Devils want to progress with season
Published 10:01 pm Monday, February 28, 2011
The Verbena Red Devils may be close to doing some big things.
The baseball team won a handful of games in 2010 and have lost their first two of the ’11 campaign, but coach Chris Stano said some minor adjustments could lead to success.
For starters, Devils have been good at getting on base but not at bringing runners around to home plate.
“We’ve played pretty well for three or four innings, but we haven’t put a complete game together yet,” Stano said.
Verbena lost to Thorsby, 8-1, on Feb. 21 and to Marbury, 13-3, on Feb. 24. But more runs are likely to cross the plate as a young team matures and gets healthy.
There are only three seniors—Garrett Dennis, Kelly Dorsett and Crayton Taylor—on the squad.
Dennis, who should be a force in the middle of the lineup, is out for the beginning of the season with an injury.
Dennis will also pitch, and Dorsett will man second base and pitch. Taylor will play some first base and start some games as a designated hitter.
While young—there are also only three juniors—the Devils have some experience because almost all of this season’s starters saw much playing time last year.
In fact, the only regular starter at a different position is right fielder Jared Mims, who played infield in the past.
In addition to those already mentioned, the pitching staff features Bay Lucas (the starting catcher), Jeremy Creger (centerfield), Christian Coston (shortstop) and Jaryus Wilson (also will play shortstop).
“We’ve just got to show more consistency throwing strikes,” said Stano, a first-year coach.
Stano coached is a Montevallo High School graduate who returned to coach there the previous two seasons. Stano also played center field for the University of Montevallo from 2003-06.
Mark Cleckler is assisting Stano.
“There’s a lot of excitement out there,” Stano said. “Everybody has a positive attitude.”
The Devils host Isabella at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.