kids. They should be able to cover a little more ground than most teams.”

The varsity team is also scheduled to play GMC at home next Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 5:30 p.m. They are scheduled to go on the road next Thursday, March 1, to Jones County, with the first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Matthew Allen will be the assistant varsity coach and the junior varsity coach. The JV season doesn’t open until March.

The Middle School Hurricanes won their season opener against Oak Hill Middle school in Milledgeville 16-6. “The boys played an awesome game,” according to Amy Scroggs, parent and teacher. John Graybill and Scott Cooper are the middle school coaches.